Does coolant brand matter?
- Thread starter altaylar
- Start date
I would assume that Dex-3 is Dex-3. All are reputable names.
Supertech also makes a dexcool product aswell, which is cheaper than either of the ones you list:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Te...5-up/577924444?classType=VARIANT&from=/search
you can use any of the the above.
no matter what the bottle says about compatibility, NEVER mix dexcool orange with anything else, that is the most important thing. I buy dexcool, Supertech brand for my RV.
The newer Prestone (yellow) says to top off, drain and refill, or mix with any coolant. "Any". So if there was a problem doing this wouldn't it set them up for some huge liability?
Don't understand all the different types of coolant available now but Prestone says it's safe to mix with any coolant type or color. I've been doing just that and haven't had a problem. Help me understand this.
I understand what the cap says. I am just saying that there are many on here who specifically advise against the practice of mixing DEXcool with anything else. Perhaps some of the incompatibilities have have been changed over the years, but why mess with it? Dexcool would react adversely with others stuff in the past.
I would not do it.
off the top of my head @clinebarger would likely have an expert opinion on this and may agree or disagree either way. I suggest that if you have Dexcool, stay with dexcool, it is a fine product. No reason to mix with others.
Dexcool is a OAT coolant:
https://carnutchronicles.com/car-ma...t-up-to-150000-miles-but-plagued-with-issues/
https://carnutchronicles.com/car-ma...t-up-to-150000-miles-but-plagued-with-issues/
That doesn't really answer my question, but........
Anyway, the reason I use the Prestone for everything is so I only have to inventory one coolant.
Anyway, the reason I use the Prestone for everything is so I only have to inventory one coolant.
The thing is though, all 3 of these can be bought for about $15 a gallon. Superytech is a premixed 50/50 for $10 a gallon, against $8.5 valvoline/shell/prestone once mixed (assumed $2 gallon for water). Nothing against supertech, but i would not want to pay more for it than Valvoline.
With Dex cool being a simple OAT I would say probably not. There all likely fine.
But that is a different question than "does coolant brand matter". Should be "does Dexcool brand matter"
But that is a different question than "does coolant brand matter". Should be "does Dexcool brand matter"
Yes that would be a more appropriate title
right, point being, Dexcool is Dexcool. Just giving another option.
Zerex [Valvoline] is my go to. Euro pink/red for VW Passat. Asian green for my sons Hyundai Sonata. Colors match and no apparent mixing issues.
Nowadays no, back then yeah. Walmart now sells 10y 300k peak coolant for a buck less than the prestone equivalent. I'd get that. I've used nothing but universal in my old 5.3 and 6.0. and haven't had an issue, no head gasket failure on either and pumps lasted a long time. Though I always went heavier on the mix like 60-65% coolant and the rest water since I heard it helps to prevent rust a bit better and lube the pump more and couple that with a slightly lower thermostat to keep the peak temps in the head gasket down.
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I’ve been using Prestone Corguard in everything I own ever since they introduced it. Including my GM’s that spec Dex-Cool. Never had any issues with Prestone Corguard. However, I always flushed the cooling systems before converting them to Prestone Corguard.
Actually, I think that could be interesting discussion. I wonder how does those universal coolants compare to brand spesific ones.
On one hand, I feel like coolant`s job is quite stratight forward,"transfer heat without freezing or boiling at a wide temperature range covering what cars sees, all while preventing water to rust things out." But then there are those nuances that makes me think maybe I am just ignorent to these things
You aren't kidding. My cavalier came with dexcool originally but my sister borrowed it many years ago when my dad had it. Apparently she put whatever green stuff they had on the shelf.
I myself try to seek out coolants that explicitly say Dexcool Approved on the front or rear of the jug. Namely Prestone Dexcool, either 50/50 mix or concentrate and SuperTech 50/50. I have used both without complaints.
Additionally, I recently bought some Valvoline Zerex Orange/American 50/50 off of RockAuto pretty cheap... around $7 per jug. I have that on hand currently and am using that and have no issue with it.
Additionally, I recently bought some Valvoline Zerex Orange/American 50/50 off of RockAuto pretty cheap... around $7 per jug. I have that on hand currently and am using that and have no issue with it.
I recommend Prestone Dexcool. I have been running it in my 2008 6.0 LS engine, changing it every 5 years. The truck has 280,000 miles, and has the original rad, water pump and heater core.
