Coolant and ATF fluid changes on Toyota

Built_Well · 2009-06-13T03:30:42+00:00

According to the Genuine Fluids page at an online service garage called Arts Automotive:"Toyota is claiming their Type T-IV ATF does not need to be replaced under 'normal operating conditions'. We strongly disagree. We recommendchanging Type T4 fluid every 15K miles, just like regular ATF. Type T4 is not particularly expensive, and the total cost of a transmission drain and fill is only slightly more than a motor oil change." [end quote]What do the Toyota experts here think? Should I just do a partial drain-and-fill (no flushing) of the ATF now after 24,000 miles on my '06 Camry, or just wait for 100,000 miles or perhaps 60,000 miles. The car is 3.5 years old, and I didn't notice any bad odor or discoloration of the red ATF when I looked at it yesterday via the dipstick.That was an ATF question, but the following concerns coolant.The web site for Arts Automotive (a service garage) has this to say about Toyota's Super Long Life coolant:"We recommend replacing the coolant every 2-3 years or 30K, even with Toyota Super Long Life Coolant. We think it's better to be safe than sorry. Maybe we'll sing a different tune when Toyota releases their Super-Duper Long Life Coolant :) [end quote]Why would the Camry manual allow you to go 100,000 miles or 10 years with the factory fill of Toyota Super Long Life coolant, but only allow you to go 5 years or 50,000 miles with every refill thereafter. I would guess both the factory fill and your own refills are pre-diluted with distilled water, not tap water--at least if you buy the jugs of genuine Toyota 50/50 coolant.Anyway, is 50,000 miles and 5 years still too long to wait? Maybe I ought to do a simple drain-and-fill (not flush) of the coolant every 3 years or 30,000 miles?

Jun 13, 2009 42 Replies

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HLS 17 years ago

Miles or operating hours, it is a moot point with me.

You may remember the old reliable Nalcool 2000 product was a dark red in color. That was due to phenolphthalein, IIRC. When the glycol oxidation caused the pH to drop below about 8, the product cleared up to a colorless or light yellow liquid, indicating it was time to change.

Nowadays, the colors are, I guess, just there to warn the consumer that he should stay with the product that the car producer supplied.

Hype reigns supreme with some of these products and their marketing.

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john 17 years ago

Helicoil usually isn't the best for high stress situations. For head bolts and spark plug holes, usually a solid insert, like Time-sert

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is used. But for the Toyota 2.4L engines, I heard some questions as to having enough metal to put in a Time-sert. However, heard people Time-serted with good results.

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john 17 years ago

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