Dexcool in a...Toyota?

[21Rouge]

I dont have the manual handy but with the Vibe being a GM badged car does GM insist on owners using Dexcool? I bet Toyota doesnt insist on Dex...who knows maybe Toyo actually states to *not* use Dexcool.

[Mavrik]

its not dexcool thats in the Vibe but it isn't regular green antifreeze either. I took a coolant course when I worked at a GM dealership and I asked the guy teaching it that question. His answer confused me so I'd check with your dealership to confirm. Its not dexcool but dexcool can be mixed with it when its topped up. Don't pour in the regular stuff. If I'm not mistaken its orange, whats in the Vibe and you can't buy regular "orange" coloured coolant.

[21Rouge]

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »its not dexcool thats in the Vibe If so then I am a bit concerned as the Vibe manual states that Dex-cool must be used if coolant is to be added or changed (see page 250). I bet Toyota doesnt say this

[NSimkins]

This topic has had me confused as well for awhile.. I was told from Jeff Strausser (Vibe Brand Quality Manager) last year that they had GM engineers state that Dexcool is safe and should have no effects on the Vibe even given that it initally contained Toyota-branded coolant from the factory.If memory serves right, they used standard red Toyota 2-year coolant in the Vibe for the 2003-2004 model years, then switched over to the 5-year red Toyota coolant for late 2004 and 2005+ model years.I'm hesitant myself to put Dexcool into my "Toyota".. I'd feel more comfortable with the Toyota-branded coolant. If you Search the forums for "coolant", you'll find a few other good discussions on this topic that may shed a little more light.

[21Rouge]

Quote, originally posted by NSimkins »This topic has had me confused as well for awhile.I'm hesitant myself to put Dexcool into my "Toyota".. I'd feel more comfortable with the Toyota-branded coolant. Nick I think you and I share the same concerns. Someone I correspond with online stated it as follows:Things get very convoluted when a manufacturer like GM markets another manufactures equipment but writes the spec sheet up to suit what they have on the shelf. Has it occurred to you that GM has no idea what tranny fluid is the very best for that Toyota tranny?A good example is the Saturn Vue with the Honda motors. Hondaspecifically states not to use GM Dexcool with their engines, but GMinstalls Dexcool into the Vue with the Honda engine because Dexcoolgoes into everything GM. (GM is set to lose 4 billion this year; Iwonder why?)

[bud_one]

Just buy the stuff from toyota....it's basically the green old school coolant with a red tint to it...A friend of mine is a sevice tech for Toyota and I asked him about it...It comes premixed and all you have to do is drain and refill.Used it in mine at 30k miles and nearing the 60k and having to do it again...No problems with it...I personally do not like dexacool...

[Psychobroker]

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »its not dexcool thats in the Vibe but it isn't regular green antifreeze either. I took a coolant course when I worked at a GM dealership and I asked the guy teaching it that question. His answer confused me so I'd check with your dealership to confirm. Its not dexcool but dexcool can be mixed with it when its topped up. Don't pour in the regular stuff. If I'm not mistaken its orange, whats in the Vibe and you can't buy regular "orange" coloured coolant.The service dept. at Power Pontiac in Hawthorne, CA told me specifically to use Dexcool, since the Jiffy Lube guy thought it was Toyota's reg. coolant DYED to LOOK like Dexcool. According to him, Toyota does this alot...? Anyway, we put in Dexcool based on what Pontiac told me.

[Vibe_dude]

i just used the prestone quick mix with dexicool,comes in a gray jug....13.99$ at crappy tire..its orange and safe to use with any colour...i think this is it.Prestone® Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant Prestone® Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant is recommended and formulated for use in all GM vehicles that require a GM DEX-COOL® approved formula coolant, as well as all other cars and light-duty trucks with aluminum radiators. This patented formula has a concentrated blend of premium, long-lasting inhibitors for extended performance, protecting against temperature extremes and the ravages of rust and corrosion for 5 years or 150,000 miles.Prestone® Extended Life has been proven in the laboratory to be compatible with all new extended life formulas at concentrations typically used in all newer vehicles coming off the production line today. These automobile manufacturers include:Audi General Motors Suzuki BMW Honda Toyota Daewoo Mercedes Volvo DaimlerChrysler Mitsubishi VW Ford TipIf you decide to replace your existing antifreeze/coolant with Prestone® Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant, make sure you completely drain and flush the cooling system first in order to gain the full benefits of the longer-lasting formula. Also, if you are currently using Prestone Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant in your car's cooling system, and you add a conventional antifreeze/coolant, you will lose the extended protection. DEX-COOL® is a registered trademark of General Motors Corporation.

