Question about coolant - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

timmydatooth · 09-07-2016, 11:01 AM

Just looking at my engine today I noticed that the coolant level was barely above the line that says low. Does that mean that I should add more now or do I wait? Also is there a certain type of coolant that our cars use or do I have to go to toyota to get it? Please help Thanks!

theadmiral976 · 09-07-2016, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmydatooth

Just looking at my engine today I noticed that the coolant level was barely above the line that says low. Does that mean that I should add more now or do I wait? Also is there a certain type of coolant that our cars use or do I have to go to toyota to get it? Please help Thanks!

If the engine was stone cold, then you are fine re coolant levels. If it was warm, you will likely find that the level drops below the low line when then engine cools.

I strongly encourage you to use the Toyota/Subaru coolant specified in the manual. The cooling system on this car, like most new vehicles, is designed to last basically the life of the vehicle. The various additives found in non-OEM coolant can cause issues with these relatively finicky systems. The OEM coolant is quite expensive, but you shouldn't really ever have to buy more than one jug. I think the coolant is rated for almost 200K miles in these cars.

If you choose to fill the reservoir, I strongly suggest you fill no more than halfway between low and high. Otherwise, you'll just be wasting coolant (it'll spill out) as this engine is quite dynamic in coolant levels during heat cycling.

gramicci101 · 09-07-2016, 11:18 AM

If it's between the full and low lines when the engine is cold then you're fine. But if you want to put a little more for peace of mind, you need either Subaru super blue coolant or Toyota super long life coolant. Not prestone or whatever else.

86geek · 09-07-2016, 12:21 PM

I had same issue a few days ago but my reservoir was bone dry. Drove to dealership and they topped it off for me. This is the second time it's happened since I've owned the car. Service writer suggested at my next service in Oct. to get a closer inspection to make sure I have no leak. My car still has the new car warranty. Amazon seems to be the cheapest for me to get the Toyota coolant.

SlammedSilly · 09-07-2016, 12:31 PM

HEY FELLA's! ok, so i last year, i noticed my coolant was low, stopped in had it topped off, made sure it was topped off at every oil change also. As of a few months ago, i stopped in to get it topped off and they put toyota red coolant in, thats a no no!! So they ended up doing a full coolant flush on them! Well my coolant level is low again and im stuck on what i should do. Bc they said keep an eye on it and its been like 3k miles since the flush they wanted to look into it...

so from what ive noticed/read, its a common issue for our cars to eat coolant. and most of ours havent had any head gasket issues, yet!!

humfrz · 09-07-2016, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmydatooth

Just looking at my engine today I noticed that the coolant level was barely above the line that says low. Does that mean that I should add more now or do I wait? Also is there a certain type of coolant that our cars use or do I have to go to toyota to get it? Please help Thanks!

In addition to what said above, since you live in a warm climate, and your car just needs a cup or two to bring up the level, I would suggest you just add some distilled or demineralized water.

It will be OK......

humfrz

humfrz · 09-07-2016, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlammedSilly

HEY FELLA's! ok, so i last year, i noticed my coolant was low, stopped in had it topped off, made sure it was topped off at every oil change also. As of a few months ago, i stopped in to get it topped off and they put toyota red coolant in, thats a no no!! So they ended up doing a full coolant flush on them! Well my coolant level is low again and im stuck on what i should do. Bc they said keep an eye on it and its been like 3k miles since the flush they wanted to look into it...

so from what ive noticed/read, its a common issue for our cars to eat coolant. and most of ours havent had any head gasket issues, yet!!

Well, now, my 2013 hasn't "used" any significant amount of coolant in the last 3 years.

Your car may have a slow coolant leak ......

humfrz

lupindub · 09-07-2016, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humfrz

Well, now, my 2013 hasn't "used" any significant amount of coolant in the last 3 years.

Your car may have a slow coolant leak ......

humfrz

Ditto this. For some reason *knock on wood* it seems my car hasn't lost a drop of coolant nor oil in the time I have owned the vehicle.

