Toyota Radiator Maintenance - Checking Fluid Levels

Most Toyota vehicles use a distinctive pink-colored antifreeze in the radiator. What makes this different than the green-colored variety? What is the best way to check the radiator fluid levels? Here is a guide. 

Toyota Radiator Maintenance - Checking Fluid Levels

Checking your Toyota’s radiator fluid level is an important maintenance step to making sure the vehicle runs properly.

The pink-colored antifreeze is Toyota’s version of 50/50 coolant and is meant to have a super long life. It is considered a “new generation of ethylene glycol-based premium engine coolant.” This coolant is available through your local Toyota dealer.

There is also a red version of antifreeze from Toyota. It is simply not mixed with water like the pink variety. Learn more about general radiator maintenance in this blog post

How To Check Radiator Fluid

  1. Make sure your vehicle has cooled down and the engine is cold. If you try to remove the radiator cap while it is hot, it can fly off the radiator and cause serious damage or injury.
  2. Remove the radiator cap by slowly turning while applying downward pressure. It should take a half-turn to get it fully off. Next, inspect the cap to make sure it isn’t crimped or the gasket has worn away.
  3. Check the fluid level inside the radiator. You want the color to be rich pink and the fluid should reach just barely below the top of the radiator neck. If it is any other color, you will want to have your radiator flushed out.
  4. If the fluid is low, you will want to add more with the Toyota-approved antifreeze. When adding in new fluid, a funnel can help make the job cleaner. You will want to pour in the liquid in small doses and let it settle into the radiator. Add more as you need, but don’t overfill the radiator. Replace the radiator cap when finished.
  5. Next, check out the fluid level in the overflow reservoir. To find the reservoir look around your engine for a container with the words over-flow reservoir on it or find the hose running from your radiator to a fluid container. On the overflow reservoir, there will be lines that indicate if it is “too low” or “full.” Make sure to fill it up to the “full” line.
  6. While you are filling the radiator with fluid, take a moment to inspect your radiator hoses. If they look old, are starting to show cracks, or have rusty/corroded clamps, it might be time to have them replaced.
  7. You can also check the fins of the radiator. If all the fins are bent or mashed together, it is a good idea to consider getting a new radiator.
  8. Lastly, turn on the engine and monitor the temperature gauge. If it doesn’t get too hot, you will know your radiator is doing a sufficient job of keeping your engine cool.

Please note that for most Toyota vehicles, the recommended lifespan of radiator fluid is 100,000 miles.

Properly maintaining your Toyota vehicle is the best way to make sure it keeps running well for years to come.