Coolant

Are we supposed to use the pink ones? 2012 Taco.

In the past, I would fill the radiator (open the cap) and then add some more into the reservoir tank. Is this supposed to be the same method?

Currently, there is not a drop in the reservoir tank.

 

Zrex asian car 50/50 mix from NAPA.

 

To reiterate

 

I've been using any brand, but Toyota Long Life antifreeze. 20 Years of Toyotas and zero issues. Use what you prefer.

I have a good friend who is a Toyota master mechanic, his theory, is the Toyota antifreeze contributes to water pump failure. He owns Toyotas as well and the first thing he does is get rid of the Toyota antifreeze. Good enough for him, good enough for me...and a hell of lot cheaper and you can get it anywhere.

I'm not starting an argument, use what you like.

 

I use the Zerex too. Good stuff.

 

No leak. Truck is about 43k miles. I just noticed when I drove home, the reservoir tank went up a little but still below the minimum point.

I stopped by dealership and bought a gallon for 23 bucks and filled the reservoir tank.

 

X3

 

Is the zerex identical in color to the Toyota?

 

The Zerex coolant is violet in color. That's what one of their cust. serv. reps. told me in an internet exchange. I'm not good with color, but I would tend to agree with him.
It looks very similar to the Toyota pink coolant, but maybe not 100% the same.

Here's my take on it. Once it's in the truck, you can observe the color in the overflow bottle; then do the same to another Toyota parked nearby with the 100K pink. I had the luxury of being able to do this.

I personally believe very few would notice the difference unless they were really looking for it.

Not to get off-topic, but I've also been switching to the Valvoline Transmission fluid that is WS compliant. Vehicles shift very smoothly with this product and it's way cheaper than the WS the dealers are peddling.