Coolant change time, what would you do?

[weebl]

The vehicle is a 2006 Toyota Sienna with the 3MZ-FE. Factory fill coolant is Toyota Super Long Life pink, and current odometer reading is about 137k km / 86k miles. Coolant is clean in the tank and radiator. The vehicle can and does see -40 and colder winters, with occasional need to park outside in those temperatures, and plugs for the block heater may not always be available.

The options that I'm considering (and I'm open to others) is:

- Premix 55/45 Toyota SLL pink (already have some on hand). This version of the premix sold in Canada I think is good to -39C. This means a drain and fill only.

- Ford Specialty Green Coolant concentrate (VC-10-A2). I would flush the system with distilled water, and top up with enough concentrate to make probably around a 60/40 mix (capable of -45C).

- John Deere Cool-Gard II concentrate. I just noticed this stuff and I'm intrigued by it (never looked at it really before today). Is it good in a Toyota? I would do the same as with the Ford Specialty Green (or any other concentrate).

Others I would consider, but haven't put on the short list are: other Asian OEM coolants (all premixed as far as I know), Zerex Asian (again, premixed, and I've never actually been able to find it), and Beck Arnley (again, premixed, and seems more expensive anyway).

My biggest concern is compatibility with the cooling system, but other considerations are the ability to completely flush the system, achieve a better freezing point, and of course, not be excessively expensive (though I will pay more within reason for something better).

 

[fxrider]

Easy, use the stuff on Hand.

 

[Eddie]

+1.

 

[Bgallagher]

+2

 

[SLCraig]

Why not leave it in? I thought long life coolant was 160K KM?

 

[artificialist]

I would only use the Toyota pink.

 

[Tones]

I would use the Toyota SLL or the Zerex Asian. Down here it can be found at Napa and some Carquest. You could also use the Beck Arnley version or the Pentofrost A1. I'm pretty sure these are equivalents to the Toyota pink.

 

[Mark_S]

I would use nothing but the Toyota Pink.

 

[mechanicx]

I think the Ford Speciality Green is the closest formula to toyota SLLC if not exactly the same besides color being a Japanese P-OAT extended life formula. Being a concentrate it would probably make more sense for your use.

 

[ponderosaTX]

+1

Ford Specialty Green is reputedly Mazda FL22, a P-OAT coolant developed by CCI, the dominant coolant company in Japan. CCI also developed the OE coolants for Toyota, Honda, and Nissan. I doubt there is a significant difference among the extended life formulas for any of these manufacturers.

Zerex Asian Vehicle coolant is based on patents held by BASF. Although it is a P-OAT coolant, I doubt it is as close in formulation to Toyota SLCC as FL22.

 

[Dominic]

Toyota Pink 50/50 if you want the color to look the same

Peak Long Life 50/50 if you don't mind pink/green mix colors.

 

[pbm]

I would either D&R with the SSL that you have on hand or try to locate full strength PEAK Global.

 

[weebl]

I think I am now leaning towards a drain and fill with the SLL I have on had, but for the shortfall between what I have and what I need, I am considering getting some Ford Specialty Green concentrate to top up, seeing as these coolants are both made by CCI and likely have insignificant differences in formulation. That way, what I have left over, I can do a complete flush with distilled water next time around and not waste what I have on hand.

Wondering if Ford Specialty Green concentrate is something I will need to look for and buy on my next visit to the US, as the Canadian website doesn't list the MSDS for that product, but the US website does.