Engine Coolant Levels

[sspearsau]

Quick question for you all: I was changing my headlights out last night and noticed that my coolant level looked really low. This is my first GM vehicle, so I’m still learning the “normal” maintenance items. To this point I have only ever driven Toyota and Honda brand vehicles, and I never touched a thing under the hood.

is this normal for these cars? Do I need to fill this back up, or is this part of the standard oil change procedures a dealer would do when I take it in?

Thank you in advance!

 

[PG01]

There is a mark on that reservoir fir full hot full cold. Is this picture cold or hot engine?

Technically, depending on where you take it for service, they say check and top off all fluids, that being a fluid I would think they would. I don’t bring my vehicles in for service so i check and fill everything myself.

Its not low enough to cause concern, yet. You czn stop at sny auto parts store and get some dex cool and top it off.

It’s supposed to 50/50 mix of water/coolant but the small amt you will add to bring it up the cold full mark is negligible so I wouldn’t bother with water cut.

 

[Fless]

There is a mark on that reservoir fir full hot full cold. Is this picture cold or hot engine?

Technically, depending on where you take it for service, they say check and top off all fluids, that being a fluid I would think they would. I don’t bring my vehicles in for service so i check and fill everything myself.

Its not low enough to cause concern, yet. You czn stop at sny auto parts store and get some dex cool and top it off.

It’s supposed to 50/50 mix of water/coolant but the small amt you will add to bring it up the cold full mark is negligible so I wouldn’t bother with water cut.

^^^ THIS. Pick up a gallon of pure Dexcool, fill it to the mark when the engine is cold, and monitor the level. If it's losing coolant you should want to know, and why.

 

[OR VietVet]

Nothing to add to these recommendations except, as you monitor it and see that, yes, it is getting low again, you will need a pressure tester and can likely rent one at a parts store. Since you take your rig in for oil changes, the shop that does that can also pressure test the cooling system.



We recommend that you put all your rig(s) info in your signature so we all don’t have to guess at year, make, model, engine size, trans, rear axle locker…….etc. Makes it way easier on all members that attempt to help, to have that info right up front. It is also recommended that you take a pic of your RPO codes, on the inside cover of the glove box, and post that image in your signature. All this info will greatly help those that will try to help with a problem.


If there is any other info, like upgrades, mods or recent mechanical/maintenance work done, that would be helpful in any post as well. Too many times a question is asked by the poster and after about 10 responses we find out that the poster has done recent work to attempt to fix the problem or work that was done that SEEMS not related to the problem.

 

[TJ Baker]

Went to 3 stores yesterday, no undiluted Dexcool in stock. Are people hoarding Dexcool now!

 

[sspearsau]

Thanks everyone for the quick replies! I dropped in a signature with my information. Car currently has 22K miles on it, and is still under warranty, so I assume if there is a leak of any sort, it'll be covered under warranty. Is it unusual that coolant with run low with only 22K miles?

In about 1,000 miles I will be taking my car to the dealer, and I will have them check it out. I am glad to hear that it is not so low to be worried, but also hope there is not some kind of leak, too. I'll follow up with what they find.

 

[Fless]

Keep your eye on it to see if it changes. Don't let the surge tank run out, dealer or not. Part of your warranty responsibility is keeping the fluids up to *****.

If the dealer is your preferred maintenance place, and you don't want to buy your own Dexcool, then swing by their quick lube or service center to get it topped off.

 

[OR VietVet]

Are you the original owner? If you are a second owner and the previous owner had cooling system work done, they may have had an air pocket that came out later and that level has been like that for a while. You could have seepage somewhere that you may never see coolant hit the ground from. Plus, coolant/DexCool is mixed with water and water does evaporate over time and that could explain why it is slightly low. IMO, you could either get a top off at a lube service shop and monitor till time for the dealer or just add water to the mix and level it out and watch it till time to go to dealer. If you have not done so already, I would find a recommended quality shop, not a dealer, that you can trust and have them do any non warranty work so you are comfortable with them when warranty runs out.

