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Can I top off coolant with another brand as long as it's pink ?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Tom Mayor, Feb 27, 2023.

  1. Tom Mayor

    Tom Mayor New Member

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    Happy Monday everyone,

    I would like to know 2 things,

    I drive a 2010 148 000 miles Prius.

    Is it OK to top off with another coolant brand as long as it's pink? I don't know what's the brand in the reservoirs.

    I also plan to flush and poor new coolant (it's due) in the following days, Can I use 2 different brands like Peak and Zerex, still as long as it's the pink version, good for my Prius ?

    Thank you so much!
     
  2. ColoradoBoo

    ColoradoBoo Senior Member

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    Personally, no, I only use Toyota coolant in my Toyota's. (Same for transmission fluid.) Your local dealership will have them in stock. But, if you don't want to go there, ensure it says it's compatible with Toyota's.
    It's, also, not normal to have to "top off" coolant reservoir unless the car was recently serviced and bleeding out air from the lines/engine. You may want to inspect to see if there are any new leaks...it will be pink in color.
     
  3. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    Aren't you supposed to get Toyota coolant for Jerry Mildred so he can service your Prius.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  4. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Buy a $1 gallon of distilled water and top off with that unless you buy a gallon of the Toyota premix.
     
  5. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Why do you need to "top it off"?
    Is there a leak? Or a possible head gasket failure?
    How much are you talking about? Is it just below the full line, or way below it?
    If it's just below the line, you can add distilled water. Then check it every day or two.
    If it doesn't go down, you're okay. But could be due for a coolant change.
    When was it changed last? How many miles..

     
  6. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Toyota formula has Phosphate cavitation enhancer so make sure whatever pink you use has that…
     
  7. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Won't be an issue temporarily, only long term... And because your loss of coolant is highly likely due to a chronic problem with early headgasket failure in Gen3 Prius you'll be draining all the fluid soon anyways, to have the headgasket done. Sometimes you can get a year or more out of a failing headgasket if you only take short trips and avoid hot weather.
     
  8. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    The Toyota dealer is two miles from my house. If we need more than what you're bringing, it won't take long to get it.