Coolant Type For System Refill

[Joeb51]

I'm changing my radiator and I have the red stuff for coolant. I want to go to a local autoparts chain (i.e. autozone, pepboys, etc.) to pickup the coolant fluid. Is the peak 50/50 mixture a suitable substitute & does it have to be red? Just checking. Any input will greatly be appreciated.

[monarch]

The insides of your 8 year old cooling system right now are clean as new and the aluminum components are free of corrosion thanks to the factory fill coolant mixture: 50% Toyota Long Life antifreeze and 50% distilled water.No brainer conclusion: Keep using this same exact mixture at replacement time to achive the same outstanding results in the years ahead.You could also search the ES forum using the search words "overheating" and "head gasket failed" to learn what happens to owners who havn't maintained their cooling systems using the factory original coolant mixture.

[mburnickas]

I'm changing my radiator and I have the red stuff for coolant. I want to go to a local autoparts chain (i.e. autozone, pepboys, etc.) to pickup the coolant fluid. Is the peak 50/50 mixture a suitable substitute & does it have to be red? Just checking. Any input will greatly be appreciated.

Do a search on this but I asked Lexus on this very topic and you also have the same year as me. In the end, Lexus stated you can use any EG coolant. Again that is per Lexus. No memeber interaction or anything. Per the manufacture

Been using non-Toyota coolant for 4+ years. No "overheating" or head gasket issues and it is mint on the fins, cap etc. Anyone who states this is incorrect information for these years. Toyota coolant is nothing special. Many coolant (if you look) have the OAT in it.

PS. Welcome to the club.

[Lexusfreak]

I'm changing my radiator and I have the red stuff for coolant. I want to go to a local autoparts chain (i.e. autozone, pepboys, etc.) to pickup the coolant fluid. Is the peak 50/50 mixture a suitable substitute & does it have to be red? Just checking. Any input will greatly be appreciated.

Since the prices for different coolant was so similar, I decided to go ahead with the Toyota 'long life' Red coolant personally. My 2003 Subaru's owners manual states the same as the Lexus owners manual to use any suitable EG coolant.....however, I know for a fact that the Subi coolant has specific ingredents in it made specifically for Subi engines as an example to prevent future head gasket issues down the road that the others don't have along with using a product called 'Subi coolant conditioner' as a preventitive measure. I don't know if the Toyota/Lexus coolant has their own special additives or not, but I know OE stuff will be fine. I just wish it lasted longer than 2 years/30k miles. Just my 2 cents.

[monarch]

Sometimes seeing is believing:http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/mastertech/camry.jpg

[mburnickas]

Sometimes seeing is believing:http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/mastertech/camry.jpg

Monarch I am not going through this yet another time. The manufacture states you can use more then there coolant.

I for one think there coolant is a rip-off. I have used diesel coolant for years and my rads are MINT inside. My thermo looks brand new along with the cap and fins that I can see with hoses off.

Sometimes information is more powerful then some picture with works someone types on it.

Again I use these coolant for over 15 years in my engines. Never had a coolant issue yet. I use diesel since it is low (and some none) silcicates, most have OAT in there coolant (toyota uses odium benzoate as there OAT), no borates and has Phosphates. There are many coolant that perform to these Japanese spec's; just need to look.

Unless some moron use pestone (yellow bottle) they will never have an issue with other coolants.

[Lexusfreak]

FWIW, this is what I mean from Subaru's standpoint....

http://endwrench.com/images/pdfs/WhatEWNov05.pdf

[mburnickas]

FWIW, this is what I mean from Subaru's standpoint....

http://endwrench.com/images/pdfs/WhatEWNov05.pdf

I still can't find what is so special about it...

I love that cavitation part. So far since driving, the only autos concerned with cavitation were wet sleeves on diesels. In auto it is not an issue. So far the materials that make it up are nothing new and the spec's it meets the same ones I have states since being on this forum.. :)

[monarch]

Here are the virgin coolant analysis test results comparing Toyota Long Life Antifreeze with Havoline Dexcool Extended Life antifreeze http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/mastertech/titan.jpg

The Toyota stuff is special and nothing else like it can be found in auto parts stores.

[mburnickas]

Here are the virgin coolant analysis test results comparing Toyota Long Life Antifreeze with Havoline Dexcool Extended Life antifreeze http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/mastertech/titan.jpg

The Toyota stuff is special and nothing else like it can be found in auto parts stores.

Too bad you are comparing Dexcool to normal EG coolant. You are kidding me right? They are not even the same and I did not click on your link either ( I can't).....Again if YOU look around there are several manfactures that have the OAT and conform to these standards. Toyota is nothing special as I have stated for years. You and I have gone around and around this. Using there fluid will gain you nothing unless you are comparing it to water or prestone (yellow bottle)...Outside of those, you are fine..

Maybe spend sometime looking them up...

[Toysrme]

Flush it. Don't mix "red stuff" with anything. Begging for trouble once it gels up.

[mburnickas]

Flush it. Don't mix "red stuff" with anything. Begging for trouble once it gels up.

I agree IF you are comparing, for example, Dexcool to normal EG coolant. Can't mix and will distry the seals etc.

Now if you are comparing normal EG to Toyota long life (normal EG) the colors mean nothing. It is a dye.

[Lexusfreak]

For my situation, it's best to just use the OE coolants for my 2 cars & change them every 2 years......I'm worn out trying to compare 'the best' out there to be honest. B)

[dcfish]

For my situation, it's best to just use the OE coolants for my 2 cars & change them every 2 years......I'm worn out trying to compare 'the best' out there to be honest. B)

I find it mind boggling that when a member asks a straight forward question " what type of coolant for refill " and the thread strays to another pi$$ing contest about which coolant is better than another.

