coolant

[Kdub26]

ive always used the factory red toyota coolant to top off my overflow. im doin a motor swap here in the next few weeks. called the local toyota and paying $25 before tax for a jug of coolant just seems kinda high. just wondering if i can go with prestone or peak 50/50 coolant instead of factory red?

[carsrus]

Peak Global Lifetime is whats best. Its this sorta pee colored yellow, They don't sell it in walmart and it took me a couple trips to a couple stores to find it.

Its like 8$ a gallon.

[Kdub26]

sounds good. i figured it would be easier to get an aftermarket coolant since its more available than going to the dealership. i just didnt know if it was one of those weird things that i HAVE to use the factory red coolant. but then again, its a 15yr old car so it wouldnt void any warranty or anything.

[TCam01]

If i were you i wouldn't cheap out on something so important

[Nebbuchanezzar]

Well, I would say use the red...I mean...the MAIN difference is pretty much rust control...but also, think about it this way...even if it is $25, how often are you going to change your radiator fluid? probably once per year as recommended, right? So that's $25/year...not so much, although at the same time, IDK that the red is a HUGE jump...but I would go for it for sure...just my 2 cents

[10gxiong]

I would go with the Toyota coolant just because its factory recommended, but on the other hand... it seems kind of similar to a question about oil, transmission oil, or brake fluid, the list goes on... I use Toyota's brand for some stuff, and I don't for others... and the car's perfectly fine since I maintain it at consistent intervals.

[carsrus]

Originally Posted by Nebbuchanezzar

probably once per year as recommended, right? So that's $25/year...not so much, although at the same time, IDK that the red is a HUGE jump...but I would go for it for sure...just my 2 cents

Once per year to flush your rad? More like every 3-4 unless you drive like 40k per year.

[Nebbuchanezzar]

Well, I drive 75 miles one way for work...that comes out to about 39k miles for work alone...not mentioning around the town, etc. and according to Haynes FSM, the recommended interval is 30k or 24mo...

That IS another advantage to Red tho, is it does have a longer life, does it not?

[TedL]

I like the fact that Toyota gives generic specs for most fluids (AT, PS, brake)...except coolant. So, I follow that one exception and buy the OE red. One jug plus a sub $1 gal of distilled water and you're good for 24k/24 months. The selection of coolant by the manufacturer is based on the various metals and seal compounds in contact with the coolant. For less than $20 difference, I'll go with the stuff that makes it less likely I'll need to do an unscheduled water pump swap or replace a rotted heater core ever.

Interesting to see how much cynicism there is regarding Toyota recommending the one special fluid the car was designed to use, but not toward Peak/Prestone et. al. for claiming their products are "universal", or nearly so.

Virtually all coolants are still ethylene glycol based to provide the anti-freeze capability. The "low toxicity" varieties are an exception. But the use of OAT, borate and silicate additives, etc., for anti-corrosion and other characteristics, make for real differences. To me, it's worth a buck a month to get the right stuff.