Coolant is low in my 08 scion xb

[A_A_G]

So this past weekend I did a really good interior/exterior detail on my xb and decided it was time to check the coolant. I read the manual and it stated the proper way to check was when the engine is cold. It had been sitting for hours so I opened the hood and the coolant level was just right under the low mark.

My question is can I just add some water to bring the level up? I'll be doing a coolant change some time in the spring/summer next year. It has the toyota pink coolant in it if that matters. Thanks for the help!

 

[VK56VD]

Add distilled water.

 

[jldcol]

Is the level you are refering to in a coolant bottle or the radiator? If the bottle, and you mind it maybe go to spring as is. If radiator is low, I would get the proper coolant either concentrate or diluted and add proper amount. You are going to buy this anyway relatively soon so not really an unnecessary purchase.Don't add just water, always use properly mixed coolant. If making you own mix, try to get distilled water to mix up. I usually would get the premix as it has the proper water,but if you flush and use water need concentrate to get back to proper ratio due to pure water let in system after flush.

 

[A_A_G]

It's the plastic coolant bottle I'm referring to. Thanks Spartuss, I'll go ahead and add distilled water to it. I just didn't want to buy a gallon of that toyota pink coolant when I only a small amount of it to get the coolant back to the correct level (that stuff is expensive).

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: A_A_G
It's the plastic coolant bottle I'm referring to. Thanks Spartuss, I'll go ahead and add distilled water to it. I just didn't want to buy a gallon of that toyota pink coolant when I only a small amount of it to get the coolant back to the correct level (that stuff is expensive).

If you are still under warranty, the dealer will top it off at no charge. Just say that you are concerned about the low coolant level and they will take care of it.

 

[oilslick44]

Why are you going to change it so soon? I have a 06 XB, Toyota doesn't recommend changing it for 100000 miles or 10 years.

 

[A_A_G]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: A_A_G
It's the plastic coolant bottle I'm referring to. Thanks Spartuss, I'll go ahead and add distilled water to it. I just didn't want to buy a gallon of that toyota pink coolant when I only a small amount of it to get the coolant back to the correct level (that stuff is expensive).

If you are still under warranty, the dealer will top it off at no charge. Just say that you are concerned about the low coolant level and they will take care of it.



My vehicle wont step foot again at the dealership unless it's a serious problem that I can't take care of. I don't trust any of them because of past experiences that I and other family members have personally delt with.

Should I just by a gallon of the toyota pink coolant so I don't have any issues?

 

[VK56VD]

You won't have any issues in TX by just adding distilled water to the over flow tank. In fact, water has better heat distributing properties than coolant. Distilled water with coolant added in the mix, has a higher boiling point than just plain water.

Bottom line, save your money and add some distilled water to the system. It will do no harm.

 

[Drew99GT]

I'd just suck it up and buy a gallon of antifreeze. If you plan on keeping your xb for a long time, you'll more then likely need to top if of again at some point.

 

[hate2work]

Save your money, put in a little distilled water.

Why are you going to do a coolant change so soon?

 

[Billy_D]

Originally Posted By: A_A_G
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: A_A_G
It's the plastic coolant bottle I'm referring to. Thanks Spartuss, I'll go ahead and add distilled water to it. I just didn't want to buy a gallon of that toyota pink coolant when I only a small amount of it to get the coolant back to the correct level (that stuff is expensive).

If you are still under warranty, the dealer will top it off at no charge. Just say that you are concerned about the low coolant level and they will take care of it.



My vehicle wont step foot again at the dealership unless it's a serious problem that I can't take care of. I don't trust any of them because of past experiences that I and other family members have personally delt with.

Should I just by a gallon of the toyota pink coolant so I don't have any issues?


I won't trust the dealership either. They will add tap water and call it good. Just buy a gallon and use it to top off the coolant bottle.

 

[mikesmaxx]

Couple of facts here.The coolant will last 100k or 5 years not 10.You can add Toyota red to top it off.No dealer that I know of will just add wter,worst case is they add some red and it'll be good to go.
Also the long-life pink already comes pre-mixed.

 

[Cutehumor]

I got 2.5 years/36k miles with toyota pink in my vibe. yet GM says to add "dexcool" hmm..I'm going to change out in 5 yrs, I'll have 60k miles by then. I would check the coolant level with the engine full cold in the morning. a couple of hours, it's like checking oil, I get variations.

 

[A_A_G]

Originally Posted By: oilslick44
Why are you going to change it so soon? I have a 06 XB, Toyota doesn't recommend changing it for 100000 miles or 10 years.


Fresh fluids are just a cheap and easy way of prolonging the life of the vehicle and I sleep better at night lol. IMO 100,000 miles is just way too long on coolant. By that time you would need a serious flush of the entire system. If I do it every two years (like I have with all my previous vehicles) I can avoid that.

 

[heathenbrewing]

Originally Posted By: A_A_G
Originally Posted By: oilslick44
Why are you going to change it so soon? I have a 06 XB, Toyota doesn't recommend changing it for 100000 miles or 10 years.


Fresh fluids are just a cheap and easy way of prolonging the life of the vehicle and I sleep better at night lol. IMO 100,000 miles is just way too long on coolant. By that time you would need a serious flush of the entire system. If I do it every two years (like I have with all my previous vehicles) I can avoid that.


Agreed!

I too have an '06 xB and do a drain and fill every year since new. $22 a gallon is expensive for coolant IMO, but in the long run, it is cheap insurance. I too hope to avoid serious flushing as well. I do a drain and fill on my manual trans every other year as well, replace plugs every year and remove some PS fluid every month and top off with ATF.

Plus I like working on my car and to my surprise the xB has been a breeze to work on. I dont even have to jack it up to do an oil change.

 

[oilslick44]

How many miles on your 06XB? I just turned over 9100. It's sleeping now up north while I'm in Florida for the next few months.
I haven't seen any reason to mess with the coolant yet. I did change the mt fluid to redline at 7000.

 

[heathenbrewing]

Originally Posted By: oilslick44
How many miles on your 06XB? I just turned over 9100. It's sleeping now up north while I'm in Florida for the next few months.
I haven't seen any reason to mess with the coolant yet. I did change the mt fluid to redline at 7000.


Somewhere near 35K. Had it since '05.

Im sure the coolant is OK at this stage of the game but OK is just that...OK. I always want better than OK.

 

[dan3952]

Your level should not go down at all on such a new car, and don't waste your money on changing it early. Also you don't always have to use the 50/50 mix, particularly if you live in a warm climate. Water has a better heat capacity than the glycol, the glycol is for freezing point/boiling point adjustment/rust inhibitors and not cooling.