ToledoRX

Just wondering if anyone has used any different coolant and brake fluid than the one recommended by Lexus/Toyota.

Toyota coolant cost about $29 per gallon and DOT-3 brake fluid cost about $10 per bottle at the dealership. Too expensive in my opinion.

Found Valvoline Zerex at Walmart for about $13 per gallon and Prestone DOT-3 brake fluid for $2.4 dollars. Anyone have any experience with non-Toyota fluids?

Audiqv8

Antifreeze only Toyota and brake fluid any DOT 3 (Preston). For the antifreeze, I'm more concern about how they might interact with the rubber seals used and the material used for the radiator. When I was driving Audi you could only use Pentosin for power steering since the pump also supplied hydraulic pressure for your braking system. For the cost, I'll spend the additional money and buy Toyota OEM for peace of mind.

mandyfig

Please use Toyota Anti-Freeze, Red Coolant. You do not replace them often. It more money but it is designed for Toyota. Brake Fluid, Prestone is fine. Please do not cheap out on Coolant.

nwfsnake

I use Toyota coolant, but Valvoline DOT 4 brake fluid. Seems to absorb less water than the DOT 3 stuff.

mylexbaby

You might want to check the prices are for the same thing. Toyota Red coolant is concentrate (and so to be diluted) while that Zerex price might be for premixed (no water to be added).

Also, Toyota Red is available from places other than dealership, which might be a little cheaper.

evident

coolant, toyota only. brake fluid, any dot 3 is fine

5W40

Alway use Toyota Red coolant but still has radiator crack and replaced at 150K km.

Any DOT 3 brake fluid should OK, four years ago flush to DOT 4 with no issue.

Koolaid54

toyota/lexus coolant is ethylene glycol based. so as long as the bottle says its safe to mix with ethylene glycol based coolants you are safe.

difference in DOT fluids is boiling point. just dont mix dot4 and dot5. they are totally different types of fluids dot 5 is silicone based where as dot3/4/5.1 is glycol based