Automotive coolant prevents freezing, raises boiling temperatures and lubricates the mechanical parts of the cooling system. With the right coolant mixture and amount of coolant, the Chevrolet 1500 had protection from freezing down to -34 degrees F outside temperature, and protection from boiling up to 265 degrees F internally.
Chevrolet recommended using a 50-50 mixture of Dex-Cool antifreeze and cool, clean water in the 1500 pickup. The capacity of the 1500's cooling system depended on which engine it had. With the base 4.3-liter engine, the 1500 held 3.25 gallons, and the 5.0-liter and 5.7-liter V-8 engines each held 4.4 gallons.
