Engine coolant

[Park]

hey guys quick question, 2 weeks ago I was changing my oil (those oil filters are a b**** to get on/off) and my little brother was f***ing around and decided to open the engine coolant cap on top of the radiator and it went everywhere. Today I just happened to be changing my battery and so I checked it and was horrified to see how low it was. So my question is: can I just pour some more in?

:roadkill:​

 

[DC runner]

Yes.

That is what your coolant tank is for..

You can pour directly into the radiator or the tank, doesn't matter. When you turn the truck on, the coolant system will pressurize and the truck will suck in what it needs from the reserve tank.

 

[Park]

thanks. I just didnt know if I needed to change all of the fluid. thx

:spider:​

 

[alexb]

I've got a similar question. Does it matter what kind of coolant to use? Mine is very low, but I always hear about this toyota red stuff. Can I just get some normal coolant from autozone?

 

[quicksilvr]

If your truck has red coolant in it now, then there's a decent chance that it's still the factory fill. UNless you have service records to prove otherwise. In that case, you need to flush and refill. If it has red coolant, but you know it has been changed, then buy a jug of Zerex Asian formula from Napa and add it.

I don't mind the Prestone stuff that is "add to any color"....but I don't like mixing. If you're running straight yellow Prestone, that seems to be fine. Some toyota mechanics swear than anything other than PHOAT formula coolant will eventually kill the headgaskets. Which means you should just use Toyota OEM stuff or the Zerex asian....if you follow that thinking.

 

[Stick Figure]

I've got a similar question. Does it matter what kind of coolant to use? Mine is very low, but I always hear about this toyota red stuff. Can I just get some normal coolant from autozone?

I personally only run the Toyota coolants in my vehicles. Your best bet is to google to different coolants out there and make an educated decision based on price of coolant vs chemical compound and the effects on engine components.

If you do decide to make a change I would flush the system completely before changing to a new compound.