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Best coolant

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by 1mulebarn, Sep 13, 2023.

  1. Sep 13, 2023 at 4:04 PM
    #1
    1mulebarn

    1mulebarn [OP] New Member

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    Looking for advice, appropriate/best coolant.
     
  2. Sep 13, 2023 at 4:12 PM
    #2
    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

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    265-70-17 Ridge Grapplers, TRD Pro rims, 3M precut bra, N-Fab nerf/steps
    Thats easy, stick with OEM.

    If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
     
    Redwood, Toy4X4, 7Runner and 5 others like this.
  3. Sep 13, 2023 at 4:17 PM
    #3
    2021venture

    2021venture New Member

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    Stick with OEM if your doing a drain fill. If doing complete flush it's fine to use an aftermarket that meets specs. I don't like mixing incompatible fluids.
     
    Toy4X4 and 1mulebarn[QUOTED][OP] like this.
  4. Sep 13, 2023 at 4:19 PM
    #4
    2023_lunarrock-ORP

    2023_lunarrock-ORP Pistolero

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    agreed OEM coolant is always the safest option. There is quite a few brands that make the Toyota red type coolant these days though.
     
    Toy4X4 and 1mulebarn[OP] like this.
  5. Sep 13, 2023 at 4:30 PM
    #5
    Rocko9999

    Rocko9999 New Member

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    OEM all day, everyday.
     
    Toy4X4 and 1mulebarn[OP] like this.
  6. Sep 13, 2023 at 5:04 PM
    #6
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    OEM or Zerex or any brand that's Asian vehicle compatible. I suggest premix so you don't have to and it's distilled water already which is what should be used to prevent buildup.
     
    Toy4X4 and 1mulebarn[OP] like this.
  7. Sep 13, 2023 at 5:10 PM
    #7
    TrueTexas

    TrueTexas New Member

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    OEM. Toyota Super Long Life Coolant. You just need to do routine drain and fills since I don't believe you drain the block. Haven't done mine as I only have 14k miles on it but recently did my daughter's 2016 Camry and it was just a drain and fill. My dealer charged me $18 / gallon for toyota oem. No reason not to use it.

    I also just got done flushing my daughters boyfriends coolant in his Nissan. 5 drains and fills to get it close to clear as someone put green coolant in at some point. Ridiculous waste of time because someone didn't bother getting the right coolant.
     
    1mulebarn[OP] and Slopemaster like this.
  8. Mar 21, 2025 at 2:41 PM
    #8
    Gothmog

    Gothmog New Member

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    Maybe a dumb question, but are you folks recommending only using the Toyota brand SLLC, or is it sufficient to ensure that one is using an appropriate coolant per the OEM for your model? For instance, NAPA looked up my vehicle and suggested the attached coolant to me (I am only using it to top off).

    IMG_6584.jpg
     
    1rooster likes this.
  9. Mar 21, 2025 at 2:54 PM
    #9
    2016Pro

    2016Pro Why all of the Pro hate?

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    Whatever is compatible with your vehicle. Brand doesn't really matter with fluids
     
    Gothmog likes this.
  10. Mar 21, 2025 at 3:38 PM
    #10
    San Angelo

    San Angelo New Member

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    Why are you needing to top it off? Something is wrong if you need to.
     
  11. Mar 21, 2025 at 3:38 PM
    #11
    morfdq

    morfdq New Member

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    OEM. I also just learned how good the OEM brake fluid is. I try my hardest to use OEM for everything but oil.
     
    Slopemaster likes this.
  12. Mar 21, 2025 at 8:55 PM
    #12
    blksubykid

    blksubykid New Member

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    Like everyone else, I only use OEM
     
  13. Mar 21, 2025 at 9:33 PM
    #13
    icebear

    icebear New Member

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    I throw Zerex Asian Red as pictured at mine. (But I might switch to Blue to match all the Honda's in my life - same coolant, different dye)

    You'll be fine with that OP.

