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Question about engine coolant

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by PriusC_guy322, Apr 3, 2018.

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  1. PriusC_guy322

    PriusC_guy322 New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius c
    Model:
    One
    Hello,
    I added a small bottle (about 500mL) of regular drinking water to the engine coolant reservoir which contains original toyota coolant to top it up.
    The coolant reservoir capacity is 5.3L according to the manual.
    Do you advice me to flush the coolant reservoir and refill it with toyota coolant?
    Car type is Prius C 2015
     
  2. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Hi and welcome to Prius Chat. I suspect it would be better to do that in due course, because the genuine stuff contains corrosion inhibitors - maybe more than that! Others with more knowledge than I have will come back to you, so just wait awhile longer. (y)
     
    #2 RCO, Apr 4, 2018
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2018
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  3. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Welcome to Prius Chat (y).

    Some questions:
    • How many miles on your Prius?
    • Have you owned it since new?
    • Do you know why the reservoir got low and required fluid addition?
    • Did you add distilled water?
    • Are there any visible signs of leaks?
    • What’s the color and smell of your engine oil?
    Adding water to the coolant will change the profile of the coolants temperature range as it is now more “dilute”. Being in Montana, I would at a convenient time drain and fill the coolant;).

    Keep us posted (y).
     
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  4. PriusC_guy322

    PriusC_guy322 New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Montana
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius c
    Model:
    One
    -15,000 miles
    -No I bought it used at 10.5k miles
    -No I don't know why the coolant level got low it was like that when I bought it
    -there are no signs of leaking and the coolant level didn't change.
    - I added normal drinking water.
    -the coolant is pink and smells normal and so does the oil. No radiator problems.

    Thanks everyone for the replys:)
     
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  5. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Prime Plus
    The only reason drinking water might not be good would be depending on the mineral deposit level (Calcium, iron, etc) you could now have a source of “fouling” which could inhibit heat transfer in the case of calcium or a catalyst for corrosion in the case of iron. Distilled water removes that possibility ;).

    With that low of mileage, The reservoir could have been filled low when the previous owner had it and they just never checked:whistle:.

    I’m not sure if in Montana you would have the more concentrated blend of the SLLC or not. Canada and Alaska do as it gets cold there so the amount of ethylene glycol is higher ;).

    So if you have the means and ability, I’d stop by or call the nearest Toyota dealer and ask them what concentration is used and swap it out.

    Keep us posted (y).
     
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  6. PriusC_guy322

    PriusC_guy322 New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius c
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    One
    Thank you for the advice, sure I will give the dealer a call and have the coolant flushed soon.
     
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