Coolant Flush

Been searching around and have not really found a definitive guide on doing a full coolant flush on a 5th Gen. (more notably a 2016).

The only thing I've found is to drain the radiator from the petcock valve at the bottom of the radiator, then take a bolt out of the engine block to drain it (which I can't find that pic of the bolt again)... then you head people saying to NOT drain the engine block and just drain the radiator and replace the fluid. Then other people say not to drain the block but instead pour distilled water in the radiator and it will flush through the engine block and out the petcock to get everything out. Which is it?

And again, some say you only need 2gal of coolant, while others say 3. If the capacity is 11.1qt., then obviously it's almost a full 3. But I'm assuming the people that say 2gal are just draining the radiator and not the block and not flushing.

Also, the manual says: "Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high quality ethylene glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant with long-life hybrid organic acid technology". The cheapest place you can find the Toyota coolant is on Amazon for $26... where are the similar brands that are cheaper? I mean you can buy quart of Toyota Oil for $7, or Mobile1 full synthetic for $5... not only is it cheaper because it's not branded Toyota but I also believe it's better. So I would assume the same type of mind-frame towards the pink coolant.

Thoughts?

Thanks all!

 

Have you looked in the manual for the coolant flush? I’ve never heard of draining it from the engine block. I’ve always done the valve off the radiator, and fill back up accordingly. When it comes to fluids I prefer to personally spend a couple more bucks for stuff from Toyota.

 

I’ve used the Valvoline/Zerex for Asian manufacturers without issue, obviously get the one for Toyota/Lexus. I think I got it at Walmart for less than $15.

And I only drained it from the petcock on radiator, filled up and went on about the day.

 

I did look in the manual but couldn't find anything other then the type of coolant to put in and to top-off the reservoir (unless I missed some pages?).

When I made the comment about the Toyota Oil vs Mobile1 being cheaper, that was to point out that just because it has the Toyota name on it doesn't deem it's better, it's a dealer, they mark $hit up, thats what they do. It's that Mobile1 is superior and at a different price point. You can go to a gas station and buy 1qt. of Mobile1 for $12... it's still the same oil it just costs more. But regardless if it's $5 or $12 it's still better then the OEM oil. Thus I would assume antifreeze is the same situation. I'm sure there is a much better quality antifreeze then the Toyota branded one. But what is it? If it's $40 a gal compared to the $26 Toyota one... I'd still opt for the better version at $40

 

I was looking at Zerex for Asian... it's called RED/PINK so I looked at the ingrediencies vs. the Toyota SLL. They are different. Is the Zerex better? I don't know. However I do believe in not mixing the original with a new brand... thus having to do a full flush to refill the system.

 

The brand doesn't matter as long it's the proper type, viscosity etc. You will never hear of a failure due to the wrong brand

 

Actually Toyota is the best oil. Even though it is made by Exxon Mobil, it is made to Toyota recipe. Toyota oil has more Moly in the oil that reduces friction. I have tried so many different oils and Mobil 1 was my least favorite. Idemitsu and Eneos were my favorite Running on Toyota oil now and I can tell the difference that too in this scorching heat.

Previously I used Castrol exclusively on my prev 4Runner and it was a great oil too.

 

Lol

 

Is mixing coolants a concern if only draining/refilling radiator? I just did this on my daughter's Corolla and used the Toyota Pink. Incompatible formulas are my concern not doing full flush.

 

Yes, mixing coolants can be a concern. Toyota specifically manufactures its red coolant to be non-corrosive to the internal /engine cooling system. Considering you only need to do a coolant change once every 100,000 miles, is it really worth saving a few bucks?

I personally drain all of the coolant from the radiator and the block drain. Then, I'll use a vacuum fill tool to refill all of the coolant. I will be doing my TSX wagon in the next few weeks and that one uses Honda blue type 2 antifreeze/coolant.

 

Might just be me but I dont buy any parts, fluids, etc from Amazon. There are way too many counterfeits. Rock Auto is where I order from for fluids or i go directly to the company.

 

The dealership doesnt use "toyota" oil. They buy in bulk so If you get an oil change at the dealership, you arent getting toyota oil.

 

LOL

LOL

 

I was literally at the dealership today and asked the question. The parts person said they do not use Toyota oil. They buy in bulk and usually that is Mobil 1.

 

Bruh.

And whos makes Mobile 1? This has been discussed tons of times here.

 

BRUH

Exxon makes both Mobil 1 and Toyota. They are not the same oil. My point was if you think when you go for dealership oil change you’re getting toyota oil. You’re not. As someone pointed out, Toyota oil has more moly. Look it up BRUH

 

In my experience, buying OEM fluids from the dealership are comparable in price to other retailers.

I’m still mystified that many Toyota owners have such an adversion to using OEM parts and fluids. If OEM sucks so bad, why not replace all of the components on your 5th gen with aftermarket parts?

 

Lol

 

You just took that from kravvi's post #7 lol. Nice try.

 

I have now used Zerex Pink and Peak Pink after 57k, and there are zero issues.

 

LOL

 

This. Toyota oil is the best because of all that moly. You can smell it (it’s delicious ). Mobil 1 smells bland in comparison. I almost bought some at the local dealer, but they wanted like 17 bucks a quart for it. The parts guy even blushed when he looked up the price for me.

I haven’t tasted the toyota coolant, but it’s probably worth it since it’s only every 75k to 100k miles. I always worry about getting the wrong coolant.

 

Ditto…. Although I trust WalMart for genuine Toyota filters and that’s where I get my Mobile1 oil.