Coolant Flush

[joholste]

when does every one do an engine coolant flush? what mileage, and what type do i need to put in it.?

[jake75]

Here we go again! Nobody's sure. As I remember, if the old fashioned ethylene glycol type (green) change every 2 years. If Dexcool (orange) some also say 2 years as it has a tendency to "gel". If the "red" Toyota coolant 5 years. Then there is the "never mix" debate. My 2003 had an orange coolant which the dealer said was Dexcool but others claim was just an orange colored ethylene glycol. Dealer flushed and used Dexcool at 24 months. I plan to change again at 48 months if I still have the car that long.

[Houston]

Almost exactly one year ago I had my 2003 Vibe's coolant drained, flushed, and "Complete" (supposedly good for five years) put in. This was done by my Pontiac dealer in Durand, Michigan. Complete is made by Prestone and is supposed to be good for five years. Unfortunately, since nobody else ever heard of this stuff, a have become leary about it being in there and am about to have it drained and flushed again. I, too, would love suggestions about what is the best way to handle this.

[Raven]

I had my '04 flushed at 60,000 miles and put in Dexcool.

[jake75]

Have you looked at http://www.prestone.com/carcare/faq.php

[JustinVGT]

Yes, there has been so much debate over this. Some say do this, some say do that, others say never do this, etc. I ended up a couple months ago getting it completely flushed and had dexcool put in. My GT had about 47k miles and was ~3.4 years old. It was over due since the Toyota red coolant was supposed to be 2yr/30k miles or something like that. If you change the coolant type, make sure the shop does a complete flush. I wouldn't go to Jiffy Lube, because they only use one type of coolant and only flush the radiator. This leaves left over coolant still in the engine and then mixes with the new stuff, which I've heard can be a bad thing depending on the types.

[Houston]

Thanks for that Prestone information, jake75, as it makes me feel a bit better about going with it. I'm wondering, though, has anybody besides my dealer and me ever heard of this "Complete" coolant that is made by Prestone?