Q: Am I okay to refill with standard green universal coolant?

asked by on December 20, 2017

My 03 Chevy Malibu badly needs a coolant flush/change. Am I okay to refill with standard green universal coolant, or is it crucial I use dexcool?

My car has 52500 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do you open and close the power windows?
Your car is equipped with power windows. They’re certainly more convenient than manual windows, but there are a few things you’ll need to know about operating the system. Here are the important details: The ignition must be on to work...
What does the front fog lamp light mean?
The front fog lamp light is located on your instrument panel. When the front fog lamps are turned on, the front fog lamp light will illuminate.
Brake lights not working in 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK320
If both brake lights are out, you might be having an issue with your "BOO" or brake on/off switch. This is the switch that actually detects when you're stepping on the brake pedal and sends the electrical signal to the...
Door not opening from inside
If the door will still open normally from the outside, I would normally suspect that one of the plastic clips that hold the linkage for the door handle has broken. Have a certified mechanic come and take a look at...
Car won't shift,smoke coming from underneath,leaking transmission fluid.
You will need to have the transmission leak pinpointed to isolate the source of the issue. If one of the lines are leaking then it can be repaired but if the front pump seal is leaking then the transmission would...
Car starts then sputters off
This may likely be a fuel supply issue such as low fuel pressure or a faulty throttle position sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/throttle-position-sensor-replacement). The throttle position sensor is a unit used to monitor the throttle position of a vehicle. This sensor relays the...
My car is still running after turning it off.
Hi there. The noise that you are hearing is commonly known as 'Dieseling'. When this happens, check the ignition switch alignment and see that the switch is turned completely off. If the switch is turned off, then while the engine...
Missing on cyl 1,3,5.
Hello. No spark for an entire bank, or side of the engine, can be caused by a few different things. If cylinders 1, 3, and 5 are all experiencing the same issue I would consider the possibility of a faulty...
There was snoke and sparks coming from my alternator
Hi there. It is possible that when you tried to jump start the car, the cables were reversed. This typically causes electrical faults within the cars electrical components like the alternator. It is also possible that there is an exposed...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu
While While many people thought that Toyota and Honda had taken over the mid-size family sedan market with models like the Camry and the Accord, Chevrolet surprised the whole market with the Malibu. Available with either a four- our six-cylinder...
The Best Used Cars to Buy for Senior Citizens
Everyone Everyone needs a way to get around. You need to get groceries, get to doctors’ appointments, visit with family and more. However, senior citizens have very different needs when it comes to buying a used car than other demographics....
Understanding Chevrolet Oil-Life Monitor (OLM) System and Lights
Car symbols, or dashboard lights, are a car service reminder. The Chevrolet Oil Light Monitor system indicates when and what service your car needs.