Coolant Flush
Shop Cost
~$180
DIY Parts
~$30
You Save
~$150
Tools needed (one-time, if you don't own them)~$95
Tools Required (4)
Pliers
Drain pan (2+ gal)
Funnel
Socket set
Parts & Consumables
Coolant/antifreezeDistilled water
Pro Tip NEVER open radiator cap when hot.
🚗 Vehicle-Specific Notes
Honda
Honda Type 2 (blue) coolant ONLY. Green coolant will damage seals.
Extra tools: Honda blue coolant
Toyota
Toyota Super Long Life (pink) coolant. Don't mix with green or blue.
Extra tools: Toyota pink coolant
BMW
BMW coolant (blue) required. Expansion tank, not radiator cap. Bleed air carefully.
Extra tools: Spill-free funnel
Subaru
Subaru Super Coolant (blue). Drain from radiator AND block. Air pockets common.
Extra tools: Spill-free funnel
Ford
Motorcraft Orange coolant. Petcock on bottom of radiator. Yellow for newer models.
Chevrolet
Dex-Cool (orange) only. Don't mix with green. Petcock at radiator bottom.
Volkswagen
VW G13 (purple/pink) coolant. Thermostat housing bleed screw is critical.
Extra tools: Spill-free funnel
❓ Common Questions
What tools do I need for a coolant flush?
You need 4 tools: Pliers, Drain pan (2+ gal), Funnel, Socket set. Parts required: Coolant/antifreeze, Distilled water.
How much does a coolant flush cost DIY vs shop?
A shop charges approximately $180. Doing it yourself costs about $30 in parts, saving you $150.
How hard is a coolant flush to do yourself?
Rated Easy (2/5 difficulty). Typically takes 1-2 hrs. NEVER open radiator cap when hot.
How often should you do a coolant flush?
Recommended Every 30-60K mi (approximately every 50,000 miles).
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