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A typical mechanic will recommend changing coolant every 30,000 miles. But many will tell you, changing the coolant is not even on their radar.

An owner’s manual might recommend changing the coolant/antifreeze after the first 60,000 miles, then every 30,000 miles. But the coolant change recommendation is wildly different from car to car, as some models of cars do not recommend it be changed for as far as 120,000+ miles.

Many service shops, though — including some at dealerships that sell cars with "lifetime" coolant — say you should do it more often than the maintenance schedule recommends, such as every 30,000 or 50,000 miles.

A 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water is the standard coolant mix used in vehicles. This mixture provides protection against boiling & freezing. Industry Shift: modern cars have longer intervals between fluid changes of all types partly because environmental regulators have pressured automakers to reduce the amount of waste fluids that have to be disposed of or recycled.

Why Does Coolant Need To Be Changed?

Coolant deteriorates over time. Coolant can be tested to see if it is still good. When coolant ages it becomes acidic and no longer prevents rust buildup.

Protect the Radiator

Corrosion is damaging to the radiator, water pump, thermostat and other parts of the cooling system. A good rule of thumb is to have the coolant tested at about 50,000 miles. Upon inspection, the vehicle should be inspected for signs of rust, cooling & boiling points, and acidity. It is a simple process to check coolant, one with test strips to measure acidity, and a hydrometer to measure freezing and boiling protection.

Corrosion Inhibitors in the Coolant

When it is determined the corrosion inhibitors have deteriorated, change the coolant. Consider a Fluid Flush Service.