Difference between red and gold engine coolant
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Pit Crew
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From: Florida
Difference between red and gold engine coolant
I went to my local auto store to buy some engine coolant for my RX300 and I thought I wuld just buy the red coolant b/c I thought thats what all Lexus and Toyota's use. Well he tells me that their are 4 different types of coolant out there Red, Green, Gold and Blue. I was wondering if anyone could tell me the difference between these. I just want to make sure that I don't get the wrong one. Thanks
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: St. Thomas, Ontario
Originally Posted by vinster29
I went to my local auto store to buy some engine coolant for my RX300 and I thought I wuld just buy the red coolant b/c I thought thats what all Lexus and Toyota's use. Well he tells me that their are 4 different types of coolant out there Red, Green, Gold and Blue. I was wondering if anyone could tell me the difference between these. I just want to make sure that I don't get the wrong one. Thanks
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 19
From: Orange County, California
Originally Posted by Lexusfreak
I've never heard of the blue or gold coolant you mention.
A (very) rough color-code guide:
Green For American cars
Green Dark, some Japanese cars
Orange Dex-Cool organic-acid technology (OAT)
Yellow some DaimlerChrysler vehicles, some Fords OAT and silicates.
Gold DaimlerChrysler vehicles
Red Toyota with OAT and phosphates but not silicates
Pink Volkswagen, Audi with OAT and silicates
Green, Yellow or Blue for European cars
Here's 2 of many threads where this issue has already been discussed. Plenty more can be found with a search.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=115136
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/maintenance/75449-coolant-type.html
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,350
Likes: 6
From: California
Originally Posted by PERRYinLA
That's because he didn't go to a stealership, he went to his "local auto [parts] store".
A (very) rough color-code guide:
Green For American cars
Green Dark, some Japanese cars
Orange Dex-Cool organic-acid technology (OAT)
Yellow some DaimlerChrysler vehicles, some Fords OAT and silicates.
Gold DaimlerChrysler vehicles
Red Toyota with OAT and phosphates but not silicates
Pink Volkswagen, Audi with OAT and silicates
Green, Yellow or Blue for European cars
Here's 2 of many threads where this issue has already been discussed. Plenty more can be found with a search.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=115136
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75449
A (very) rough color-code guide:
Green For American cars
Green Dark, some Japanese cars
Orange Dex-Cool organic-acid technology (OAT)
Yellow some DaimlerChrysler vehicles, some Fords OAT and silicates.
Gold DaimlerChrysler vehicles
Red Toyota with OAT and phosphates but not silicates
Pink Volkswagen, Audi with OAT and silicates
Green, Yellow or Blue for European cars
Here's 2 of many threads where this issue has already been discussed. Plenty more can be found with a search.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=115136
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75449
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 227
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From: California
In the archives mmarshall had the best advice because it's also the advice the Toyota engineers have given us: Here's what mmarshall wrote:
"Well, there's a reason why Toyota recommends their own coolant....and
it's not just money or profit-motivated. The red Toyota coolant that
comes in that big black jug....first of all, it cannot be mixed with any
other coolant without the potential for doing damage ...especially the
greenish-yellow stuff....unless you COMPETELY flush out all of previous
coolant. Second, the Toyota coolant is especially formulated for the
metal, rubber, and plastic alloys used in Toyota / Lexus radiators,
hoses, water pumps, heater cores, and engine blocks. It is designed with
the proper PH (acid / base) balance so it will not damage these parts
with normal change intervals.
I'm not saying that other coolants can't be safely used in some cases,
but my philosophy is: why take a chance?"
If you want to see what happens when Toyota owners use an auto parts store antifreeze go visit your local auto wrecking yards. A large percentage of those cars got there due to engine overheating and internal corrosion problems and busted head gaskets. All preventable problems if owners would just be willing to follow the car care advice of the Toyota engineers .
"Well, there's a reason why Toyota recommends their own coolant....and
it's not just money or profit-motivated. The red Toyota coolant that
comes in that big black jug....first of all, it cannot be mixed with any
other coolant without the potential for doing damage ...especially the
greenish-yellow stuff....unless you COMPETELY flush out all of previous
coolant. Second, the Toyota coolant is especially formulated for the
metal, rubber, and plastic alloys used in Toyota / Lexus radiators,
hoses, water pumps, heater cores, and engine blocks. It is designed with
the proper PH (acid / base) balance so it will not damage these parts
with normal change intervals.
I'm not saying that other coolants can't be safely used in some cases,
but my philosophy is: why take a chance?"
