Can't get Toyota Red Locally Anymore.

[psraff]

I'm getting my fluids ready for my Timing Belt Change and I only have a Gallon and a half of Toyota Red Coolant left over. Local Carquest used to carry it, but no more. Everyone has the Zerex Asian though. The little bit of research I've seen seems like it's ok to top off with Zerex, but has anyone heard of any negative results? I plan on getting to Anchorage soon and buying a few gallons real Toyota Red Coolant and flush back to Toyota. It just sucks because I'm doing all this work and putting in a new Radiator (Champion) as well.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maintenance-detailing/177177-zerex-asian-vs-toyota-pink-sllc.html
(I know I need Red, not Pink but there's info in this thread)
Opinions?

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

Toyota doesn't make fluids, never has. They are just rebranded fluids made by someone else. As long as they meet the specifications, you're fine. Don't over think it!

 

[muellernautique]

you can buy it on amazon and ebay, if they ship to where you're located. it's a bit more expensive than at the dealer, but i paid it. i wanted to stick with what the car came with from the factory.

 

[kolelt]

What about a dealer ? Or order it from a dealer website.

 

[spartacus]

generally you put what you already have. I've used Asian zerex and it works fine. but the last two times I've used toyota red cause I've got a good deal. so in my experience you should be fine.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Toyota doesn't make fluids, never has. They are just rebranded fluids made by someone else. As long as they meet the specifications, you're fine. Don't over think it!

While it is true that Toyota does not make parts they do contact with official vendors to make parts and fluids to Toyota's OEM specifications.

It is different than Kirkland brand at Costco where the consumer line product is simply relabeled. The parts manufacturer who provides Toyota Red to Toyota, the makeup was created to meet a specifications requested by Toyota themselves. Once the specifications are locked then over the years different parts manufacturer may make the fluid but always to Toyota's exact chemical definition.

I hope that helps. Personally I've been using common non-OEM green coolant for years and years. I change it out at the proper intervals.

Trans fluid I buy the Toyota fluid and use it exclusively. For my Acura TL I buy the Acura trans fluid only.

Lots of local dealers don't seem to carry Toyota fluids. I think they are just ------les who want to make extra profit. For example the one near where I live carries Napa trans fluid (yes this is the dealership) in 1 qt bottles and tried to sell that to me as OEM at the OEM price. He goes "it's all the same and this is only trans fluid by the qt we carry in stock". They just want more money at the expense if the customer. That is why I buy nearly all OEM parts from either Camelback or The Truck Shop in San Diego.

:bat:

 

[psraff]

Toyota doesn't make fluids, never has. They are just rebranded fluids made by someone else. As long as they meet the specifications, you're fine. Don't over think it!

I realize that, but they have different properties in them. Just making sure I'm not missing anything.

you can buy it on amazon and ebay, if they ship to where you're located. it's a bit more expensive than at the dealer, but i paid it. i wanted to stick with what the car came with from the factory.

What about a dealer ? Or order it from a dealer website.

I was going to start this project tomorrow. No way I could get anything here in time. I would pay it, if I could have it in two days, but that's not going to happen. Our closest dealership is about 2 1/2 hours away (Anchorage). And I won't buy anything from them (They wanted $42 just for the thermostat!!)

I guess I'll use the Zerex Red to top off my system. :shrug::shrug:
Thanks Guys!

 

[MN4runnerman]

This is what I buy for Toyota red.
Red Ethylene Extended Life Coolant | Beck/Arnley Auto Parts

 

[muellernautique]

at your dealership, ask them for the "shop price" or "discount price"

call them on their bs, maybe show them trdparts4u or dallas toyota or toyota estore or something similar. i did that with my radiator. i really wanted a toyota oem and needed it that day, and amazon wasn't fast enough. they wanted $170 for the rad, i showed them the price on toyotaestore was $116, and they matched it. ymmv obviously, some things they wouldn't match all the way and just give me a discount, but it took my total bill for my timing belt stuff from about $700 to around $400.

 

[slmatrix]

Amazon

I will go ahead and assume the reason stealerships charger waay more in Alaska is due to the location and resulting demand.

Anyway, if you have time to spare, amazon is worth it. The prices always beat local ones, in central Texas (as far as I've checked).

Here is the link to Free shipping by May 1, 2018 for $55.xx [2 Gallons].
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018Y2WQRK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A22LWEMCXESXCG&psc=1

As far as the color is concerned, my understanding is that: pink vs red = same
The pink is diluted to 50/50 mix while the red needs to be diluted to 50/50 (the dilution is needed for better cooling).

