2024 Elantra N Coolant Top-Off - Aftermarket Pink/Red OK?

[john_pifer]

The pink coolant in the reservoir of the 2024 Elantra N “ultimate dad car” is a bit low.

Seems the Peak Asian Vehicle Red/Pink P-OAT is the cheapest and most widely available, and Auto Zone carries the concentrate for $22.99. I already have some distilled water on hand, so it makes sense to buy in concentrate.

I think this should also be usable in my 2007 Tacoma, right?

The Hyundai owners manual calls simply for coolant that’s “ethylene glycol with phosphate”:

OK to top off with the Peak?

 

[john_pifer]

Well well, look what I just found hiding out in the garage. Should be OK to top up the Hyundai with this also, right? It’s been sitting for a few years. I think I bought this in 2021.

 

[JavierH19]

Low already? Something's wrong. But if it's the proper type then it's suitable. But I'd rather not top it off and take it to the dealer and ask why a new vehicle is losing coolant and if they can check it. It's good to start a paper trail there.

 

[john_pifer]

Low already? Something's wrong. But if it's the proper type then it's suitable. But I'd rather not top it off and take it to the dealer and ask why a new vehicle is losing coolant and if they can check it. It's good to start a paper trail there.

It’s not too low, but it’s below the min.

Every vehicle I’ve ever had lost a little bit over time.

Frankly I don’t remember exactly where the level was when I got the car.

 

[JavierH19]

It’s not too low, but it’s below the min.

Every vehicle I’ve ever had lost a little bit over time.

Frankly I don’t remember exactly where the level was when I got the car. View attachment 269946

I've never had a new vehicle do that. My 5 year old suv with 44k is still above the minimum. I'd take it to the dealer to at least get it on paper and ask them to check it anyway. That's well below the minimum not a hair or so which the dealer could dismiss. It's not a few years old or more either.

 

[john_pifer]

I've never had a new vehicle do that. My 5 year old suv with 44k is still above the minimum. I'd take it to the dealer to at least get it on paper and ask them to check it anyway. That's well below the minimum not a hair or so which the dealer could dismiss. It's not a few years old or more either.

Fair point, but I think I’ll top off and keep an eye on it, especially since I don’t remember where it was when I got it. If it drops again, I’ll be more concerned.

 

[Boomer]

Definitely something going on. Head gasket, loose hose connector, small pinhole leak somewhere...... Dealer should pressure test the cooling system. Do you have a UV light? If so, you can check for leaks in a darkened area.

 

[VolkswagenFox21]

Elantra N's are nice cars. Manual or DCT? Had the opportunity to drive one on track a few years ago and managed to pass a few rented super cars. Their faces where priceless!

To answer your question, I'd use the Toyota coolant. I don't see how it wouldn't be compatible. If you're worried you could just use the distilled water since it's not that much you need to add going by that picture you posted. Raising the freezing point of the coolant by a bit probably won't hurt in your climate anyway.

Here's my take on the coolant loss: A bit of coolant loss doesn't mean there's something wrong, despite what people like to say on here. If that's the case, my fleet of four cars should be leaking coolant all over the place or have blown head gaskets. Most of my cars needed some sort of coolant top up when they where around 2-5 years old. My FRS literally drinks the coolant overflow and I need to fill it up every two years or so, yet it's 9 years old with no leaks and regular oil analysis shows no signs of coolant in the oil. Sits in the garage for 6 months a year yet there isn't even a drop of anything on the floor. My Corolla is only two years old and it dropped by a similar amount to yours. The Tucson took a bit longer at 5 years. Neither have leaks and frequent oil analysis says no coolant in oil.

 

[Rand]

I'd just add some distilled or RO water.
6 or 8 oz wont throw the system out of wack.
Since thats an open type overflow bottle you might lose a couple oz a year
vs a totally closed system with a pressure cap on the "degas bottle/overflow"

My jeeps needed 0, but my subarus with an overflow with the clip on lid all need 8oz after a couple years.

 

[john_pifer]

Definitely something going on. Head gasket, loose hose connector, small pinhole leak somewhere...... Dealer should pressure test the cooling system. Do you have a UV light? If so, you can check for leaks in a darkened area.

I don’t have a UV light, but that’s a good idea.

I put it at the minimum line (while cold) and will keep checking it.

I don’t want to take it to the dealership unless it’s something unavoidable.

 

[john_pifer]

Elantra N's are nice cars. Manual or DCT? Had the opportunity to drive one on track a few years ago and managed to pass a few rented super cars. Their faces where priceless!

To answer your question, I'd use the Toyota coolant. I don't see how it wouldn't be compatible. If you're worried you could just use the distilled water since it's not that much you need to add going by that picture you posted. Raising the freezing point of the coolant by a bit probably won't hurt in your climate anyway.

Here's my take on the coolant loss: A bit of coolant loss doesn't mean there's something wrong, despite what people like to say on here. If that's the case, my fleet of four cars should be leaking coolant all over the place or have blown head gaskets. Most of my cars needed some sort of coolant top up when they where around 2-5 years old. My FRS literally drinks the coolant overflow and I need to fill it up every two years or so, yet it's 9 years old with no leaks and regular oil analysis shows no signs of coolant in the oil. Sits in the garage for 6 months a year yet there isn't even a drop of anything on the floor. My Corolla is only two years old and it dropped by a similar amount to yours. The Tucson took a bit longer at 5 years. Neither have leaks and frequent oil analysis says no coolant in oil.

It’s manual.

This has been my experience also. The vehicles I’ve had tend to lose a bit over time. Obv. I’ve only had this since July, and it’s new, but admittedly I don’t remember what the level was. I just happened to notice it was a bit low when changing the oil yesterday.

It took 10 oz to bring it to the minimum line. I used the Toyota SLLC 50/50 I had in the garage. Seems that the chemistry is the same or similar enough to be compatible.