2018 Chevrolet Equinox — Coolant Capacity & Type

The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox holds between 7.0 and 9.2 quarts (6.6 to 8.7 liters) of coolant, depending on which of the three engine options your vehicle is equipped with. As an ASE-certified master technician, I frequently see third-generation Equinox models in the shop for routine cooling system maintenance. Keeping up with your coolant service is essential to protecting your engine—especially the turbocharged components—from overheating and corrosion.

Quick answer

• Total cooling system capacity: 7.0 to 9.2 quarts (6.6 to 8.7 L) depending on the engine.
• OEM coolant spec: DEX-COOL® (Orange in color). This is an OAT (Organic Acid Technology) coolant meeting the GM GMW3420 specification.
• Mix ratio: 50/50 mix of DEX-COOL and clean, drinkable water (distilled or deionized water is highly recommended to prevent mineral buildup). You can buy this pre-mixed or as a concentrate.

Capacity by engine option

The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox was offered with three distinct turbocharged engines, each with its own cooling system requirements. Be sure to verify your engine type before purchasing coolant.

Note: Capacities are approximate dry-fill limits. A standard drain and fill will typically require slightly less coolant, as some fluid always remains in the heater core and engine block.

Flush interval

Normal Duty: General Motors recommends replacing the engine coolant every 150,000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes first. DEX-COOL is a long-life OAT coolant, but its anti-corrosion additives do degrade over time.

Severe Duty: If you frequently tow, drive in extreme temperatures, idle for long periods, or drive in heavy stop-and-go traffic, consider a shorter interval. Changing the coolant every 60,000 miles or 3 to 4 years will provide better protection for the water pump and turbocharger cooling circuits.

How to refill & bleed

Modern turbocharged cooling systems can be notoriously tricky to bleed. Air pockets trapped in the system can cause localized overheating, potentially damaging the head gasket or turbocharger.

1. Prep the vehicle: Ensure the engine is completely cold. Place a drain pan under the radiator drain petcock and drain the old fluid.
2. Vacuum Fill (Highly Recommended): For the 2018 Equinox, technicians strongly recommend using a pneumatic vacuum-fill tool. This tool pulls a vacuum on the entire cooling system to verify there are no leaks, then draws the new 50/50 coolant mix in, completely eliminating air pockets.
3. Manual Bleed (If no vacuum tool is available): Slowly pour the 50/50 DEX-COOL mixture into the surge tank until it reaches the cold fill line. Leave the cap off.
4. Run the engine: Start the engine and turn the climate control heater to the maximum temperature and lowest fan speed. This opens the heater core circuit.
5. Bleed the air: Let the engine idle until it reaches operating temperature and the thermostat opens (you will feel the upper radiator hose get hot). You may see bubbles escaping from the surge tank. Top off the fluid to the fill line as the level drops.
6. Final check: Install the surge tank cap. Take the vehicle for a test drive, let it cool down completely, and check the cold fill level one last time.

Common cooling system issues

When dealing with the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, keep an eye out for a few generation-specific cooling system quirks:

• Turbo Coolant Line Leaks: The O-rings and quick-connect fittings on the turbocharger coolant feed and return lines are known to degrade from extreme heat cycling, leading to slow coolant leaks.
• Thermostat Housing Failure: The plastic thermostat housings can warp or crack over time, leading to coolant weeping down the side of the engine block.
• Mixing Coolant Types: Never mix DEX-COOL with conventional green IAT (Inorganic Acid Technology) coolant. Mixing chemistries will cause the coolant to gel, instantly clogging the heater core and radiator.

Taking care of your Equinox's cooling system doesn't have to be a headache. If you aren't comfortable performing a vacuum fill or tracking down a turbo line leak, leave it to the professionals. Find a trusted shop on Repairius.