 

[TheDurk]

I will go ahead and assume the reason stealerships charger waay more in Alaska is due to the location and resulting demand.

Anyway, if you have time to spare, amazon is worth it. The prices always beat local ones, in central Texas (as far as I've checked).

Here is the link to Free shipping by May 1, 2018 for $55.xx [2 Gallons].
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018Y2WQRK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A22LWEMCXESXCG&psc=1

As far as the color is concerned, my understanding is that: pink vs red = same
The pink is diluted to 50/50 mix while the red needs to be diluted to 50/50 (the dilution is needed for better cooling).

Not true. They are different formulations. The labels have been posted on here several times.

I hope your second post is more accurate.

 

[psraff]

at your dealership, ask them for the "shop price" or "discount price"

call them on their bs, maybe show them trdparts4u or dallas toyota or toyota estore or something similar. i did that with my radiator. i really wanted a toyota oem and needed it that day, and amazon wasn't fast enough. they wanted $170 for the rad, i showed them the price on toyotaestore was $116, and they matched it. ymmv obviously, some things they wouldn't match all the way and just give me a discount, but it took my total bill for my timing belt stuff from about $700 to around $400.

I've tried it. Several times. They really don't care about one person when they have the whole state by their ba!!s.

I will go ahead and assume the reason stealerships charger waay more in Alaska is due to the location and resulting demand.

Anyway, if you have time to spare, amazon is worth it. The prices always beat local ones, in central Texas (as far as I've checked).

Here is the link to Free shipping by May 1, 2018 for $55.xx [2 Gallons].
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018Y2WQRK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A22LWEMCXESXCG&psc=1

As far as the color is concerned, my understanding is that: pink vs red = same
The pink is diluted to 50/50 mix while the red needs to be diluted to 50/50 (the dilution is needed for better cooling).

Thanks for trying, but they won't ship that to Alaska. I tried. Amazon is getting VERY bad at this.

 

[psraff]

While it is true that Toyota does not make parts they do contact with official vendors to make parts and fluids to Toyota's OEM specifications.

It is different than Kirkland brand at Costco where the consumer line product is simply relabeled. The parts manufacturer who provides Toyota Red to Toyota, the makeup was created to meet a specifications requested by Toyota themselves. Once the specifications are locked then over the years different parts manufacturer may make the fluid but always to Toyota's exact chemical definition.

I hope that helps. Personally I've been using common non-OEM green coolant for years and years. I change it out at the proper intervals.

Trans fluid I buy the Toyota fluid and use it exclusively. For my Acura TL I buy the Acura trans fluid only.


:bat:

That's how I understood it as well. Thanks for the details for everyone though.

 

[TonyB66]

...Thanks for trying, but they won't ship that to Alaska. I tried. Amazon is getting VERY bad at this.

Damn beautiful state you live in there. I feel that way so much I've been scoping-out potential locations of interest for the family. The more "moderate" climates, which looks to be places like Juneau and Anchorage, and surrounding environs and communities, such as Eagle River. Oh, Sitka too...

I noticed an Air Force Base in the Anchorage area. Maybe if you know someone there, shipping becomes a viable option? Not exactly near you though, as you stated...

 

[pluton]

To the OP: Isn't 1.5 gallons of Toyota red more than enough to replace the entire contents of the cooling system, once it's diluted 1:1 with distilled water?

 

[JayRolla]

I've been using the zerex asian blue with no issues. Blue cuz I'm a rebel.

 

[muellernautique]

To the OP: Isn't 1.5 gallons of Toyota red more than enough to replace the entire contents of the cooling system, once it's diluted 1:1 with distilled water?

Uhhh depending on if he has rear heat or not I think. Could just run it a bit more diluted...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kolelt]

How long is the Toyota red coolant good for ? Isn’t the long life rated for 100k? Basically the life of a water pump?

 

[thegipper]

I used to exclusively use Toyota red but it became too much of a hassle to get so I've just been using Zerex Asian vehicle stuff. I order it online for pickup at Advance auto which is a couple miles from my house. Throw in a 30% off coupon code at checkout and you can get 3 gallons of coolant for 34ish bucks.

It works fine and meets the Toyota specs (which is most important). I'll generally swap out the coolant in my vehicles every 30k-40k miles.

If you have 1.5 gallons of Toyota Red concentrate, that should be enough...

 

[phattyduck]

Uhhh depending on if he has rear heat or not I think. Could just run it a bit more diluted...

I'd avoid that in Northern Alaska - freeze protection is pretty important up there! I personally run about 40% coolant 60% water here in Southern California though...

-Charlie