 

[sspearsau]

I am the second owner, but I am friends with the first, and he confirmed there was never any work done related to the coolant, unless the dealer just did it in the normal course of their inspection at the 5k/10k/15k/20k services it received. I usually just take my cars to the dealer until warranty expires, but I understand what you mean by finding a reputable shop to start the relationship with now. I hate dealer service departments.

Is this the stuff I am looking for?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...7wsjmvS9uWPk6Z1dBPlbc5m6JAt-ExSRoCNAYQAvD_BwE

I do not mind paying $20 shipped for this stuff if the levels are looking a little low. The car is honestly not getting driven much right now because it is my wife's, and the stay-at-home order is keeping her from driving much at all.

 

[swathdiver]

Dexcool is good for 5 years or 150k miles, whichever occurs first.

 

[Fless]

Is this the stuff I am looking for?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...7wsjmvS9uWPk6Z1dBPlbc5m6JAt-ExSRoCNAYQAvD_BwE

I do not mind paying $20 shipped for this stuff if the levels are looking a little low. The car is honestly not getting driven much right now because it is my wife's, and the stay-at-home order is keeping her from driving much at all.

Yes, that's the premixed so you can add it as it comes. Honestly, you can buy non-AC Delco Dexcool locally at just about any place that carries antifreeze. Any auto parts store, Walmart, etc. would carry it. (Prestone, ShellZone, Zerex...)

 

[Miami-Dade]

I am the second owner, but I am friends with the first, and he confirmed there was never any work done related to the coolant, unless the dealer just did it in the normal course of their inspection at the 5k/10k/15k/20k services it received. I usually just take my cars to the dealer until warranty expires, but I understand what you mean by finding a reputable shop to start the relationship with now. I hate dealer service departments.

Is this the stuff I am looking for?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...7wsjmvS9uWPk6Z1dBPlbc5m6JAt-ExSRoCNAYQAvD_BwE

I do not mind paying $20 shipped for this stuff if the levels are looking a little low. The car is honestly not getting driven much right now because it is my wife's, and the stay-at-home order is keeping her from driving much at all.

I got my Dexcool from the local dealership. Had to add twice in 82K miles. If your engine was hot it is definitely low.

I am actually driving more now as I take a ride everyday for 60-90 minutes just to get out. I do not get out of my Hoe.

Yes finding a good independent mechanic is a good idea. If you have a Extended Warranty you probably want the dealer to service your vehicle every so often to stay on their good side in case you have a major issue.

There are a sprinkling of good Chevrolet-GMC dealers out there but would not go to one unless they had excellent Dealer Service Reviews. I found one dealer in Paramus New Jersey and one in South Florida. With that said I do have a awesome independent mechanic in Broward County.

All that just IMHO. To each their own.

 

[PG01]

I got my Dexcool from the local dealership. Had to add twice in 82K miles. If your engine was hot it is definitely low.

I am actually driving more now as I take a ride everyday for 60-90 minutes just to get out. I do not get out of my Hoe.

Yes finding a good independent mechanic is a good idea. If you have a Extended Warranty you probably want the dealer to service your vehicle every so often to stay on their good side in case you have a major issue.

There are a sprinkling of good Chevrolet-GMC dealers out there but would not go to one unless they had excellent Dealer Service Reviews. I found one dealer in Paramus New Jersey and one in South Florida. With that said I do have a awesome independent mechanic in Broward County.

All that just IMHO. To each their own.

Paramus....wow...memories gary... my parents bought 3 pontiacs from cerami pontiac on 17.... lol

 

[sspearsau]

The image posted was on a cool engine. It had been turned on for about 2 minutes just to move the car to install the headlights.

All great advice. Thank you for that. Since I won’t be going to the dealer in the immediate future, I’ll pick up some coolant and fill it on up. This will give me a reset on watching it and checking to see if there might be a possible problem with a quicker than usual use/leak/evaporation.

 

[sspearsau]

Coolant came in today. Got it topped off. Time will now have to tell. Maybe my wife will start driving it again now that the states are starting to life the stay at home orders. Maybe.