Quick answer
GM / Chevrolet coolant: Chevrolet manuals specify DEX-COOL meeting GM Standard GMW3420 (which superseded GM 6277M), mixed 50/50 with clean water. The genuine product, ACDelco Dex-Cool, is orange and carboxylate-based. Older GM vehicles may specify other codes, so check your manual.
Key takeaways
- GM / Chevrolet coolant facts here are quoted from cited GM / Chevrolet documents or labelled as coolant-maker claims.
- 24 products list a GM / Chevrolet-family spec code. 5 more name GM / Chevrolet in their application text (guidance only).
- Your owner's manual decides. Specs vary by model, engine, market and year.
- Do not choose by colour.
- Independent; not affiliated with GM / Chevrolet.
What coolant does GM / Chevrolet use?
GM / Chevrolet coolant: Chevrolet manuals specify DEX-COOL meeting GM Standard GMW3420 (which superseded GM 6277M), mixed 50/50 with clean water. The genuine product, ACDelco Dex-Cool, is orange and carboxylate-based. Older GM vehicles may specify other codes, so check your manual.
- Chevrolet owner manuals (downloadable from Chevrolet's manuals page) specify a 50/50 mix of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL coolant meeting GM Standard GMW3420. We read this in a copy of the 2024 Trax manual. [2]
- GM Parts lists ACDelco GM Original Equipment Dex-Cool 50/50 Pre-Mix (12378390) as orange, silicate-, borate-, nitrite- and phosphate-free and "based on carboxylate technology". [3]
- Motorcraft describes GMW 3420 as having "superseded GM 6277M". [4]
- Older GM specs (GM 1825M / 1899M) appear on conventional green coolants in coolant makers' literature, for example Zerex Original Green. (coolant-maker literature / general context, not an OEM document)
Numbers in brackets refer to the sources at the end of this page. Lines without a number summarise coolant makers' literature rather than an GM / Chevrolet document.
Genuine GM / Chevrolet coolant in our directory
These are coolants sold by the vehicle maker or its parts brand. Each product page shows exactly what the source publishes, with "not published" where it is silent.
| Product | Brand | Chemistry | Colour | Form | Why it is listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACDelco All Seasons Coolant (Australia/NZ) | ACDelco | OAT | Green | Concentrate | Genuine / OE parts brand |
| ACDelco Blue OEM G-30 Coolant (Australia/NZ) | ACDelco | OAT | Blue | Concentrate | Genuine / OE parts brand |
| ACDelco Red OEM G-40 Coolant (Australia/NZ) | ACDelco | Si-OAT | Red | Concentrate | Genuine / OE parts brand |
| ACDelco Green OEM G-48 Coolant (Australia/NZ) | ACDelco | HOAT | Green | Concentrate | Genuine / OE parts brand |
| ACDelco Purple OEM G-65 Coolant (Australia/NZ) | ACDelco | P-Si-OAT | Purple | Concentrate | Genuine / OE parts brand |
| ACDelco DEX-COOL Extended Life Coolant (Australia/NZ) | ACDelco | OAT | Red | Concentrate | Genuine / OE parts brand |
| ACDelco GM Original Equipment Dex-Cool 50/50 Pre-Mix Engine Coolant | ACDelco | OAT | Orange | Premix 50/50 | Genuine / OE parts brand |
GM / Chevrolet spec codes listed by coolant makers
These GM / Chevrolet-family codes appear in the manufacturer data of the 24 products in our directory that list them. A code here means at least one coolant maker states its product meets it. Your manual tells you which code, if any, applies to your vehicle.
Coolants that list a GM / Chevrolet spec (per their manufacturer)
Each row reads "meets [code] per [brand]". The wording ("approved", "meets or exceeds", "recommended") is quoted on the product page. Open it before you buy.
