Changing Coolant - How Difficult?
 

I have a 2005 with 3.5L, has less than 60K miles. Although mileage is low, I'm assuming i should still change the coolant/antifreeze before this winter.

My local NAPA has Zerex G-05 for $17 per gallon. At this age and mileage, would you change any hoses, thermostat, etc. or just drain the radiator, run some water through to flush it, and refill it?

Is there anything particularly tricky or difficult about this job? I am mechanically capable, but if it's a real pain in the *ss I may just take it somewhere, making sure i get the right coolant, in any case. I haven't asked the dealer for a quote, and i do have a trustworty local shop.

Thanks for any input!

for 17 a gal U can get the dealer stuff that is made for the car.
remove the lower radiator hose and drain it that way as for anything else U will simply need to look at it this is the kinda stuff no one online can tell u because we can not see it.

Good idea to do things before you have to or there will be a much bigger painaxx later. Search this bgfindashop.com Read about services and where to find them. Good luck. *BW*

My dealer advertise service specials every so often. I've got my coolant flushed at dealer's for $75, including coolant. Not a bad deal I'd say.

I'm keeping my eye on break fluid flush sometime next year.

I decided to have the dealer change the coolant while they're doing a state inspection (which they do for free) and rotate the tires. They don't have any "service specials", at least not on their website, so the coolant change is $99.99 - we'll see if i get extremely lucky and get a coupon in the next couple of days!

BGs coolant flushing machines are crap. Just thought I would add this for whoever to see. Nothing better than some elbow grease, a pair of hose clamp pliers and a garden hose IMO

I let the dealer do it for the $99.99, given that they were already performing a state inspection.

The "funny" part was that they told me that the PCV Valve hadn't been changed, so if i wanted that done, it would be $40+ dollars (given that the part's under $10 and it takes two minutes to change, DECLINE)

They also said that the air cleaner was dirty and could be replaced, and that was also $45 (part costs less than $15, easy to change, DECLINE). I remembered changing the air cleaner, looked at my logs, it was ONE year and 7K miles ago!!! Maybe they think that's just something easy for them to pitch, but i haven't been driving through the desert for the last year, no way it could be that dirty!