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Q - Toyota 4 life coolant only ?

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Old 10-04-11, 12:12 PM
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Mk1Aristo
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Default Q - Toyota 4 life coolant only ?

Hey guys so quick question

I have 2 lexus's and a rav4

on all 3 cars when I had to add some coolant I just used the regular green stuff you buy at wallmart.

someone told me that I have to only put in the dealership toyota 4 life coolant..

is that true ?
Old 10-04-11, 12:53 PM
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BDSL
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Don't mix the red coolant with the green coolant!!!!!!!!

Time to flush/drain the coolant system......
Old 10-04-11, 04:36 PM
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imherenow
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i just got my Es300 changed from the dealer and its red (as before)
Old 10-04-11, 07:01 PM
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mitsuguy
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definitely do not mix them if possible, but, its not the end of the world... the two are actually compatible in terms of not causing any immediate issues, but, now the coolant is not going to last nearly as long - green stuff claims 30k/2 years for most cheapie formulations...

if it were mine, I would flush the system and replace with all of the same type - pick one... green is just fine, it just doesn't last nearly as long as the red or pink...
Old 10-08-11, 12:30 PM
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LDNN
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Toyota long life $26 a gallon at Toyota dealer..or you can buy a similar aftermarket coolant at your local autopart store for a little less. With three cars I'd get a gallon from Toyota dealer.
Old 10-09-11, 09:50 AM
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Lexmex
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My Uncle Antonio used to see some horror stories involving coolant at this shop and mixed coolant was one of them, but the problems occurred once it was too late.
Old 10-09-11, 11:51 AM
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narfy
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depending on what year your car(s) are, generally... 2004 and newer all run pink toyota super long life premix coolant... 2003 and older run red toyota long life concentrate coolant...

you are not in any immediate danger of having failed parts, etc, but i would highly recommend flushing your coolant out, and putting in whatever the toyota recommended coolant is...
Old 10-10-11, 01:58 PM
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FrankReynoldsCPA
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Where is the cheapest place to source red coolant? I'm really living on a tight budget right now, but I need to have some extra coolant on hand(A habit I picked up from my old car that drank coolant).
Old 10-10-11, 07:48 PM
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ArmyofOne
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Dealer is the only place I know of to buy it.

However, Peak, and Prestone both make a coolant that mixes with any color antifreeze. It is golden yellow in color. I used it my my Civic which had a blue coolant that was almost the consistency of oil.
Old 10-10-11, 11:44 PM
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GS4_Fiend
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Has anyone here gone 5 years or 100k with the Toyota LL Red Fluid?
Old 10-11-11, 12:49 AM
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mitsuguy
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Obviously I can't speak for anyone here, but out in the real world, there are a lot of people going well past that...

These are the same people who say water pumps and radiators don't last...
Old 10-14-11, 01:20 PM
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jusdach
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Valvoline makes a compatible long-life formula under their Zerex brand, it's literally called Zerex Asian Vehicle. You can get it at NAPA for about $18/gallon. I actually just topped off my 07 GS with it last week.
Old 10-21-11, 07:38 PM
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LDNN
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Check with autoparts store, they may have something compatible.
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