What color antifreeze for a Chevy?
The recommended antifreeze color for a Chevy vehicle is typically green. Chevrolet, like most automakers, specifies the use of a green-colored ethylene glycol-based antifreeze/coolant in their vehicles.
Understanding Antifreeze Colors
Antifreeze, also known as coolant, comes in several different color varieties, including green, yellow, orange, red, and blue. The color of the antifreeze is primarily determined by the chemical additives used to formulate the coolant. Each color typically indicates a specific type or blend of antifreeze:
- Green - Traditional ethylene glycol-based antifreeze
- Yellow - Organic acid technology (OAT) antifreeze
- Orange - Hybrid organic acid technology (HOAT) antifreeze
- Red - Dexcool antifreeze, a long-life OAT formula
- Blue - Propylene glycol-based "safe" antifreeze
Chevrolet, along with many other automakers, recommends the use of a green ethylene glycol-based antifreeze in their vehicles. This is the most common and traditional type of antifreeze.
Choosing the Right Antifreeze for Your Chevy
When selecting an antifreeze for your Chevy, it's important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Using the wrong type of antifreeze can lead to compatibility issues and potentially damage your vehicle's cooling system. Consult your owner's manual or contact a Chevy dealer to determine the specific antifreeze requirements for your model.
In general, sticking with a high-quality green ethylene glycol-based antifreeze is the safest bet for most Chevy vehicles. This will ensure proper protection against freezing, boiling, and corrosion, while also maintaining compatibility with your Chevy's cooling system components.
What antifreeze does GM recommend?
PEAK® DEX-COOL® Antifreeze + Coolant is a GM-approved ethylene glycol based premium coolant that can be used in all GM vehicles 1995 and newer.
Does Chevy take orange antifreeze?
Prime Orange antifreeze+coolant is designed to work with these specific vehicles: All GM ® vehicles 1995 & newer/GM approved (GMC, Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, Pontiac, Saturn, Oldsmobile, Hummer), most Ford ® vehicles 2011 – 2018 (Ford, Lincoln, Mercury) and most Chrysler ® vehicles 2013 & newer (Ram, Dodge, Jeep, ...
What year did GM start using orange antifreeze?
It's orange. General Motors pioneered this chemistry starting with 1996 models in the U.S. and using the name Dex-Cool. Ford changed a few models to OAT, then backed away from it. VW, Audi, and Porsche are OAT users, too, but most others have resisted.
What color is GM DexCool antifreeze?
orange
DexCool (orange or salmon-color) is the GM long drain interval coolant. Every major car manufacturer now has their own version of long drain interval coolants.
Does it matter what color antifreeze I get?
However, nowadays, with new vehicle models, the colour of the coolant you choose doesn't always matter.
Is dex-cool red or orange?
orange
ACDelco Dex-Cool 50/50 Premix Coolant/Antifreeze is an orange, silicate and phosphate free, premium-grade coolant with a chemical composition that reduces breakdown of metal components in contact with the fluid.
What color antifreeze does a Chevy use?
If the vehicle is before 1996 then it is the green color coolant, ethylene glycol. Or if it is from later then Dex-cool (orange). “Dex-Cool is made up of combinations of different phosphates and silicates as well as an organic acid technology that helps minimize corrosion in aluminum engines.
Which antifreeze is better, orange or green?
The organic acids in orange types will cause precipitation of silicates in the green type and corrosion protection is greatly reduced. Orange type antifreezes are good for five years or 100,000/150,000 miles in newer vehicles (1996 and later).
What happens when you mix DexCool with green antifreeze?
What are the dangers of mixing green and orange coolants? At one time mixing DexCool (the orange coolant) and conventional coolant (the green stuff) would turn itself into a gelatinous mix that would behave like anything but a proper coolant. DexCool (orange or salmon-color) is the GM long drain interval coolant.
Does it matter what color antifreeze you use?
Formulations across the range of Prestone® antifreeze colors are relatively similar, and drivers can expect the same high-quality and lasting performance no matter which coolant color they choose. Having said that, for absolutely optimum performance, it's best to use the color of antifreeze made for your vehicle.
