I've been looking everywhere for another product that is close to the Toyota coolant but not close in price. I finally found zerex asian at my local NAPA and it was only $10.99! When I first went in and asked for it they tried to sell me on the "universal" stuff and I told them no way. They looked it up in the catalog and found that the warehouse had cases of the stuff so they ordered a case. A few hours later I have my antifreeze! I can't believe it has become this complicated just to find the proper coolant.
zerex asian
- Thread starter freshley
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theizzardking
New member
TheDurk
Elite Member
My NAPA guys are always amazed at the stuff I ask for that they have never heard of. I have been going to the same store three miles away since it opened in 1973 and I have a great relationship with the owner, not so great with the stoner/slacker dumbos on the counter. I developed the habit of having the on-line catalog page in my pocket when I ask for something. They have learned to look it up before telling me something doesn't exist. I miss the old guys that retired who would just walk to the bin without looking at book or computer unless it was really obscure--you know, REAL parts guys--the kind who would pull a school bus part to fix something on your tractor and have it work.
I did my research and the Zerex Asian is the only stuff out there that is similar to Toyota, except for price. Definitely going in next time I need coolant. Good choice.
theizzardking
New member
well then if it's Durk approved, i may just head on down to the shop and pick some up, i need to flush my rad an replace with this stuff anyways after needing to top off with universal while on my moab trip.
arty:
arty:
TheDurk
Elite Member
well then if it's Durk approved, i may just head on down to the shop and pick some up, i need to flush my rad an replace with this stuff anyways after needing to top off with universal while on my moab trip.
Hehe, thanks for the vote of confidence.
Yeah, it's a p-HOAT (phosphated Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) just like the pink. Silicate and Borate free.
Valvoline.com > Products > Zerex > Antifreeze Zerex > Zerex® Asian Vehicle Antifreeze / Coolant
No other stuff (except direct from Suburu, Toyota, etc.) can say that.
theizzardking
New member
haha well your a regular on here and seem to think things through when doing them, i would take your word over a 18 post newbie to the board any day (not that post count matter look at me for example, almost 2K and maybe only 10 posts worth a dam, lol) :bigok:
CO_FlyFisher
New member
The important question: Is this Zerex stuff PINK? So Gay
:lmao:
:lmao:
chris360hawks
New member
How many gallons do you have to buy of that since it is premixed? I know one gallon of toyota red for me is $17 and it is fully concentrated, so I just I have to buy one gallon and add water for the rest.
TheDurk
Elite Member
Fisher: It is light VIOLET, maybe not pink, but certainly rainbow coalition friendly...
Chris360Hawks: It is full strength--dilute as you do Toyota Red or Classic Green. 50/50 will get you to -34°F. It's still ethylene glycol, freeze/boil characteristics are the same as any other full-strength coolant. When I said it was just like the pink, I didn't mean it was pre-mixed; I was talking about the anti-corrosion chemistry.
All the technical specs, including dilution%/temp° specs:
http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/Zerex_Asian_Vehicle_Technical_Bulletin.pdf
I should get a commission for this.
One thing I just noticed in the spec sheet: it says it is 'hard-water' compatible. I don't know if we are all ready to drop our distilled water obsession, but that's what it says.
Chris360Hawks: It is full strength--dilute as you do Toyota Red or Classic Green. 50/50 will get you to -34°F. It's still ethylene glycol, freeze/boil characteristics are the same as any other full-strength coolant. When I said it was just like the pink, I didn't mean it was pre-mixed; I was talking about the anti-corrosion chemistry.
All the technical specs, including dilution%/temp° specs:
http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/Zerex_Asian_Vehicle_Technical_Bulletin.pdf
I should get a commission for this.
One thing I just noticed in the spec sheet: it says it is 'hard-water' compatible. I don't know if we are all ready to drop our distilled water obsession, but that's what it says.
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CO_FlyFisher
New member
TheDurk
Elite Member
...I get it, you wanted it to match the new drapes you put in the engine bay.
