Toyota coolant
#16
#17
Coolant
I recently changed mine at 98,000 miles, and it was as clear red as the day it was poured in at the factory in '99. Best I could find the red was $25.00 at Toyota dealer, and due to unfortunate financial circumstances, I had to go with a newer Prestone Extended Life full strength concentrate (made me want to cry) for $5.99 (which includes a $5.00 rebate). It is made to top off any other color fluid, and I felt that if I was careful enough draining ALL of the red, and flushing thoroughly, it would work just as well. So far, no problems- I will keep a close eye on it though, and when I am in better financial shape, I will replace with the red.
#18
Prestone worked fine for me for over one year now. I drained off the engine block by opening both drain screws for the front and rear, radiator and coolant reservoir were emptied as well.
Saved tons of $ and complies with Lexus recommendation in RX300's User Manual (does not call out Toyota coolant for warranty or maintenance).
Saved tons of $ and complies with Lexus recommendation in RX300's User Manual (does not call out Toyota coolant for warranty or maintenance).
#20
I recently changed mine at 98,000 miles, and it was as clear red as the day it was poured in at the factory in '99. Best I could find the red was $25.00 at Toyota dealer, and due to unfortunate financial circumstances, I had to go with a newer Prestone Extended Life full strength concentrate (made me want to cry) for $5.99 (which includes a $5.00 rebate). It is made to top off any other color fluid, and I felt that if I was careful enough draining ALL of the red, and flushing thoroughly, it would work just as well. So far, no problems- I will keep a close eye on it though, and when I am in better financial shape, I will replace with the red.
P.S. The RX is my DIL's, that I had changed the red in, that's why I gave the old to my son.
Last edited by code58; 11-01-08 at 11:29 PM.
#21
Lexus- It's my DIL's car so I don't have the manual here but from what I remember it took less than 2 gal. of straight (I always mix 50-50 with distilled water), so less than 4 gallons to fill completely drained block, rad., heater core, and overflow bottle. I had some of the 2nd. bottle of straight left over.
P.S. I had the engine out, so I know everything was drained COMPLETELY.
P.S. I had the engine out, so I know everything was drained COMPLETELY.
#22
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 35
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
Lexus- It's my DIL's car so I don't have the manual here but from what I remember it took less than 2 gal. of straight (I always mix 50-50 with distilled water), so less than 4 gallons to fill completely drained block, rad., heater core, and overflow bottle. I had some of the 2nd. bottle of straight left over.
P.S. I had the engine out, so I know everything was drained COMPLETELY.
P.S. I had the engine out, so I know everything was drained COMPLETELY.
#23
Mechanics generally flush the cooling system with hot water. Since some hot water stays in the system after the flush, so simply adding the coolant into the reservoir usually would give you roughly a 50/50 mix in most cars. Not sure if this is how it works in the RX300.
I like the genuine Toyota Long Life (red) coolant. It does not gunk up like other brands of coolant that I have used in my other cars. My RX is almost 7 years old, yet the reservoir tank is still pristine. So I use the Toyota coolant in my computer for liquid cooling as well.
I like the genuine Toyota Long Life (red) coolant. It does not gunk up like other brands of coolant that I have used in my other cars. My RX is almost 7 years old, yet the reservoir tank is still pristine. So I use the Toyota coolant in my computer for liquid cooling as well.
#24
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 35
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
Mechanics generally flush the cooling system with hot water. Since some hot water stays in the system after the flush, so simply adding the coolant into the reservoir usually would give you roughly a 50/50 mix in most cars. Not sure if this is how it works in the RX300.
I like the genuine Toyota Long Life (red) coolant. It does not gunk up like other brands of coolant that I have used in my other cars. My RX is almost 7 years old, yet the reservoir tank is still pristine. So I use the Toyota coolant in my computer for liquid cooling as well.
I like the genuine Toyota Long Life (red) coolant. It does not gunk up like other brands of coolant that I have used in my other cars. My RX is almost 7 years old, yet the reservoir tank is still pristine. So I use the Toyota coolant in my computer for liquid cooling as well.
#25
do you think that a toyota dealership would carry it or would i have to go to a lexus dealership to get it, reason i ask is the place im moving to the closest lexus shop is like 1.5 hours away...
#26
Toyota dealership was the only place I was able to get this coolant when I was in Mexico.
#27
You should get it at Toyota. My Toyota dealer sells it for $19, whilst Lexus wants $28.
#28
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 35
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
#30
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 35
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania