Correct Antifreeze????? Help

[carina71]

Hey guys,

It's me, "Mr. cold weather". I just checked my antifreeze with a calibrated refractometer, and it said it was at -33F. Those who know me here, know that I need it to be at -60F.

So, to make sure it is done right, I am doing it myself. I stoped by the dealership to make sure I got the right antifreeze, but they only have it in 55 gal barrels, just a bit more than I need.

The manual states: "high quality ethylene glycol based non-silicate, non-borate coolant with long-life hybrid organic acid technology..."

Okay, so I stop by NAPA, pick up 4 gallons of their ethylene glycol antifreeze/coolant which meets General Motors-GM-1825M, Ford-ESE-M97B44-A, Chrysler-MS-7170, and ASTM-D3306. Don't say nothing about imports or Toyota.

So, I open a jug and the color is green/chartreuse, not pink. Okay I'm a little worried about using this antifreeze.

Can someone tell me if it will be okay? If not okay, can you give me some suggestions?

THANKS

 

[TranceKrayz]

i believe it was discussed somewhere that our (4th gen.) antifreeze is supposed to be the red kind. do a search for antifreeze and you should find the thread.

 

[carina71]

Okay, here's what I got from the Prestone website. I Also sent them an email and will post their response when I get it. You can find gallon jugs of the Toyata antifreeze on the web for $15 to $20 per gallon--Ouch! The Prestone, if suitable is only ~$7 gallon at Walmart.

Thanks for the help guys, hope this is helpful to you too!

From Prestone Website:

How the All-New Prestone® Antifreeze/Coolant Works with All Makes and Models

Domestic, Asian and European manufacturers tend to use different antifreeze/coolant formulas in new vehicles. This has caused confusion among consumers – many just don’t know which aftermarket antifreeze/coolant is right for their vehicle. The NEW Prestone® All Makes All Models Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant is compatible with all these formulas.


The new Prestone® All Makes All Models Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant is a patented Organic Acid Technology formula that offers up to five years or 150,000 miles of protection when it is added to any extended life antifreeze/coolant. When added to a vehicle’s current formula, it is designed to provide the properties and change over intervals of that formula, be it one that offers 30,000-miles of protection, 100,000-miles of protection or 150,000-miles of protection.


The new formula has been tested with antifreeze/coolant formulations that are factory installed by major auto and light-duty truck makers. It may be added to the antifreeze/coolant of any make or model automobile or light duty truck on the road, foreign or domestic.


Motorists should always check their owner’s manual to ensure they are following the manufacturer’s recommendations on the appropriate flush and fill maintenance procedures for their vehicle.


The new formula does not offer extended life properties when added to a conventional silicated coolant that requires attention every two years or 30,000 miles. It will offer the same protection as the vehicle’s original coolant without degrading its protection.


The new Prestone® 50/50 Prediluted All Makes All Models Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant formula should only be used to top off the cooling system. For a flush and fill, motorists should use the full concentrate formula offered by the brand to ensure the right mix of water and antifreeze concentrate.


The new formula can be found at automotive retailers and discount mass merchandise outlets throughout North America.

 

[greasefingers]

carina71:
Just for fun I went The Weather Channel website and typed in Fairbanks, Alaska. To my surprise the current temperature is –34 degrees F. Dude how do you stop your nads from freezing off? Sorry but I cannot help much. I guess one needs to know if the Toyota extended life red stuff; is any different than typical coolant (other than the color). The red stuff for the 03 model T4R still has to be changed at the same service interval as other common coolant types (30k miles).

I drained my radiator and only got one gallon out of it. So I repeated this two more times to insure that I got most of it changed. The next time I will look for the coolant drain valve at the engine block. Obviously, more will drain out of this location along with the radiator drain valve.

 

[Hitman]

Hey guys,

It's me, "Mr. cold weather". I just checked my antifreeze with a calibrated refractometer, and it said it was at -33F. Those who know me here, know that I need it to be at -60F.

Didn't you say that the dealers in your area put the correct ratio to protect for extreme temps?

The standard 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze protects to about -33F, so I suspect your dealer did nothing.

For maximum freeze protection, you should have about a 2/3 mix. To be more precise, 60% is just about the best you can do.

 

[Hitman]

I have a suggestion for you...

Your 4Runner is an '05 model, right? So the coolant is new.... we know that you have a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water in your radiator.

If you find out how much coolant the entire system holds, it will be easy to determine how much you need to drain from your system and replace with straight antifreeze to achieve a 60% mix.

This will be much more economical and you won't have to deal with trying to flush out the entire 50/50 mixture.

All we need is the total capacity and some simple algebra... then simply drain the appropriate amount from your radiator and replace it will an equal amount of straight coolant.

 

[greasefingers]

That is a great graph because it shows the shape of the curve. Since it is a complex curve and not linear, it indicates that with increasing glycol concentrations the protection against freezing improves until a certain point. After this point increasing the concentration actually does no good. For instance a 45/35 ratio is of glycol to water protects to engine down to –25F. And so does a 90/10 ratio!! Very interesting indeed.

 

[greasefingers]

I have a suggestion for you...

Your 4Runner is an '05 model, right? So the coolant is new.... we know that you have a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water in your radiator.

If you find out how much coolant the entire system holds, it will be easy to determine how much you need to drain from your system and replace with straight antifreeze to achieve a 60% mix.

This will be much more economical and you won't have to deal with trying to flush out the entire 50/50 mixture.

All we need is the total capacity and some simple algebra... then simply drain the appropriate amount from your radiator and replace it will an equal amount of straight coolant.

That is a great suggestion.

 

[Jim_Chow]

That prestone orange long-life coolant was what lead to the quick demise of the radiator in my old 4runner. In that case, I forgot to flush the heater core of the old green coolant. One radiator later, I only use Toyota red coolant. If you use a different coolant, I'd flush the entire system out beforehnad, and that includes draining the block, refilling, and cranking the heater to flush the heater core.

In your case, if you must have a 60% mixture, I'd drain a little out of the radiator and replace w/ pure toyota red coolant. If you left it alone, would your coolant freeze w/ a 50-50 mixture?

 

[carina71]

Thanks for all of the replies! Some great suggestions too. But my original concern was making sure I put the CORRECT antifreeze in my 04 V8.

Anyway since I cannot find the Toyota Brand at a reasonable price, I wanted to double check with Prestone before I went any further. Here is my correspondence with them and their response:

Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2005 6:41 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Prestone General Questions


Do you have an antifreeze that is compatible with my 2004 Toyota 4Runner V8
engine?

Response:

Thanks very much for your inquiry.The new Prestone Extended Life
Antifreeze/Coolant For All Makes All Models is safe to use in your vehicle.
This product can be added to your existing factory fill or used in place of
it.

Thank you.

Prestone

 

[greasefingers]

If you take Hitman’s advice, then to increase the ratio of glycol from 50/50 to 60/40 you will be adding less than one gallon of straight 100 % antifreeze. It depends on the capacity of the cooling system. With this low quantity it would be worth it to stick with the Toyota brand. Mine is a 2003 and I do not know if your fluid is the same type as mine. The pn# for a 2003 is 00272-1LLAC-02 at $ 15.20/gallon from the dealer (the red stuff)

 

[carina71]

Re: Re: Correct Antifreeze????? Help

Didn't you say that the dealers in your area put the correct ratio to protect for extreme temps?

The standard 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze protects to about -33F, so I suspect your dealer did nothing.

For maximum freeze protection, you should have about a 2/3 mix. To be more precise, 60% is just about the best you can do.

Hitman,

Excellent graph! Your suggestion was my plan all along. I now believe the dealer here uses the 50/50 premix that toyota provides them in 55 gallon barrels. Going to send them a letter and let them know they need to change their mix for Fairbanks.

When I purchased my 04 T4R back in September, they had and orientation for new car owners a couple weeks later, and the Senior Service Director was there. Many people had questions about cold weather, including myself. The Service Director trying to take it all in, what we were saying about cold weather protection, fluids, etc. I really liked his demeanor, and he seemed like a very competent person. But when he said he had just moved here two months ago, we all got a little worried. Trying to alleviate our concerns he said he was from Northern Michigan and knew what cold weather was all about. A few of us chuckled at that, and although he did not get the joke then, he probably does now (it was -50F just last week). All we can do here is be patient with the winter "virgins" and apply what we have learned from experience.

This is a tough place, and it does take patience to live here, especially in the winter.

But, I do have the proper antifreeze mix now. And I know that the Prestone New Formula, All Makes, All Models, mix with any color antifreeze, Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant is okay to use in my 4Runner. I think, however, Prestone should come up with a shorter name for their new product!!!!

 

[carina71]

I just dropped a letter off at my dealer expressing my concern about their apparent problem with their antifreeze mix for Fairbanks. I included Hitman's graph. Hope the service manager there takes it in the tone that I intended it and not as an insult or condescention. I'm sure the fact that I addressed him by the wrong name will not help. Anyway, I invited him to browse this forum.

So, JIM (got the name right this time), if you are here browsing this forum. My intention was to give you a heads up in hope that it would help you reduce the number of antifreeze associated problems this winter. Good Luck!