What coolant do you all use for this model car?

On an 05 Corolla I used the ever popular Zerex Asian coolant.
Zerex Asian Red Vehicle Antifreeze / Coolant - Valvoline

If you haven't see the forum maintenance thread sticky yet, you should, it has a section for recommended coolants to use with the 9th gen Corollas.

Official Ultimate 2003-2008 Corolla, Matrix, Pontiac Vibe Maintenance Thread!!!

 

On an 05 Corolla I used the ever popular Zerex Asian coolant.
Zerex Asian Red Vehicle Antifreeze / Coolant - Valvoline

If you haven't see the forum maintenance thread sticky yet, you should, it has a section for recommended coolants to use with the 9th gen Corollas.

Official Ultimate 2003-2008 Corolla, Matrix, Pontiac Vibe Maintenance Thread!!!

Thanks for the guide. After doing more research I found out Toyota switched coolants in 2004 from the red Toyota Extended Life coolant (Inorganic Acid Technology aka IAT) to the present pink Toyota Super Long Life coolant (Phosphate Organic Acid Technology aka POAT). So that splits the coolant recommendations for our generation Corollas. Mine is a 2003, so the mantainance guide callef for the Extended Life aka IAT while your 2005 calls for the Super Long Life aka POAT coolant. The coolant you use that you linked me is POAT coolant so you are following the mantainance guide. So I guess my question now is can you use the pink Toyota Super Long Life coolant on a Toyota that at that time called for the red Toyota Extended Life coolant?

 

I can help with this. You're overthinking it (I was guilty of the same thing years ago). You can use Toyota Red or Pink on your 2003 Corolla. The important thing is not to use tap water if mixing with concentrated coolant. Secondarily, don't use any other type of coolant, especially when mixing different types of coolant. Toyota Red CAN be mixed with Toyota Pink. Pink is not supposed to be used on some older Toyotas if the radiator or heater core are not made out of aluminum, because the Pink coolant doesn't work well with brass radiators/cores. I use Red in my 1987 Toyota pickup and mostly use Red in my 2004 Corolla (used Pink once). Again, never ever introduce tap water into your system (use distilled or deionized water instead).

 

Thanks, and yes I do plan to chemically flush the coolant system before adding coolant. And the pink POAT coolant is only sold pre-diluted anyways. In this case I will use the pink POAT coolant, as the radiator is aluminum. Why do you use the red coolant over the pink on your coolant, the pink POAT coolant lasts longer and is said to clean the radiator better.

 

I think people use the red one is because that it cheaper overall as you are not paying for shipping 50% water (45% water in Canada and probably northern US states). Pink is certainly easier to use as it basically plug and play. I agree that the chem flush is not necessary. I just do double drain and fills (with some driving in between) every 3-4 years and it is clean and I use Toyo genuine pink. If you go with red do the distilled water mixing thing BEFORE you you put it in the system.

 

What do you guys think of this Walmart supertech brand specifically? I run it in my Corolla bc I didn't want to spring for anything over 20$.

 

I decided to pass on it based off info from this thread.

Super Tech Asian (Red) Antifreeze/Coolant

If someone has asked about this, I apologize. I searched and couldn't find anything. I have a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. It originally came with the Toyota red LLC. After I had to get the radiator replaced, the mechanic switched to the Toyota pink SLLC. Since then I've used the Toyota SLLC and...

bobistheoilguy.com

Because it has 2HEA in it (whatever that is) and is made by Prestone (and is thought of as Dexcool). I’m sure it’s probably fine but when it’s something I only change every few years, I don’t want to be concerned with 2HEA (which I have no idea is🤣🤣). But someone mentioned Dexcool...how it’s basically Asian Dexcool, and that quickly turned me off. Because I’ve had problems with Dexcool in the past.

Personally I ended up buying Peak Toyota Pink OET - it was also on clearance at Walmart a month ago for $10 a gallon - couldn’t beat that price. Heck, if the Super Tech Asian was that price I would have bought it (and ignored whatever 2HEA, is).

 

I use Zerex red when I had my corolla. Prior to the price hike, I scored the 1 gallon bottles from Walmart for around $12/gallon. Now, it’s at $20/gallon.

These bottles sell quickly at Walmart. I’ve had to go to autozone, o’reilleys, or Napa to source the 1 gallon jug. Since Covid hit, some places are charging closer to $25/gallon.

 

I run aisin pink on my less junky toyotas. It's 20$ at Napa.

 

Zerex Asian Red is easy to find at Napa. Also check on rockauto.

Toyota Red can be found in concentrate, so that's a plus if flushing the system is needed. With the Pink you'll be low on concentration ratio and therefore more corrosion.

The Pink is fine with all-aluminum components, particularly if the car doesn't have a brass heater core. Otherwise the solder corrosion accelerates and the core will end up leaking.

