As for tranny fluid for the tranny, the Toyota Type IV only. We have a variety of threads about using other fluids like Dexron in the tranny and it comes with problems for many.

PS Mobil 1. This is a banned fluid by the EPA in CA though.
Differential: Mobil 1 is widely used.

 

Alright. The OE coolant would be red, or Long Life. You can update to Pink, or Super Long Life. They are both hybrid organics, and will mix. However if you add pink to red, it's effectively making it red, so why not buy red? If you are doing a timing belt/water pump/head gaskets, than would be a good time to switch. You can also switch to green as well, but you need to flush the remaining red out, and make sure you get it w/ aluminum protection. If your cheap, go green. If you want to do as little of work as possible, go red. If your trying to put the best coolant you can in there, get pink.

And like the coolants, T-IV supersedes whatever was before it, I think Type II, but most of us run dex-merc, I do in my 1LS cause it's cheaper. I use pink and T-IV in my GS430 cause it calls for it. I am Toyota certified, got questions?

 

So the Type T-IV is used in the 97 LS400? I'm just wondering, because I always thought Dexron was used in the older vehicles.

 

Absolutely not... Stick with the Toyota T-IV and you won't have any problems.

 

I'm sorry to bump such an old thread... Was just curious what the OEM coolant was. That's when I had to make the comment on the color of the coolant. Why would they have both the coolant and the transmission fluid red, when the radiator includes cooling to the transmission fluid...

Sounds like a diagnostic hassle knowing if your radiator busted, mixing the two fluids together... Going to flush whatever is in my LS next month and run the Super Long Life Pink... Always liked pink coolant, I wonder if it smells delicious like VW-G12++ Coolant...

 

trans fluid should float...

 

Will the long-life coolants that they have at parts stores be okay in these engines? There's no way I'm forking over $26 a bottle to Toyota just for coolant.

 

I believe in the red. And $26 is really for 2 gallons because you mix it 50/50. Well worth the money.

 

The extended long life/pink/ready to pour is fine for use. Keep in mind that the thermostats will still need to be changed at the recommended intervals.

 

no real benefit to getting the "Super" long life pink coolant. it's premixed so not even that good a deal.

a bottle of regular red Long Life is a better buy, and the original spec.

I wouldn't use standard green coolant, toyota Long Life and similar are all P-OAT based coolants (no inorganics/silicates) and tend to treat the water pump and seals/hoses better than the standard stuff.

 

I run Toyota red coolant in my 90.