
Super-long-life antifreeze typically lasts about 100,000 miles or five years. As a general rule most auto experts recommend flushing a system that uses standard antifreeze (green or red) at least every 30,000 miles or two years, although some recommend doing this annually. However, the need for a radiator flush also depends on driving habits and conditions in areas where winters are exceptionally cold or summers extremely hot, many vehicle owners schedule a radiator flush at the start of each season. The maintenance schedule in the vehicle owner's manual will indicate how often the cooling system should be flushed and refilled, and the recommended type of coolant to be used.An Expert Village video illustrates flushing engine coolant with a home garden hose and provides how-to instructions.

It can take 20-30 minutes to flush a radiator with a machine, or up to an hour or two without a machine, because the vehicle's engine and radiator have to cool, then run and cooled again. During a radiator flush, the original coolant is drained and replaced with a special coolant/detergent mixture and fresh water this is then drained and replaced with a standard mixture of coolant and water.Related articles: Radiator, Tune-up, Wheel Alignment, Oil Change, Flushing a Transmission, Replacing a Water Pump CostHelper readers report do-it-yourself radiator flush costs of $13-$34, with an average of $21.

For example, a radiator flush kit with clamps and garden hose adapters can cost $1-$15 a bottle of radiator cleaner can cost $3-$25 for a 16-34-ounce bottle and it can cost $10-$30 a gallon for standard antifreeze/coolant (typically green or red) or $15-$40 a gallon for super-long-life antifreeze with a rust/corrosion inhibitor (this coolant is typically orange).
