Types of Antifreeze for a Chevy
by Daniel Westlake
Chevy automobiles are driven in a number of different conditions and therefore use many different types of antifreeze to keep their engines running smoothly. There are a number of different types of antifreeze to choose from for your car and also things you should know about each.
Green Antifreeze
This is the traditional antifreeze, based on its green color. It can run in just about any automobile, a Chevy or otherwise, as long as the chemistry is correct. Check the owner's manual to be certain here. This antifreeze is cheap, but its life span is also short. Most of these brands of antifreeze will only last for about two to three years in a Chevy, or 20,000 to 30,000 miles. However, some newer forms of this antifreeze will last up to 50,000 miles.
Dex-Cool
Dex-Cool is the antifreeze recommended by General Motors, the company that makes Chevys, as the best antifreeze for their automobiles. It is an orange color, to truly differentiate it, and is an extended-life coolant, known to work up to 100,000 miles. There are also a number of people out there who believe this antifreeze has destroyed their cars, and a class action lawsuit was filed against the company, claiming the coolant should really be changed every 50,000 miles. According to the website of the law firm Girard Gibbs, the consumers won and General Motors had to pay $50 to $800 in cash per consumer who needed repairs to their automobiles due to Dex-Cool antifreeze. There is still debate as to whether it is the fault of the antifreeze or something going wrong in a certain year of GM automobiles. However, Dex-Cool is still in operation, and many people still use the antifreeze in their Chevys without any problems.
Hybrid Extended-Life Coolants
These hybrid extended-life coolants can be used on Chevy cars and trucks as long as the chemistry matches up. Again, refer to the owner's manual to be sure. These antifreezes use organic acids and silicates to protect aluminum surfaces. These antifreezes are meant to last up to 150,000 miles. However, as the antifreeze ages, the silicates can drop out of the solution, creating a rather abrasive reaction to the metal in the engine. This makes it harder on the engine itself, possibly causing a breakdown, which could be costly, especially once the car is out of warranty. It's usually a good idea to replace the antifreeze in your Chevy early.
References
Writer Bio
Hailing from Austin, Texas, Daniel Westlake has written under pen names for a myriad of publications all over the nation, ranging from national magazines to local papers. He now lives in Los Angeles, Calif. but regularly travels around the country and abroad, exploring and experiencing everything he can.
