Coolant Flush Cost Guide

The average cost for a coolant flush is between $71 and $115 for the parts and labor on this relatively short job. The parts will only be a fraction of that cost, running somewhere between $15 and $30 for a coolant flush.

While these are averages, the cost from vehicle to vehicle will vary as will individual dealer and auto shop prices. Make sure you get an estimate before you agree to a repair, as the mechanic you are using may have prices that vary considerably from the national average.

Coolant Flush Costs Comparison

While the cost of coolant flush will be different depending on the type of car you drive and where you have the repairs done, the price range is fairly consistent across the board. Below are some sample prices you can expect to pay at some of the leading auto parts suppliers.

Your Mechanic

Midas

Mr. Tire

Pep Boys

Walmart

Amazon

What Is a Coolant Flush?

Your coolant’s primary purpose is to keep your engine from overheating. By doing that, it also prevents corrosion, wearing down and other problems that cars would have without the coolant present.

Every now and then your coolant will need to be flushed out or cleaned. This means taking out the old coolant and replacing it with new coolant. This is a relatively inexpensive process, and it is vital to ensure your vehicle stays in great condition.

Benefits of a Coolant Flush

Having a regular coolant flush done protects your vehicle against all sorts of hazard. The biggest way it safeguards your car is by preventing internal rusting. Your car is prone to wear down and corrode over time, especially in the parts that become very hot. The anti-freeze needs to be clean and effective in order to do its job, and that means it needs to be changed out regularly.

By making sure you keep clean coolant in your car, you will prolong its life and ensure that you avoid a lot of costly repairs later on.  Flushing out the coolant also gets rid of all the contaminants that are inside the inti-freeze.  These are bits of detritus, dirt, oil and other items which make their way into the coolant over time. If these spread throughout your engine, they will reduce performance and cause various problems for you. Keeping that coolant clean ensures that your car works the way it is supposed to do and make sure your coolant can be effective.

When Should You Have Your Coolant Flushed?

You should have your coolant flushed about every other year. There are three types of coolant, and they are either going to be red, green or orange in color. The red and green ones are the most common, and they have the shortest lifespan. If your coolant is one of those colors, then you definitely need to have it changed out at the two-year mark or before. The orange coolant can last a bit longer.

If you leave your coolant in there for too long, it will start to be filled with all sorts of materials that have been corroded off the engine and other parts. Your car parts will wear down over time, and they will seep into the coolant. Once it gets very polluted, it won’t allow for optimum performance like it should. Coolant prevents corrosion, and if it is polluted, it won’t be able to do its job properly.

What Is Done during a Coolant Flush?

1. Your mechanic won’t be able to takeout and replace the coolant until the vehicle has cooled down. Be sure to calculate cooling time into your planned time to have the vehicle in the shop. The coolant is inside the radiator, and it can heat up a lot when the car is running. This has to cool down all the way before the mechanic can open it up, otherwise it can spew hot liquid at him.
2. The mechanic will begin by draining out the coolant. The coolant will be allowed to drain into a pan. It should never be flushed down a drain or disposed of like typical liquids. Be aware of that if you plan to change out the coolant for yourself.
3. Not all the coolant will be drained out during a coolant flush. Only about 40% will be removed. Then that much needs to be refilled into the radiator. The mechanic may need to jack up the car to make sure the new coolant fills up the radiator as much as possible.
4. The coolant will need to be added with water as well. By diluting it, the mechanic will ensure that the coolant isn’t too strong. Usually only a small portion of what is filled into the vehicle will be water.
5. Different vehicles will have different mechanisms for getting to the coolant and refilling it after a system flush. Some will have valves that need socket wrenches or other specialized tools to open. If you plan to do the job on your own, be aware of the tools you need for your particular vehicle.

How to Save Money on a Coolant Flush

You can save some money by using cheaper coolants. Your mechanic may recommend that you use a coolant that doesn’t taste or smell sweet. This would mean it is less likely to be consumed by toddlers or pets. If that isn’t a concern for you, then you can save a little money by using the regular coolant, but the price difference is fairly insignificant.

You can also do the job yourself if you feel confident in your ability to flush out the coolant. While it is not an overly long or complicated job, doing it poorly can result in engine troubles for you, so make sure you follow the guide of an experienced professional before you attempt to do it on your own for the first time.

Where you go to have your coolant flushed will also play a big part in how much it costs you. You may want to check around and ask for quotes before you choose a mechanic. Just keep in mind that most over the-phone-quotes from mechanics are estimates and may differ from the final cost.

How Much Does A Coolant Flush Cost?

Below are some sample coolant flush costs for some of the most popular cars in the country. Prices won’t vary too much between cars, so you can expect to pay similar prices no matter what you drive.