Joeb51, Use toyota red coolant 50/50 with distilled water and enjoy your lex.

[Lexusfreak]

I find it mind boggling that when a member asks a straight forward question " what type of coolant for refill " and the thread strays to another pi$$ing contest about which coolant is better than another.

Joeb51, Use toyota red coolant 50/50 with distilled water and enjoy your lex.

Yup, I'm getting too old for this stuff personally.....I'll just concentrate on tires instead lol. :whistles:

[dcfish]

I find it mind boggling that when a member asks a straight forward question " what type of coolant for refill " and the thread strays to another pi$$ing contest about which coolant is better than another.

Joeb51, Use toyota red coolant 50/50 with distilled water and enjoy your lex.

Yup, I'm getting too old for this stuff personally.....I'll just concentrate on tires instead lol. :whistles:

Carry on soldier

[mburnickas]

I find it mind boggling that when a member asks a straight forward question " what type of coolant for refill " and the thread strays to another pi$$ing contest about which coolant is better than another.

Joeb51, Use toyota red coolant 50/50 with distilled water and enjoy your lex.

It has nothing to be with it being better or not. It has to do with you can mix certain coolants and be 100% fine. Even the manufacture states this.

Nothing “best” about it. It comes down to what you can use and why. Again nothing “better” about it.

It do find it comical that most think you HAVE to use this and that when you do not and will not do anything if you don't.

Yup, I'm getting too old for this stuff personally.....I'll just concentrate on tires instead lol. :whistles:

ROF, I tried that and got Proxies and they suck in my state's winters and that was after about 8 pages on this forum. :D :D

[Lexusfreak]

ROF, I tried that and got Proxies and they suck in my state's winters and that was after about 8 pages on this forum. :D :D

Hey were all allowed Mulligans lmao. :whistles: But the same goes for tires, no such thing as 'best' either. ;)

[Toysrme]

Looks there's only one way to do this...

Take a bucket & mix the coolants. Let that sit a week & see what happens <cough> hard gel <cough>. Then take another bucket & drop a hunk of copper and a hunk of aluminum in that.

Take pics of both after a day, after a week, a month, and then 6 months later.

I've seen what happens, so one of yall do it to be impartial.

What coolant is best? Best at what? Cooling? Keeping things from sludging? At not blowing out the water pump? They all have strong & weak points. The weak point being that they all suck at cooling. After that it's just which one won't turn into a disgusting, gelled up, metal eating mess.

[mburnickas]

Looks there's only one way to do this...

Take a bucket & mix the coolants. Let that sit a week & see what happens <cough> hard gel <cough>. Then take another bucket & drop a hunk of copper and a hunk of aluminum in that.

Take pics of both after a day, after a week, a month, and then 6 months later.

I've seen what happens, so one of yall do it to be impartial.

What coolant is best? Best at what? Cooling? Keeping things from sludging? At not blowing out the water pump? They all have strong & weak points. The weak point being that they all suck at cooling. After that it's just which one won't turn into a disgusting, gelled up, metal eating mess.

One way to do what?

I do not need to take a bucket..Going on 4 years when I dumped out Toyota and installed Fleetguard. The normal Toyota is nothing new here.

Cap etc look mint. I still do not get why anyone NEEDS to uses Toyota. Does not do anymore more or less.

[dcfish]

Looks there's only one way to do this...

Take a bucket & mix the coolants. Let that sit a week & see what happens <cough> hard gel <cough>. Then take another bucket & drop a hunk of copper and a hunk of aluminum in that.

Take pics of both after a day, after a week, a month, and then 6 months later.

I've seen what happens, so one of yall do it to be impartial.

What coolant is best? Best at what? Cooling? Keeping things from sludging? At not blowing out the water pump? They all have strong & weak points. The weak point being that they all suck at cooling. After that it's just which one won't turn into a disgusting, gelled up, metal eating mess.

One way to do what?

I do not need to take a bucket..Going on 4 years when I dumped out Toyota and installed Fleetguard. The normal Toyota is nothing new here.

Cap etc look mint. I still do not get why anyone NEEDS to uses Toyota. Does not do anymore more or less.

OK, What are your thoughts on this: http://www.evanscooling.com/main25.htm

[Toysrme]

One way to do what?

All anti-freeze works. My primary concern has always been that when someone is ditching Toyota red for something else that you don't experiance the gelling, and fast inhibitor breakdown. From new coolant mixing with old coolant left in the system.

It doesn't matter what antifreeze someone uses, provided whatever was in there before hand was flushed out & the coolant itself is changed on a regular basis.

I use Super-Tech from wallmart + water wetter.

[Toysrme]

I've seen the Evans coolant come up, but have never given it much thought. I don't like how they toute that engines will make more power using it tho.

More power how??? Less pumping loss through the water pump!?

It's certianly not by temperature. Every engine operates differently at a different temperature. In general the *higher* the temperature the more effecient it will be (along with the fewer emessions).

How are they going to know if engines are under, at, or above the "point of diminishing returns" of engines? It certainly doesn't help engine output to lower the operating temperature of most engines.

Besides... An engine using a thermostat will run at roughly the same temperature regardless of anything else, provided that the system is up to cooling. Engine temperatures on road cars is regulated to a minimum temp.

For claiming that, Evan's has never been on my good list.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultima...c;f=37;t=000380

Is the only thing I have seen with people actually talking about it without all the hype, or BS.

[Lexusfreak]

Not sure how much stock I would put into the fact they claim it lasts 500,000 miles.

[dcfish]

Not sure how much stock I would put into the fact they claim it lasts 500,000 miles.

OK, Then what is the take on waterless coolant ?