mmcpeck

Can I mix some regular coolant in with the red Toyota coolant that's in my truck now?

Toyota filled it with the red stuff when they did the HG's, but I recently fixed a coolant leak on the motor and I need to top it off, so wondering if I need to go to Toyota and pay for a gallon of their stuff, when all I need is like a quart.

Thanks.

mja4333

I was always told never to mix them. If you did it was supposed to turn into a brown clump mess.

DupermanDave

I did some research on coolant a few months ago, and from what I gathered the colors were just a way for mechanics to tell who made the coolant. So I really don't see why it matters.

Here's a good link to read: http://www.cartalk.com/content/colum...August/08.html

Marc

If they are the same type i.e. ethylene glycol it's ok to mix.

Colour just makes it easier to identify.

DeathCougar

iTrader: (23)

Toyota red is not ethyl glycol, but i cannot remember what its made of.

YOu COULD mix the two, but why not just go to a dealer and get a gallon of the same stuff they used? A little peace of mind goes a long way.

24Runna

I agree with DeathCougar.

Plus you have extra now.

abecedarian

I wouldn't mix them. There are differences in the corrosion inhibitors and such that adding one type to another may reduce the effectiveness of the inhibitors resulting in premature failure of components such as water pump and radiator.

DeathCougar

iTrader: (23)

heh heh. You said Premature.

tc

I believe the Toyota coolant is an organic kind, and mixing green with it will spell quick death for your cooling system.

If my experience with Dexcool is any indication, I absolutely would NOT mix them.

abecedarian

I think I'll report this as an off topic post.

mmcpeck

Yeah kind of figured I shouldn't mix them, but didn't want to buy a whole gallon of the stuff from Toyota, but guess I'll suck it up.

tc

If you can dilute it with water, be sure to use distilled water!

arizonaguy

no dont do it captin!!!!!!!

Tubbyfatty

Ive always heard used distilled water but why?

I know alot of people who dont, my old body shop didnt, all my friends dont, whats the big difference?

GSGALLANT

distilled water doesn't have any of the contaminants and minerals that's found in tap water. The Toyota dealership here use tap water... another reason not to go to them, I guess.

desconhecido

All these coolants, including Toyota red/pink, are ethylene glycol with added anti-corrosion chemicals. The newer coolants with organic anti-corrosion chemicals are supposed to be better for aluminum radiators and are supposed to have longer anti-corrosion life. Apparently, these newer organic anti-corrosion chemicals can react negatively with the silicates found in other antifreeze and can deposit scale in the water passages resulting in poor heat transfer and cavitation. Some people say that if the organic compound antifreeze is put in a system that had silicates that the system must be thoroughly flushed multiple times in order to get the silicates out. There are some antifreeze mixtures with the organic chemicals that are supposed to be safe with any other antifreeze.

Personally, if I had the Toyota red stuff in my system I'd either add Toyota red stuff or the new Prestone extended life (which has no silicates).

Tubbyfatty

Since we are on the topic about antifreeze.

Whats so different about Dexcool for GMs? Well besides is says "no maintance for 150k miles".

Matt16

That GM coolant thing makes me laugh. First, surely the water pump, thermostat etc are going to need to be replaced necessitating draining the coolant anyways. Second, that's probably more miles than maybe about half the engines will ever see.

flashkl

I don't remember who I heard this from, but I always thought it was a no no to mix the red toyota coolant with the more typical green stuff. If you're using one and decide to switch to the other, you were supposed to flush the whole system several times so they didn't mix. Could be a myth, though.

tc

Is one of the first of the organic coolants. MANY people (the PO of my Impala included) didn't realize the care that had to be taken and either topped off with green or used regular water, which makes it gel up. I have had to replace both the heater core and radiator in my car already, and the temperature and heater don't work like they should.

Personally, having to flush the green stuff every couple years is no biggie compared to all the trouble this "extended life" coolant has caused.