Toyota Red Coolant

[ace]

I've seen many users post that they always use Toyota Red Coolant for their radiators but I wanted to know why?
I understand about using genuine toyota oil filters and agree but I never understood this one....
How could it be better than say a Tectaloy 60 or 100?
Ace

[1200det]

Always use 2-3 Litres of Toyota coolant and distilled water with 500mls of Redline Water wetter


.

[ra23celica]

Toyota Red Coolant does not breakdown and become ineffective as quick as Techaloy does.

[LeeRoy]

But i'm pretty sure most of this stuff is all made by the same people (well the good stuff) anyways. Like when you go to a dealer and they sell their parts which are identical to the aftermarket people. Personally i use the Nulon stuff.

- LeeRoy

[stretch]

the only reason i use it is because i work for toyota and get it really cheap.

[YLD-16L]

If the Valvoline Engine Coolant is good enough for John Laws then it's good enough for my AE82 Valvoline, you know what I mean.

Excuse my ignorance on all things built post 1980 but is the Toyota Red Coolant for vehicles with all alloy radiators, heater cores etc? The Toyota Green is for old school with copper radiator and heater cores?

["Z" UTE]

Just to prove a pont, the local Toyota parts guy, Mal, put a nail in a bottle of green coolant, and another nail in a bottle of Toyota Red. Six months down the track, the nail in the green stuff was really corroded. However the nail in the Toyota Red, had not deteriorated.

One problem in an engine cooling system is the potential difference (Electrical) between the metals in the system. Some coolants will work as a more effective electrolyte than others. The Toyota coolant seems be be more neutral.

The other consideration, is to avoid mixing the 2 types of coolant. Without a pressure flush, the dregs of one coolant type mixing with another, can and will cause coolant systems to block.

Have a bit of a look at the old forums, there are some shocking pictures, provided by one of the forum users. The guy worked in/ ran a radiator shop in Qld.

cheers Chuck.

[river]

Hi,

I use the green stuff and tap water. Matter of fact I have only ever used tap water in the radiator and the battery.

The radiator gets flushed annually. I've never had a problem with it or the engine overheating.

Except for a time where the car had been idle for long periods without adequate charge (which I've now fixed with a trickle charger), my batteries have all lasted 5-7 years.

So, based upon my experience over a long time, tap water is fine - well, I'm talking about Sydney water. Dunno about the crap water in Adelaide.

seeyuzz
river

[Norbie]

I recall reading an article some years ago where a wide range of coolants were independantly tested for their anti-corrosion properties. The results were pretty convincing, the OEM coolants were miles ahead of the aftermarket stuff, and in fact some of the aftermarket coolants (even some fairly popular brands) weren't much better than plain water. And yes Toyota Red was right up there near the top of the list in terms of corrosion protection. I wish I could remember where I saw this article, my flaky memory can't even recall if it was in a magazine or on the web!

Oh and some anecdotal evidence - my Aristo front cut arrived with a radiator full of Toyota Red and despite being over 10 years old the condition of the radiator, water pump, coolant pipes etc was as new, not a hint of corrosion or pitting anywhere. 4-5 years later and everything still looks mint (I've continued using Toyota Red of course).

Conversely, back in the day I used to keep my Celica's radiator topped up with your typical green coolant (I think it was Castrol), and after a few years everything had corroded, in some areas very badly. I'll never put that green stuff in any of my cars again, it's Toyota Red or nothing!

[YLD-16L]

Toyota Red or nothing!

The two extremes!

So the Toyota Red is acceptable for any cooling system regardless of what the radiator etc is made from?

[river]

Hi,

Norbie, if you can find that article I'll be interested to read it. I think I'll check out the red Toyota stuff next time.

seeyuzz
river

[monkeymajik]

I have read from a few sources that Valvoline G-05 is supposed to be good, and does not react badly when mixed with other coolants.

I will be trying it next coolant flush.

[GT4Junkie]

Always used the green stuff.
But by what everyones said, i think its time to start using toyota red.
due for a service in the next week or 2. Will try it then.

[YLD-16L]

I have read from a few sources that Valvoline G-05 is supposed to be good

That's what I have been using in the KE and it's been fine, how it's treating my system against corrosion though is unknown.

[TopSecret]

We've lasted for years on the green stuff, never been a problem, why do we need to change all of a sudden? Just charge you more for gear that does the same job IMO.