Toyota Long Life Coolant

[wallstreet]

How often do you guys replace the Long Life coolant? I have a 2003 4Runner and they replaced the coolant to "Long Life Coolant" 30K miles ago. According to the owners manual service schedule, I have to get the coolant changed right about now. Should I disregard the service schedule because its the Toyota "Long Life Coolant" thats good for a 100,000 miles?
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2003 4Runner V8 Limited 4x4 | Stock | 82,000 miles

 

[Uneek]

No, you should change it.

Toyota Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC), the pink fluid, is good for 100k. SLLC comes premixed already from Toyota. Toyota Long Life Coolant (LLC), the red fluid has a shorter service interval. LLC comes in concentrated form and needs to be mixed with distilled water 50/50.

I think it was the 2004 model year that Toyota switched to SLLC.

 

[wallstreet]

Good to know. I'll be getting it replaced forsure now. Thank you.

 

[toto]

You can replace the LLC with SLLC (they are compatible and don't cause a problem when mixed). SLLC only has a 100K mile service interval when it's the first 100K miles on the car (it was installed from the factory). As a refill, the interval on SLLC is 50K miles. In contrast, the service interval on LLC is always 30K miles.

 

[Will_4R]

How bad is it to have skipped a coolant flush and gone 60,000 miles between changing coolant? Going through the service history of my truck this might have happened. It also might have happened with a few other service items for which I will start another post in the maintenance section.

 

[Uneek]

I don't think it's a big issue, but I would suggest getting it done sooner than later for a peace of mind.

On my old car, the coolant was in there for probably 10yrs and 60k miles. Opps, it was a hand me down. Flushes are suppose to remove scale buildup inside the block and radiator.

 

[wallstreet]

Just got my 4Runner's coolant replaced by the dealer. Costed me C$99. Expensive? or about the right price?

 

[Will_4R]

Just got my 4Runner's coolant replaced by the dealer. Costed me C$99. Expensive? or about the right price?

Sounds right. That is about what it cost me yesterday to do mine, and about what it cost for another vehicle a few years ago at a different place.

 

[Will_4R]

Does anyone know if the dealer mixes it with distilled water or plain tap water? The manual says to mix with distilled, but somehow I don't see the dealer doing that.

 

[Uneek]

Does anyone know if the dealer mixes it with distilled water or plain tap water? The manual says to mix with distilled, but somehow I don't see the dealer doing that.

I doubt it as well. Distilled water is an additional cost to them. They might have a bottle that says distilled water, but I bet it's more likely refilled with tap.

 

[toto]

SLLC comes pre-mixed with water in the bottle; maybe the lack of faith in dealers is why. They better use distilled water, as other sources of water will have potentially destructive minerals or impurities.

 

[chaz]

i think but not sure that filtered tap water, like from a brita, or boiled water can be be used

 

[p nut]

$100??! It's super simple to do this yourself. I usually drain, rinse with tap water, then mix the red coolant with distilled water.

 

[mmjmeade]

i change mine every year. i have always done it myself. only cost the coolant price. i have a vacumn filler, makes it super easy.

 

[DC Dude]

My 2003 4Runner V6 seems to have pink coolant. Do others have red?

 

[MikesToy]

I pour the Pre-diluted (already mixed) Long Life Coolant. Kinda weird why it's pink.

 

[mmjmeade]

it is a pinkish red. once its mixes with water it is more pink.

 

[DC Dude]

Do you guys use OEM coolant or aftermarket?

Toyota's coolant is expensive. One gal of premixed cost me about $22 after the guy gave me a discount from the regular $25.99 when I asked.

 

[p nut]

I never understand why people get premixed. Just mix it yourself and save some bucks. And I always get Toyota coolant.

 

[810moto]

I have 93k on mine and changed the coolant at about 65k. Just changed the hoses, thermostat and housing over the weekend and just put the pink back in. I did still have some fresh pink left over from when I flushed it out so I stated with that and topped off with what came out of the rad. Runs like a champ. Why someone would pay a dealer to do such a simple job is beyond me. It's easier than changing your oil.