Radiator

[Bad Dog]

Going to change my radiator 'cause it's looking threadbare. What coolant do I need and what is the total capacity of the system, might as well refresh it all while I'm there 😁 and is it necessary to use deionised water ?

[Bad Dog]

P.S. is there somewhere on this site that has all the basic capacities quantities grades etc ? Have looked but not found if yet ?

[Ardent]

Coolant capacity, from grape juice influenced memory, is about 9 litres. (ish)

[Ardent]

P.S. is there somewhere on this site that has all the basic capacities quantities grades etc ? Have looked but not found if yet ?

Yes. Somewhere.
Did you get a handbook when you bought yours.

[Call the midlife!]

You need red OAT coolant, at least 10 litres for a full system refresh.

[Bad Dog]

Is it necessary to use deionized / distilled water ? Or will tap water suffice ?

[1979scotte]

Is it necessary to use deionized / distilled water ? Or will tap water suffice ?

I'm lazy and buy the pre mix.
If you want to use concentrate then buy deionised water also.
I would only use tap water in an emergency.

[normanh]

Doesn't it come premixed?

Norman

[Gaz mr-s]

It's 50% Red, 50% water.  (I hope.... )

[Dev]

You should always used deionized water to dilute Toyota Red coolant from its 100% strength. The mineral salts from the water would be bad.

The premix often referred to as the pink is the newer Super OAT formulation which is longer lasting. It is different but backwards compatible with our car but not for some of the older radiator designs. 

From what I read it is the older red coolant is what many Toyota aficionados feel is better because it has been proven for over three decades that it holds up incredibly well even in cars that never had its coolant changed. Even though the pink premix Super OAT last longer it tends to degrade sharply if you go over the change interval.
Both are good but I prefer to sick to red. My car mostly sits now with less millage  so I had my coolant tested since it hasn't been changed in over 10 years and it easily passed.

My other car uses the Super OAT and its near the end of its life after 7 years but I will use the pre mix only because I do not want to deal with any unknowns since it calls for the pink.

[1979scotte]

Doesn't it come premixed?

Norman

You can buy either.
I wouldn't bother buying toyota long life again the rads don't last long enough.
Last load I bought was Euro Car parts own premix cheapo

[1979scotte]

You should always used deionized water to dilute Toyota Red coolant from its 100% strength. The mineral salts from the water would be bad.

The premix often referred to as the pink is the newer Super OAT formulation which is longer lasting. It is different but backwards compatible with our car but not for some of the older radiator designs. 

From what I read it is the older red coolant is what many Toyota aficionados feel is better because it has been proven for over three decades that it holds up incredibly well even in cars that never had its coolant changed. Even though the pink premix Super OAT last longer it tends to degrade sharply if you go over the change interval.
Both are good but I prefer to sick to red. My car mostly sits now with less millage  so I had my coolant tested since it hasn't been changed in over 10 years and it easily passed.

My other car uses the Super OAT and its near the end of its life after 7 years but I will use the pre mix only because I do not want to deal with any unknowns since it calls for the pink.

I'm sure this is great advice Dev but many uk rads don't last 10 years. I personally think for the UK toyota pink or red isn't good value it's extremely expensive just to have it leak after 5 or 6 years.
If I had a stock car I would probably change rad and coolant every 5 years the rads are cheaper than 5 litres of Toyota pink.

[Dev]

You should always used deionized water to dilute Toyota Red coolant from its 100% strength. The mineral salts from the water would be bad.

The premix often referred to as the pink is the newer Super OAT formulation which is longer lasting. It is different but backwards compatible with our car but not for some of the older radiator designs. 

From what I read it is the older red coolant is what many Toyota aficionados feel is better because it has been proven for over three decades that it holds up incredibly well even in cars that never had its coolant changed. Even though the pink premix Super OAT last longer it tends to degrade sharply if you go over the change interval.
Both are good but I prefer to sick to red. My car mostly sits now with less millage  so I had my coolant tested since it hasn't been changed in over 10 years and it easily passed.

My other car uses the Super OAT and its near the end of its life after 7 years but I will use the pre mix only because I do not want to deal with any unknowns since it calls for the pink.

