Basic Question about Mixing fluids

As others have stated, changing all the fluids in a newly purchased used vehicle is the way to go.
I'd also recommend checking the serpentine belt (and replacing if needed), and checking the front brake pads (and replacing if needed).

Cheers

 

And check the headlight fluid. If it's low, your high beams won't be aimed right.

I kid, I kid.

If you are worried about it, change the fluids. Seems like the previous owner took decent care of it, so I wouldn't worry too much. Get out the maintenance manual and do what it says.

 

When I did my ps fluid, I flushed by popping off the return and dumping that into a clear bottle. The suck/refill works too but is slower and works by dilution. If you don't want to run your truck while doing it, just jack up the front so you can turn the wheel. Full lock back to center is almost the entire reservoir just to give you an idea of how often to exchange/refill. I used Valvoline DexMerc (blue bottle).

If you don't know the history or question the quality and will be doing your own, just replace them all in the next couple months. Depending if things are rusty, diffs are very quick as would the TC be. Transmission and coolant are pretty quick too.

 

Why deprive the OP of a valuable tool?

 

Fancy. I just use a Turkey baster. Inside is all cloudy from cleaning it with a brake cleaner, but is till works.

@TacomaToby depending where you are, you may benefit from synthetic dex III fluid in the steering system. I use syn Dex III (Mobil) or semi-syn MaxLife ATF, and it made steering more responsive in low temps in AK.

 

Walmart sells Peak Toyota compatible coolant also, both 50/50 and Concentrate.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/PEAK-OET-Antifreeze-Coolant-for-Asian-Vehicles-Red-Pink/559545127
https://www.walmart.com/ip/OET-Exte...-Coolant-for-Asian-Vehicles-1-Gal/17296710776

Another option is Zerex Asian vehicles (long time favorite on BITOG):
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Zerex-Asian-Vehicle-Red-50-50-Prediluted-Antifreeze/144057949

I keep a jug of golden colored Zerex Asian on hand for mixing/topping off Hyundai and Toyota coolants. It does not change respective green and red colors.

 

My understanding is that the Toyota red (IAT) is not the same as the Toyota pink (OAT). Most premium brands like Prestone, etc., offer a universal that will mix with anything, but I'd stick to the Toyota pink or equivalent.

 

Links I posted are for P-OAT coolants, Phosphated Organic Acid coolants, same as Toyota Pink coolant, Super Long Life Coolant P-OAT. They are not universal coolants.
Red is Toyota' Long Life Coolant. After the the initial change Pink is good for 5 years/50K, red for 2 years/30K. Pink can be used and mixed with red coolants in as per Toyota, that's why the brands I linked to say Red/Pink.

Prestones's versions of Universal AND non-universal coolants has the gasket eating 2eha additive (it is cheap), so I stay away from the Preston stuff altogether.

Incidentally, Nissan's blue coolant uses the same chemistry as Toyota's pink, but has blue die added to it, same for Subaru, but with a green die.

 

If only there were schools that could teach people how to work on and maintain vehicles.

 

Oddly, some small schools (smaller community colleges or neighborhood outreach centers) are teaching classes called "Adulting" for the current youngest batch of 20-somethings ... balance a checkbook, sew on a button, etc. Seems even Grandma and Grandpa use Angies List when they lose a button on a shirt and panic when their online budget management program on their phones stop working and they do not know the balance in their bank accounts.

 

It is up to the parents. Both of my boys and my daughter do oil and brake changes with me. If not us, who else?

 

Maybe high school shop class and home-ec class will make a comeback! I still remember how to weld a stack of quarters together.

 

Agreed ... the parents. But some are on the 3rd generation of "please save me".

 

You should see my comfy shirt I wear during my work-from-home day ... bright yellow with dark blue stitching where the sleeves attach.