    I'm also tossing in any DOT3 in as brake fluid, figuring I'll change it often enough to not make a difference if anything.

    Edit: If I suffer any failures, y'all will probably hear from me.
     
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2025 at 10:12 AM
  14. Mar 22, 2025 at 9:28 AM
    #14
    Grug556

    Grug556 New Member

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    Kings, Crestone Rack, Baja S8, Baja Fogs, Baja XL80s, Baja mini cubes, SPOD, ARB compressor, RCI full skids, ROAM box and stuff. ST Pros. Shrockworks sliders... GOAT armour

    Truck occasionally can have a buggy water pump. I would stick with OEM, its not that much more or comparable to some brands. I think for things like coolant and trans fluid I would stick with Toyota fluids.
     
  15. Mar 22, 2025 at 1:52 PM
    #15
    EasyGZ

    EasyGZ New Member

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    I have spent too much time researching fluids over the years. It seems to always come back to sticking with OEM for piece of mind.
     
  16. Mar 22, 2025 at 2:33 PM
    #16
    7Runner

    7Runner Forum Loiterer

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    3JOH22A likes this.
  17. Mar 22, 2025 at 3:26 PM
    #17
    chrisb009

    chrisb009 New Member

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    I didn't have any coolant advice since I have less 16000 miles...
     
  18. Mar 22, 2025 at 11:04 PM
    #18
    3JOH22A

    3JOH22A トヨタ純正男娼

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    I had to top off after suffering a coolant leak at the radiator hose last year. I bought a jug of Prestone Max Asian for top-off because it was readily available at my neighborhood big box store. No issues so far.
     
  19. Mar 23, 2025 at 4:44 AM
    #19
    Kyblack76

    Kyblack76 New Member

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    OEM,.. better question is where did yours go and why?
     
  20. Mar 23, 2025 at 5:43 AM
    #20
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    You can drain the block.

    100k for the first coolant change.

    50k every time after.

    I used Toyota SLL but whatever meets spec is sufficient.
     
    Toy4X4 likes this.
  21. Mar 23, 2025 at 6:02 AM
    #21
    Grandpawmoses

    Grandpawmoses Dirty Old Man

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    When I read this thread title, my first thought was Bud Light.
     
  22. Mar 23, 2025 at 6:39 AM
    #22
    4onto

    4onto New Member

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    Princess Auto has Turbo Power pre-mix on sale this week, $14.99/jug ($19.99 reg.). I couldn't pass it up so I got one to keep handy. Toyota/Lexus/Scion "Asian Pink" compatible, of course. It's fine for my old trucks.
     
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2025 at 6:49 AM
    3JOH22A[QUOTED] likes this.
  23. Mar 23, 2025 at 7:04 AM
    #23
    TrueTexas

    TrueTexas New Member

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    Yeah. Recently leaned you can drain the block. I stand corrected on that one.

    I'm sure you can use any coolant that meets the spec but Toyotas SLLC is pretty cheap. Just paid a little under $20/gallon from a local dealer. No reason to use anything else unless you're in a pinch. For reference, Honda charged me $35/gallon for their pre-mixed coolant
     
    nimby[QUOTED] likes this.
  24. Mar 23, 2025 at 9:02 AM
    #24
    steelevo

    steelevo Not so new anymore...

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    Welcome.

    I’d stick with OEM. Not enough of a cost savings to go with another off the shelf brand. Toyota Red coolant is designed to work with the metals, gaskets, components, etc. in the engine without causing corrosion, premature wear, etc. For just the cooling properties, any coolant should work.
     
  25. Mar 23, 2025 at 12:13 PM
    #25
    3JOH22A

    3JOH22A トヨタ純正男娼

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    Nice, didn't know Princess carried coolant lol. Looks like another Recochem product made in Canada. It's advertised to last 7 years or 250k (150k miles), so it should be more than good enough for sane replacement intervals: https://www.princessauto.com/en/asian-pink-50-50-antifreeze-coolant/product/PA0009285362
     
    4onto[QUOTED] likes this.

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