Replacement Fluids

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Jan 11, 2004 | 08:30 AM

hermanrd

Thread Starter

Driver School Candidate

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 22

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From: Kansas

Replacement Fluids

Hello All , I have purchased a 2000 RX300 awd.
My question is when traveling far from dealer what fluids are acceptable if needed.
Antifreeze? Transmission Fluid?
Thanks

Jan 11, 2004 | 10:40 AM

gs400998

Racer

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 1,338

Likes: 15

From: wisconsin

Check the specification section of your owner's manual. My GS uses Toyota Type T IV A/T fluid and I bought mine from my local Toyota dealership.

Jan 11, 2004 | 01:25 PM

nthach

Lexus Champion

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 3,350

Likes: 6

From: California

Re: Replacement Fluids

Quote:

Originally posted by hermanrd
Hello All , I have purchased a 2000 RX300 awd.
My question is when traveling far from dealer what fluids are acceptable if needed.
Antifreeze? Transmission Fluid?
Thanks

for coolant, red coolant from Toyota works, as for transmission, check your owner's manual, as some of the FWD cars use T-IV or Dexron III, dependent on transmission.

Jan 11, 2004 | 02:43 PM

Carpe Diem

Lead Lap

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 771

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From: Virginia

I'm not sure you should mix them but on my last radiator flush, I went to Prestone II. Both it and Toyota "red" are ethylene glycol based antifreeze. I think Toyota gets a big markup for a little red dye. Anyway I like the mello yellow stuff because its a different color from transmission fluid. If I see a drip I instantly know if its engine oil (clear to soft brown), trans (red) or radiator (yellow). Of course then there's brake fluid (also clear) but those drips would generally be on the side not center. This is not to suggest that you should vary from the spec on trans fluid. I wouldn't recommend that.

George

Jan 11, 2004 | 11:01 PM

nthach

Lexus Champion

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 3,350

Likes: 6

From: California

Quote:

Originally posted by Carpe Diem
I'm not sure you should mix them but on my last radiator flush, I went to Prestone II. Both it and Toyota "red" are ethylene glycol based antifreeze. I think Toyota gets a big markup for a little red dye. Anyway I like the mello yellow stuff because its a different color from transmission fluid. If I see a drip I instantly know if its engine oil (clear to soft brown), trans (red) or radiator (yellow). Of course then there's brake fluid (also clear) but those drips would generally be on the side not center. This is not to suggest that you should vary from the spec on trans fluid. I wouldn't recommend that.

George

prestone is loaded with slicates and phosphates. Perfect for a American cooling system like that found in Fords, bad for our aluminum-block Lexus engines. Toyota red is a no silicate coolant based on hybrid organic acid and phosphate chemistry. Don't confuse the Toyota stuff with Dex-Cool.

Jan 12, 2004 | 08:53 AM

Carpe Diem

Lead Lap

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 771

Likes: 1

From: Virginia

Here's a link to a Popular Mechanics article about anti-freeze. I think it says that, after a complete flush, US yellow/green antifreezes are ok in Jananese aluminum block engines. I think the US antifreeze manufactures added silicates specifically for aluminum block engines.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...nt/print.phtml

I'd like to see more authoritative articles on this question. Frankly I'm confused.

BTW, what does Toyota "red" cost?

Geroge