The owner's manual for my 2008 RAV4 says to use "a ethylene glycol-based, non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrate, non-borate, with long-life hybrid organic acid technology".
About all the major brands of coolant at the local (California) auto parts stores say on the label is something equivalent to "use this, no matter what car you have."
The stuff that's in it now appears to be pink.
Comments?
Go to the Toyota dealer and get it there. It will save a lot of headaches, and you can be sure you got the right one.
Jeff
Another vote for BUY FROM DEALER. Doesn't matter how much more it costs compared to a retail store. The difference will be cheaper than whatever problems may be caused by using the wrong stuff. If the dealer's truly too far away, call and ask which name brands they're OK with.
def buy from dealer and dont mix coolant. Keep the same kind in it.
That was my thoughts several years ago. I think it was just over $ 20 per gallon for the 50/50 mix. That makes it around $ 40 per gallon. Sofar I have not had to use any to top off the car and truck.
I hate to get ripped off that way, but it will eliminate any problem that may happen due to the wrong type.
The pink stuff is the Toyota SLLC and it is prediluted. Its predecessor was Toyota LLC which was red and came full strength hence an equal amount of distilled water is needed with it.
The pink Toyota Super Long Life Coolant has a very long life, (probably twice the life of aftermarket coolants) so although the acquisition cost seems high, it is actually in line with aftermarket coolants and you don't get the muddy color from mixing coolants and will be happier in the long run from the longer life of the components in your cooling system.
After reading the replies here (thanks to all who replied), I opted for the Toyota-branded product ("Super Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant"). But like the other products at the auto-parts stores, it doesn't list any of the requirements that the car's owner's manual spells out! Grrrr.
I have little doubt that it's good stuff, and that it's the "right" stuff, but apparently the car and the antifreeze marketing departments can't get their heads together.
When the Toyota parts clerk handed my my change, he mumbled something about a receipt. When I asked him what he had said, he replied, "You didn't want a receipt, did you...?" When I said "YES!" he appeared to have sat on a thumbtack--but reluctantly printed out a receipt.
Ray O's remarks make me feel better about transaction.
I had an uncle who was something like Western-state Service Rep for Chrysler in the '60s and '70s. Whenever my dad asked him questions about cars, the answers were usually very informative and helpful--like many of the resonses to Toyota questions here--especially the ones by Ray O. The only times I remember being disappointed were when he said "I don't know". After listening to the clerk at Toyota ramble on about antifreeze, I was wishing he'd be more honest and just say, "I don't know". Of course he'd probably get fired if he did.
Anyway, thanks all!
I used to be a District Service Manager for Toyota, so I have had some experience trying to give good answers to questions.
If the vehicle has Toyota Pink Super Long Life Coolant as the factory fill, it will last for 100,000 miles with replacement every 50,000 miles after that.
If the vehicle has Toyota red Long Life Coolant as the factory fill, the original fill is good for 24 months, then the replacement should be every 12 months after that if it is diluted with tap water. If the coolant is diluted with distilled water, every 24 months should be safe.
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