If you want to see what happens when Toyota owners use an auto parts store antifreeze go visit your local auto wrecking yards. A large percentage of those cars got there due to engine overheating and internal corrosion problems and busted head gaskets. All preventable problems if owners would just be willing to follow the car care advice of the Toyota engineers .
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,350
Likes: 6
From: California
i got an old Cressida that's seen Crapstone for most of it's life, maybe I should drain it out and fill it up with Toyota red...
My LS has seen Toyota red ever since it was first sold, and it's happy with it.
My LS has seen Toyota red ever since it was first sold, and it's happy with it.
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: California
Originally Posted by nthach
i got an old Cressida that's seen Crapstone for most of it's life, maybe I should drain it out and fill it up with Toyota red...
I took the top radiator hose off a 15 year old Toyota pickup engine the other day that had run Prestone Green most of its life and the pitting and erosion of the aluminum coolant pipe was
rather shocking: http://www.saber.net/~monarch/coolantcorr.jpg
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,379
Likes: 20
From: St. Thomas, Ontario
Originally Posted by saber
In the archives mmarshall had the best advice because it's also the advice the Toyota engineers have given us: Here's what mmarshall wrote:
"Well, there's a reason why Toyota recommends their own coolant....and
it's not just money or profit-motivated. The red Toyota coolant that
comes in that big black jug....first of all, it cannot be mixed with any
other coolant without the potential for doing damage ...especially the
greenish-yellow stuff....unless you COMPETELY flush out all of previous
coolant. Second, the Toyota coolant is especially formulated for the
metal, rubber, and plastic alloys used in Toyota / Lexus radiators,
hoses, water pumps, heater cores, and engine blocks. It is designed with
the proper PH (acid / base) balance so it will not damage these parts
with normal change intervals.
I'm not saying that other coolants can't be safely used in some cases,
but my philosophy is: why take a chance?"
If you want to see what happens when Toyota owners use an auto parts store antifreeze go visit your local auto wrecking yards. A large percentage of those cars got there due to engine overheating and internal corrosion problems and busted head gaskets. All preventable problems if owners would just be willing to follow the car care advice of the Toyota engineers .
"Well, there's a reason why Toyota recommends their own coolant....and
it's not just money or profit-motivated. The red Toyota coolant that
comes in that big black jug....first of all, it cannot be mixed with any
other coolant without the potential for doing damage ...especially the
greenish-yellow stuff....unless you COMPETELY flush out all of previous
coolant. Second, the Toyota coolant is especially formulated for the
metal, rubber, and plastic alloys used in Toyota / Lexus radiators,
hoses, water pumps, heater cores, and engine blocks. It is designed with
the proper PH (acid / base) balance so it will not damage these parts
with normal change intervals.
I'm not saying that other coolants can't be safely used in some cases,
but my philosophy is: why take a chance?"
If you want to see what happens when Toyota owners use an auto parts store antifreeze go visit your local auto wrecking yards. A large percentage of those cars got there due to engine overheating and internal corrosion problems and busted head gaskets. All preventable problems if owners would just be willing to follow the car care advice of the Toyota engineers .
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 575
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From: California
For a car currently using Toyota red coolant, can it be drain-and-refilled with Toyota pink coolant? Or do you have to flush out all the red coolant before switching to the pink?
By the way, anyone know if the red coolant comes in a pre-mixed, "ready to use" form as well?
By the way, anyone know if the red coolant comes in a pre-mixed, "ready to use" form as well?
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 170
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Prestone Dexcool
Is the prestone Dexcool antifreeze the same as the red coolant used in all Toyota/ Lexus vehicles? I don't know if I trust the new prestone coolant that they say works for all models. I bought some Prestone Dexcool today and it says that it is used for Ford and Chrysler vehicles. Is this the same stuff that Toyota uses?
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,379
Likes: 20
From: St. Thomas, Ontario
Originally Posted by vinster29
Is the prestone Dexcool antifreeze the same as the red coolant used in all Toyota/ Lexus vehicles? I don't know if I trust the new prestone coolant that they say works for all models. I bought some Prestone Dexcool today and it says that it is used for Ford and Chrysler vehicles. Is this the same stuff that Toyota uses?
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 339
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
Originally Posted by kreativ
For a car currently using Toyota red coolant, can it be drain-and-refilled with Toyota pink coolant? Or do you have to flush out all the red coolant before switching to the pink?
By the way, anyone know if the red coolant comes in a pre-mixed, "ready to use" form as well?
By the way, anyone know if the red coolant comes in a pre-mixed, "ready to use" form as well?
