When maintaining your four-wheeler, changing the coolant at the right time and with the correct coolant is essential. However, you might not always have access to the red coolant for Toyota. In such cases, you might wonder which is a good Toyota red coolant equivalent.
The coolants that are a proper alternative to Toyota red coolant are Zerex Asian Premixed, Mazda FL22, Motorcraft VC10A2, Peak Global 50/50 Antifreeze, and Napa Red Coolant 50/50 Premixed.
Now, the real question is, what makes these a good alternative to the Toyota Red? Also, can you use Toyota pink instead of Toyota red for your vehicle? Stick around to learn all the topics!
All about Toyota Red Coolant
Toyota released the Red coolant in 2002. This Toyota coolant is also known as a super long-life coolant. The reason why it got such a name is that it can last for a prolonged amount of time without needing to be replaced.
And in the car world, that is a great thing. You will not need to think about Toyota coolant replacement that often.
Another thing that makes this coolant a good pick for your vehicle is that it comes premixed. It is usually available in 50/50 premixed, which means that you will not need to mix Toyota red in any water.
Thanks to that, you do not need to worry about going through any extra hassles when you fill your vehicle up with this coolant.
Toyota Red Coolant Thermal Properties
The Toyota red coolant works like a charm in preventing rust. And its antifreeze properties have a freezing point of -40 degrees Celcius and a boiling point of 108 degrees Celcius.
What is Inside the Toyota Red Coolant
The main ingredient of the Toyota Red coolant is as follows:
- Ethylene Glycol, which is about 45 percent to 50 percent
- Water, which is about 50 percent
- Potassium Hydroxide
- Diethylene Glycol
- Sebacic Acid
Other than that, the chemical composition of the Toyota Red coolant does not have any nitrates, silicates, or any other harmful chemicals. Therefore, you will not need to worry about the coolant causing any negative effects on the engine.
Why does Toyota Add Dye to the Coolant?
All antifreeze products start as a colorless liquid. The manufacturers then add dye to the coolant to make them gain a specific color.
For that reason, on the shelves of coolant, you will have options with all the rainbow colors. Manufacturers have everything from blue to orange to green to amber.
But what is the real reason for adding the dye? Well, it helps the customers to select the right coolant for the vehicle.
Along with that, the coolant color tells you the overall condition of the antifreeze. For example, you can tell when you have to change the coolant of the vehicle by looking at the change of color.
Nonetheless, there are other things you need to know regarding the color of the coolant.
Inorganic Acid Technology
The coolants that utilize inorganic acid technology will usually be green in color. This green coolant is the right pick for your vehicle if it requires other ingredients for the metal components.
For example, if your four-wheeler has castiron, aluminum, or brass parts in the cooling system, you will need an inorganic acid green coolant.
However, this technology is not the right pick for newer vehicles. Those will not have other metal components in the coolant system.
Nonetheless, the Toyota Red coolant falls in this category. It does not have any organic acid in the formula, making it good for most vehicles with different metal parts in the cooling system.
Organic Acid Technology
All the organic acid technology coolants are yellow or orange. Most of the newer engines require this type of coolant. And if you use any other type for those engines, you might have to pay some costly repair fines.
The thing is, organic acid technology coolants provide protection to the metals. These generally act slowly and do not require silicates or phosphates to function.
Besides that, these engine coolants last for an extended time. They do not require frequent replacement or flushing.
The pink coolant from a Toyota vehicle is a proper example of an organic acid technology coolant. According to the brand, the coolant will last up to 100 thousand miles after the factory fills.
In other words, it will stay good for up to ten years. Once the initial cycle is complete, you need to replace it every five years or after 100 thousand miles.
Hybrid Organic Acid Technology
Organic coolants are great but can not protect the exposed metal effectively. That is why manufacturers have come up with a hybrid. Hybrid coolantsare a combination of organic acid technology and inorganic acid technology.
The primary goal of this coolant is to offer motorists something safe to use. Something that is environmentally friendly and will last as long as the inorganic acid options.
Although hybrid coolants are great for what they claim to do, there is a drawback. You might not find it readily available on the shelves. In other words, not all manufacturers will offer a hybrid organic acid technology coolant.
Top Toyota Red Coolant Equivalent Options
With all things about coolants out of the way, let us get to the thing that brought you here in the first place. So, these are the Toyota red coolant equivalent that you can choose instead of Toyota Red coolant:
Zerex Asian Premixed
The Zerex Asian Premixed is the Pink Toyota coolant with a modified recipe. Valvoline brand worked with the Pink coolant and formulated it into a 50/50 premixed antifreeze, and overall, it is a good pick as an alternative to the Toyota Red Coolant.
In terms of specifications, the boiling point of the Zerex Asian Premixed is 130 degrees Celcius. And the freezing point is at -36 degrees Celcius.
Mazda FL22
The Mazda FL22 is generally available as a 55/45 mixed option. Although it is pretty different than the other premixed options, it is still a good pick for Toyota vehicles. One of the things that it is good for is flushing out dirty old fluids, preventing rust, and removing dirt from the antifreeze system.
Once done, it will replace the gunked-up and old coolant with fresh and new concentrated liquid. In terms of boiling and freezing points, the Mazda FL22 has a freezing point of -43 degrees Celcius and a boiling point of 132 degrees Celcius.
