What kind of coolant do I use?

[saxyaltosax]

I don't have an owners manual and I've noticed when I was putting new wiper fluid in, my coolant fluid was low. I've also noticed there is a loud fluid sound when I start my truck. Is that because my fluid is low? The coolant light isn't on. On the cap it said to look in owners manual to see what fluid to use but I don't have one. I took my truck to Wal-Mart Friday and had the oil changed (the 15 point thing), they should have checked that!

SO, what kind of coolant fluid do I use?

[theFREAKnasty82]

what year is your truck?

[fredjacksonsan]

Take a look in the reservoir, or remove the radiator cap (when engine is cold) and check the color of the coolant. If it's green then you should be able to use the older style ethylene glycol. If goldish or yellow, then you'll want to add the newer silica-based formula. Freaknasty's right, it will depend on the year of your vehicle.

You could always stop by a parts store or the dealer, they should be able to tell you what the original fluid was.

As far as the gurgling noise at startup, that's a common thing; posts in this forum detail it, but it's basically (usually anyway) some air in your cooling system. Once you get the new coolant, park your truck on an incline with the front a foot or so higher than the rear. Turn the heater on, full warm. Open the radiator cap and let the engine get hot. Once it does, you should get a bubble of air to come out of the radiator. Fill up with the right mixture of coolant. Repeat for about 1/2 hour, until no more bubbles come out. Should take care of gurgling noise.

Sorry for the long post; maybe I should have just said "Search forum for gurgle"

[2000mudder]

fred is correct on the gurgle.new cooling systems need to be bled correctly to get all the air out and to cool properly. check w/ dealer on proper procedure for your vehicle

[cousincletus]

If this helps you any, 2001 used the green and wife's 2003 Durango uses the orange antifreeze.