[tnpartsguy]

Quote, originally posted by bud_one »Just buy the stuff from toyota....it's basically the green old school coolant with a red tint to it...A friend of mine is a sevice tech for Toyota and I asked him about it...It comes premixed and all you have to do is drain and refill.Used it in mine at 30k miles and nearing the 60k and having to do it again...No problems with it...I personally do not like dexacool...NO IT'S NOT! Toyota Red doesn't contain silicon or silcates, whereas regular green does. Don't use Dexcool, or if you do, flush it like it was normal antifreeze, as it will get muddy after extended use. I personally use Toyota red in everything, including my GM engines.

[bud_one]

Quote, originally posted by tnpartsguy »NO IT'S NOT! Toyota Red doesn't contain silicon or silcates, whereas regular green does.I stand corrected... But we agree on the fact of using Toyota coolant instead of GM's dexacool.Seen too many mud filled GMC Jimmy/Chevy Blazer radiators and stopped upheater cores.

[21Rouge]

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 »Use Toyota Red..... That is all.... The problem is that this isnt feasible for most who take their car to a Pontiac dealership.

[tnpartsguy]

Quote, originally posted by Boxgrover »The problem is that this isnt feasible for most who take their car to a Pontiac dealership.Most Chevrolet Dealers have the Toyota Red, because that is the required part for the Prism. If the Pontiac dealer doesn't, buy your own, and take it with you. It amazes me how many Pontiac dealers are clueless that they are selling a Toyota.

[21Rouge]

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 »That is one the the downfalls of owning a GM Vehicle that is designed with Toyota upkeep intended... Definitely.

[Vibe_dude]

how much does toyota want for there crap? i think the prestone is alot cheaper and probley just as good.

[ColonelPanic]

$16 + tax at the local toyota dealer here... I won't be going back to get more, that's for sure....

[champcaracing]

should i bring some toyota red to the meet this weekend??, if i don't hear anything then i won't bring any. this will be for top off only. don't think the dealer wants us doing a coolant flush in the lot.

[zionzr2]

Quote, originally posted by bud_one »I stand corrected... But we agree on the fact of using Toyota coolant instead of GM's dexacool.Seen too many mud filled GMC Jimmy/Chevy Blazer radiators and stopped upheater cores. a side note on the S-10 / jimmy / blazer line it was a faulty rad cap that led to the Dexcrap "sludge" by replacing the stock cap with a "stant" brand this solved the problems many of that line had.my previous vehicle was an s-10 ZR2 had and used dex with no problems. Cant say I'm pro one way or the other. I'll stick whith what ever the factory put in..

[mikey00]

My 2005 Vibe manual claims I have DexCool. I siphoned a little out of the tank (you can't really see whats in the tank through the translucent white material) and it turns out to be Toyota Ultra Long Life Coolant (pink). This replaced Toyota Long Life Coolant (red) in Toyota vehicles in 2004. I guess it wouldn't hurt if I added some DexCool to it. They are both organic acid based extra long life coolants. Although they are not exactly the same when it comes to additives. DexCool is phosphate free while Toyota adds some phosphates but who cares. Also Toyota uses pink dye while DexCool uses orange. Now I have 3 different vehicles in the house with 3 different coolants:2000 Olds Alero - DexCool (orange)2001 Lexus RX300 - Toyota Long Life (red)2005 Vibe - Toyota Ultra Long Life (pink)

[jasonvibe]

glad I found this doing a search. BUT the Vibe manual states, "silicate free coolant should be used. I know the hype of how it helps water pumps last longer. But from what I have read, seriously are these cars coming from the factory with silicate coolant? Seems the answer would be yes and the Vibe manual has a big lie.depending on the year.One more thing. Those others who have had clogged heater cores etc. Let the coolant stay in too long. The rule is 5 years or 100k. NOT 150k, no matter what the label says. My last car went 3 years on the first dexcool. Then a seperate engine repair it had to be drained. The next 5 years with new dexcool, it stayed 5 years with out any problems.

