Replace blue stuff now?
 

My '14 Monogram had 29K on it when I bought it three months ago. I have no service records, so I'm about to change out tranny and diff fluids. I changed oil to Mobil-1 5W30 and installed a Fumito drain plug. I think I saw in the manual that the coolant is good for five years, but it seems prudent to me to flush and change now. I see now there's red stuff that is supposed to be better than blue stuff. Anyone know anything about that?

I should add that I went to a Toyota dealer and asked to see the coolant bottle. It said clearly on the back "For all Toyota engines EXCEPT, Scion FRS."



So much for what some dealers know.


They also wanted $35 for a cabin air filter that I got at O'Reilly for $15.

Pretty sure the Monograms run a special coolant so be careful.

Changing the coolant wouldn't be necessary at this time, UNLESS, you think the previous owner might have topped off with the wrong stuff.

Yep, if you change it, I'd suggest you use the recommended blue stuff.



humfrz

You're be-in mean … ;)


humfrz

Nah, I was just car joking around. :D

The local Subaru dealer knew right away what to use. He mentioned it's good for 100,000 miles, but agreed you never know what the PO might have put in there. Mine doesn't seem to use coolant, even in hot Florida. Takes a little less than 2 gallons at $25 a gallon. Blue stuff for regular FRS's and violet for Monograms.

Because it's a Subaru engine with a Subaru cooling system. Stick with Subaru Blue. You can flush it out and use another type of coolant, but you have to be sure you get all the Blue out, and then the maintenance interval becomes more frequent.

It shouldn't. Even open cooling systems are not supposed to allow coolant to evaporate. Apparently it's "normal" for some coolant to disappear during the engine break-in period (and both of my engines have done it), but I put that in quotes because "normal" is not always normal with this car. After break-in, it's not supposed to use coolant, and unexplained coolant loss would be a red flag for either a leak or a blown head gasket.

Pentosin Pentofrost A3 is the same thing and it's cheaper than the Subaru Blue, you can also buy Pentosin at Advanced Autoparts which is probably closer than a Subaru dealer.

My dealership wanted $39.99 for the cabin filter!!!! I ordered one off of ebay for $8.50 shipped.

Just remember to check coolant lvs once in a while, this engine runs hot & some of the coolant escape from radiator cap once you have some fun time with the car.


*which doesn't seem to happen after I got a oil cooler... O.o

I'm tired of all this anal bullshit.

Warranty and Maintenance guide:

Engine oil: Change every 7500 miles, change filter as well. Use a full synthetic 0W-20 oil.

change engine coolant at 137,500 miles or 11 years (whichever comes first). Specified coolant: Toyota Super Long-Life Coolant {SLLC} BLUE.

Manual transmission oil. Inspect every 22,500 miles. Implied: Change never.

Automatic Transmission oil: Inspect every 15, 000 miles. Change every 60,000 miles.

Rear Differential oil. Inspect every 7500 miles. Implied: Change never.



I'm a former auto tech. The above is exactly how I I'm going to treat my car. If it does not like it, too bad.

Welp, kiss your warranty goodbye - :sigh:


:D


humfrz

:thumbsup:

I agree 100% (for non heavily tracked cars).

And I'm a retired agronomist - :D


humfrz