This a very easy question, for a real newbie on here...
I would have searched, but cant find a search function on this site?

My coolant level is low. The reservoir tank, which is were I will add the additional fluid, has an orangish-colored coolant in it.

Do these cummins take a special type of coolant? I dont have the time before my long tow to drain/change the coolant right now. Can I just add some prestone and water to the overflow tank?
thanks,
matt

 

Sounds like you have dex cool which is fine. No special coolant is needed as long as you try to top off with the same as what you have. Since it's new to you, I would top it off for your trip with dex cool, then when you get home flush and fill with your choice of coolant. KD

 

coolant, low silicate.

Cummins - Fleetrite ELC premixed, from any International/Cummins Dealer

Or Rotella ELC Coolant premixed.

Both are among the best, 5 yrs/400,000 miles

If you mix prestone, get the prediluted stuff, if not make sure to use distilled water.

Since your in a hurry, try to keep the same color, but I'm pretty sure they all mix fine together from what I've read. To me, first thing when you get time, drain it, flush your resv also, refill with ELC.

www.dodgeram.org has more information. or just do a "coolant" search here on DTR.

Oh search is on the top blue bar.

 

As long as it's diesel rated you can mix the green and orange.
If you have long life orange and mix it with green it will become the shorter life green.

 

Check it under different light [ sun lite vs florescences ] , under sun lite it some stuff [ just the old regular-ethaleen glicol {forgot how to spell} ] looks yellow , under florescences it will look green .
The next stuff to come out was proapaleen glichol [ my spell checker does not know chemistry terms any better then me ]
The red stuff that GM used , had the problem of reacting to O2 , and crystallizing , makes a real mess .

 

Don't mix the green and orange. It may say that it is "safe", but it reduces the corrosion resistance immensely. I made the mistake in a vehicle I used to own, and it reduced the radiator to a pile of rust within a couple years.

From http://www.aces.edu/dept/extcomm/newspaper/coolant.html