Top Dexcool Brands: Peak Performance Picks

Dexcool, a type of engine coolant, has become a popular choice for vehicle owners due to its extended life and advanced protection capabilities. It is specifically formulated for GM vehicles, but many other brands have also adopted its use over time. Several well-regarded brands specialize in producing high-quality Dexcool, ensuring your vehicle runs smoothly and stays protected from overheating and corrosion. To find out which brands top the list and provide the best value for your vehicle, see below.

Illustration of dexcool

Best brands of dexcool in 2025

ACDelco

ACDelco is a renowned brand for producing high-quality DEX-COOL coolant, offering extended life protection against freezing, boiling, and corrosion. This ethylene glycol-based fluid provides maintenance-free protection for up to 650,000 km in heavy-duty applications and 250,000 km in passenger cars, with a recommended change interval of every five years or when these mileages are reached. It features virtually non-depleting corrosion inhibitors and excellent high-temperature corrosion protection, particularly for aluminum heat transfer surfaces. ACDelco DEX-COOL is suitable for mixed fleets and is environmentally friendly due to its carboxylic additives. It is recommended to use at least 33% of ACDelco DEX-COOL in the coolant solution for optimal protection.

Prestone

Prestone is a renowned brand in the automotive antifreeze market, particularly noted for its Dex-Cool antifreeze/coolant products. Designed to work with GM vehicles from 1995 and newer, as well as many Ford and Chrysler vehicles, Prestone Dex-Cool offers extended life protection for up to 5 years or 150,000 miles. This product is part of the organic acid technology segment, which holds 37.8% of the overall market share and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2022 to 2032. Prestone's Dex-Cool formula meets OEM specifications and is ready to use, making it a popular choice among vehicle owners. With a history dating back to 1927, Prestone has established itself as a trusted name in automotive care.

Zerex

Zerex, a leading brand in coolant technology, is renowned for its high-quality Dex-Cool antifreeze/coolant, which has been protecting vehicles for over 70 years. Approved by major OEMs such as GM, Chrysler, and Ford, Zerex Dex-Cool meets or exceeds industry specifications like GM 6277M and ASTM D3306. It is designed for use in vehicles produced since 1996 and offers a 5-year / 150,000-mile guarantee. Zerex Dex-Cool is available in both concentrate and ready-to-use formulas, ensuring optimal performance and protection for modern engines. With its patented formulas, Zerex remains the technology leader in the automotive coolant market.

Peak

Peak is a renowned brand and one of the best producers of DEX-COOL antifreeze coolant, specifically designed for GM vehicles from 1995 and newer. The PEAK(r) DEX-COOL(r) Antifreeze + Coolant is a GM-approved, ethylene glycol-based premium coolant that contains Organic Acid Technology (OAT) and corrosion inhibitors, ensuring complete protection of modern GM vehicle engines. It is compatible with other extended-life coolants and is free of silicate, borate, phosphate, nitrite, and amines. This coolant guarantees maximum cooling system performance for up to 5 years or 150,000 miles. It is available in a 50/50 prediluted mix, protecting critical vehicle coolant system components from corrosion, freeze-up, and boil-over.

Motorcraft

Motorcraft, a renowned brand in the automotive industry, is often associated with high-quality coolants, including those compatible with Dexcool formulations. Starting around the 2011 model year, Ford began using an Organic Acid Technology (OAT) coolant, which is essentially identical to Dexcool, although Ford does not label it as such. This orange-colored coolant meets the WSS-M97B44-D standard and provides year-round antifreeze, anti-boil, and corrosion protection with a 50/50 mixture offering freeze protection down to -34°F (-37°C) and boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).

Valvoline

Valvoline is a leading producer of Dex-Cool antifreeze, renowned for its high-quality and OEM-approved products. The Zerex Dex-Cool Antifreeze/Coolant from Valvoline is the #1 selling OEM-approved coolant brand, offering unmatched freeze protection and anti-boil performance, and it utilizes organic acid technology to resist rust, scale, and corrosion. In 2023, Valvoline was acquired by Saudi Aramco for $2.65 billion, further expanding its global reach. Valvoline's Dex-Cool products are scientifically formulated to protect engines in extreme temperatures, from -34°F to 265°F, and come with a 5-year/150,000-mile guarantee. This brand is highly trusted for its effectiveness in maintaining engine health.

Shell Rotella

Shell Rotella, a renowned brand from Royal Dutch Shell, is not specifically known for producing Dex-Cool, but it is a leading manufacturer of high-quality heavy-duty engine oils and greases. Shell Rotella products are celebrated for their Triple Protection legacy, ensuring performance, fuel efficiency, and longevity for engines. With over 40 years of experience, Shell Rotella has established itself as a trusted name in the automotive lubricant industry, particularly in the heavy-duty segment. The brand's products, such as the T6 Full Synthetic and T5 Synthetic Blend oils, are designed to meet stringent industry standards and customer needs. However, for Dex-Cool, which is a specific coolant specification developed by General Motors, other brands are more directly associated.

Mopar

Mopar, while not the primary producer of Dexcool, is associated with coolants that are incompatible with Dexcool. Dexcool, an organic acid technology (OAT) coolant, is specifically designed for General Motors vehicles and is not recommended for use in Mopar vehicles, as it can cause gel formation and other compatibility issues. Mopar recommends using coolants that meet their MS 90032 or MS 12106 specifications, which are different from the Dexcool formulation. Mixing Dexcool with Mopar-approved coolants can reduce corrosion and freeze point protection, emphasizing the need for compatible coolants. For Mopar vehicles, it is crucial to use the specified coolants to maintain the integrity of the cooling system. You can find more information in this compatible coolant discussion.

Castrol

Castrol, a leading brand in the lubricants industry, is renowned for its high-quality products, including those compatible with Dex-Cool systems. As part of BP Plc, Castrol holds a significant market share in the North American lubricants market, with the top five companies, including Castrol, occupying 49.28% of the market. Castrol's products, such as the Magnatec series, are designed to meet stringent API and ACEA standards, ensuring optimal performance and longevity. The brand's commitment to innovation is evident in its continuous updates to product specifications, such as the shift from API SN to API SN plus and ACEA C2 standards. With a strong distribution network and trusted by over 35 million car, bike, and truck owners, Castrol maintains a leading market share across various segments.

Havoline

Havoline, a renowned brand in the automotive industry, stands out as a top producer of DEX-COOL antifreeze coolants, meeting stringent specifications such as GMW3420 and Ford WSS-M97B44-D. The Havoline Xtended Life Antifreeze/Coolant, formulated with an organic additive system, offers a service life of 250,000 kilometers or 5 years, with corrosion inhibitors maintaining above 95% of their original concentration after this period. This product is free of silicates, nitrites, borates, phosphates, nitrates, and amines, ensuring improved heat transfer and longer service intervals. Approved for use in various automotive applications, including hybrid vehicles, Havoline's formulation enhances cooling system protection. Its wide service application makes it a preferred choice for North American, Asian, and European vehicles.