I always use premix 50/50, so I never have to use tap water; faster, cleaner.
All my vehicles use Walmart SuperTech 50/50 premix green, 5 year. Never had a problem. Each year I drain the rad (not the system) and refill with fresh to maintain proper PH.
Tap water contains minerals which will form deposits once system is hot. Better to use distilled water, but in a pinch tap water much better than no water!! Just get a flush soon to prevent issues, as smallest passages in heater core is where these deposits tend to form, and heater core is PIA to replace.
Best is relative. I prefer to use Asian P-HOAT coolants in all Toyotas I service. For a more complete list of recommended coolants, check the maintenance thread:
Personally I find Toyota coolant to be way overpriced. I would prefer to use the less expensive and/or locally available options like Zerex Asian, Pentofrost A1, or Reochem OEM Premium Pink or Red. Which option you choose (Pink or Red) isn't important.
I would only use tap water if you are flushing the radiator/coolant system, but even then a gal of distilled water from Walmart shouldn't break the bank. If you do use tap water in the system for flushing only, I'd recommend filling up and draining once with distilled water.
For me? I use strictly distilled water unless I'm flushing out the radiator/coolant system after I drain all the coolant , but refill with distilled and drain/refill a few times after that.
I'd stick with distilled water. Coolant isn't something you change every 5K (like engine oil), so you don't want any contaminants in the system. Its about $2-3 for a gallon of distilled water around here, so in my opinion, worth it.
As for the coolants, I just stick with OEM red, because its cheaper to buy the concentrate + distilled water than the premix. Premix runs $17 and Toyota red is $26 here in Canada.
I'd stick with distilled water. Coolant isn't something you change every 5K (like engine oil), so you don't want any contaminants in the system. Its about $2-3 for a gallon of distilled water around here, so in my opinion, worth it..
Distilled water in my neck of the woods is about 80 cents/gallon. I use Zerex Asian Formula for my Toyotas (50/50 premixed) and get it at O'Reilly's for $12.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Ask a question
Ask a question
Toyota Nation Forum
6.2M posts
586.9K members
Since 2001
ToyotaNation Forum is a community dedicated to all Toyota models. Come discuss the Camry, Tacoma, Highlander, 4Runner, Rav4 and more!