Questions and Answers
Antifreeze: Red or Green?
Q. Mr. Ciulla, I have just purchased a 1996 Chevrolet K3500 with 85,000 miles and it has the red "Dexcool®" antifreeze. I was not even aware that red existed and when I looked in the overflow and saw red-orange mud-like stuff I thought the radiator was really in poor shape and was rusted or something.
So, I took it to my mechanic and he told me what it was and he suggested that I flush the red and fill with green. I did not let him do it, I told him that I needed to find out more about the red stuff. After reading articles it seems like if the truck has been running with red in it then flush and fill with red. All the questions that I have seen asked if the green should be changed to red. Do you suggest the red be changed to green? I tow a two horse trailer with this truck and I live in Maryland. I'm afraid to flush the red and fill with green because of the problems I read about may occur.
Thank you,
DeniseA. The Dexcool® is an "extended life" coolant. It's supposed to go 100,000-150,000 miles between service. In MY opinion, it didn't last the amount of time or miles they claim. This coolant turns to mud if air is in cooling system by way of a leak that you should be seeing if the level is low. The only down side of changing to the green is that you will have to change it every 2 years or 24,000 miles. Green coolant doesn't turn to mud. For more information read my article: Antifreeze: Red or Green?
A relted question was: Mississippi Mudpie.
Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA
