GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Just want to get some clarification on the coolant that was used in the 2003 Vibe. My Vibe is due for a coolant change and I have scheduled an appointment at the local Toyota Dealership. My guess is that the coolant they use in the Matrix is the proper fluid to use.....seeing that it is a Toyota Engine. The price for a coolant change at the Toyota dealership is the same at the pontiac dealership.any thoughts?

Correct me if I'm wrong, Genvibers, but I'm pretty sure we've established you can throw whatever you want in there... The red toyota stuff, the green stuff, and even Dexcool, right?I bought the toyota stuff when i had mine flushed but i refuse to do that again if i still have this car when it comes time to do it... The $16 a jug plus tax that i paid for the toyota coolant is ridiculous, i'd rather go back to the green stuff next time....I say if you want to keep the same coolant in there for 50K or whatever, go with the toyota stuff *if* the price is right.

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »Correct me if I'm wrong, Genvibers, but I'm pretty sure we've established you can throw whatever you want in there... The red toyota stuff, the green stuff, and even Dexcool, right?Well as you can see by his post count, he might not have read all the threads.Anyway, as far as your coolant change. Seeing as how its NOT longlife and can be mixed with dexcool, Toyota should be able to do the flush no problem only make sure they do more then just dump and refill. Make sure they actually flush the system out completely. That way if for some very odd reason their coolant in the "same engine" Matrix is different from the "same engine" Vibe, you won't have a problem.

Geez, I'm sorry I said anything..... Just trying to help.... Wasn't trying to be a wiseguy or anything...

I read every thread I could find on the coolant change. There is a lot of mixed info in them. Some say don't use Dexcool, others say it is okay. No one responded to my other posted questions I created last week. One of my main questions is, do I need to make sure the shop does an entire coolant system flush? I am around 45k miles, over due for the 30k mile change. Most places charge $110-140 for the entire system to be flushed. Jiffylube on the other hand only charges only $70, but only flushes the radiator and they claim the "Peak Long Life" coolant works in any car. If they do not flush the entire system and there is still some original coolant remaining that gets mixed with the Peak coolant, can this cause problems? I'm also getting different information from several mechanics. Some are saying my car has Dexcool in it, even though I'm telling them the manual says it needs to be changed at 2 year/30k mile intervals and Dexcool is longer duration. Some are saying that the Toyota red coolant is the same as Dexcool. Jiffylube says that their's is safe in all cars, but I've heard of the horror stories from people taking their cars to Jiffylube. I don't want them to cause problems to my Vibe. Can someone please clarify some of this?

There is a lot of conflicting/confusing info out there about what coolant should be used in the Vibe. After reading it all and my own observations here is what I believe. 03/04 Vibes came from the factory with Toyota Long Life Red. This is a 2 year/30,000 mile coolant. When many read the "long life" in the name they confuse this with 5 year/150,000 mile coolant. The Vibe manual makes no mention of what coolant is in there other than to use coolant that meets GM spec 1825-M, which I am sure is compatible with Toyota Long Life Red. 05 Vibes come from the factory with what appears to be Toyota Ultra Long Life Pink. This is a 5 year/150,000 mile coolant. Again, the manual makes no mention to what is in there other than to use Dex-Cool when adding/replacing which I am sure is compatible with Toyota Ultra Long Life Pink even though they use slightly different dyes (Toyota - Pink, Dex-Cool - Orange). My take is if you are doing a drain and fill on a 03/04 use Toyota Long Life Red, if it's an 05 use Toyota Ultra Long Life Pink. That way you will have the same stuff as whats in there. The compatible stuff mentioned in the manual should also be ok. If you are doing a complete flush use any of the ones mentioned above or any good coolant that meets the specs.

