when did japanese go to low silicate antifreeze?

[edwardh1]

Does anyone know?
Another way to ask what originally came in my 94 Camry - regular green or Japanese low silicate green.
Anyone know?

 

[JohnBrowning]

Toyota's low silicate formula is a red color and a pink color depending on country of origin. I am not aware of them haveing any "green" long life! They made the switch about the same time they started useing aluminum radiators. I do not recall the year but I think it was somtime between 1992 and 1994. If you look in the back of your owners manual it should spec out the fluids!

 

[Steve S]

My 1988 camry 4 cyl came with the red coolant.

 

[JohnBrowning]

Wow!!! I am baseing my educated guess on trucks I have owned. Looks like the cars went to this sooner. 1988 I had no idea any one had a long life coolant that far back!! WOW!!

 

[edwardh1]

Gee I think I would have remembered red in 1994.
what do others think?

 

[Ed]

My 1979 Toyota Pickup (brass Core Radiator, Aluminum head, Iron Block) came new with red antifreeze. This was a no silicate formula but I don't think it was an OAT formula. The newer Pink antifreeze is a no silicate OAT formula. I have been using Prestone LongLife in the Toyota with superb results. The radiator in the Toyota is mounted with rubber (insulating) washers. This to prevent the radiator from becoming a battery and promoting electrolytic corrosion.
The OEM radiator did give out at about 150,000 miles about 20 years and the truck is on it's 3rd water pump.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

My mother's 1978 Toyota Corolla 1200 had the red antifreeze from the factory. I was in my teens when she bought the car new, but I remember this clearly, primarily because I did much of the maintenance on that car. Can't recall whether her 1982 Celica had the same.