Any "how to's" on changing the radiator fluid?

My truck is now 2 years old, and I'd like to put in some new Toyota Red coolant/antifreeze.

Can someone give me a quick tutorial about doing that? I don't think it needs to be flushed, just drained and refilled with the same amount.

TIA~

 

Yeah, I know I'm being a little anal about it, but I'm doing most of the other fluids so I might as well do that as well, right?

Thanks Chris

 

By the way, I'd use the Toyota Pink Coolant, the Red is the old formula for the older model vehicles. I honestly don't know if there is a difference other than color, but they recommended to replace with the same style that was factory-filled.

 

Just wondering, I'd like to do a drain & refill for my radiator soon. Anyone know how much that fluid costs at Toyota? Thanks.

 

Hmmm, not too bad cost wise. Thanks.

So, I was just going to drain & refill, but it it nesessary to flush it out every time? I've never flushed this thing out & I have 74,000 miles on it. Should I do it?

EDIT.....Also I've looked inside & it's clean as a whistle!

 

Be sure to find a good place (business) to dispose of the old coolant. Quite toxic to animals and very bad (and illegal) to either put down the drain or into a storm sewer. I think Wal Mart will take stuff like that. No charge last time I took some there.

 

Good info. I didn't know WalMart took that stuff. I kinda figued most auto supplies took used oil & other fluids too. Thanks guys!

 

OK. Will do. And why shouldn't you use a hose to flush out the radiator? I've done that in the past with other cars & have had no problems.

 

I have the 3.4 engine.

 

But it would be better to get it at Toyota, right?

 

Yea, that's what's in there now, so I think I'll go with that. Thanks Chris!

 

If I remember I will take pics of the steps I did

 

Be careful of the coolant you buy.

Not long ago I did this to my Jeep which also uses the Toyota/GM Red type coolant and the bottle did not specify very well whether it needed to be diluted or not. Noticed this in all the Red type coolants that AdvanceAuto had. After looking all over the bottle, I found in the farther corner that it did need to be diluted.

Just a heads up anyhow... I would stick with the Toyota one anyhow. Price should not be much more and you know you are doing it right.

 

Just did a full flush if anyone cares. The book says 9.2 quarts. The truck only took about 7.5 quarts including the reserve bottle. This was after draining everything from the radiator, engine and thermostat. So my mix is obviously not 50/50 with the pink stuff added. Probably ~41/59. That's why I hate this 50/50 shit. I'm thinking the heater core was the problem but I did run the heater at max when flushing.

 

Red is concentrated an pink is premixed. Do not use tap water to flush/dilute. Only distilled water should be use. On the driver side bottom there is a drain that you can hook a small hose to. Empty reservoir first.