Coolants whose maker names GM / Chevrolet (guidance only)
These products do not list a GM / Chevrolet spec code, but their manufacturer's application text names GM / Chevrolet (for example "recommended for Toyota, Honda, Nissan…"). That is a weaker claim than a spec code. Treat it as guidance, check the exact wording, and follow your manual.
| Product | Brand | Chemistry | Colour | Form | Why it is listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prestone Dex-Cool Antifreeze + Coolant | Prestone | not published | not published | Premix 50/50 | Maker names GM in its text |
| Prestone Prime DEX-COOL Compatible Orange Antifreeze + Coolant | Prestone | OAT | Orange | not published | Maker names GM in its text |
| HD EXPERT PREMIUM Antifreeze/Coolant | Recochem | not published | not published | Concentrate and Premix 50/50 | Maker names GM in its text |
| HD Expert EXTREME Antifreeze/Coolant | Recochem | OAT | not published | Concentrate and Premix 50/50 | Maker names GM in its text |
| Reco-Cool Glyco-Cool Long Life OAT | Recochem | OAT | not published | not published | Maker names GM in its text |
Not sure which coolant your car takes?
Find your coolant →Colour and chemistry
Among the 36 products on this page, the listed colours are Orange (9), Green (5), Red (3), Yellow (2), Gold (2), Blue (1), Purple (1), and the listed chemistries are OAT (17), IAT (6), HOAT (4), Si-OAT (1), P-Si-OAT (1). Colour is a dye chosen by each maker, so two coolants of the same colour can be chemically different, and the same chemistry can come in different colours. Match the spec or the named factory coolant, not the colour. See coolant colours explained and OAT vs HOAT vs IAT.
Topping up and mixing
If the reservoir is low, top up only with the coolant your manual specifies, and use the same premix or concentrate ratio. Mixing chemistries can reduce corrosion protection and shorten coolant life. Some makers (Mopar, Mercedes-Benz) explicitly say not to mix specs. If an unknown coolant has been added, a flush and refill is safer than topping up. Use the mixing checker and our coolant flush guide. Never open a hot radiator or reservoir cap.
Varies by model and year
GM / Chevrolet has changed coolant specs over the years, and a spec can differ by engine and market (for example North America vs Europe). Electric and hybrid models may use separate loops with their own fluids. This page does not tell you which code applies to your vehicle. Your owner's manual, the reservoir cap label or a dealer does.
When to see a mechanic
See a dealer or qualified mechanic if the coolant looks rusty, oily or sludgy, if the engine overheats or the coolant warning light comes on, or if you cannot identify the correct spec. See coolant warning light and coolant leaks.
Frequently asked questions
What coolant does GM / Chevrolet use?
GM / Chevrolet coolant: Chevrolet manuals specify DEX-COOL meeting GM Standard GMW3420 (which superseded GM 6277M), mixed 50/50 with clean water. The genuine product, ACDelco Dex-Cool, is orange and carboxylate-based. Older GM vehicles may specify other codes, so check your manual.
Which coolants meet GM / Chevrolet specs?
24 products in our directory list a GM / Chevrolet-family spec code, including Prestone MAX All Vehicles Antifreeze + Coolant, Prestone Platinum All Vehicles Antifreeze + Coolant, PEAK DEX-COOL 50/50 Prediluted Antifreeze + Coolant, PEAK DEX-COOL Concentrate Antifreeze + Coolant. Each product page quotes the maker's wording.
Can I use a universal coolant in my GM / Chevrolet?
Only if your owner's manual allows it, or if the product's maker states it meets the exact spec your manual names. "Universal" or "all makes" wording is not the same as a listed GM / Chevrolet spec.
What colour is GM / Chevrolet coolant?
Colour varies by product and era and is not a spec. Products on this page are listed as Green, Blue, Red, Purple, Orange, Yellow, Gold. Match the spec or named coolant instead.
Is Coolant.com affiliated with GM / Chevrolet?
No. Coolant.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by GM / Chevrolet. We use the name only to say which vehicles a spec relates to.
New to cooling systems? Start with how a car cooling system works. Looking for a product? Search the coolant directory or match your manual's spec with Find my car coolant. See also coolant by car make and coolants by brand.