Hello all.
I just purchased a brand new (used) `04 Deville 2 weeks ago.It was returned from a lease with low mileage, 3years old and only 25,500 miles when I bought it.
This is my first Cadillac and I'm very happy so far. I will browse the postings and learn from you cadillac veterans and newbies alike.

-jasper

 

you're most welcome to our site.

i bet the car has original coolant ...
1st order of biz is to change that ASAP regarless of factory recommendations.

then you're probably set for a nice sweet ride ..

look here:

https://www.cadillacforum.com/m_6258/tm.htm

 

Stealth,
thanks for the tip. I'll give my dealer a call.
Since I bought from the dealer and it was certified inspected,
do you know if they change all the fluids?

-jasper

 

well, just soke with the sales guy. They didn't change the coolant.
Thanks. Will take care it.

 

I wouldn't trust the sales guy when it comes to maintaining a car. The certified inspection should have printed on it exactly what they inspected and anything they did, and you should have a copy of it. If it doesn't state that the coolant was changed then you should do it per Stealth advice. Very important in these cars.

 

After review info on this forum. I will ignore GMs recommendation on interval for coolant changes and the "Engine Oil Life" display.
I'll continue to follow the old rule of thumb.
Mann, this is so misleading. thanks!

-jasper

 

Gary, Stealth:
Should I flush-out the Dexcool and use something else?

I'm reading a lot of horror stories about Dexcool!

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/autom...m_dexcool.html

-jasper

 

i have seen nothing that states as a matter of fact that DEXCOOL is a bad thing
in itslef . it is not my intent to scare people.

what i have seen is that it does NOT last the 5 years and that it goes bad quickly if
you have a leak and run the engine with low coolant for long periods.

what i have seen is that mileage has nothing to do with coolant exhausting its
protection quality. it is contact with metal that uses up its protection and
it is time related.

what i have seen is that running low coolant levels or overheating
uses up its protection really fast.


what i gather from this is
1. change it every 24 months and
2. change it IF you develop a leak where your engine runs low in coolant for long period -
that would be after you fix the leak of course.
3. change it should the engine overheat
4. change it if you see crud or sluge in coolant reservoir

your Deville is three years old and for sure has the original coolant.
its time to change it. i say do that and dont sweat it. put her on schedule to
change it in two years again.

the dealer or GM mechanic will most likely NOT tell you anything different
than the OFFICIAL 5 year GM schedule for dexcool -
their jobs would be on the line for recommending anything different.

 

got it.
thanks much for clarifying.

 

my caddy got new coolant today.
FYI.My dealer charges $135, so it wasn't asmuch as I thought it would be.
Also, I checked the coolant level inthe overflowtank andchecked underneath the car forleaks.
So far, so good.

thanks,
jasper