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Mixing regular coolant with Toyota 'Red" coolant
#1
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Mixing regular coolant with Toyota 'Red" coolant
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.
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.
#3
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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
Here's a good link to read: http://www.cartalk.com/content/colum...August/08.html
#7
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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.
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#9
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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.
If my experience with Dexcool is any indication, I absolutely would NOT mix them.
#14
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#15
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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.
#16
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).
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).
#18
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.
#19
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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.
#20
Contributing Member
Personally, having to flush the green stuff every couple years is no biggie compared to all the trouble this "extended life" coolant has caused.
Last edited by tc; 03-01-2009 at 02:07 PM.