Question about Anitfreeze and draining and filling the system

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Greg Kaiser, Aug 25, 2012.

  1. Greg Kaiser

    Greg Kaiser Junior Member

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    Hi

    Recently did a change of fluid to the Inverter with Genuine Toyota 25/gal coolant
    Also the Trans axle Fluid at 69,400 miles Man was it black. Waiting until 100K I think is a mistake

    I called Prestone and they claim that I can use their All Makes All Models Coolant
    on the engine Side? Would this void the warranty? 1/2 the cost of Toyota's

    Also Any tricks tips on draining I did read to drain the small boiler heater on the left front
    of the Car. The manual referred to a bleeder valve for the radiator I have yet to see it. I did use
    the one for the Inverter.

    Thanks

    Greg
     
    #1 Greg Kaiser, Aug 25, 2012
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    If your car has over 60K miles on the odometer then you no longer have a powertrain warranty unless you purchased extended coverage. I personally would not use the Prestone coolant.

    Since you are concerned about paying $50 for two gallons of Toyota SLLC, I suggest that you do not need to change the engine coolant until your car logs 100K miles. That is the recommended change interval for the factory-fill coolant. Subsequent change intervals are at 50K miles.

    See my posts 22 and 42 in this string for info about engine coolant replacement:
    Changing engine coolant | Page 3 | PriusChat
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Aug 25, 2012
  3. AzWxGuy

    AzWxGuy Weather Guy

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    Agreed. Here in Arizona you don't want to mess around with inadequate cooling, or situations that may result in inadequate cooling. I splurged and had the dealer do the ICE and inverter loops at 100K. My vehicle must be reliable at all times. I let them do the transaxle at 97K too. There is no substitute for proper maintenance in my book.
     
    #3 AzWxGuy, Aug 25, 2012
  4. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    ...with a flashlight, check for pink salts at the engine water pump.
    If salts found then be sure to top off your antifreeze that may have leaked.
    I use the Toyota stuff. I have some salts but its not leaking much now so I am holding at 110k with orig water pump.
     
    #4 wjtracy, Aug 25, 2012
  5. Greg Kaiser

    Greg Kaiser Junior Member

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    2008 Prius
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    II


    Thanks for the replies.... The car is under a 100k mile Bumper to Bumper so i will stick with the liquid gold
     
    #5 Greg Kaiser, Aug 26, 2012
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