Licensed DexCool?

If your vehicle is still under warranty then you should be aware of what happened to me. The local Gm dealer charged me to flush the whole system and re-install GM Dexcool when I had to add a non GM coolant/antifreeze. It was a green prestone. The motor was overheating so I got the only coolant the service station had at the time. It did solve the problem after adding the whole gallon. A frost plug in the heater core had apparently leaked they said and even though the plug was under warranty they said I should have used only their approved product.

I've know there are green and pink coolants. Does the color denote what's approved? I believed I saved the motor at the time having added the coolant however they said if the motor had blown they might not have covered it under warranty because of the wrong coolant added.

I argued with the service manager on the costs of the flush but "that's GM's policy" he said. He also said all owner's have to take the responsibly for using the proper product. Does anyone think I should have driven it until it blew? I'd bet many would have as I've seen many new and older cars on the highway doing 140km just smoking from the under carriage and the drivers not aware of the problem or maybe they just don't care. I have to laugh then wonder when I see this. Especially when you see them down the road at bit with the hood popped-up and tow vehicle at hand.

There IS a difference with coolant, and it DOES matter.

The pink vs. the green.

Pink = Long life antifreeze. Different chemical cocktail then green. NEVER MIX!

Green = Standard coolant.

I know you're not supposed to mix the two different colours EVER!!! I'm pretty sure you're owners manual will tell you this specifically. I think the combining of those two chemicals can have an adverse effect on an cooling system and that's why they shouldn't be mixed.

Incidentally, whats with a new car that needs coolant added to it...huh?...who's on the side of the road now!?¿....pfft!

I've seen just as many new cars as old pulled over on the shoulder this winter with their hoods up and their four ways on.

Well you obviously did the right thing for your vehicle. It's a little surprising that the dealer took such a hard stand on the matter. Evidently the dollar always trumps common sense.

responsibly

Would you say then that it would be preferred to use Havoline instead of Prestone?

They have their reasons. If you put the green coolant in you contaminate the system and the coolant must be changed every 2 years from there on out. Read the sticker that should be inside your engine compartment. Add clean water and get it home or to a shop and fill the system properly if you are in that bind again. Just dont let it sit or it may freeze this time of year.

Excellent advice. Water is probably more readily available in a time of need such as this case.

I have never been impressed with Prestone products, but to answer your question, I would assume that in order to be licensed it would have to meet or exceed the specifications for Havoline Dexcool and therefore be ok to use. Dave

One way or the other you should have tried a little harder to obtain Dexcool than just settling for what the was at the filling station. It's that important.

Just my opinion, for which you did ask of us.

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I would not hesitate to use the Prestone version.

And many other colors. Many car companies specify special coolants in their vehicles; these are not to be mixed with other kinds of coolants.

I put Havoline in my 93 Chevy Lumina even though it had the green fluid. Gm started putting Dex Cool in the 95 models. I called Gm and told me it would be fine to put DexCool in my car just flush it real good. I put ii in at

I've been using Prestone DexCool for aprox. 3 years in two cars, no problems.