Coolant Flush Cost
A coolant flush costs $100–$200 depending on your vehicle and the shop. It's a maintenance item that most drivers overlook — but degraded coolant is a leading cause of water pump failure, thermostat problems, and radiator damage.
Average Cost
- Standard coolant flush: $100–$160
- European vehicles requiring specific coolant (BMW G48, Audi G13): $140–$200
- Labor: 30–60 minutes typical
How Often Should You Flush Coolant?
- Most vehicles: every 60,000–100,000 miles or 5 years
- GM Dex-Cool: every 150,000 miles or 5 years initially, then every 50,000
- Toyota Super Long Life Coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000
- BMW/Audi/Mercedes: every 60,000 miles or 2–4 years
- Subaru: every 60,000 miles (Subaru Super Coolant lasts longer initially)
Why Coolant Degrades
Coolant contains corrosion inhibitors that break down over time. Old coolant becomes acidic and starts corroding metal components — aluminum heads, radiators, water pumps, and heater cores. Flushing and replacing it is far cheaper than replacing a $400 water pump or $1,000 radiator.
Signs You Need a Coolant Flush
- Coolant is rusty, brown, or has visible debris
- Overheating or temperature gauge running high
- Sweet smell from under the hood
- Visible deposits or scaling in the coolant reservoir
- Check engine light with P0128 (coolant temperature code)
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