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Coolant Type

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2012 7:16 am
by c2cummin
Hey there...new to this site...

I was wondering what kind of coolant everyone is putting into their vibes. The owner's manual says to use GM Dexcool but when I check the coolant in the radiator it's definately pink and not orange......I've done some research on this and it seems to be confusing a lot of people as to whether to use the toyota brand or the GM brand of coolant.......and I haven't been able to find any answers yet...

Re: Coolant Type

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2012 8:10 am
by jake75
Over the years, way back to the original 2003, this has been a question. Even GM couldn't provide a straight credible answer. My 2003 Owner's Manual said it was a 24 month/30,000 mile coolant. When I had it changed the dealer used orange Dexcool - but the original coolant was pink. My 2009 with 20,000 miles will be 4 years in January. The owner's manual says it should be changed at 5 years/150,000 miles - use Dexcool. I haven't looked - I suspect the original coolant is pink. I have at least another 14 months to worry about that.

Re: Coolant Type

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2012 8:18 am
by c2cummin
I have a 2007 and my manual also says 5 years or 150000 miles(240000km's). It also says Dexcool but like I stated earlier the original is definately pink. Since the matrix and the vibe were built in the same plant would it make sense they received different types of coolant? It doesn't make sense to me since the corolla also has the same engine...I just want to cause unnecessary harm to the engine...

Re: Coolant Type

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2012 10:32 am
by jake75
The Matrix was not built at Nummi. However, the Corolla was. General consensus is that the original coolant was the same in both - a Toyota product. A lesser consensus was that it is o.k. to use Dexcool to replace it. There was a lot of discussion about OAT and HOAT based coolants in some past posts.

Re: Coolant Type

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2012 10:45 am
by sideshowalan
I'm voting for Toyota coolant.
That's what I changed mine out with a few years ago with no problems.

Re: Coolant Type

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 1:27 pm
by c2cummin
Thanks,

Thats what I'll probably try since it's already pink stuff in there and dex cool is orange. I guess as long as I get all of the old stuff out I should be good.