Is a simple coolant drain/refill all that is needed for your first coolant change, not an entire flush? This is as long as you use the same type of coolant. If so, this can be done yourself right?Edit Update: I am getting sick of this. I just got off the phone with some shops/dealers. I am getting so much mixed info. Some are saying a coolant drain/refill is fine for right now. Others are saying that doesn't do much good since a lot of coolant is still in the engine block. One shop is quoting my $50 labor + the cost of the Toyota coolant to simply drain/refill, this is my cheapest option besides doing it myself. The other shops want between $120-150 for a system flush. Some say you can perform an entire flush and refill with longer life fluid (longer than 2yr/30k) others are saying you should not. My questions:For those of you that have changed your coolant, did you have it completly flushed and refilled or did you just have it drained and refilled?Has anyone changed to longer duration coolant?I have not found a good do it yourself walkthrough. Has anyone else?Thanks,

My take is a drain and fill with the same stuff should be just fine. However, if you want to go by the Vibe user manual it does specify "drain, flush and refill". If you are going to pay a shop to do the flush you might as well have them use the Toyota Ultra long Life (Pink) or DexCool. That way you won't have to pay for another flush for 5 years or 100K.I don't know why GM had to use the word "flush" in the manual. I would like to get my hands on a Matrix manual. I bet it says something like drain and fill.

Straight from the Matrix scheduled maintenance manual: "Replace Coolant". Nothing about a flush.

FYI, I called my Pontiac Service Dept. while waiting at Jiffy Lube, and he said the '03 takes Dexcool.

My dealer told me last year that I had dexcool in my vibe...but I'm not sure I trust the service guys.Anybody know where I could see the color difference between toyota red and dexcool.

Quote, originally posted by sloth »Anybody know where I could see the color difference between toyota red and dexcool.Dont do a taste test

everyone look in your manuals. I bet the 2004's say the coolant is good for 100k. At least that's what it said in the manual I read 2 years ago at the dealer down the street. My new 2005 came with the new Toyota pink stuff.

Hi, I just purchased a 2006 vibe and it has the pink color antifreeze which I believe to be the Toyota pink long life,I just had my car inspected and my mechanic checked my strength and loggevity of coolant to be good ,I am a little low in tank of coolant and would like to top off,he suggested I could use a zerex clear antifreeze to add to tank.or should i use the toyota pink,GM dealer told me to use dex-cool.I am confused ,I emailed pontiac and they are researching it. thanks, jeff

It is Dexcool folks (toyota pink) and it is long life no matter what year of Vibe you own. Good for 5 years or 100,000 miles. I doubt anyone is puting on 20,000 miles per year, so get it replaced with the same long life 50/50 mixture at the 5 year mark. I don't know of any mechanic that is not puting in the 50/50 dexcool mixture these days. They all use it.

Well, I've got 141K on the 06 and by the time it hit my actual 5 yr mark, I will easily have 150K. That being said, I'm glad this thread popped up bc I've gotta get mine change... it's never been changed before **hides in corner**

Quote, originally posted by Caretaker »It is Dexcool folks (Toyota pink) and it is long life no matter what year of Vibe you own. Good for 5 years or 100,000 miles. I doubt anyone is putting on 20,000 miles per year, so get it replaced with the same long life 50/50 mixture at the 5 year mark. I don't know of any mechanic that is not putting in the 50/50 Dexcool mixture these days. They all use it.So even the 2003 [where the owner's manual said to change every 30,000 miles or 24 months whichever comes first] had long life Dexcool? Where are those class action lawyers when we need them.

perhaps you are on to something Jake. Since I sold my 2003 Vibe, I no longer have the manual. I remember there being Toyota pink in the car, just like my '09.

My '04 GT had Dexcool in it. Not much of it, but it had some. I had the system flushed completely (a week after buying the car) and filled it back up with Prestone 50/50.

2003 base vibe. has about 115,000 miles. bought it used a few years ago. it seemed to have the original pink toyota coolant. i know all about dexcool. it messed up my intake manifold gasket on my 1998 chevy lumina,etc.after much research=- i drained the vibe coolant no less than 7 times. on the last change i measured exactly how much water came out into the change bucket.i,m forgetting what the total system capacity is, but it was close to half. then i added the exact amount of "pure" "100%"prestone any kind,any color. i lucked out an apparantly didn,t have any air pockets. for a day or so i would top off a little in the radiator. biggie,biggie is to be very sure you get all the old junk dexcool or toyota pink outta the system.