Toyota phasing out RED coolant?

[AE1M]

Went to pick up some coolant to do a change after >100K in my 2008 (at 130K actually) and dealer said they no longer stock red. Service Manager said to change to pink. Need to do through flush with distilled water a few times to really clean out all red as the two shouldnt be mixed.

Anyone have this same experience? If I have to change, is there really a need to use Toyota coolant that I need to buy from the dealer? Any after-market brands you'd recommend that meet/exceed specs?

Bob

 

[phatcheeks]

You shouldnt be using red anyways. Since 2003 Toyota has been using the Pink SLLC.

I think most aftermarket pink coolants should be fine. But I only have used Toyota.
Ive been doing some research and i found Recochem OEM and Aisin to be pretty close for aftermarket.

OEM Pink - The Easy Match Antifreeze / Coolant for Your Vehicle

Aisin Aftermarket

 

[Burt]

First I've heard of this. Isn't the pink coolant just pre-mixed red coolant?

 

[alextmullis]

You should be using pink in your 08

 

[weaves]

First I've heard of this. Isn't the pink coolant just pre-mixed red coolant?

No, they're two completely different formulas and should not be mixed with one another.

Recochem makes a good OEM alternative coolant for the Toyota Red. It's a concentrate so it needs to be diluted.

Amazon.com: Recochem OEM 86-374ROEM Red Premium Antifreeze Concentrate Extended Life RED, 1 gallon, 1 Pack: Automotive

My 2003 had the Toyota Red but I ended up switching over to Pink while replacing the water pump. You need to make sure to completely flush all of the Red stuff out the system. And if you see any black FIPG (RTV) used in the cooling system (ie thermostat housing), you'll need to replace it with the white/grey FIPG. The black FIPG is not compatible with the Pink coolant.

 

[phatcheeks]

First I've heard of this. Isn't the pink coolant just pre-mixed red coolant?

Nope thats what I thought too. They have some different properties. The pink has a longer change interval as well. I think its like 100k miles vs 50k miles for the red.

 

[T4R416]

So in essence if you have the original “red” coolant in your car/truck there shouldn’t be a problem filling with the “pink” stuff correct? We used to do it all the time to our personal cars back st the shop.. keeping the left over “pink” stuff we called the “good stuff” and using it on our own drain and fills on our personal cars..

 

[Elan750]

zerex asian, used it on my 05 and in my GX, happy with it and its a great price at walmart

 

[AuSeeker]

I second the Zerex Asian, I can't tell the difference between it and the Toyota pink, I've been using it for several years now.

 

[CJFONNER]

3rd for Zerex Asian. 4 years and 60k miles on my last flush and no issues at all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[81runner]

Another for Zerex Asian. Changed when the thermostat seal failed. New stat and seal, a few gallons of Zerex, all good.

 

[djkurious]

Asian Zerez or this: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvolin...bbw9mfgxMOowzeHLsLXw_XLbRiTZQYyRoCHXsQAvD_BwE

 

[CV4RNR]

Asian Zerez or this: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvolin...bbw9mfgxMOowzeHLsLXw_XLbRiTZQYyRoCHXsQAvD_BwE

Another for the Zerex- Much cheaper-

Oh, and I finally got my 15 posts guys! You can send the welcome letters to my girlfriend- And thanks in advance for all the information on this forum- I've read threads for months and now almost ready to start turning wrenches-

 

[AuSeeker]

Another for the Zerex- Much cheaper-

Oh, and I finally got my 15 posts guys! You can send the welcome letters to my girlfriend- And thanks in advance for all the information on this forum- I've read threads for months and now almost ready to start turning wrenches-

Congratulations, would be happy to send a letter, please post her name, address, phone number, measurements, and a photo of her in a bikini.:dance:

 

[firebirdguy]

Asian Zerez or this: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvolin...bbw9mfgxMOowzeHLsLXw_XLbRiTZQYyRoCHXsQAvD_BwE

that is the asian zerex mentioned above, valvoline makes it.

 

[IrieRider]

Congratulations, would be happy to send a letter, please post her name, address, phone number, measurements, and a photo of her in a bikini.:dance:

I didnt get the photo yet...

 

[2003-4x4runner]

Red or Pink is OK to mix. They both go into the same engine.

It's like saying Dont Mix Budweiser and Bud Lite, its bad for you.

 

[4Run007]

The parts guy at my local Toyota dealership says they replace the pink with red when doing coolant service.

 

[smithj33]

I asked to buy some pink from my local dealer and he said they only have zerex Asian.