Since the 140k miles 2.2 is still alive & kickin' , I see good sense in pre-failure maintenance. The water pump was installed along with the associated Cloyes timing parts set about 40,000 miles ago. I'm going to ask my brother about his coolant choice before I jump in, but I'm not completely confident he poured the GM stuff in when finished.
The thermostat will definitely get the proper Delco part. My question today being about any over-arching reason to opt-for, -or- , outright avoid a specific brand of hoses.
Dayco makes reasonably priced replacements for ALL the fitments, but others make the many hoses also, and I'm looking for experienced suggestions.
I want to give the car radiator, and heater system hoses.
Also, is there any problems inherent in using Mahle gasket/packing/o-ring sort of replacement parts?
The Mahle/Clevite stuff -normally always- passes muster when adding parts to a Lexus repair, so I thought I'd ask .
So far as the coolant goes, Is the DexCool only a loyalty thing, or could an equivalent Aisin brand (Toyota/Honda-ect. OE particular) coolant considered acceptable among this Chevy crowd?

 

50/50 Dexcool and distilled water is the only coolant to use in the HHR

 

Dexcool is a formula, not a brand. Produced by several manufacturers.

 

I use the Prestone premixed version.

hoses are good even after 200,000 miles

seals are crucial, I’ve had to change FelPro harmonic balancer seal after only 15,000 miles, AC Delco seal has lasted about 60,000 miles.

 

Bought Prestone Dexcool concentrate @ walmart $16.18 out the door (already had distilled water for the Aisin mix).
I just needed to top-off the system at this time, and found the coolant I could draw out was orange-y, so I'm covered.
What does the system -total change-out- take? Liters-quarts-gallons?

 

How about that hoses preference/experience ?
Really not interested to pay the GM tax for -hoses-. Already involved in that with the AC Delco thermostat.

 

Dayco , Continental, Gates all good quality . Be careful with the rad filler neck, they crack easily.

 

Capacities are in your Owner Manual.