how often do you replace coolant in your 2nd gen taco

I have a 2007 4.0 that has the same coolant that came from the factory/dealership. going on 11yrs old now. it's never been mentioned when she goes in for oil/filters- what do you guys think on this?

 

SLLC should be replaced every 5 years or 100k miles.....whichever comes first

 

Wouldn't hurt to flush and replace but if you've never had overheating problems you can leave it alone. Just check the level and make sure your radiator fins aren't mucked up with mud and dirt

 

Every 100k

 

yup i do 5 yrs or 100k n call it good.

 

Huh

 

Fixed, stupid fat fingers

 

176k on original AF

 

coolant needs to be changed. nah

 

If it ain't broke , don't replace it. If it looks nice and pink and not leaking anywhere, don't touch it.

 

I ordered a gallon of factory coolant just in case. even on my older vehicles I always used distilled water on the mix. I can't remember how many anode rods and electric water heaters I've replaced due to my community water supply- NO way is any of that going in anything that takes a water mix.

 

My 07 has 181,000 and it is still factory. I change my own oil, but take it in to a trusted independent mechanic for a yearly checkup. He checks it from top to bottom including testing the fluid. He says mine is still good.

 

The only real way to know is with a hydrometer. Everything else is a guess.

 

The problem with most coolant is that it turns acidic over time. Get some PH Test Strips and check it on a regular basis like yearly.

 

You should add that gallon. A drain & fill is super easy, and for a gallon you should only have to open the radiator drain valve and not bother with the block, I am not 100% sure about the 4.0. If it takes more than a gallon to refill, just put back some of the old stuff you drained. Call it a "refreshing" but after 11 years it is a good idea IMO. You already have the coolant anyway.

I drained the original coolant after 7 years (hit 100k miles). Now I do a drain & fill every 5 years, which equals about 65k miles. This is a regular service specified in the owner's manual so don't ignore it for too long. Coolant will eventually wear out due to heat cycling, and possibly age will affect it also. It really is easy to do, at least it is on my 2.7

 

This^^^^^^
Fluid may look fine, and there may be no symptoms or problems...but like Jimmy said coolant breaks down with use and time. Go by owners manual.

 

If you bought SLLC it's premixed. Do not dilute it.

If you bought LLC then mix it 50/50 with distilled water

 

I don't have my owner's manual in front of me, but I am fairly certain it calls for the original fluid to be changed at 100k miles, and every 50k after that.

 

I do mine every 3/36 ,its insurance. Coolant gets dirty and chemicals can wear ! why risk a overheat and rust and leaks on road ???

 

Yes, and the corrosion inhibitors deplete over time.

I don't understand the "if it don't leak leave it alone" mentality. Corrosion is usually what causes the leak in the first place.