Has anyone replaced there coolant with the extended length coolant. Prestone calls it Dex-cool and it is Red?

 

I'm pretty sure if you look in your owner's manual, you will find a warning that states not to use the Dexcool.

You need the green stuff...

 

Hi, you don't mention the year of your vehicle. That will determine the type. My 03 has extended drain coolant in it. Check the owners manual or call the local Ford shop as they may be the best source of info.

I would go with the extended stuff too if it will work in your truck.

 

I'd be really carefull with that 'extended' drain stuff........ These trucks have a nasty habit of getting leaking heater cores due to corrosion and even some electrolyses taking place due to the PH level of the coolant rising or something like that.

I just use the good ol' green stuff and replace it every 18 months. I know it's overkill, but it's cheap and not too hard to do. (and easier then replacing the heater core!!)

 

Dexcool will only work if it is first installed at the factory. You cannot change from good old green to dex cool. There is no bennefit. You will just be wasting money.

What Dexcool does is at the factory when it first goes in it treats/impregnates the metal in the engine. That is why you can't change a dexcool to good old green. Once the dex cool is removed the metals start to lose their protection.

 

If your truck came with the green stuff, stick with the green stuff. If you put in the orange stuff and there's any of the green stuff left in the engine (which there will be since it's almost impossible to completely flush out all the coolant from every passage), the two will interact and cause the engine and other components in contact with the coolant to rapidly corrode and fail.

It's not worth the risk and the risk far outweighs the benefits.