Do I have to buy coolant from Toyota Dealer

[pjsluna]

My coolant tank level is a little low. When I read the manual it of course mentions you have to buy the coolant from toyota dealers.

I don't have the manual inside right now but it seems like there are two coolant reservoirs? Do they both take the same coolant?

Do I have to buy coolant from Toyota or are other brands with similar constitutents ok?

Please advise
Thank you!

[Beryl Octet]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pjsluna @ Jan 26 2007, 04:22 PM) [snapback]381333[/snapback]</div>

My coolant tank level is a little low. When I read the manual it of course mentions you have to buy the coolant from toyota dealers.

I don't have the manual inside right now but it seems like there are two coolant reservoirs? Do they both take the same coolant?

Do I have to buy coolant from Toyota or are other brands with similar constitutents ok?

Please advise
Thank you!
[/b]

2 reservoirs? There's just one that I saw, and it should have reddish coolant in it. I only use the red stuff from Toyota in all my Toyotas. If it's under warranty they might top it off for free. Maybe the other reservoir you are seeing is for the windshield washer?

[Charles Suitt]

<_< I believe there are indeed two coolant reservoirs, one for the ICE and another for the Invertor [which converts the 201 volt DC from the main traction battery to as high as ~500 volts AC].

In adding coolant to the Prius, I wouldn't mix another brand. The Prius coolants are ultra-long-life. Both ICE and Invertor coolants aren't scheduled for replacement until your reach 100K miles or 120 months.

[paprius4030]

Tell you the truth if it's only"a little low" I wouldn't touch it. I believe and somebody correct me if I'm wrong, that the inverter coolant is different from the ICE coolant. I would just let the mechanics look at it when you get the oil changed.

[pjsluna]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(paprius4030 @ Jan 26 2007, 02:13 PM) [snapback]381363[/snapback]</div>

Tell you the truth if it's only"a little low" I wouldn't touch it. I believe and somebody correct me if I'm wrong, that the inverter coolant is different from the ICE coolant. I would just let the mechanics look at it when you get the oil changed.
[/b]

OK To clarify

There are two reservoirs with reddish coolant...one next to the radiator (I ASSume is engine coolant reservoir #4 on picture on page 392 of manual) and one to the left of the HSD drive thingy (that's technical eh?) which is #5 on pg 392 and referred to as inverter coolant reservoir.

Both contain the pinkish fluid....I know its a dumb question but is it the same coolant for both reservoirs?

The one that is at low is the invertor coolant reservoir...

I am happy to buy it from toyota but the dealer is a long ways away and Kragen is right around the corner so I thought I'd ask...

PS....already have done a DYI oil change per directions from your lovely sight!

Thanks again

[tochatihu]

For the current model Prius, the coolant in both systems is Toyota SLLC, mixed 50% with distilled water. It may be sold in the bottle at this concentration. Substituting any other fluid type seems inadvisable.

The classic Prius used Toyota type LLC but this can be upgraded to SLLC without any issues, AFAIK.

[Frank Hudon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tochatihu @ Jan 27 2007, 07:43 AM) [snapback]381643[/snapback]</div>

For the current model Prius, the coolant in both systems is Toyota SLLC, mixed 50% with distilled water. It may be sold in the bottle at this concentration. Substituting any other fluid type seems inadvisable.

The classic Prius used Toyota type LLC but this can be upgraded to SLLC without any issues, AFAIK.
[/b]

wrong SLLC is pre mixed do not dillute with water.

[galaxee]

don't put the green stuff in. ever. so yeah, you've gotta get the toyota branded stuff.

[jayman]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Jan 27 2007, 04:55 PM) [snapback]381751[/snapback]</div>

don't put the green stuff in. ever. [/b]

Oh geez, never ever. The silicates could form a nasty gooey sludge when they encounter the organic acids. Yuck.

It's unclear if a similar coolant like DexCool is compatible. Considering how much is at risk, use the dealer coolant, which is usually sold premixed with deionized water in sealed containers.