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.

On Nov 1, 12:20*pm, njot <njo... (AT) juno (DOT) com> wrote:

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...

Michael

"Michael" <mrdarrett (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote

On Nov 1, 12:20 pm, njot <njo... (AT) juno (DOT) com> wrote:
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):

http://www.motor.com/article.asp?article_ID=816
http://paulaxford.com/bmw530i/coolant.htm
http://yotatech.com/f116/rusty-coolant-coolant-faq-192781/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antifreeze
http://www.eetcorp.com/antifreeze/antifreeze-faq.htm#q26
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-310299.html
http://recyclingantifreeze.com/faq
http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/faq/Fuel_LubricantData.html#CoolantInformationLinks
http://www.grandamgt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40721

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

"C. E. White" <cewhite3 (AT) removemindspring (DOT) com> wrote

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).



On Nov 1, 12:20*pm, njot <njo... (AT) juno (DOT) com> wrote:

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.




On Nov 4, 7:19*pm, "Ralph Mowery" <rmowery28... (AT) earthlink (DOT) net> wrote: