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I think it's wise to use Genuine Toyota coolant because of what has happened to coolant over the last ten, or so years.
It used to be just "green coolant", otherwise known as IAT (inorganic acid technology), but the problem with that coolant is the corrosion inhibitors "drop" after two years/30k miles and you'll run into problems. The inhibitors were silicates and borates, nitrates.
Next came OAT (organic acid technology)- gone are the silicates (which don't last and can aid in the destruction of water pump seals). The corrosion inhibitors are now neutralized organic acids.
Then came HOAT (hybrid organic acid technology) a combination of both, but what exactly that is, or isn't, is now part of the corrosion pack determined by the company making it, which may not blend with your current formula.
There is also a POAT (poly organic acid technology) I really have no clue what this is, but it's used in some fleets and can last up to 600k miles. Amsoil make a POAT, and there are many others. Supposedly it mixes well with many coolants.
The long short is...Toyota's formula supposedly is a HOAT, I believe, and it's formulated for your water pump and aluminum internals of the cooling system and engine.
Zerex Asian formula is said to be compatible, but who knows? And don't go by color, it means nothing, it's only a dye.
Whatever you do...whatever you choose to use...if it's not Genuine Toyota coolant...drain everything you've got in there and THEN put what you're going to use in. Even flush the old stuff out with water until it runs clear. Different formulas - if they are equally saturated/mixed can potentially eliminate the benefits of BOTH add packs. And if you're pre mixing with water, make sure you are using distilled or dimineralized water, not tap water! For all the crap I just wrote, using tap water can probably cause the most damage.
There is a company called Evans that makes a coolant that contains only 2% water and is a true "lifetime" formula that may never corrode the inside of your engine.
I just use Genuine coolant whenever I'm changing antifreeze, because I don't want to deal with any of the above.
Toyota's product is called Long Life Coolant, not Antifreeze. You should be able to buy it in concentrate and mix it with Distilled Water 50/50 to get two gallons worth of Coolant.
Zerex Asian is about $13 to $14 a gallon. While I prefer to use Toyota, the Zerex is handy for topping off the recovery tank. I have used it in other Toyota's that I have owned and had no problems. You replace coolant so infrequently, the additional few dollars for Toyota fluid is really no big deal.
If you want to save, buy the Zerex at Napa auto stores and possibly Wal-Mart. I don't think you will notice any difference.
go to your Toyota parts dealer, I've found they'll match any on line price and you don't have to pay shipping, which on a heavy item like fluids is a deal killer.
go to your Toyota parts dealer, I've found they'll match any on line price and you don't have to pay shipping, which on a heavy item like fluids is a deal killer.
I used to go to Toyota to get my oil filters and at one time some Red coolant. Now I find that Lexus will match or get very close (within a dollar or so) of any online price I bring to them. However, for the more expensive items ($300+) I realize I will have to pay sales tax and sometimes shipping, so I may go for the on line purchase.
I think it's wise to use Genuine Toyota coolant because of what has happened to coolant over the last ten, or so years.
I just use Genuine coolant whenever I'm changing antifreeze, because I don't want to deal with any of the above.
I concur with the above and R&R using pink pre-mixed Toyota Super Long Life Coolant every 24000km. The 2002 official Canadian Lexus maintenance guide states: Replace engine coolant at 36 months/48,000 km, then every 24 months/24,000 km thereafter. The current Lexus Xtime maintenance schedule matches that, and since 2009, I'm averaging 9882km/yr.
Toyota LLC is an ethylene-glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, non-borate coolant with long-life hybrid organic acid technology. The pink pre-mixed version is approximately 50% coolant:water and its freezing temperature is -35C.
The pink pre-mixed coolant is 100% compatible with the red concentrated coolant and red coolant can be used to replace, top off, or mix in with the pink coolant with no adverse effects.
Last edited by StanVanDam; Jan 17, 2016 at 05:45 PM.
After 2004, Toyota and Lexus switched to Super Long Life Coolant. This is pink in color and has a 100,000 mile initial replacement interval, followed by 50,000 miles thereafter. Try this link https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lex...ce-schedule.do
This coolant is premixed with water and doesn’t require dilution. It also has the advantage of forming readily identifiable deposits when it leaks, making find a leak easier.
24,000 KM is approximately 14,913 miles. That's a little bit too frequent for coolant change.
Last edited by rkw77080; Jan 17, 2016 at 04:54 PM.
