I went to my local auto store to buy some engine coolant for my RX300 and I thought I wuld just buy the red coolant b/c I thought thats what all Lexus and Toyota's use. Well he tells me that their are 4 different types of coolant out there Red, Green, Gold and Blue. I was wondering if anyone could tell me the difference between these. I just want to make sure that I don't get the wrong one. Thanks

 

I've never heard of the blue or gold coolant you mention. I'd go with either the Toyota (Red) 'long life' coolant OR they have a new (Pink) coolant they call 'super long life' engine coolant. It comes already pre-mixed with distilled water so with a 55% coolant & 45% distilled water mixture. It is suppose to last 5 years & 100,000+ miles untill your next coolant flush. I'd call a few Toyota & Lexus dealers to see what the price is from both & double check that you can safely use the pink coolant for your Lexus vehicle. Good Luck!

 

That's because he didn't go to a stealership, he went to his "local auto [parts] store".

A (very) rough color-code guide:
Green For American cars
Green Dark, some Japanese cars
Orange Dex-Cool organic-acid technology (OAT)
Yellow some DaimlerChrysler vehicles, some Fords OAT and silicates.
Gold DaimlerChrysler vehicles
Red Toyota with OAT and phosphates but not silicates
Pink Volkswagen, Audi with OAT and silicates
Green, Yellow or Blue for European cars

Here's 2 of many threads where this issue has already been discussed. Plenty more can be found with a search.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=115136

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/maintenance/75449-coolant-type.html

 

Keep in mind Toyota is also using a pink coolant in the newer cars too.

 

In the archives mmarshall had the best advice because it's also the advice the Toyota engineers have given us: Here's what mmarshall wrote:

"Well, there's a reason why Toyota recommends their own coolant....and
it's not just money or profit-motivated. The red Toyota coolant that
comes in that big black jug....first of all, it cannot be mixed with any
other coolant without the potential for doing damage ...especially the
greenish-yellow stuff....unless you COMPETELY flush out all of previous
coolant. Second, the Toyota coolant is especially formulated for the
metal, rubber, and plastic alloys used in Toyota / Lexus radiators,
hoses, water pumps, heater cores, and engine blocks. It is designed with
the proper PH (acid / base) balance so it will not damage these parts
with normal change intervals.
I'm not saying that other coolants can't be safely used in some cases,
but my philosophy is: why take a chance?"

If you want to see what happens when Toyota owners use an auto parts store antifreeze go visit your local auto wrecking yards. A large percentage of those cars got there due to engine overheating and internal corrosion problems and busted head gaskets. All preventable problems if owners would just be willing to follow the car care advice of the Toyota engineers .

 

i got an old Cressida that's seen Crapstone for most of it's life, maybe I should drain it out and fill it up with Toyota red...
My LS has seen Toyota red ever since it was first sold, and it's happy with it.

 

Yep, your Cressida has an aluminum cylinder head and needs Toyota Red to stop aluminum pitting and erosion.

I took the top radiator hose off a 15 year old Toyota pickup engine the other day that had run Prestone Green most of its life and the pitting and erosion of the aluminum coolant pipe was
rather shocking: http://www.saber.net/~monarch/coolantcorr.jpg

 

I have to find out if the same can be said about Toyota / Lexus' new 'super long life coolant' that's Pink.

 

For a car currently using Toyota red coolant, can it be drain-and-refilled with Toyota pink coolant? Or do you have to flush out all the red coolant before switching to the pink?

By the way, anyone know if the red coolant comes in a pre-mixed, "ready to use" form as well?

 

Is the prestone Dexcool antifreeze the same as the red coolant used in all Toyota/ Lexus vehicles? I don't know if I trust the new prestone coolant that they say works for all models. I bought some Prestone Dexcool today and it says that it is used for Ford and Chrysler vehicles. Is this the same stuff that Toyota uses?

 

No it's not the same stuff..........if someone tries to tell you it is, run! Don't walk away from that store.

 

Kreativ-for my ES (1998) per Lexus you can use any EG coolant. I switched from Toyota coolant (EG with a Red dye per Lexus) to a green EG coolant (per a GM spec low/no silicate etc). I flushed out most of it and then added new coolant. Working perfect with no leaks, heat problems etc.

Ps. The color does not mean anything since you can have a blue, pink, red, yellow etc. Example, most people think red color is dex-cool or ELC, which it is not. Look at Toyota coolant it is red and a normal EG coolant. The dye is added for some stupid reason per lexus.


Lexus stated this:

“If Genuine Toyota/Lexus coolant is not used, then the aftermarket coolant must be ethylene-glycol based.”

Dye: Since coolant is poisonous if swallowed, we dye the coolant so that it cannot be mistaken for water. Otherwise, there is no special significance to the color choice. Aftermarket coolants can typically be found in yellow-green, blue, and orange.

 

If there is "no special significance" between the Red & Pink coolant (except for the "dye"), why do the instructions state to change it every 2 years or 30,000 miles & the Pink jugs instructions say 5 years or 150,000 miles? Are you saying that the 'contents' or 'formula' is the exact same for both products? The explanation does not add up...... if that were the case & people found out that they could in fact get 5 years & 150,000 miles on the Red stuff........Toyota would have alot of explaining to do to it's customers! Why not ask Toyota / Lexus head office directly & let's put this thing to bed.......I'll pose the question to Lexus Canada, & you ask Lexus U.S. head office. Let see what our findings are.

 

All I am saying is that Lexus, people who make your car state, “…Since coolant is poisonous if swallowed, we dye the coolant so that it cannot be mistaken for water. Otherwise, there is no special significance to the color choice. Aftermarket coolants can typically be found in yellow-green, blue, and orange.”

Sincerely,
Customer Satisfaction Representative
At 08/09/2002 11:58 AM

So color means zero. I would have to say that the 5 year or 150K milesi a ELC and not a EG coolant. The normal Lexus Red coolant is normal EG coolant. This topic has been beaten like a red headed step child.

To close, I have asked Lexus on my coolant and it was posted for over 2-years. They, Lexus, stated I can use ANY, repeat any EG coolant in my car, 1998 regardless of color of the fluid.

 

Ok, your obviously not listening to what I have written so I will stop & get the facts directly from Lexus.....I don't care about the colour of the coolant I want to know how & what are the differences are (besides the colour!) in terms of performance & longevity. I'll get the answer some place else.......as I know there is a difference.......I need to know specifics (and it's not just the colour).