Myth: You Need to Change Coolant Every Time You Change Oil
Some quick-lube shops will try to upsell you on a “coolant flush” every time you come in for an oil change. While it sounds like good preventative maintenance, it’s completely unnecessary and a waste of money. Modern “Long Life” coolants are designed to last for years and tens of thousands of miles. Changing it every 5,000 miles is like throwing money down the drain.
The only thing you should do during an oil change is check the coolant level and its color. As long as the level is correct and the fluid doesn’t look cloudy or rusty, you’re fine. Check your owner’s manual for the actual interval—it’s usually somewhere between 30,000 and 100,000 miles.
