If your car’s hood is too hot to touch or the engine makes grinding noises when you go for a spin, you might need a coolant flush.
But how much can you expect to pay for the service?
Let’s break down the coolant flush cost and explore the factors affecting its price. We’ll also highlight the red flags that indicate your car needs a flush.
This Article Contains:
- How Much Does a Coolant Flush Cost?
- Is It Worth Getting a Coolant Flush?
- Signs You Need a Coolant Flush
- How Long Does the Coolant Last?
- Can You Perform the Coolant Flush Yourself?
- Can You Mix Different Types of Coolants?
- How to Prolong the Lifespan of Your Car’s Coolant System?
How Much Does a Coolant Flush Cost?
Here’s what you can expect to pay for a coolant or radiator flush service:
A. Range
A coolant flush performed by a professional mechanic can cost around $140 to $250. This covers:
- New coolant: $10 to $40
- Additives: $15 to $20
- Radiator cleaner: $15 to $20
- Labor cost: $100 to $170
B. Factors Affecting Cost
Other factors can also affect your total amount, including:
- Vehicle make and model: Each car model uses a specific coolant type in their system. For example, luxury vehicles like BMW often use G-48 (Inorganic Acid Technology) coolant fluid, while Audi recommends G-12 or G-13 (Organic Acid Technology) radiator coolant. These coolants cost more than standard varieties.
- Coolant type: Car coolants come in three types — IAT (Inorganic Acid Technology), OAT (Organic Acid Technology), and HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology). The IAT engine coolant is the least expensive but often requires a flush every two years. In contrast, the OAT and HOAT coolants cost more but last 5 to 10 years.
- Coolant quantity: Depending on your vehicle’s size and capacity, the amount of fresh coolant added (per gallon) can increase your total cost.
- Additives used: Repair shops may use specialized cleaning agents or additives during a coolant flush to remove contaminants, rust, and scale buildup, which can increase the overall cost.
- Additional repairs: During a coolant flush, your mechanic might inspect the entire cooling system and replace any faulty parts, like the water pump, serpentine belt, and radiator or heater core hoses.
Is It Worth Getting a Coolant Flush?
Yes! A regular coolant or radiator flush helps avoid issues like oil contamination and engine overheating, which could lead to expensive repairs.
Here’s how:
- Additive breakdown: The coolant’s anti-corrosion and lubrication properties wear off over time, leading to rust that can strain vital coolant parts.
- Debris buildup: Rust and scale buildup can clog the cooling system, damaging the heater core and causing the engine to overheat.
- Acidic coolant: With age, engine coolant can turn acidic, corroding the radiator hose or metal parts. This process is called chemical electrolysis and can severely damage your entire cooling system.
Signs You Need a Coolant Flush
Watch out for these red flags that suggest you need a coolant change:
- Coolant leak underneath your car (can be blue, dark green, orange, or bright red)
- Steam or a sweet smell coming from under the hood
- Engine temperature gauge shows an abnormally high reading
- Coolant level appears full, but your engine is overheating
- Engine makes grinding or knocking sounds
- Heater stops working
- Visible debris in the coolant fluid
How Long Does the Coolant Last?
In cars that use Inorganic Acid Technology (IAT) coolant, the first flush usually happens around 45,000 miles. After that, you’ll need a coolant flush every two years or 30,000 miles.
Newer cars, mainly European (BMW, Audi, Mercedes) and Asian (Toyota, Honda, Hyundai) imports, often use advanced coolants like silicated Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT). These can last up to 5 years or 100,000 miles and offer extra engine protection.
Note: Check your owner’s manual for your vehicle’s exact coolant flush intervals.
Can You Perform the Coolant Flush Yourself?
No, it isn’t recommended.
DIY coolant flushes can be time-consuming and require an understanding of the car’s engine components. You’ll also have to carefully dispose of the old coolant, as it’s toxic and can’t be poured down the drain. That’s why you should leave the service to a professional.
If you still wish to know how it’s done, here are the steps a mechanic will perform :
- Park the car on a flat surface and turn off the engine to let it cool down.
- Remove the radiator cap to release pressure. Then open the drain valve and put a drain pan under your car to allow the old coolant to flow out completely.
- Close the drain plug, add a radiator flush solution mixed with water to the coolant reservoir, and run the engine for about 10 minutes to circulate the solution.
- Turn off the engine and let it cool before opening the valve again to drain the mixture again.
- Once the system is fully drained, close the drain valve and add a mixture of fresh coolant and distilled water until it reaches the correct coolant level.
- Restart the engine to let any trapped air bubbles escape, recheck the fluid level, and top it off if necessary.
Can You Mix Different Types of Coolants?
No, vehicle manufacturers don’t recommend mixing different radiator coolant types. Each coolant type has a unique chemical composition, and combining them can trigger chemical reactions that may damage your engine.
How to Prolong the Lifespan of Your Car’s Coolant System?
Follow these tips to keep your vehicle’s cooling system in top condition:
- Use the manufacturer-recommended coolant or antifreeze for your car.
- Check coolant and antifreeze levels every six months, especially before summer or winter, to prevent engine overheating.
- Inspect the radiator hose for cracks, minor leaks, and rusted clamps during each oil change or cooling system service to ensure the components are in good condition.
- Avoid overloading your vehicle as it can strain your engine and cooling system, increasing the risk of overheating.
Keep Your Engine Cool with AutoNation Mobile Service
A coolant flush helps avoid severe engine and coolant system damage while ensuring your car runs smoothly in all weather conditions.
Looking for a hassle-free coolant flush service?
Try AutoNation Mobile Service!
We’re a mobile auto repair solution offering online bookings and a 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty on every cooling system service.
Contact us to get a coolant flush, oil change, or any other automotive service done right from your driveway.