Peak Global 50/50 Antifreeze
Another excellent pick as a replacement for the Toyota Red coolant. Its formula offers lifetime protection. You just have to make sure to flush and replace the coolant at the right time to enjoy that.
Also, as it comes in a premixed form, you will not need to add water. That will make the flushing and replacement process a lot easier.
Nonetheless, the freezing point of the coolant is at -37 degrees Celcius, and the boiling point is 136 degrees Celcius.
Motorcraft VC10A2
This coolant is available at a VC-10-A2 concentration option. It is yellow and features a freezing point of -37 degrees Celcius. On the other hand, the boiling point is 130 degrees Celcius.
Although the boiling point rating is a little low than the other coolants, this coolant does not fail to offer an effective level of protection to the engine.
Napa Red Coolant 50/50 Premixed
Last but not least, you have the Napa Red coolant. Again, it is a 50/50 premixed option, which means you will not need toadd any water to the liquid before putting it inside the vehicle. And thanks to the POAT formula, the coolant will do a proper job of protecting the engine parts from damage.
That said, the freezing point of Napa Red coolant is -37 degrees Celcius, while the boiling point is 135 degrees Celcius. These specifications are pretty much in-line with the OEM specifications.
Toyota Red vs. Toyota Pink Coolant
When choosing Red or Pink coolant from Toyota, you need to consider the age and type of the vehicle. Let us talk a little more about what Toyota coolants can provide to make things easier for you.
Toyota Red Coolant is For Vehicles with Non-aluminum Radiators
The Toyota Pink coolant is not for vehicles that come with non-aluminum radiators. Its formula is only for radiators that are of aluminum. So, if you are rocking a car that has a non-aluminum radiator, such as a copper radiator, the Red coolant will be the ideal choice.
The Pink Coolant Lasts Longer
According to the specifications from Toyota, the Pink coolant will be good for up to 160 thousand kilometers. That is about 100 thousand miles. When you consider the period, it is around 10 years.
On the other hand, the Red coolant needs to be flushed and changed every 100 thousand kilometers. That is like 60 thousand miles. In terms of period, you would need to replace the Red coolant every 5 years.
So, in comparison, Pink coolants have a longer life than Red ones. Therefore, you will not need to change the engine coolant frequently.
Toyota Red Coolant is For Older Cars
If you have a reasonably dated vehicle, you will be better of with the Toyota Red coolant. The reasoning behind this is pretty simple. The older models come with non-aluminum radiators. And the Pink coolant does not have the formula to protect such radiators.
To be exact, if your radiator is before the early 2000s, you should not pick the Pink coolant. But if you have a vehicle from the early or mid-2000s, you need to check whether the radiator is of aluminum. If so, you need to get the Pink coolant over the Red coolant.
Pink Coolant Features Organic Acid Technology
In comparison, the Pink coolant from Toyota comes with Organic Acid technology. That means it has what it takes to provide proper protection to aluminum radiators. Also, this technology is why the coolant has such a long life.
On the other hand, the Red coolant features Inorganic Acid technology. And that technology is exactly why the Red coolant is suitable for old vehicle models.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What Is Inside the Toyota Pink Coolant?
The main ingredients inside the Toyota Pink coolant are Ethylene Glycol, Diethylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Water, and Sebacic Acid. It utilizes Organic Acid technology.
- Does Toyota Red Coolant Utilize Hybrid Acid Technology?
The Toyota Red coolant uses Inorganic Acid technology. These types of coolants have phosphate and silicate corrosion inhibitors. That allows them to protect the vehicle’s metal parts, including the engine and the radiator.
- When Should You Flush or Replace the Toyota Red Coolant?
You must flush and replace the Toyota red coolant every 60 thousand miles. That equates to around 100 thousand kilometers, or after every 5 years. However, you might have to flush out the coolant earlier than that. It will depend on the overall condition and load you put on the vehicle.
- How Long Is Toyota Pink Coolant Good for?
The Toyota Pink coolant is known to be a Super Long Life coolant. According to the specifications of Toyota, the Pink coolant will be good for up to 160 thousand kilometers. That equates to 100 thousand miles or around 10 years. Now, if you do not know how to change the coolant of the vehicle, check this quick tutorial:
- Is Toyota Red Coolant Cheaper than Pink Coolant?
The Toyota Pink coolant is comparatively more expensive than the Toyota Red coolant. So, if you are in a situation where you need to choose one over the other, you should consider the cost before making the decision.
Final Words
So, the best Toyota Red coolant equivalent options are Zerex Asian Premixed, Mazda FL22, Motorcraft VC10A2, Peak Global 50/50 Antifreeze, and Napa Red Coolant 50/50 Premixed.
Anything you pick among these will serve you well. However, do consider your budget before making the pick.
About the author
Marcus Brown is editor-in-chief of The FatMech and is a mechanic with ten years' experience based in London, UK. Having worked for major dealerships for many years, Marcus now works for a local independent garage and has experience working on nearly every make and model of car. Marcus also has a passion for writing and teaching, which is where the idea for The FatMech came from. In his spare time, Marcus enjoys playing golf, doing home renovations and gardening. He lives just outside London with his wife and son.