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GM / Chevrolet coolant: Chevrolet manuals specify DEX-COOL meeting GM Standard GMW3420 (which superseded GM 6277M), mixed 50/50 with clean water.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.
GM / Chevrolet coolant at a glance
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On this page
What coolant does GM / Chevrolet use?
- 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- Motorcraft describes GMW 3420 as having "superseded GM 6277M".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.
How GM / Chevrolet coolant changed over the years
GM switched its cars and trucks from conventional green coolant to orange DEX-COOL in the mid-1990s, and the move led to one of the best-known coolant lawsuits in the industry [5]. Today Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac manuals still name DEX-COOL, now to GMW3420 [2].
Before DEX-COOL
Conventional green to GM 1825M / 1899M Green
Codes seen on green coolants such as Zerex Original Green
From the mid-1990s
DEX-COOL to GM 6277M Orange
6277M later superseded [4]
Current
DEX-COOL to GMW3420, 50/50 with clean water Orange
Carboxylate-based, silicate/borate/nitrite/phosphate-free [3]
GM / Chevrolet coolant chemistry
GM Parts describes genuine ACDelco Dex-Cool as "based on carboxylate technology" and free of silicates, borates, nitrites and phosphates [3]. That puts it in the organic acid (OAT) family.
Known GM / Chevrolet coolant issues
- A 2008 class settlement covered certain 1995–2003 3.1L and 3.4L V6 engines with nylon/silicone lower intake gaskets, 1995–2004 3.8L engines, and 1995–2000 S/T trucks with 4.3L engines that developed sludge, for repairs within 7 years or 150,000 miles [5]. Reuters reported GM settled the lawsuits over engine coolant problems in 2008 [6].
- GM did not admit wrongdoing in that settlement [6]. The practical lesson for owners of those engines is to keep the coolant at the right level and change it on schedule.
Genuine GM / Chevrolet coolant we list
Plus 1 more in the finder.
All genuine ACDelco products and the details ACDelco publishes are on the ACDelco coolant brand page.
Aftermarket coolants listing a GM / Chevrolet code
24 products in our data list one of these codes, per their maker:
Codes these products list (tap for every match)GM 6277M 11GM 1825M 11GMW 3420 9GM 1899M 9
Plus 14 more in the finder.
Coolants whose maker mentions GM / Chevrolet
5 more only mention GM / Chevrolet in application text, which is weaker than a code:
Other car makes
Other car makes
Compare GM / Chevrolet with Chrysler, Jeep, Ram & Dodge, Ford, Tesla or Kia and you will often find a different code or chemistry. Our coolant mixing guide explains the risk of topping up across them, and the index of car makes has the rest.
Ready to buy?
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Our best coolant for Chevy & GM page puts the genuine coolant and the aftermarket products that list a matching code side by side, with buying links. It is not a test or ranking.
Frequently asked questions
Which GM engines were in the Dex-Cool lawsuit?
The settlement covered certain 1995–2003 3.1L/3.4L V6s with nylon/silicone intake gaskets, 1995–2004 3.8L engines, and 1995–2000 S/T trucks with the 4.3L.
What does GMW3420 mean?
It is GM's current standard for DEX-COOL. Motorcraft notes it superseded GM 6277M.
Can I put green coolant in a Chevrolet?
Current Chevrolet manuals specify DEX-COOL to GMW3420. Follow your manual for older vehicles.
Is Coolant.com affiliated with GM / Chevrolet?
No. We are independent of GM / Chevrolet.
GM / Chevrolet coolant part numbers and spec codes
Below: the numbers printed on the GM / Chevrolet parts listings we cite. Treat them as search terms and check them against your manual.
| Genuine product | Part no. | Code shown | Listing |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACDelco All Seasons Coolant (Australia/NZ) | 19375289; 19375290; 19375291; 19284966 | none printed | acdelco.com.au |
| ACDelco Blue OEM G-30 Coolant (Australia/NZ) | 19282831 | none printed | acdelco.com.au |
| ACDelco Red OEM G-40 Coolant (Australia/NZ) | 19380142 | none printed | acdelco.com.au |
| ACDelco Green OEM G-48 Coolant (Australia/NZ) | 19380141 | none printed | acdelco.com.au |
| ACDelco Purple OEM G-65 Coolant (Australia/NZ) | 19380140 | none printed | acdelco.com.au |
| ACDelco DEX-COOL Extended Life Coolant (Australia/NZ) | 19375292; 19375293; 19375294; 19284968 | WSS-M97B44-D, GM 6277M, VW TL 774-F, MB 325.3, MAN 324 Typ SNF | acdelco.com.au |
| ACDelco GM Original Equipment Dex-Cool 50/50 Pre-Mix Engine Coolant | 12378390 | none printed | parts.gmparts.com |
Repair manuals & accessories
Repair manual for your car
Haynes repair manual for Chevrolet / GMC
Step-by-step procedures, including draining, refilling and bleeding the cooling system. Manuals cover specific models and years: check the coverage on the cover before you buy.
Examples of the tool type, not a test or ranking by us. Check fit and instructions before you buy. See the full cooling system tools guide.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions never change which products we list or what the data says.
How we source this page
- Facts come from manufacturer pages, datasheets, owner's manuals and standards bodies, linked under Sources.
- We do not test products, and no brand pays to be listed or ranked. Advertising and affiliate links are labelled and never change the data.
- Anything we could not find is marked "not published" rather than guessed. Spotted an error? Tell us.
Sources
Sources
- Chevrolet: Manuals and Guides (official owner manual downloads)
- 2024 Chevrolet Trax owner's manual (third-party copy)
- GM Parts: ACDelco GM Original Equipment Dex-Cool 50/50 (12378390)
- Motorcraft Orange page (notes "GMW 3420 (superseded GM 6277M)")
- Dex-Cool class action settlement agreement (PDF)
- Reuters: GM settles lawsuits over engine coolant problems (2008)
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