CO_FlyFisher
New member
Actually...... :bigok:
quicksilvr
New member
Nice find freshley, I'll try to find this someplace local. Always been a fan of Valvoline anyway.
TheDurk
Elite Member
Hey! Guess what? That spec sheet I had was out-of-date. The product they actually brought to market is a 50/50 pre-mix and it is PINK!!
CO_FlyFisher
New member
OMFG, LMAO!!! :lmao:
Buck Bridges
New member
Just wanted to contribute because I spent two days reading through forums on the best coolant for my 95 3.0 ATM.
Bought my truck a few months ago with no service records. Radiator was full of brown/green coolant and sludge/rust. Was thinking about replacing it with a new aluminum radiator but decided to take it to a radiator repair shop and get it rodded and cleaned. $125 bucks and I'm keeping my brass
Flushed out the cooling system, including the heater coil and installed the radiator back inside. Snug as a bug. Then I couldn't decide what to fill er up with. Hence, 2 days on the internet and joining this great debate.
It boils down to this, (what a pun) My 95 did not have factory Red as that didn't become available until the 98 or 99 model 4runners. If I plan on changing out the fluid ever couple of years anyways, that Red just didn't seem like a must have.
I decided to go with the Zerex Asian Formula. Silicate and Borate free pre-mixed blend. 5 year guarantee or 150k miles and a lot of people I've read have used it and feel good about the product. So, I went with it and bought two gallons at 15 bucks a pop.
I think it comes down to preference. Many will only use toyota brands and thats awesome! I do my best to get toyota parts myself but I think Zerex will hold up just as well.
To help answer the original question... Red or Zerex Asian for my money. If that ever changes, I'll let you know
Bought my truck a few months ago with no service records. Radiator was full of brown/green coolant and sludge/rust. Was thinking about replacing it with a new aluminum radiator but decided to take it to a radiator repair shop and get it rodded and cleaned. $125 bucks and I'm keeping my brass
Flushed out the cooling system, including the heater coil and installed the radiator back inside. Snug as a bug. Then I couldn't decide what to fill er up with. Hence, 2 days on the internet and joining this great debate.
It boils down to this, (what a pun) My 95 did not have factory Red as that didn't become available until the 98 or 99 model 4runners. If I plan on changing out the fluid ever couple of years anyways, that Red just didn't seem like a must have.
I decided to go with the Zerex Asian Formula. Silicate and Borate free pre-mixed blend. 5 year guarantee or 150k miles and a lot of people I've read have used it and feel good about the product. So, I went with it and bought two gallons at 15 bucks a pop.
I think it comes down to preference. Many will only use toyota brands and thats awesome! I do my best to get toyota parts myself but I think Zerex will hold up just as well.
To help answer the original question... Red or Zerex Asian for my money. If that ever changes, I'll let you know
ben550
New member
My 2004 4runner has pink coolant in it currently. I never did anything to it so i assume it is toyota coolant. Can I add zerex to it or do i need to do a complete flush if i want to use the zerex? I was going to do just a drain and fill of the radiator to refresh the fluid. I don't want to get into draining the engine block and all that. Thanks
Arnezie
New member
If your saying your coolant is 10 years old then i would flush and replace all of it. But to answer your question its of to mix them.
vm_boy
New member
I think this stuff is the most like the Toyota Red. You can compare the MSDS. You can see that it has the "hydrated inorganic acid" just like the Toyota. It's undiluted and costs $12.99 regularly. Right now it's on sale for $9.
Here is the Toyota "Red" MSDS.
Here is the Zerex Asian MSDS.
Here is the Toyota "Red" MSDS.
Here is the Zerex Asian MSDS.
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ben550
New member
I bought it a year ago with 134k miles on it. I am assuming the coolant has never been changed out. I was going to do two drain and refills about a week apart to freshen up the fluid. I just don't want o get in over my head with the engine drain plugs etc. But good to know i can mix the zerex asian with what i have in it already.
