Hi all: I checked my fluids for my 2010 Yaris 105k miles and the antifreeze+coolant (red) is at low. Can I add Prestone (green) since it says for all vehicles until I get to my mechanic? Also when checking around the radiator cap, there were crusts and the fluid was brown. Should I flush the cooling system?
Can I add Prestone (green)
why don't you want to use the correct coolant? It's probably sitting right next to the Prestone on the shelf.
there were crusts and the fluid was brown
post photos
Should I flush the cooling system?
What do you mean by flush?
The coolant should be replaced every 5 years or whatever your owner's manual says.
I can grab a red antifreeze+coolant, I just had some leftover universal green antifreeze+coolant and wasn't sure if it'd be ok to use because it's labeled as universal.
I just thought if the fluid was brown in the radiator cap that I should flush it but I'll just replace it if there isn't a need to flush. Thank you for guiding me.
I mean, if the coolant was full of sediment or floating chunks and stuff, then I would probably try to get it all out by running water through it several times with a garden hose. You can also look inside the various opening to assess the condition (hoses, thermostat, overflow tank, etc.)
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You need to find out if you're just seeing dried up residue around the cap or something more serious. Take a sample and shine some light through it.
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But I can't tell you what to do without seeing it.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/R4BdnTURFLxt4YhA9
Here's what it looks like. No leaks in the floor to my knowledge nor on any parts.
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Almost. The instructions say "use the direct link" for a reason
I think I got it this time.
Looks fine.
Since you don't know when it was last serviced, and it's 13 years old, just replace the coolant, rad cap, and thermostat for piece of mind, and be on your way.
1. Ok so I drained the radiator and the reservoir of coolant.
2. I then just added some coolant through the radiator cap and the reservoir a little below Full.
3. I turned the car with heater on while radiator cap was off and stopped the car when the coolant started rising but not spilling.
This is my first time changing coolant/antifreeze. Did I do it right? The heater with A/C works in the car. No overheating sign.
You may need to let it burp a bit with the cap off. I like to squeeze the upper radiator hose slowly a bit to help push the air out. Putting the car on ramps or jacked up in the front will help. Remember that the reservoir will only be full once the coolant is hot. You should have it filled back up, burped, and capped before it gets hot.
Okay, so I warmed up the engine a bit before the coolant in the radiator began to over flow with the cap off. I did squeeze the hoses a bit and saw bubbles but not too much. I waited for the coolant to drain a bit and then squeezed the hoses a bit more to try and help it bubble more. I ended up driving shortly afterwards but wasn't sure if that was enough burping. I didn't take out the coolant from the engine itself because I don't have the tools so so I thought maybe I wouldn't have to burp it as much? I ended up driving small streets and freeway without issues, but would you recommend using ramps to tilt the front of the car now?
If you plan to just use it to clear the system out, I would do it with distilled water.
I did that with an old f-150 that had been sitting a long time. I would drain the coolant without taking the thermostat off, hose the radiator a bit, then fill with the distilled water. I repeated the process a few times until it was coming out clean, with some driving in between. I put in a prestone flush, ran it the directed amount of time, then dumped the coolant and changed the thermostat and filled with the right coolant.
If you just want to clear it, just drain and fill with water until it is clear, and fill it once with non diluted coolant to the proper amount for your car.