[zionzr2]

Quote, originally posted by champcaracing »should i bring some toyota red to the meet this weekend??, if i don't hear anything then i won't bring any. this will be for top off only. don't think the dealer wants us doing a coolant flush in the lot.the landlord wouldnt want me doing a flush either

[Rico Rose]

I finally got around to flushing my coolant this past weekend. I used a Prestone flush kit. It is the type that you find the return heater hose from the firewall and cut it then attach a "T". Using a garden hose attached to the"T" you are able to flush out your cooling system, using the presure from the hose along with the pressure in the cooling system. You leave off the radiator cap while the water is running into the "T" and the used coolant runs out of the radiator. You let the water and the engine run for about 5 minutes and the water is running clear by then. Then follow the instructions on filling the radiator with coolant, I used a 50% mixture of Dexcool, then cap the "T" and you are done. It takes about a half hour...

[joatmon]

Quote, originally posted by Boxgrover »I dont have the manual handy but with the Vibe being a GM badged car does GM insist on owners using Dexcool? I bet Toyota doesnt insist on Dex...who knows maybe Toyo actually states to *not* use Dexcool.http://sports.autoblog.com/200...tatus/Quote »GM Dexcool lawsuit may soon gain class-action statusPosted May 23rd 2006 11:31AM by Eric BryantFiled under: Maintenance, Government/Legal, GMThe bright orange Dexcool coolant used in many General Motors vehicles over the past decade promised to bring extended maintenance - 5 years or 150,000 miles - to cooling systems, but many owners instead found themselves with vehicles that required system flushes, gasket replacement, and even new radiators and heater cores just outside of the vehicle's warranty period. The blame for the problem depends on who you talk to, and the causes include the "stop-leak" pellets added at the factory, contamination with air from system leaks (Dexcool can quickly degrade when exposed to excess oxygen), and improper service that involved added non-Dexcool coolant or tap water to the cooling system.Whatever the cause of the problem, several lawsuits have been filed in state and federal court by owners who, in many cases, are justified in their anger over the lack of performance by this coolant. A ruling may soon be forthcoming from a judge in East St. Louis, IL, that would result in a set of consolidated suits gaining class-action status - a move that would open up the lawsuits to involve potentially millions of GM customers. For its part, the automaker says that the recommend service interval in the owner's manual is exactly that - a recommendation, and not a warranty guarantee.For what it's worth, the Autoblog staff has found that Dexcool works just fine in a cooling system that is free of contaminants and leaks, but indeed the stuff will turn into a gooey mess if mixed with anything but distilled water or if exposed to air. Also, those drivers who do not get their vehicles up to normal operating temperatures every trip may want to consider an accelerated coolant maintenance schedule. a reader's comment on that site:Quote »5. My 2001 GrandAM GT experienced a intake manifold leak at about 37K miles which resulted in a $1800 repair bill. The mechanic at the dealer said that they see 2 or three a week with the same problem (this was in 2003). When I asked if there was a TSB they said no. Also being right outside my warranty GM would not do anything to help offset the costs. I contended it was a problem between the gasket material and dexcool. They said it was not but yet still replaced the regular gasket with a NEW and improved metal gasket.... hmmmmm. Also of contention was that the Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe which run the same engines yet Toyota refused to put dexcool in their engines and opted for the traditional green antifreeze. Hmmm evidently SOMEONE had an idea about how awful this dexcool stuff is. In the end Pontiac would only offer me a "Loyal Customer" coupon good for $1000 towards the purchase of another GM product for my troubles. Needless to say that coupon will never be redeemed. My Grand Am was traded in to a competitor shortly afterwards.

[northvibe]

I am not able to read my vibe manual atm, but is it recommened a radiator flush at 30k miles?2nd. how many gallons of fluid is going to come out from the car when i drain, just wanna make sure i have a big enough bucket And 3rd, to flush it, could i use distilled water? or do they sell demineralized water specially called that, i only seen mineral water

[GMJAP]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »I am not able to read my vibe manual atm, but is it recommened a radiator flush at 30k miles?You can always read the manual here -http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=1010The 2005 manual lists the first coolant flush at 100,000 miles or 5 yrs.I know when I do get a coolant flush, I'll be taking it to the local Toyota dealer, as it comes from the factory with Toyota coolant (not Dexcool).

[northvibe]

Yeah im for sure using the toyota coolant, i dont care if its $16 a gallon, its worth it to make sure its up to toyota spec.I kept reading people say 2yr coolant changes? so just change the fluid not flush every 2yrs?

[jeffgtx]

do theys till use dexcool in new GMs? ie my wifes new VUE?

