Changing engine coolant

My 06 has around 126k miles and I know the coolant is due at 100k miles. Is this something that I can do myself with basic tools or do I need to bring my truck in for service? How many gal. coolant will I need?

 

You can do it yourself......
Search www.google.com for some writeups and information.
This is how my husband and I did it on our 96.

Cold Engine
Open radiator cap
Drain old fluid (open drain cock at bottom of radiator)
After draining, close drain cock & fill radiator & overflow with water (from hose)
Run engine and allow the system to cycle the water through to flush out the engine block. Open drain cock to let if flow out. Keep the hose ON and continue to pour water into the radiator while the engine runs. At the drain cock, when the water is clear...shut off engine. Let water drain out.
Close drain cock.
Fill radiator & overflow tank with 50/50 premixed radiator fluid & distilled water. You can buy the stuff premixed or mix it yourself. You may neeed to use a 'tester' to test the level of protection you have with the mixture depending on your climate.
Keep the radiator cap off and run the engine to allow the system to cycle and 'burp' out the air bubbles. You'll have to add more fluid as necessary as the system 'burps' out the air bubbles. Keep your eye on the temp gauge also. This will let you know if you still have air pockets in system. You want to make sure all the air is OUT. Continue to keep the radiator & overflow filled during the burp process.

 

Keep in mind that when you flush with water, some stays in the block, lines and heater core. Make your mix heavier on coolant. 60/40, coolant/water.

 

No you don't want to do it that way you want to find the thread here. It's a process. Doing it that way will not chances are drain the block. Filling it back up is a process too. I've posted the PDF or picture twice here already. If I find it I'll post the link.

http://www2.toyota.bruceusa.com:8083/data/ileaf/06toyrm/06toypdf/06rmsrc/rm2006ta/01600210.pdf

I think the engine drain is very hard to find. The other one is you have to be super careful not to strip it. It does not go very tight.

 

Only thing I'd add is to turn your heater temp up full blast when you drain and refill so that the heater core is evacuated and then replenished. I usually drive it highway speed with the heater on before draining the system to get all the sludge out that builts up between spring and fall.

 

thanks for all the info guys! I will flush out my coolant this weekend.

 

I just did mine last week and it's quite simple. The dealer sells pre-mixed coolant and you'll need two gallons. There are two drains, one on the driver's side of the radiator and the other is on the passenger side of the block. The block drain can be seen between the strut tower and the rubber splash shield to the left of it. It's as simple as drain the radiator and the block, close them back up, fill it up and bleed it out.

 

You have to watch though. the 4 banger block drains are on the other side of the block from the 6 cylinder.

 

Maybe a dumb question but how do you bleed out the air??

 

Dude use the Toyota coolant (RED) and don't mix! yours should use the long life. make sure you burp the system when filing.

 

I only drained out of the passenger side & radiator, I noticed there really is a third drain after I already refilled. I did manage to get 2 gallons out & back in though. I ran the heat, massaged the hoses & revved it a bit then went for a ride. Seams ok. I did use the Toyota long life pink shit. Amazingly my dealer had it for $20.99 & they had a 20% off coupon on their website.