Not sure about the Highlander, just became an owner after years without a Toyota, but in the past, most had a coolant bleed screw on the thermostat housing. I have never drained the block, just a good run a few minutes with distilled water at operating temperature and flush with distilled water, then drain. I always use Concentrated coolant and mix with distilled water, but slightly more than 50/50%, since some of the distilled water is left over in the block. I always fill with the car up on ramps and that help bleed the air bubble out. Don’t have a video, but that’s what has always worked well for me. If block drain plugs are easily accessible, you can, but I don’t. Removing coolant block plugs CAN open up a can of worms at times. If the coolant is not rusty and abused, I don’t.

 

This exactly what l did on my car except l personally think it is a PITA so l will go to the dealer for a flush every 50,000 miles.

 

Honestly the easiest way is to drain the radiator, refill, and then drive the vehicle for about 15 to 20 minutes. Then, after it cools a bit, re-drain and re-fill. Job is done. And use the pre-mix coolant...since there is some debate about distilled water vs soft water. I would not get involved in doing a full flush since its a guess as to how much distilled water is left over.

 

Also recommend this method. Unless the coolant is contaminated or is exceptionally old, draining the rad and refilling makes the most sense. Sure you use a bit more coolant, but I think it's reasonable. "Burping" the rubber hoses is another recommendation.

 

Glad that works for you.

 

How much coolant should I buy if I'm draining the radiator only through the drain cock plug? (Including a little extra to top off the reserve just in case.)

 

Usually two jugs are sufficient. And yes the coolant in the overflow tank should be drained and re-filled.

 

Get the bleeder kit in the video. It works like a charm.

 

X2 on the bleeder funnel kit! Awhile since I have owned a Toyota, but years ago, Toyota only sold concentrated coolant, is that still the same?

 

I believe that Toyota-Pink is only available in a diluted form, whereas Toyota-Red (for old models) still comes in a concentrated version.

 

I don't know anybody brave enough to mess with those block coolant drains....not worth the risk if they were to break or strip.

No, you don't drain it all with just the radiator drains but you drain enough to refresh it all. But if it's been too long since changing out the coolant, just do the service, drive for a week, and do it again.

And always use original Toyota coolant...you never want to mix coolant brands.

 

In todays cars, and with the coolants they use, it would be pretty hard to abuse the coolant to the stage of rust. Only if rust was present, would I even think about block plugs.

 

It’s a little bit of a PITA, but the only part I hate it disposing of the old coolant.

 

To everyone- find a place to dispose of your antifreeze first. I am lucky to live in a larger city that l can take it to.

 

It’s just as easy (perhaps easier) to pour the used coolant in the empty container and drop it off with a recycler when convenient. In my area, Walmart accepts used oil, transmission fluid and coolant for recycling.

 

Glad to know that Walmart accepts used coolant now, because Autozone where I dispose of oil, does not.

 

Yep, if you don't know where to bring used paint cans, old propane bottles, used oil, used coolant, etc...just do a search for "household Hazardous Waste Facility" in your city or county. It should be free to just make an appointment and drop stuff off. (Mine even accepts old electronics like TVs and laptops which you can't just throw into the trash can.)

And, yes, changing coolant is very important...don't let it get older than 5-years or 50,000 miles....else you run the risk of damaging your head gasket which can let coolant get into the engine and bad stuff happens. (Ever seen a car with big clouds of white smoke when taking off from a stop light? That's a bad head gasket!)

 

I finally had time to do it and finished draining and refilling the radiator and coolant reservoir.

Car has 64.000 miles - planning next drain and refill at 100K

Spent 40 minutes removing the engine under-cover, 15 minutes finding the drain petcock (hard to see between a hose and a metal bar), draining/refilling was easy, but then 60 minutes putting the cover back on and lining up all the screws (16), pins (2), and bolts (3).

I drained about 1.3 gallons (spilled a little). Did you guys get a similar amount?

I couldn’t find a YouTube video on coolant drain & refill for a 2GR-FKS Highlander4th Gen 2020

 

Here you have Videos I found on the Lexus forums for the Lexus 350-450 which should have the same setup.

 

Great job! Yes, I usually get between 1-2 gallons out in our Toyotas. Yours looks pretty clean, which is a good sign. If what I get out looks a lot darker, I'll repeat the job a week or two later....allow the good stuff to mix well with the old.