My only issue with the procedure in the posted PdF s relates to the coolant trapped in the heater core. How do you get old coolant out when engine is off and cold? Are any check or control valves open so it can drain by gravity with the engine coolant? Also how are you supposed to refill the heater core with new fluid? Are you supposed to set the dual climate control to a high temperature to allow it to enter the heater core? The Toyota instructions say nothing about this.
Engine Coolant Replacement Interval and General Information for DIY Discussion
I've been reading a lot of different information about when one should change the engine coolant. After much research, below is what I've found. I'd love some constructive feedback from anyone who has experience with DIY engine coolant changes. This information may also be helpful to others when it's time for them to have their coolant replaced.
Interval: First change should be at 100,000 miles or 5 years (whichever comes first), after that, every 5 yrs. or 50,000 miles (whichever comes first)
Coolant: I'll be using Toyota OEM 50/50 Prediluted super long life antifreeze/coolant (pink cap)
OEM Toyota Coolant
Now for the questions I have....
1. Does anyone know how much coolant is needed for the Rav4H? The coolant is sold in 1 gallon jugs and I'd like to know how many I should have on hand before starting the process.I believe the car will take approx. 2 gallons.
2. I believe to drain the old coolant, we have to locate the radiator draincock which is typically found on the bottom of the radiator. I believe on the Rav4H it's actually connected to one of the hoses. Below is a picture of the draincock I believe needs to be opened to drain the old coolant. Can anyone confirm this?
![169688]()
3. Under the hood, there's two reservoirs nearby. As per the owner's manual (page 572-573), the one on the left is the engine coolant reservoir, and the one on the right is the power control unit coolant reservoir. Once I drain the coolant, do I need to add new coolant to both of these reservoirs or can I just add it to the engine coolant reservoir and it'll flow into the power control unit coolant reservoir as it fills?
![169690]()
4. Is there anything else I should know about engine coolant changes? I'm a newbie but I do know that you should never open the coolant cap on a hot or recently driven vehicle.
P.S. I've found "The car care nut" youtube challenge extremely helpful since the host is a master toyota mechanic. Below is a link to his video on coolant that I based this thread on.
Youtube: How to maintain your Toyota Part 2 Engine coolant and Transmission fluid
Interval: First change should be at 100,000 miles or 5 years (whichever comes first), after that, every 5 yrs. or 50,000 miles (whichever comes first)
Coolant: I'll be using Toyota OEM 50/50 Prediluted super long life antifreeze/coolant (pink cap)
OEM Toyota Coolant
Now for the questions I have....
1. Does anyone know how much coolant is needed for the Rav4H? The coolant is sold in 1 gallon jugs and I'd like to know how many I should have on hand before starting the process.I believe the car will take approx. 2 gallons.
2. I believe to drain the old coolant, we have to locate the radiator draincock which is typically found on the bottom of the radiator. I believe on the Rav4H it's actually connected to one of the hoses. Below is a picture of the draincock I believe needs to be opened to drain the old coolant. Can anyone confirm this?
3. Under the hood, there's two reservoirs nearby. As per the owner's manual (page 572-573), the one on the left is the engine coolant reservoir, and the one on the right is the power control unit coolant reservoir. Once I drain the coolant, do I need to add new coolant to both of these reservoirs or can I just add it to the engine coolant reservoir and it'll flow into the power control unit coolant reservoir as it fills?
4. Is there anything else I should know about engine coolant changes? I'm a newbie but I do know that you should never open the coolant cap on a hot or recently driven vehicle.
P.S. I've found "The car care nut" youtube challenge extremely helpful since the host is a master toyota mechanic. Below is a link to his video on coolant that I based this thread on.
Youtube: How to maintain your Toyota Part 2 Engine coolant and Transmission fluid
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