Coolant

Do I have to go to a Toyota Dealer to get coolant for my V6 Taco? I have read threads on TacomaWorld about how important it is to add the right type of coolant. My reservoir is below LOW and I need to add some. No leaks, not sure why it is LOW, but I have not added any water since I bought the truck. Does it lose water over time just to evaporation somehow?

 

It does evaporate over time. After 5 1/2 years, mine was at the low mark having never added anything. So it's no surprise if yours is at that point now. I would just go to the dealer and get the right stuff (SLLC: Super Long Life Coolant). If you were a little low, you could have just added water, but I wouldn't do that if it's really low because you wouldn't want the reservoir to freeze. The SLLC from Toyota comes premixed.

 

If you are mysteriously losing coolant try replacing the radiator cap. This worked on my 1998 Corolla, but I don't know why.

 

X2. I topped up my coolant reservoir after about 2 years and 83xxx km. Used pre-mixed SLLC coolant. That was before Christmas and my level is still good. It was at "low" and I poured enough in when cool to bring it to "full."

If you're worried you could have the system pressure checked, but it's probably normal.

 

I know you can get Toyota coolant at CarQuest. Maybe some other places but I'm not sure.
If you are just adding some to the overflow tank I would use some distilled water and call it good.