Kreativ-for my ES (1998) per Lexus you can use any EG coolant. I switched from Toyota coolant (EG with a Red dye per Lexus) to a green EG coolant (per a GM spec low/no silicate etc). I flushed out most of it and then added new coolant. Working perfect with no leaks, heat problems etc.
Ps. The color does not mean anything since you can have a blue, pink, red, yellow etc. Example, most people think red color is dex-cool or ELC, which it is not. Look at Toyota coolant it is red and a normal EG coolant. The dye is added for some stupid reason per lexus.
Lexus stated this:
“If Genuine Toyota/Lexus coolant is not used, then the aftermarket coolant must be ethylene-glycol based.”
Dye: Since coolant is poisonous if swallowed, we dye the coolant so that it cannot be mistaken for water. Otherwise, there is no special significance to the color choice. Aftermarket coolants can typically be found in yellow-green, blue, and orange.
Last edited by mburnickas; Jan 12, 2005 at 08:20 AM.
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,379
Likes: 20
From: St. Thomas, Ontario
Originally Posted by mburnickas
Lexus stated this:
“If Genuine Toyota/Lexus coolant is not used, then the aftermarket coolant must be ethylene-glycol based.”
Dye: Since coolant is poisonous if swallowed, we dye the coolant so that it cannot be mistaken for water. Otherwise, there is no special significance to the color choice. Aftermarket coolants can typically be found in yellow-green, blue, and orange.
“If Genuine Toyota/Lexus coolant is not used, then the aftermarket coolant must be ethylene-glycol based.”
Dye: Since coolant is poisonous if swallowed, we dye the coolant so that it cannot be mistaken for water. Otherwise, there is no special significance to the color choice. Aftermarket coolants can typically be found in yellow-green, blue, and orange.
Why not ask Toyota / Lexus head office directly & let's put this thing to bed.......I'll pose the question to Lexus Canada, & you ask Lexus U.S. head office. Let see what our findings are. 
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 339
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From: Massachusetts
All I am saying is that Lexus, people who make your car state, “…Since coolant is poisonous if swallowed, we dye the coolant so that it cannot be mistaken for water. Otherwise, there is no special significance to the color choice. Aftermarket coolants can typically be found in yellow-green, blue, and orange.”
Sincerely,
Customer Satisfaction Representative
At 08/09/2002 11:58 AM
So color means zero. I would have to say that the 5 year or 150K milesi a ELC and not a EG coolant. The normal Lexus Red coolant is normal EG coolant. This topic has been beaten like a red headed step child.
To close, I have asked Lexus on my coolant and it was posted for over 2-years. They, Lexus, stated I can use ANY, repeat any EG coolant in my car, 1998 regardless of color of the fluid.
Sincerely,
Customer Satisfaction Representative
At 08/09/2002 11:58 AM
So color means zero. I would have to say that the 5 year or 150K milesi a ELC and not a EG coolant. The normal Lexus Red coolant is normal EG coolant. This topic has been beaten like a red headed step child.
To close, I have asked Lexus on my coolant and it was posted for over 2-years. They, Lexus, stated I can use ANY, repeat any EG coolant in my car, 1998 regardless of color of the fluid.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,379
Likes: 20
From: St. Thomas, Ontario
Originally Posted by mburnickas
All I am saying is that Lexus, people who make your car state, “…Since coolant is poisonous if swallowed, we dye the coolant so that it cannot be mistaken for water. Otherwise, there is no special significance to the color choice. Aftermarket coolants can typically be found in yellow-green, blue, and orange.”
Sincerely,
Customer Satisfaction Representative
At 08/09/2002 11:58 AM
So color means zero. I would have to say that the 5 year or 150K milesi a ELC and not a EG coolant. The normal Lexus Red coolant is normal EG coolant. This topic has been beaten like a red headed step child.
To close, I have asked Lexus on my coolant and it was posted for over 2-years. They, Lexus, stated I can use ANY, repeat any EG coolant in my car, 1998 regardless of color of the fluid.
Sincerely,
Customer Satisfaction Representative
At 08/09/2002 11:58 AM
So color means zero. I would have to say that the 5 year or 150K milesi a ELC and not a EG coolant. The normal Lexus Red coolant is normal EG coolant. This topic has been beaten like a red headed step child.
To close, I have asked Lexus on my coolant and it was posted for over 2-years. They, Lexus, stated I can use ANY, repeat any EG coolant in my car, 1998 regardless of color of the fluid.
I want to know how & what are the differences are (besides the colour!) in terms of performance & longevity. I'll get the answer some place else.......as I know there is a difference.......I need to know specifics (and it's not just the colour).