About had a heart attack at the stealership!

[lastlaugh]

I just went to Cavender Toyota here is San Antonio during my lunch break. The 4runner I just bought is full of rusty green coolant and I need to change it out, so I went to get Red coolant and a new thermostat. Here was their quote:

Toyota Red Coolant - 37.95 per gallon
94 4runner thermostat (180 degree) - 39.95
Thermostat Gasket - 8.00

Please tell me this is not normal pricing for this stuff? I have no problem paying to keep my truck running good, but this seems ridiculous! I have found the coolant online for 20$ a gallon. I know they tack on haz mat shipping, but still should be cheaper. What prices are you guys paying for this stuff?

 

[hearno]

yeah i pay $23/gal at my toyota dealer for the pink super long life stuff. that's crazy.

 

[KidVermicious]

I've been running the new "any make/model" stuff for a couple years now with no trouble yet, knock on wood. Just make sure you flush the old stuff thoroughly.

If you have to have pink stuff, NAPA has Zerex Asian for $15 a gallon. Or Amazon has Toyota Red for a little more.

 

[lastlaugh]

Yeah from all the reading I have been doing on here in the last week or so, Toyota Red is the ONLY coolant that should be run in it. Supposedly Pentafrost A1 is the exact same thing, so I got 2 gallons from Oreilly for 24$ each. I also got a thermostat from them for 8$. I know people say the Toyota ones are the best, but damn, I've never seen a thermostat worth 40 bucks!

 

[85toy4runner]

I pay $23/gal for red coolant at dealer

 

[SV_Dude]

I have always used the cheapo green stuff from the parts store. Never had any issues.

 

[541joseph]

Just use the coolant from auto parts store that is for Asian imports. I had a thread a whole back about it bu I've talked to my family friend who has owned his own shop for 30+ years and he said its ok to run any long life (yellow) coolant.

 

[Menel]

Dad and subsequently myself, has always run the standard prestone green stuff in the '84.

 

[2ndGen4runner4x4]

Do a good flush and run the auto parts store anti-freeze and higher end thermostat.
The engine and radiator don't know they're a Toyota.

 

[giro]

From my '92 FSM, on page CO-12 for the V6, on replacing the engine coolant, is says "Use a good brand of ethylene-glycol base coolant, mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions".

My '92 V6 had the V6 campaign against it 20k before I bought it, and it had green antifreeze in it. Looks like back then (maybe in 97) toyota was still putting in the green stuff in even at the dealer.

OTOH, our '06 Sienna has pink antifreeze in it. But when I replace or have someone replace the timing belt & water pump, I'll check but will expect non-OEM antifreeze will be just fine.

 

[crash813]

I run the green stuff and flush every few years....or in the case of the 4runner, have to fix something requiring draining every month or so! :rockon: Use the dexcool in my other car and splashed some in my face one day. The rotten taste didn't get out of my mouth for atleast 3 days. That right there made me never want anything but the green kool-aid from now on!