Has Anyone Done a DIY Coolant Change on a 2015 Spark EV

[Gordinilli]

I’m coming up on 97,000 miles on my 2015 Spark EV, and it’s due for a coolant change with Dexcool. Since my local Chevy dealer isn’t exactly an EV expert (they don’t stock EVs and probably haven’t serviced many Spark EVs), I’m a bit concerned about how they’ll handle it and want to go the “trust but verify” route.

My plan was to check the coolant condition before and after service. I know old-school ball testers and refractometers exist, but I’m particularly concerned about the anti-corrosion properties, which, from what I gather, these tools don’t always address.

Has anyone here done this coolant change themselves or found any detailed guide for the Spark EV? I’d love to hear about... Best tool to check coolant condition (especially anti-corrosion). and DIY options? Where exactly do they drain it from? And is there a process with GDS2? Any tips if you’ve had it done at a dealer.

 

[Tony1]

Not sure about the exact process for the Spark EV's coolant change...but checking the coolant condition before and after service sounds smart.

 

[SmokeyPete]

My dealership charged me $250.00

I tried all kinds of nonsense like buying a refractometer on Amazon, then making sure the temperature of the coolant was correct for accurate readings versus water to get a baseline, I bought PH strips, they are not that accurate so a good PH meter will cost you $200 plus and you will use it once.

I practically went mad chemist on the project but then, I chilled (like Orange "Juice" Jones) and just talked to a service advisor. Honestly, you will spend $500.00 worth of time and if you screw things up... Yikes.

I have done all other service myself but was glad I paid for this. I also made sure with the service advisor that "the right guy" was doing it so I had to wait two weeks for a 10am appointment.

 

[ArnieB]

I’m coming up on 97,000 miles on my 2015 Spark EV, and it’s due for a coolant change with Dexcool. Since my local Chevy dealer isn’t exactly an EV expert (they don’t stock EVs and probably haven’t serviced many Spark EVs), I’m a bit concerned about how they’ll handle it and want to go the “trust but verify” route.

My plan was to check the coolant condition before and after service. I know old-school ball testers and refractometers exist, but I’m particularly concerned about the anti-corrosion properties, which, from what I gather, these tools don’t always address.

Has anyone here done this coolant change themselves or found any detailed guide for the Spark EV? I’d love to hear about... Best tool to check coolant condition (especially anti-corrosion). and DIY options? Where exactly do they drain it from? And is there a process with GDS2? Any tips if you’ve had it done at a dealer.

I would not get anxious about the change , it’s not like a gas engine the fluid does not become contaminated since it’s in an alum cooling system with a plastic pump and plastic coolant tank. But an easy way to change would be to get an extraction pump usually 12v pump get out as much as you can through the resivore then just replenish as much as you can. You could also pump out again in about another year. This way you don’t dissemble anything and cause damage or continamination. You can also use the pump to pump the auto trans fluid from a regular car and measure and replace what you can.

 

[Ziad fawadleHybrids]

I would not get anxious about the change , it’s not like a gas engine the fluid does not become contaminated since it’s in an alum cooling system with a plastic pump and plastic coolant tank. But an easy way to change would be to get an extraction pump usually 12v pump get out as much as you can through the resivore then just replenish as much as you can. You could also pump out again in about another year. This way you don’t dissemble anything and cause damage or continamination. You can also use the pump to pump the auto trans fluid from a regular car and measure and replace what you can.

I fully agree with you, EV coolant dont suffer or run the conditions an ICE suffer.