Coolant Dilemma! Ok to use Green coolant in a Camry? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

mgold8 · 03-22-2009, 02:57 PM

I have a 2002 Camry SE. I was recently checking all the fluids on the car and noticed that the coolant level was considerable low. I checked my garage for some coolant and saw I had some AutoPride Coolant & AntiFreeze. I mixed it with some distilled water doing the suggested 50/50 mixture. I then realized before I put in the mixed coolant that it was Green and the coolant in the coolant tank was Red!

I'm wondering is it ok to use this Green coolant in the car? Will I harm anything by using it? I know a lot of these coolants you buy in stores basically work in all cars no matter the color. It usually says that on the bottle though and it didn't on this AutoPride coolant. I feel like it should be fine since I used this mixture in another car. What are all the Toyota experts opinions about this?

icqboy51 · 03-22-2009, 03:11 PM

do a quick search and you will find the answer within 2 minutes.

post a common/ already answered question, you will not get an answer quick... cause they will just tell you to use the search function.

and you might get flamed big time by njer.

LoudCamry · 03-22-2009, 03:18 PM

i am not to sure about mixing coolant, you can buy toyota red cooland at the dealership.

89molavi · 03-22-2009, 04:57 PM

The color does not mean much nowadays. You have to check the contents and the type. Toyota uses their own coolant which happen to be red. I am not sure if it is a HOAT coolant or no. I would say it is safer to flush and refill with Toyota coolant, but also doubt anything would happen soon if you didn't. You are reducing the life of the water pump and the seals and gaskets.

***CharmCityES*** · 03-22-2009, 08:56 PM

never mix coolants....
you own a toyota, and it calls for the red coolant...theres a reason why toyota reccomends the red coolant (it is better at preventing rust inside the motor) so you should use what toyota reccomends!

em3 · 03-23-2009, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorLexusES

never mix coolants....
you own a toyota, and it calls for the red coolant...theres a reason why toyota reccomends the red coolant (it is better at preventing rust inside the motor) so you should use what toyota reccomends!

Agreed. Don't mix coolants. Could cause chemical reactions

***PhatRoyale*** · 03-23-2009, 01:34 AM

From my experience, you shouldn't mix the coolant, but switching colors is okay provided that you do a complete flushing of the cars cooling system. I've been running Prestone Green coolant in my Corolla for 3 years with no problems but am planning on switching back to Toyota Red this summer.

However, if you are still under factory warranty I wouldn't recommend that you do so.

mgold8 · 03-23-2009, 09:17 AM

Well.... I've probably done a lot of things that Toyota doesn't recommend for the car, bit it's not like anything bad has happened to it. Isn't it better to have coolant in the car rather than non at all even if it's not the exact coolant you are supposed to get?

This car is important to me and I want it to last a long time. I guess I should try to find some Red 50/50 coolant to be safe. How do I tell what the color it is when I go to the auto parts store? It's not like the bottles are clear!

BlackCamSe · 03-23-2009, 09:20 AM

buy it from the dealer!

mgold8 · 03-23-2009, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XxTrD_ToYoTaxX

buy it from the dealer!

MMmmmm, I'd really rather not! That's really expensive!

Is there a cheaper way to get it online? Is there some other coolant which is basically the same which I could get in an auto-parts store?

carlo$ · 03-23-2009, 11:15 AM

how about using tap water?

GeorgiaHybrid · 03-23-2009, 11:16 AM

Try reading this for some more info on antifreeze. There are several types but you CAN mix as long as they are from a compatible family. Toyota is not the ONLY car company to use a HOAT style of antifreeze.

http://www.geocities.com/dtmcbride/h...ntifreeze.html

GeorgiaHybrid · 03-23-2009, 11:18 AM

carlo,

Always use distilled water to mix with antifreeze or go ahead and buy a 50/50 mixture

laphan · 03-23-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgold8

MMmmmm, I'd really rather not! That's really expensive!

Is there a cheaper way to get it online? Is there some other coolant which is basically the same which I could get in an auto-parts store?

It is not that expensive. I paid $17.60 for 1 gallon (includes 6% MI tax) from my local dealer. It is not that bad since the cheapest coolant from walmart cost around $8 per gallon.

Tremendous_Slouch · 03-28-2009, 10:01 PM

At work we use a Prestone coolant that is compatible with all other coolants. Says so on the jug.
When in doubt and short on cash (like most people reading this are or we wouldnt be here) just use this kind of coolant.

There are two opinions on red vs green coolant, the "long life" red coolant used in GM, Ford and some foreign brands (but not toyota coolant as far as i know)has been found to clump up inside the engine when changed at the recommended interval (50,000 miles i think).

On the other hand i used green coolant on my 1988 Nissan pickup for the entire time i owned it (RIP, i had to get rid of her last year at 289,000 miles when she wouldnt smog). I changed coolant about once a year. Still had the original radiator when i junked it and not a trace of leak or corrosion.