Ok, this has been flogged on every forum I go on, but last week i done coolant flush and refill ( was having major overheating problems) and changed from the red to the green. Now my mechanic buddy said to me that they are not all the same but the one i got and the red will do the same thing, toyota just like the pretty red one. So what are you guys running in yours?

Red only way to go

I have got a green colour one in mine. It was made up by TLC in O'Connor here in Perth (they specialise in Toyotas only )

They did say that all coolants are different from one brand to another so if I was to change brand that I would have to give the engine a full flush and refill fresh, otherwise they may react and cause damage.

Karl

Im using the toyota red - seemed easier since my car had only been service by them and thats what was previously in it

Green... Lovely Greeeeeeeenn.....

When I had my radiator changed a month ago - they changed the coolant to an organic one from Australian Coolants - they say it is better - not sure about that....

I am going to do some research - I may go back to a traditional coolant.

All I know is don't mix them. Apparently they can react. Thats not the colours I'm talking about different brands etc..
I guess the rule is to flush it out with water, drain and then refill with your new stuff rather than flush with new stuff which see's them partially mixing.
FYI I just run a corrosion inhibitor and thats all.

Yeah never mixed coolants, just add more water if you have too.

Yep - the mixing of coolants cause sludge in your cooling system... and blocks it up...

And you are right - even mixing brands is BAD.

As Blandy said - if you're in a jam add distilled water and fix up the coolant mixture later..

RED OR GREEN?

I think with toyota its about the base of the coolant. My gregorys manual says to use a ethylene glycol base coolant. But in the Toyota manual it says to use a coolant that isnt alcohol base?? Im confused i thought ethylene glycol is an alcohol based coolant?

Any ideas??

.

For what its worth I was told (Newlon) red.

As everyone says, don't mix brands or types. With new coolant (even plain water) if it still has major heating issues, it's time to visit your friendly radiator expert and have a tank removed and the cores mechanically cleared, problem can also be thermostat jammed shut or partially blocked coolant passageways in the engine. Flushing only gets mud or small particulates out. Me, I went for Toyota red mixed as specified 50-50 with distilled - demineralised water after having the cores cleaned.
Mike

RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!RED!

And incase your not sure what I am trying to say let me make it perfectly clear." In an 80 series Diesel use RED"

I use Toyota long life coolant in my 80s and it's RED. From what the sales guy was telling me, the 100s+ use the extra long life, which has a few other chemicals that should not be used in earlier model vehicles.

However, If there's one thing I don't like about red coolant, it's very hard to see any leaks starting. Green on the other hand makes it easy to spot leaks.

Horses for courses really. Better to have something rather than nothing and just make sure it is mixed correctly.