Can I use regular antifreeze instead of Dex cool?

How to Mix Dexcool With Regular Antifreeze. Do not mix Dex-Cool with regular anti-freeze! Dex-Cool is a specially formulated GM coolant which will not mix with traditional coolants, and was used in various GM applications up through the 2004 model year. The green and orange coolants do not mix.

Can Dexcool be used in Fords?

Note that Dexcool is also gold/orange, and you should NEVER use it in a Ford.

What color is universal coolant?

green

Is it bad to mix coolant types?

Some people believe that they can mix the two. This is a mistake and can lead to expensive repairs. The two coolants should never be mixed together as they do not react well. When mixed together they can form a thick, jelly-like substance that can completely stop all coolant flow which can lead to overheating.

Is green or orange antifreeze better?

The color of healthy engine coolant is green (for ethylene glycol) or orange (for Dexcool). A rusty color indicates that the rust inhibitor in the coolant has broken down and it can no longer control rust and scale buildup. This is a deadly mix that will kill an engine or transmission in short order.

Can you mix 2 different brands of coolant?

Never mix different types of coolant Unless you’re an expert on the exact chemical composition and reactions of the various types, keep it simple and stick with what the manufacturer recommends.

How do I know what type of coolant to use?

How to Check a Vehicle’s Coolant/Antifreeze

Rather than open the cap on the radiator, just check to see whether the liquid reaches the “Full” line on the side of the coolant reservoir shown here.
Coolant is usually red, green, blue, or yellow.

How do I know what color my coolant is?

The truth is, color is not a reliable predictor for what type of coolant you have. For example, OAT coolants are usually orange, yellow, red or purple. HOAT coolants are orange and yellow for the most part. Then the older IAT coolant is green.