How Often to Drain/Flush Coolant?

You can send in a sample just like with oil analysis. Change it when they tell you to

 

If you use the red extended life coolant. That stuff is good for like 400,000 miles. Just don't mix with regular coolant. I see some guys just adding water. That a little crazy. If you want the engine to last a long time

 

Antifreeze never goes bad. The additives do dissipate over time. Using a filter w/ dca time release is supposed to replenish system while keeping it clean. I would still check dca levels though as the filter only releases additives as needed due to a thin metal corroding in filter before releasing additivesI As far as flushing goes it’s always a good idea. I think doing new hoses at least every 5 yrs at most and flushing and refilling with new antifreeze is worth it . The more you flush the longer radiator lasts.

 

The steel coolant tubes are bad to rust thru if your truck still has the factory ones on it?

 

Yes...replace steel tubes with stainless at first sign of rust

 

He means the big steel tubes that connect with upper and lower hoses they rust out and can be replaced if so by SS tubes.