The Red coolant has a 2-year service life, but as far as fighting corrosion, I think it's a better coolant overall. Zerex Asian claims 5-years, but I don't know what changes they made in the formulation.

Driveability Corner | Calculated Engine Load | MOTOR Magazine
"Results of industry standard tests of the new Toyota extended-life coolant now show a substantial weight loss (corrosion), both in a 50-50 mix and in a 33% coolant mixture (solder corrosion is much greater in this more diluted solution). If you have to change a radiator or heater core, use aluminum."

 

I also heard that Toyota changed the coolant in 2004 from red to the current pink coolant. As far as I understand these are the coolant recommendations for each generation of Corolla.
I had a similar question, whether it is possible to replace Toyota Red with Pink by Toyota, I once faced this question, when visited wall work service center, and they said that it is possible so, but I was very skeptical about it.

"It is important not to use tap water when mixing it with concentrated coolant. Second, do not use any other type of coolant, especially when mixing different types of coolant. Toyota Red CAN be mixed with Toyota Pink. Pink should not be used on some older Toyotas if the radiator or heater core is not made of aluminum, as Pink coolant does not work well with brass radiators / cores. "- Thank you for the useful information, I didn't know.

 

Yeah that’s correct but 2003 Corolla is good to use Pink coolant because the radiator and heater core are aluminum

 

When I did this on my corolla, I used distilled water to flush. Added 2 rounds of distilled water, as I had no service records of the coolant ever being replaced by the owner. I’ve read from many posts, and many have stated that the 50/50 mix can be diluted further since the distilled water is still within the system. The same can be said of using concentrate. I don’t know how far it’s diluted, but using a refractometer will help you there.

 

I personally would not do a flush, but rather a simple drain and fill. As for block drains, almost nothing will come out, it’s not worth the time and effort to do them, and that’s IF you don’t snap and break them in the block (and then you have yourself a real problem).

For the most part, cooling systems are very clean. I’ve only really seen a couple that were “dirty”, and that was mostly because of engine and cooling system problems that lead to clogged heater cores. And cleaning those systems are difficult because what you “clean” and what you put in, can eventually free up more things as the customer drives around for a few days. Then they come back. I’d say most normally used and operating cooling systems are pretty spotless inside. You are just refurbishing the additives of the coolant and ensuing proper operation and electrolysis is not going to occur. I once saw a 16 year old Chevy Tahoe go without one single coolant service, with over 250,000 miles on it. The coolant smelled like fish, but there was virtually no visible corrosion or issues inside. And yet I’ve seen engines with less that 70,000 miles dealing with bad intake gaskets it overheating because of a faulty head gasket, cooling systems looking caked up. I think the engines actual health is the biggest factor, by far. IMO.

 

Okay that is very good to know. I’m wondering what’s the point of an engine drain bolt if barely any coolant comes out. What I will likely do is flush the coolant system out with distilled water several times, then drain the radiator so approximately half of the coolant system is filled with distilled water, then fill the rest of it up with POAT Pink Toyota coolant concentrate. However it will be a non oem brand because Toyota doesn’t sell Pink concentrate. Thanks guys

 

Okay that is very nice to know. I’m wondering what’s the point of an engine drain bolt if barely any coolant comes out. What I will likely do the coolant system out with distilled water several times, then drain the radiator so approximately have of the coolant system is filled with distilled water, then fill the rest of it up with POAT Pink Toyota coolant concentrate. Thanks guys

You will need to run some calculations assuming perfect mixture and total capacity of the system vs how much you drain. Check the sticky - it has the numbers and calculations. In my experience even after running for 20 minutes and making sure thermostat is open, still it's not always perfect mix but close. I have a refractometer that I use to check final concentration. In my case I always need a little less concentrated red coolant (than required by calculations).

 

If you remove the thermostat and reconnect its housing and all the hoses, remove the radiator cap, and remove the engine plug, you can continually fill the radiator with water while the engine runs and that water will circulate throughout the system and exit through the engine plug drain hole. That would get any gunk out of there. You just have to be sure to then flush out all that water with coolant afterward.

 

Yes I will be sure to measure how much coolant I drain out so I can replace it accordingly. I will also replace the thermostat and flush the cooling system while I’m at it. I never thought replacing coolant was this complicated haha

 

If you want to replace the thermostat, I strongly recommend you use only these brands: Toyota, Kuzeh, Aisin, or Tama. You'll need a new gasket as well. A thermostat is one of those parts which the aftermarket does not always do well with.

Tip: Don't overtighten those thermostat fasteners (nuts).

 

I bought my 2003 with 200K on it. I think it had Prestone universal in it. Probably for years. I decided to go with Toyota Red because the Prestone may have an acid in it that may eat the head gasket over time. Toy Red concentrate was hard to find locally, everyone had 50/50. I found Beck Arnley Toy Red concentrate that I was able to order and pick up at a local store. I got a case because I was going to run it in all my cars, Mazda, Ford and old Chevy as the red looked like it would work good for all of them.