Mr.ac · 09-07-2016, 11:13 PM

If it's not leaking then it's evaporating. Since it's a large percentage is water. And you know.... Heat and what nots, typical middle school sicence class.

The amount of coolant to fill the coolant reservoir is like 2 cups. Kind of makes you question why you bought that $30 coolant, where all you needed was a cheap $1 gallon of distilled water. But meh, at lest you'll have that coolant for years or when ever you need it.

jarnojvv · 09-07-2016, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

If it's not leaking then it's evaporating. Since it's a large percentage is water. And you know.... Heat and what nots, typical middle school sicence class.

The amount of coolant to fill the coolant reservoir is like 2 cups. Kind of makes you question why you bought that $30 coolant, where all you needed was a cheap $1 gallon of distilled water. But meh, at lest you'll have that coolant for years or when ever you need it.

I have to ask, evaporating to where? Is it not a closed system?

Mr.ac · 09-07-2016, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarnojvv

I have to ask, evaporating to where? Is it not a closed system?

Really?

jarnojvv · 09-08-2016, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

Really?

Real question bud, I have never needed to refill coolent ever on any of my vehicles newer than 20 years.

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PandaSPUR · 09-08-2016, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarnojvv

Real question bud, I have never needed to refill coolent ever on any of my vehicles newer than 20 years.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Theory is that overflow tank/reservoir isnt air tight, water vapor will escape through there.

jarnojvv · 09-08-2016, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PandaSPUR

Theory is that overflow tank/reservoir isnt air tight, water vapor will escape through there.

Tnx, but in practice this is shown to be negligibly little in a healthy system?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09-07-2016, 11:01 AM	#1
timmydatooth Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Drives: Scion Frs Location: Florida Posts: 342 Thanks: 74 Thanked 32 Times in 27 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Question about coolant Just looking at my engine today I noticed that the coolant level was barely above the line that says low. Does that mean that I should add more now or do I wait? Also is there a certain type of coolant that our cars use or do I have to go to toyota to get it? Please help Thanks!

09-07-2016, 11:13 PM	#9
Mr.ac [insert cool phrase here] Join Date: Aug 2015 Drives: BRZ Premium Location: Central Coast CA Posts: 2,369 Thanks: 709 Thanked 1,558 Times in 930 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	If it's not leaking then it's evaporating. Since it's a large percentage is water. And you know.... Heat and what nots, typical middle school sicence class. The amount of coolant to fill the coolant reservoir is like 2 cups. Kind of makes you question why you bought that $30 coolant, where all you needed was a cheap $1 gallon of distilled water. But meh, at lest you'll have that coolant for years or when ever you need it. __________________ New daily driver - Subaru BRZ Premium Weekend fun/track car - '91 MR2 Turbo Gen3 Old daily driver - '88 MR2 Supercharged

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09-07-2016, 11:18 AM	#3
gramicci101 Off Topic Join Date: Feb 2014 Drives: 2014 Subaru BRZ Limited Location: Vegas, baby! Posts: 4,610 Thanks: 2,369 Thanked 4,243 Times in 2,170 Posts Mentioned: 43 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	If it's between the full and low lines when the engine is cold then you're fine. But if you want to put a little more for peace of mind, you need either Subaru super blue coolant or Toyota super long life coolant. Not prestone or whatever else.

09-07-2016, 12:31 PM	#5
SlammedSilly Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Drives: 2015 Ultramarine FR-S Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 382 Thanks: 550 Thanked 51 Times in 46 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	HEY FELLA's! ok, so i last year, i noticed my coolant was low, stopped in had it topped off, made sure it was topped off at every oil change also. As of a few months ago, i stopped in to get it topped off and they put toyota red coolant in, thats a no no!! So they ended up doing a full coolant flush on them! Well my coolant level is low again and im stuck on what i should do. Bc they said keep an eye on it and its been like 3k miles since the flush they wanted to look into it... so from what ive noticed/read, its a common issue for our cars to eat coolant. and most of ours havent had any head gasket issues, yet!!

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