coolant/anti freeze

[jarviz]

Originally Posted by ToySub1946

I have a 2015 FRS, purchased new, now with 21,330 miles on it.
Noticed coolant somewhat low when it was new...after some miles driven...radiator was full, but overflow bottle showing no coolant.

Finally topped it off to low coolant level when odometer showed about 17,000 miles. {I don't allow the Dealership to add any fluids during oil and filter changes}

I used Best available Prestone brand, as FRS coolant was same color (green)...and I see no point in buying Prestone coolant which is premixed, as full strength coolant price is more product for the dollar.

I'd guess these cars, when new, have some bubbles in the cooling system, so they can't get them totally full at the factory.

I've found no leaks from my car, so no worries...just a normal situation.

Bottom line: I'd drive the car a while before worrying about it's coolant level...see if it gets any lower...then add as necessary. As long as you check coolant level in radiator itself, [certainly with car cold], if radiator itself is totally full, no real worries for a while.

Any update on how the car's handling the new coolant? I want to top off my coolant but don't feel like spending $34 for OEM coolant, which I can't use all of anyways.

[ToySub1946]

jarviz,

My FRS now has almost 23, 000 miles.

I don't think it's lost any more coolant, since I topped it off around 17,000 miles.

Recently under the car, with the front aluminum skid plate off (damaged it, sliced it open on a big rock, dirt road), I noticed a little trace of dried (greenish) coolant near and on the front of left cylinder head...though it does not seem to have come from the water pump (no green on or under pump itself), which is also near, above that area. Not gonna worry about it though, as it might be normal seepage from when engine was new.

Note: Bought the car new. Drove it very hard, high revs, on dirt roads, day after I bought the car. Paid no attention to any sort of babying the engine when it had under 500 miles on the odometer....as was recommended. Yet no problems with oil burning so far...between 7500 mile oil changes.

[Exrald]

After reading this post, I went to check my level. And I'm hella below the Low level. I won't be able to buy the coolant till this weekend and I daily my car. Will my car survive? Or any harm than could happen?

2013 Scion FRS @Exrald.frs

[22R]

Check if any level below rad cap. Watch temp gauge and you should be ok...Why can't you buy any before the weekend ??? I would get some and add just to be safe.


22R

[Exrald]

Originally Posted by 22R

Check if any level below rad cap. Watch temp gauge and you should be ok...Why can't you buy any before the weekend ??? I would get some and add just to be safe.


22R

I work 9-5. And they close at 6. Traffic won't get me there on time...

The temperature seems to be ok. It's the usual, middle notch of the gauge. Praise God I caught it in time.

2013 Scion FRS @Exrald.frs

[Feelings]

It's just an expansion/overflow tank. If the engine is COLD and you can still see coolant, you're fine. Bring your engine up to temp and have another look, it'll probably be close to the full mark.
In the winter when everything is cold I can barely see coolant in that overflow and I haven't worried about it. Not worth the $ to buy premix for nothing.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Feelings

It's just an expansion/overflow tank. If the engine is COLD and you can still see coolant, you're fine. Bring your engine up to temp and have another look, it'll probably be close to the full mark.
In the winter when everything is cold I can barely see coolant in that overflow and I haven't worried about it. Not worth the $ to buy premix for nothing.

This^
If temp gauge shows OK then don't sweat it. Because the expansion tank is low it does not mean that your cooling system is low. For the little it is down you can also just add some distilled water. Coolant is mostly water and that is what evaporates not the solids that have been added to it.

[Exrald]

Originally Posted by Feelings

It's just an expansion/overflow tank. If the engine is COLD and you can still see coolant, you're fine. Bring your engine up to temp and have another look, it'll probably be close to the full mark.
In the winter when everything is cold I can barely see coolant in that overflow and I haven't worried about it. Not worth the $ to buy premix for nothing.

Thank you! I've been stressing about it since yesterday. I'm about to do some runs this Saturday, so I don't want to overheat my car.

2013 Scion FRS @Exrald.frs

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Exrald

Thank you! I've been stressing about it since yesterday. I'm about to do some runs this Saturday, so I don't want to overheat my car.

2013 Scion FRS @Exrald.frs

Buy a gallon of distilled water at any grocery store (gas stations have them too but usually overpriced), throw a cup of water in there when it's cold to bring it up over 'minimum' and check it again after it's nice and hot, should be much nearer the top. Toss it in the back seat and maybe add a little bit of water if it drops below minimum again, repeat until you're happy.

You don't need to spend the extra $30 on antifreeze, your car will likely never be in freezing conditions anyway. You and I could probably run it on straight water year round.

[Ultramaroon]

I guess I'm the lone dissenter.






totaled

[Exrald]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Buy a gallon of distilled water at any grocery store (gas stations have them too but usually overpriced), throw a cup of water in there when it's cold to bring it up over 'minimum' and check it again after it's nice and hot, should be much nearer the top. Toss it in the back seat and maybe add a little bit of water if it drops below minimum again, repeat until you're happy.

You don't need to spend the extra $30 on antifreeze, your car will likely never be in freezing conditions anyway. You and I could probably run it on straight water year round.

I wish I saw this sooner. I got the coolant for $26. Not bad as I expected lol. But I filled it up to full on cold engine.

2013 Scion FRS @Exrald.frs

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Exrald

I wish I saw this sooner. I got the coolant for $26. Not bad as I expected lol. But I filled it up to full on cold engine.

2013 Scion FRS @Exrald.frs

Meh, some may come out the top and life will go on.

[paulca]

Just remember it's not just antifreeze. It's got lots of other good stuff in it. For a start it's boiling temp is around 118*C, not 100*C. It has rust inhibitors and other additives which modern engines require. Filling it with water will work fine, but it might affect the longevity of the engine.

[churchx]

rust inhibitors might be needed more if there are electrically dissimilar metals in cooling loop, but are there? Block - alu, rad - alu, not copper, as once, when raw copper was cheaper, and plastic/rubber here & there.
And water is best coolant specific heat capacity wise (some unreallistic ones for eg. operating temp/price/poison properties aside), all those additives just reduce it's efficiency, so if not needed due eg. climate car is driven at, then imho should be perfectly fine running with plain distilled water.