TIP
Recommended coolant replacement interval varies with manufacturer. The
rule of thumb is two years or 25,000 miles (whichever comes first). Some
vehicles use Dexcool coolant that allows for longer drain intervals. Keep a
regular eye on Dexcool because it can go bad before its recommended drain
interval (150,000 miles). In this case, open the system every two years or
25,000 miles just to make sure there’s no rust and scale buildup. Other
problems that crop up include worn water pumps, coolant leaks, and blown
hoses. A regular cooling system inspection will head off these problems at
the pass and save you money in the long run.