[jake75]

I had my coolant changed Nov. '05 at 21 months - only about 12,000 miles. The dealer used Dexcool. Cost $60. I will probably change it again at 48 months. I figure that anything should work for 24 months. However, the real issue is that GM and ithe Pontiac dealers really don't have a straight story on what was in there to begin with. The original coolant probably was not Dexcool as that is suppossed to last 5 years is it not? And you're not supposed to mix regular coolant with Dexcool, right?

[vibe owner]

The local Autozone carries Prestone Dexcool and Prestone 5-year all-vehicle antifreeze. The ingredient list is identical, maybe just the color is different?

[Tubaryan12]

Doesn't matter to me how long they say it lasts. After my Ford experiece I change the coolant every 30k miles. Period. Its a small price to pay to keep your cooling system working correctly. I did this with my last car (2001 Hyundai Elantra) and the radiator looked as new as the day I bought it 5 yrs ago when I changed it the last time at 90k miles.

[NewNeptune]

Whatever it is, it is not Dexcool. Dexcool *used* to be 5yrs/100k, now it is 5yrs/150k. I compared my 06 Vibe manual to my 04 Malibu manual and the Malibu has the cooling service at 5yrs/150k. The proof is right in the manuals.Malibu manual:"Engine CoolantThe cooling system in your vehicle is filled with DEX-COOL® engine coolant. This coolant is designed to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only DEX-COOL® extended life coolant."Vibe manual:"Engine CoolantYour vehicle was factory-filled with a coolant developed to last for five years or 100,000 miles (160 000 km), whichever occurs first. When coolant is added or changed, use DEX-COOL® coolant."

[ToolGuy]

"5. My 2001 GrandAM GT experienced a intake manifold leak at about 37K miles which resulted in a $1800 repair bill. The mechanic at the dealer said that they see 2 or three a week with the same problem (this was in 2003). When I asked if there was a TSB they said no. Also being right outside my warranty GM would not do anything to help offset the costs. I contended it was a problem between the gasket material and dexcool. They said it was not but yet still replaced the regular gasket with a NEW and improved metal gasket.... hmmmmm. Also of contention was that the Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe which run the same engines yet Toyota refused to put dexcool in their engines and opted for the traditional green antifreeze. Hmmm evidently SOMEONE had an idea about how awful this dexcool stuff is. In the end Pontiac would only offer me a "Loyal Customer" coupon good for $1000 towards the purchase of another GM product for my troubles. Needless to say that coupon will never be redeemed. My Grand Am was traded in to a competitor shortly afterwards"This is total BS! It is not Dexcools fault but the gasket! All 3.4L engine suffer from this bad gasket. This person can believe what they want but I know for a fact it is the gaskets fault. I have had three vehicles with DexCool and never an issue. In my Vette I changed it out at 53,000 when I did my Thermostat and put it right back in, no issues. This dumb Dexcool debate has been going on for years already! If the system runs low and ingests air then you can have issues. Keep it topped off and you will be fine.

[emeraldquay]

All Vibes come from the factory (NUMMI) with Toyota coolant - was Toyota red, and now new Toyota pink. My Vibe is an 06, and that is what is in it. This plant makes Corollas - Corollas with Corolla bodies and Corollas with Vibe bodies on them. Every car on the line gets the same coolant - let's call it Toyota pinkGM stocks DexCool and thats why they try and sell it to you and thats why it appears in the owners manual. Cross out the words Dex Cool in your manual and replace with with words "Toyota coolant". The Vibe is mechanically and liquidly (not a real word but hey what the heck) a Toyota engineered car and therefore by rights should be given Toyota service. If you read up on Dex-Cool, you will note that it should not be mixed to other brands of coolant. Well, maybe it is compatible with some, and it certainly isn't with others (like good ol' green). But why take the chance on a signficant dollar investment? Why buy Prestone or other crap from a department store to save $5 on a car that already cost you several thousand?I owned a 96 GMC Sierra until 2004 - it had orange DexCool (not reddish pink Vibe coolant), said it right on the overflow jug and rad cap (unlike a Vibe which says nothing under the hood about DexCool on the rad cap or overflow jug unless it is written in Japanese but I doubt it since my wife's Corolla has the exact same symbols - not to mention the exact same colour and type of coolant).For those of you now running Dex-Cool, keep it but changed it EVERY TWO YEARS not what the book says. Or very least do not let it go down AT ALL or let air into the system. Personally I woudn't mix DexCool with anything else, but thats just me.The Vibe should have actually come with Matrix owners manuals whose covers were changed to read Pontiac Vibe and there would be far less confusion. Thank you Generous Motors.