Dumped the green and filled with distilled, and drove it for a day or two, running the heater as well. Drain, refill, repeat over the course of a week. Took at least 6-8 dumps to get the water looking fairly clean. I did it during normal use, no special driving around to get it hot and circulating.

Then I looked up the coolant system capacity, did a final dump and added half capacity of concentrate, and topped up with water, which in theory should be 50/50. I did test it with a coolant tester and it was pretty close.

 

What is the coolant capacity by the way? I can’t find a sticker on the car with the information and the information online on these car repair websites tend to be inaccurate. Is there an official capacity from Toyota? Including or not including the reservoir?

 

My owners manual says 6.5L or 6.9 Quarts

 

Why is there two different capacities in the owners manual?

 

Zertek asian formula red was my choice. Got it shipped from walmart

 

The pink POAT coolant is better

 

The first 5 years I owned my 2003 Camry I would drain the radiator and refill every Spring. It cost me maybe $20 each Spring when Toyota was the only game in town for the Pink stuff! The radiator only holds 1 gallon.

After that I went to every other year. In 6 months my car will be 20 years old and it still has all of it's factory cooling system parts!


Now I use Walmart brand Coolant for Toyota/Lexus vehicle's $16 a gallon.

I do not normally have to flush any vehicle I own from new because I stay ahead of maintenance needs. If a vehicle is used and not well maintained and factory service recommendation are abysmal!

When I flush I just use Shout Laundry Stain Liquid concentrate and tap water. I remove the thermostat and and loosen the hoses. I let it run radiator cap off for 15-20 minutes. I drain refill with water run it for 2-3 minutes then remove the lower house and run water run out of engine and radiator and I will repeat it again. Then I refill with either distilled water and concentrate pre-mixed or pre-mixed no water needed coolant depending on what I can get. In this case no one makes a retail version of Toyota coolant that is concentrate it is all 50/50 pre-mix in the USA!

The reason I use Shout Stain remover concentrated liquid is becasue radiators and most engine blocks today are aluminum, plastic and rubber. The last thing you want to do is put in a strong acid or alkali. You are just trying to get out any bad coolant and any oil or blowby that has mixed into the coolant and maybe deposited in any nooks and crannies. In a system that has been maintained there should not be much corrosion or anything else to remove. If there is or you have a mix of iron and aluminum we have better things today like Evaporate, RMI-25 and other like products. Think chelation not harsh chemicals!

 

Oh and while a lot of ignorant people on the Internet will laugh at the Shout to clean out cooling system it is recommended by Porsche and Daimler just to name a few.

You will also note that in Europe Citric Acid is popular for all things from cleaning a Trumpet to Cleaning Radiators. They use it the way we us diluted sulfuric acid.

Citric Acid stuff is not bad if used properly but again much more risk of damaging things this isn't the good old days of cast iron blocks and brass radiators!

The Citric Acid is used to remove scale and deposits and the Shout is used to remove any oil!

 

It is not red. The 6 gallons I have are all pink in color. The bottle is silver and red but the liquid that comes out of the bottle is pink. It is not the older Toyota Red Coolant like my Tacoma took.

 

Yes sorry I got it mixed up. The walmart Toyota coolant is pink POAT coolant. However the title on the website says red, and it has a red cap so I think that is an error on their part. Also are you suggesting the Prestone coolant cleaner is harmful? https://www.walmart.com/ip/Prestone-Total-Cooling-System-Cleaner-22-oz/35764365 It says its safe for all radiators and engine. Keep in mind this is a cleaner rather than a flush, but unfortunately the ingredients are unavailable.

 

i have 98 GT AND AN 04 GT ,,, I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO ,,,,, MST OF THESE MECHANICS OUT THERE ARE NUMBSKULLS ,,, SO IM HERE TO EASK THE EXPERTS ,,,, ,,, DO I USE THE SAME COOLANT FOR BOTH VEHICLES? THE 2004 I JUST BOUGHT I DONT KNOW WHAT THE FUCK THIS BIMBO DID TO THE CAR I BOUGHT IT FROM ,,I DONT SEE ANY COLLANT IN THERE , I DONT EVEN SEE ANYTHING IN THE PLASTIC RESERVE CONTAINER NOT EVEN AT THE LOW LINE ,,, WHAT A BIMBO? ,,CAN SOMEBODY HELP ME OUT HERE PLEASE,,,, THANK YOU

 

Sorry, this is a corolla forum. But if you use google, it’ll tell you that 5.0 uses FL22 or compatible.

 

Do not believe the 150K mile hype. with coolant I do not go by time or miles, I use test strips to keep an eye on the coolants glycol level and acidity, If the test strip says all is good, then it is good enough for me, if the coolant looks great but the strip says the fluid is out of spec, then it gets changed. Same with the brake fluid. Which by the way my test strips test both the coolant and brake fluid. You can get them here.. STRIPS