bill5

I've read about some Toyota "long life" stuff that's supposed to be all that...but is it "necessary" or will regular stuff work fine, just maybe not last as long?

Arsenii

Hello,

It's a topic still full of debate to this day, most likely from the old days and some very cheap or incompatible products. The thing is that there were cases of incorrect antifreeze not only ruining the seals, but actually eroding the channels in the engine, causing seals to leak even if they were brand new, as the surface they sat on is now worn away.

I doubt it's still such a menace this day, especially now where more or less everyone is using similar ingredients. With that said, Toyota coolant is among the best out there, some even use it in cars other than Toyota, and all that at a pretty descent price at some dealerships.

To answer your question, as long as you get some high quality, Ethylene-Glycol antifreeze, you shouldn't have any issues, just make sure to flush every bit of the old stuff out as a precaution, run distilled water through it until it comes out clean, and only then use the coolant of your choosing, better be safe than sorry. For the amount of times you will need to change it in car's life however, even if there is any price benefit, it is pretty much negligible.

P.S. Also, just realized that you have a 2004 ES330, please make sure to include Year and Model next time, as it actually uses Super Long Life, Pink coolant. While Toyota says it is *technically* compatible, all it means is that it won't turn into acid immediately, so I wouldn't rely on it. Here is a link to get it, they only sell it as 50/50.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

bill5

Yeah that's what I meant about the long life stuff. Frak. I already bought some general purpose (Fram) stuff. Silly me I figured pretty much antifreeze is antifreeze....

Arsenii

Is Fram making Antifreeze now..? Boy am I getting old. Not like I trusted them before, and I for sure will not start now, so my biased list of suggestions is as follows - return it, give it to a friend you don't like, or get it to the hazard waste facility as soon as possible.

And it's not even that much cheaper than Genuine OEM, man what are you doing with your life??

bill5

Well you're honest in your bias, I'll give you that.

Sorry I have no idea what this statement even means. "Genuine OEM?"

LeX2K

Using genuine Toyota coolant is about the cheapest insurance there is. I am quite amazed the lengths people will go to not buy genuine parts especially coolant.

Why are you asking for advice then ignoring it?

Arsenii

OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer, aka the companies that actually produce the parts that are installed in your car from the conveyor, Toyota doesn't make all the parts from scratch, most of them are sourced from other suppliers, which makes them a LOT cheaper. Some OEM manufacturers for Toyota are Denso, Aisin, Koyo, etc.

Genuine is just that, means that it is not a fake or counterfeit item that eBay and Amazon are full of. When you see a "Toyota" part with a 90% price cut on it, there is a solid chance that you are being taken for a ride unfortunately.

Well you are not alone..

Hope this helps and best of luck!

bill5

I buy "genuine" parts if I feel it's merited. I'm not going to any great lengths to do or not do so. Sometimes it's merited; sometimes it's not and it's just pissing money away for no good reason.

1) I'm not ignoring it, I'm simply questioning it
2 ) Because by your own admission, it's quite biased and no reason given for such bias. What is it that has you so "anti Fram?"

LeX2K

That's your choice I'm not trying to impose my will. You made a thread asking, if you don't like the answers then ignore but don't know why you'd make a thread if you are simply going to ignore the advice.
You're looking for us to confirm your bias ironically.
Not all bias is bad have you thought of that? Of course we're biased, Toyota LLC and SLLC is proven to be incredibly effective and long lasting I've seen this in my own cars and many others the cooling system stays pristine. What am I supposed to do, look at that and say well I don't want to be biased so I'll ignore the results.

So use the Fram coolant and be happy, it's just as good as Toyota because we're biased. Fin.

Arsenii

I have always known them as a manufacturer of Oil Filters up until now, and dubious ones at best, their quality, at least in the olden days, left a lot to be desired, just look it up, even if all the reviews and legends of busted engines are not true, Fram is the only company that managed to gather such appalling reputation around itself, no one else will have so many debates and conspiracies surrounding it, hence why I am so opposed to it, and hence my Clearly marked, Very biased opinion. I don't know, they may have changed while I wasn't looking, but this train is too far gone, I will stick with OEM wherever possible, especially for such negligible price difference.

LeX2K

Almost without fail Toyota's with aftermarket parts end up with all manner of issues. You know what issues my Toyota/Lexus cars have? Almost none because I use OEM or OEM equivalent parts but that's just me. If Fram products meet your quality standards then great.

BTW I'm told the upper end Fram filters are decent but I don't care after dozens or even hundreds of oil changes I've done never had one single problem with OE Toyota filters. Plus the straight cut gasket on most filters is stupid, O-ring style is far better.

bill5

Snowflakes Relax dude. I just asked a question. Never ceases to amaze me how some people have a hissy if anyone dares question anything they say in any way.


Thank you for that calm, rational answer. I didn't know that about Fram, which is why I posed the (apparently unpardonable for some) question.

LeX2K

Nah, you came here looking for validation of your choice. Answer me this, are you going to buy Toyota coolant as strongly recommend? The answer is no.

FromFL

I use AM/AM in my '04 and in fact everything else. As noted, make sure to do a proper flush with distilled water until it runs clear. It's been 5 years in the Lexus so far and I doubt it'll ever be changed out again.