2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Coolant Capacity and Type

A 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 holds between 12.1 and 14.8 quarts (11.4 to 14.0 liters) of coolant, depending on the engine option.

Quick Answer

• Total Cooling System Capacity: 12.1 qts (11.4 L) for 4.3L V6; 14.3 qts (13.5 L) for 5.3L V8; 14.8 qts (14.0 L) for 6.2L V8
• OEM Coolant Specification: ACDelco DEX-COOL Antifreeze/Coolant Concentrate (Orange)
• Chemistry: OAT (Organic Acid Technology)
• Manufacturer Spec: GMW3420
• Mix Ratio: 50/50 with distilled water (pre-mixed formulations are recommended)

Capacity by Engine Option

The total cooling system capacity varies slightly between the different engines available in the 2017 Silverado 1500. These capacities are for a completely empty system, including the engine block, radiator, heater core, and all hoses. When performing a simple drain and fill, you will typically replace 50-60% of this total volume.

Flush Interval

General Motors specifies a long-life service interval for the factory-fill DEX-COOL coolant.

• Normal Duty: The recommended coolant flush interval is every 5 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.
• Severe Duty: If the truck is operated under severe conditions—such as frequent towing, extensive idling, off-road use, or operating in extreme temperatures—it is wise to consider a shorter interval. Many technicians recommend a drain and fill every 60,000 to 75,000 miles or 3-4 years in these scenarios to maintain optimal corrosion protection.

How to Refill & Bleed

Refilling and bleeding the cooling system on this generation of Silverado is critical to prevent air pockets, which can cause overheating and poor heater performance. Unlike older vehicles, there is no radiator cap; all filling and top-offs happen at the coolant surge tank (also called the expansion or degas tank).

1. Safety First: Ensure the engine is completely cool before opening the cooling system.
2. Fill Slowly: After draining the old coolant, slowly pour a 50/50 mix of DEX-COOL and distilled water into the coolant surge tank until the level reaches the "Full Cold" mark.
3. Initial Bleed: Leave the surge tank cap off. A large, spill-free funnel attached to the surge tank opening is highly recommended to make this process cleaner and more effective.
4. Run the Engine: Start the engine and turn the heater to its highest temperature setting and the fan speed to low. This ensures coolant circulates through the heater core.
5. Top Off: As the engine warms up and the thermostat opens, the coolant level in the surge tank will drop as air is purged from the system. Continue adding coolant to keep the level visible in the funnel or at the "Full" mark.
6. Secure and Test: Once the engine reaches operating temperature and air bubbles stop appearing in the surge tank, securely install the pressure cap. Let the engine cool down completely and re-check the level, topping off as needed.

Pro Tip: Many professional shops use a vacuum-fill tool on these trucks. This tool pulls the entire cooling system into a deep vacuum, removing all air before coolant is drawn in, ensuring a perfect, air-free fill from the start.

Common Cooling System Issues

This generation of Silverado (2014-2018) has a few well-documented cooling system weak points to be aware of:

• Water Pump Failure: The water pump is a common failure item, often starting with a slow leak from the weep hole or a bearing noise before complete failure.
• Thermostat Malfunctions: Thermostats can fail by sticking open (leading to a P0128 trouble code and the engine never reaching full operating temperature) or sticking closed (leading to rapid overheating).
• Radiator and Hose Leaks: As with any vehicle, rubber hoses can degrade over time. The plastic side tanks on the radiator can also develop cracks or leaks at the seams where they are crimped to the aluminum core.
• Coolant Surge Tank Cracks: The plastic surge tank itself can become brittle with age and heat cycles, sometimes developing hairline cracks that leak under pressure.

Keeping the coolant fresh and the system full is the best way to prevent premature failure of these components.

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