'07 Coolant questions

[tsyzer]

So I've never done anything on a car before but figure I should learn. I was going to start by flushing the coolant because I was told that should be done at the 50,000k mark. But then I was reading on these forums and saw that an '07 can maybe go to 100,000k. So how can I tell if my car has long-life coolant in it? (I bought it one year used so I'm not sure what the first owner may have done to it.) And can people confirm the correct timing for coolant flushing? I don't want to mess anything up.

Also, when I DO do it myself, even if its not for another 50,000k, do I need to get something to lift the car, like ramps?

How much coolant will I need? And finally, does coolant brand matter in your opinion? What should I get?

Thanks!

[olbus]

For the first change it is 100,00. I think it is 50,000 after that.
Toyota long life fluid is pre-mixed and is about $20 a gallon. Not sure how many gallons since my wife's car only has 85,000 on it. I just bought a gallon of the stuff to top off. I've had to top off both her 06 Corolla and my Tacoma once since we've owned them. Just keep your eye on it when you change oil until 100,000 or so. I'm going to have to think about it this year I think. If you got an owners manual it should show you the capacity for the cooling system. If not someone else will know or I can go check the manual.

[dorman68]

Your 07 Corolla factory fill coolant is good for 10yrs or 100,000 miles, which ever comes first, I even called my mechanic and he confirmed that this is correct. If you feel better changing is sooner be my guest, but it's not necessary until 100k or 10yrs.

[don24mac]

I always check the coolant in my '07 in the Autumn. The coolant strength checker has always shown the coolant was good down to -40º F. This year, it showed it was good down only to -20º F. That tells me it due for changing. I don't think the factory coolant is going to last any where near 100,000 miles or ten years in my '07 Corolla. In fact, I'm considering changing it now because of how it tests out.

Did they use the long term coolant in all "07s? Mine was built at the Canada factory.

I use one of those coolant checkers that has the floating or sinking balls in the glass tube. It was double checked one week later with the same results. The coolant has never been added to or topped off since the car was dealership new, and looks red.