Coolant question - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

BCbear · 09-02-2009, 09:20 PM

This may sound pretty naive but I noticed that the rad coolant is a bit low and the overflow tank is empty on my '99. I have coolant in my garage that states its good for aluminum engines/components which the owner's manual calls for. The question is... the existing coolant is red in colour and I have the standard green stuff. Is it OK to mix these, is it just a dye? or does the colour represent something important? Perhaps its a Toyota dealer supplied "special" formulation the previous owner was told to use? Thanks

Buurin · 09-02-2009, 09:37 PM

DON'T mix those. If you haven't touched the coolant yourself (or ever), it will have what we call "Toyota Red". It's Toyota's long life formula that is superior to anything else you have, save "Toyota pink", their newest super-long-life-premixed coolant. Yes it is expensive at $20+ a jug from a dealer, but stick with it - that's our consensus here from previous discussions.

BCbear · 09-03-2009, 10:55 AM

Thanks Buurin, off to the dealer I go!