I was wondering if there was any reason I cannot use the standard green coolant in a 2000 Toyota Camry. The coolant in the car now is red. However it is not available at auto parts stores. Can I use Dex Cool (orange coolant) in place of what is currently in the car?
I'd like to know how the red coolant is different from either the green coolant or the orange (Dex Cool) coolant. Thanks.
Probably not Dex Cool (isn't that for the newer GM cars?), but how about the Prestone coolant that they say can be mixed with any color of antifreeze?
I asked a CarQuest mechanic about the Toyota Red (which he also sold) and asked him what the difference was between Toyo Red and Prestone. He said... well... Toyota coolant is red... that's about it... :D
Michael
The correct Toyota coolant is definitely available at the Toyota dealer. I realize it might cost a little more, BUT, honestly it is an occasional expense. Why take a chance that Prestone or Texaco, or Peak isn't overstating the compatibility of their product. Toyota designed the engine and specified the coolant. Who knows best?
NO! Don't do that. Dexcool has a very different chemistry from most other coolant. You might get awat with using it, but why take a chance. There are too many horror stories related to using Dexcool for me to take that chance.
See (among others):
Dexcool was originally developed by Texaco for GM. It has been used by other manufacturers on a limited basis.
What do you expect Prestone to say? I doubt they are goign to say, "Don't buy our coolant unless you are sure it is compatible with the coolant in your car." Are you really saving a lot if you buy Prestone "good for anything" coolant verus the correct coolant for your car?
Geez, what did you expect. Do you think he really knows the actual difference?
Ed
I bought a mixed gallon from the Toyota dealer. Cost $ 20 per gallon. That makes it $ 40 for a gallon of the unmixed stuff. While that is very high for coolant, I have not had to use any of it in either of the two cars. It does not seem to be down in either of the two Toyotas I have so I have not opened the container.
Even at 5 times the price of standard coolant, it is inexpensive insurance if you seldom add any.
The problem with Dexcool and other aftermarket coolant is the 2EHA acid. It's potent corrosion inhibitor but also a plasticizer. It can soften some plastic parts in cooling systems not designed to use it.
So besides Toyota Red, I'd use only Valvoline Asian Import (pre- diluted), or Peak Global (concentrate or pre-diluted).
You probably picked up the Pink coolant? Pink only comes pre-diluted. It's 1/2 copy of Dexcool without the 2EHA acid. I think Toyota used phosphates instead of 2EHA, IIRC.
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