Original radiator - what coolant is everyone running?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 355
Likes: 47
From: North Carolina
Original radiator - what coolant is everyone running?
Just curious - there are several universals and 'Asian specific' choices :-)
I have 177k on my radiator - Since I did Water pump I'm sure my car was filled up with universal dexcool.
Let the information sharing begin!
I have 177k on my radiator - Since I did Water pump I'm sure my car was filled up with universal dexcool.
Let the information sharing begin!
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,582
Likes: 392
From: PA
I've always heard to never use Dexcool in a non GM car, it will destroy everything (all kinds of scary stories online I dunno if true). However, before I had heard that? What do you think I did with my Nissan, I filled it with Dexcool when it had green (originally it had blue), because it was in the garage. Found out it is a no-no--orange is not universal, it's only for GM cars. I just used Dexcool 100% and mixed it to maybe 60/40 with distilled water when I did my wife's GM SUV water pump.
With that being said, I use pink, but there are techs who have removed the pink from their 2004+ LS' and put red. It would seem that other than wanting an extended interval, which we don't on an old car, red is optimum for price. Pink at Toyota is $26 for 50/50, outrageous again, double the price of BMW. Red being 100% is palatable.
With that being said, I use pink, but there are techs who have removed the pink from their 2004+ LS' and put red. It would seem that other than wanting an extended interval, which we don't on an old car, red is optimum for price. Pink at Toyota is $26 for 50/50, outrageous again, double the price of BMW. Red being 100% is palatable.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,582
Likes: 392
From: PA
Again, there are techs who use this themselves, on a Toyota car that came with pink. If they are on this forum, maybe they can explain why...
Does anybody really want to go 10 years from new on the same coolant? That's why when I got my car in 2016 there was zero coolant to be seen in the radiator or reservoir. The assumption is don't touch it for 10 years. Car was like 11 when I got it, just over 10.
Does anybody really want to go 10 years from new on the same coolant? That's why when I got my car in 2016 there was zero coolant to be seen in the radiator or reservoir. The assumption is don't touch it for 10 years. Car was like 11 when I got it, just over 10.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 277
Likes: 73
From: GA
EDIT: nevermind I remembered the pink only comes in premixed form, what a waste of packaging. Anyway Toyota red is the only thing I would use, it's less than $30 a gallon and once diluted makes 2 gallons that's plenty for any service on these cars.
Last edited by jharris400; Sep 25, 2019 at 06:33 AM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,582
Likes: 392
From: PA
Anyone who buys premixed coolant deserves what's coming to them, if you can't mix half and half distilled water and coolant you don't need to be working on cars.
EDIT: nevermind I remembered the pink only comes in premixed form, what a waste of packaging. Anyway Toyota red is the only thing I would use, it's less than $30 a gallon and once diluted makes 2 gallons that's plenty for any service on these cars.
EDIT: nevermind I remembered the pink only comes in premixed form, what a waste of packaging. Anyway Toyota red is the only thing I would use, it's less than $30 a gallon and once diluted makes 2 gallons that's plenty for any service on these cars.
I was talking to a BMW tech at a wedding, and I was telling him about my water pump job. He said yeah I've done stuff like that before, I was once using a 3/8 socket and I had to use a reducer because my ratchet was bigger, um, 5/8 to 3/8 reducer (positive he meant 1/2)....lol (everybody knows ratchets are 1/2, 3/4, 3/8, 1/4, etc)
Point being at times we're just not too good at math as a whole today. He was a young tech.
where it could get tricky? 70% antifreeze, 30% water, good. 71% antifreeze, 29% water, you've just blown the antifreeze properties, so I wouldn't get too close to 70%. 65% maybe.
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 277
Likes: 73
From: GA
If you can't stand the thought of going to a dealer for antifreeze you can use the coolant Aisin brands, I would bet they're the OEM Toyota buys from for coolant.
I wouldn't use a generic Asian compatible coolant, but I'd prefer that over prestone green 100%.
I wouldn't use a generic Asian compatible coolant, but I'd prefer that over prestone green 100%.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,582
Likes: 392
From: PA
That's what I had, got them at Walmart for around $8/gal. Price has gone way up closer to $12-$13 today. Pink is only 50/50 where I live, but I think 60/40 exists somewhere out there. Nobody should use 50/50 in Alaska. If you use red make your own 65/35, just don't go beyond 70 or you'll come out to a frozen block.
Driver
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 112
Likes: 13
From: FLORIDA
I considered OE stuff, but I am interested in seeing if there is any difference so I went with Zerex. My car had zero corrosion when I opened it up (138700 miles), so if I see any next time I flush the system I will definitely let everyone know.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,582
Likes: 392
From: PA
We all know GM and Toyota don't make their own fluids. I guess some enjoy seeing the logo on the containers. I could see that if $1 or $2, but not 2-3X the price.
For example, Dexron VI and Dexcool
For example, Dexron VI and Dexcool
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 215
From: Ontario, Canada
I use Toyota Pink SLLC straight from the Toyota dealership in my original radiator. Change your red or pink coolant every 3 years or every 32,000km and you'll be fine. Time is important to follow for coolant changes because the corrosion inhibitors wear out over time.
I found a Toyota brochure for the red LLC at http://www.asco.as/icms_docs/105911_...fe_Coolant.pdf
I found a Toyota brochure for the red LLC at http://www.asco.as/icms_docs/105911_...fe_Coolant.pdf
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,582
Likes: 392
From: PA
I use Toyota Pink SLLC straight from the Toyota dealership in my original radiator. Change your red or pink coolant every 3 years or every 32,000km and you'll be fine. Time is important to follow for coolant changes because the corrosion inhibitors wear out over time.
I found a Toyota brochure for the red LLC at http://www.asco.as/icms_docs/105911_...fe_Coolant.pdf
I found a Toyota brochure for the red LLC at http://www.asco.as/icms_docs/105911_...fe_Coolant.pdf
Maybe someone out there can take a $8 or now $12 Zerex pink, and a $26 50/50 Toyota pink, and analyze it at work. They should be identical since they are licensed.
Driver
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 77
Likes: 9
From: TX
I used the Zerex Asian because it was easier to get since I needed it quickly over the weekend. I'm sure it will work just fine on my 2001 with 218K. If my car dies 5 years down the road I doubt it will be because of the brand of coolant I used.