I'm sure this is great advice Dev but many uk rads don't last 10 years. I personally think for the UK toyota pink or red isn't good value it's extremely expensive just to have it leak after 5 or 6 years.
If I had a stock car I would probably change rad and coolant every 5 years the rads are cheaper than 5 litres of Toyota pink.

I didn't realize it was that bad. Our radiators are starting to show their age over here but only after 20 years which is approximately the service life for most but most like mine has been going strong. 
 What do you think is causing these radiators to fail so quickly.
 I know that rust is a big issue for you guys but even in our  north east states most hold up well with very little reported corrosion.
 
 I wonder if the salts that are being used during winter corrode these cars. 

[1979scotte]

You should always used deionized water to dilute Toyota Red coolant from its 100% strength. The mineral salts from the water would be bad.

The premix often referred to as the pink is the newer Super OAT formulation which is longer lasting. It is different but backwards compatible with our car but not for some of the older radiator designs. 

From what I read it is the older red coolant is what many Toyota aficionados feel is better because it has been proven for over three decades that it holds up incredibly well even in cars that never had its coolant changed. Even though the pink premix Super OAT last longer it tends to degrade sharply if you go over the change interval.
Both are good but I prefer to sick to red. My car mostly sits now with less millage  so I had my coolant tested since it hasn't been changed in over 10 years and it easily passed.

My other car uses the Super OAT and its near the end of its life after 7 years but I will use the pre mix only because I do not want to deal with any unknowns since it calls for the pink.

I'm sure this is great advice Dev but many uk rads don't last 10 years. I personally think for the UK toyota pink or red isn't good value it's extremely expensive just to have it leak after 5 or 6 years.
If I had a stock car I would probably change rad and coolant every 5 years the rads are cheaper than 5 litres of Toyota pink.

I didn't realize it was that bad. Our radiators are starting to show their age over here but only after 20 years which is approximately the service life for most but most like mine has been going strong. 
 What do you think is causing these radiators to fail so quickly.
 I know that rust is a big issue for you guys but even in our  north east states most hold up well with very little reported corrosion.
 
 I wonder if the salts that are being used during winter corrode these cars. 

Uk salt is the worst in the world by far.
We definitely have more failed rads and sub frame than anywhere.
I had a 2006 which need both a new rad and sub frame. It had full service history and 55k miles.

Edit
That was back in 2014 so the car was only 8 years old actually probably only 7.5.

[Dev]

You should always used deionized water to dilute Toyota Red coolant from its 100% strength. The mineral salts from the water would be bad.

The premix often referred to as the pink is the newer Super OAT formulation which is longer lasting. It is different but backwards compatible with our car but not for some of the older radiator designs. 

From what I read it is the older red coolant is what many Toyota aficionados feel is better because it has been proven for over three decades that it holds up incredibly well even in cars that never had its coolant changed. Even though the pink premix Super OAT last longer it tends to degrade sharply if you go over the change interval.
Both are good but I prefer to sick to red. My car mostly sits now with less millage  so I had my coolant tested since it hasn't been changed in over 10 years and it easily passed.

My other car uses the Super OAT and its near the end of its life after 7 years but I will use the pre mix only because I do not want to deal with any unknowns since it calls for the pink.

I'm sure this is great advice Dev but many uk rads don't last 10 years. I personally think for the UK toyota pink or red isn't good value it's extremely expensive just to have it leak after 5 or 6 years.
If I had a stock car I would probably change rad and coolant every 5 years the rads are cheaper than 5 litres of Toyota pink.

I didn't realize it was that bad. Our radiators are starting to show their age over here but only after 20 years which is approximately the service life for most but most like mine has been going strong. 
 What do you think is causing these radiators to fail so quickly.
 I know that rust is a big issue for you guys but even in our  north east states most hold up well with very little reported corrosion.
 
 I wonder if the salts that are being used during winter corrode these cars. 

Uk salt is the worst in the world by far.
We definitely have more failed rads and sub frame than anywhere.
I had a 2006 which need both a new rad and sub frame. It had full service history and 55k miles.

Edit
That was back in 2014 so the car was only 8 years old actually probably only 7.5.

Sorry to hear that. In my state they changed the mixture to salt and sand for traction. Its now less brutal on cars but in the spring we have sand everywhere until the street cleaner machines are able to clean it.

[Ardent]

I have rural sludge to deal with in my playground. Sand sounds nice option.