The owners manual states that I should change the coolant at 150,000 miles or five years.My 2009 HHR is just about to hit the 5 year mark(April).I only have 26,500 miles on it.Would it be ok to maybe stretch out the time limit maybe another year since it has such low miles? As you can see I only put maybe 5,000 miles a year on it.Another year would still only have me at about 32,000 miles.I heard that time maybe breaks down the coolant in some way(hence the 5 year limit).Just wondering.

 

You already know the manufacturer's recommendation - 150,000 miles or five years. If you want to step outside of that recommendation that is up to you - posting a question like that will result in a wide range of recommendations from changing it every 2 years, to letting it go till whenever. To recommend one go beyond the manufacturer's recommendation is rather foolhardy.

If you don't change it as per the manufacturer, just don't complain if you have a problem with your heater core, rad or water pump down the road.

 

So, let it go till it's rusty, then change it???? Totally bad advice about the additional 5 years.

 

not sure it will turn rusty because of mostly aluminum construction. The additives wear out and you lose the corrossion protection. My 09 only has 51,000 but I will be changing the coolant and ATF this spring anyway. To me it is cheap insurance.

 

My 09 has 41,000 Kilometres and I changed it last year. Seeing as it was built in 08. I follow the five year rule but everyone's different. We are close to having the same mileage, but I guess it depends on how long you plan on keeping your stationwagon.

 

X 2

 

x3 - EXACTLY!!!!

 

Are you guys trying to say that Manufacturer Recommendations are given for a reason? Says the guy that changes his oil every other time the DIC says to.

Well, if you don't follow their recommendations they are off the hook. No Bi itching or moaning accepted for bad performance.

 

Here's an interesting article on coolant:

http://www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_articleid/124

And since I have read it, I have decided I will get the coolant changed with my next oil change.

 

My 2008 2LT 2.4 has only 16k miles and I just had the system flushed and coolant replaced last week. Just bought the car last June. Also had the ignition cylinder replaced under GM special warranty #12089 which is separate and apart from the current recall. It is for binding and not being able to turn off the engine or remove the key. I wasn't having a problem with it but asked them to replace it anyway so I wouldn't have a problem in the future. Replaced free of charge.