ZEREX Coolant (for Asian cars): Toyota SLLC OEM alternative ?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by SageBrush, Jul 23, 2013.

  1. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    This coolant can be bought online (S&H included) for about 1/2 the price of SLLC at the Toyota dealership.

    It is made by Valvoline, and the spec sheet seems to mirror pretty well what I think I know about SLLC .

    Opinions please.

    Addendum:
    General info
    Places to buy:
    Locally at NAPA auto parts. $14 a gallon in my city
    Online; best price I found was $13 a gallon through zorotools.com ($50 purchase has free S&H)
     
    #1 SageBrush, Jul 23, 2013
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  2. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    My comment would be, for something that is changed so infrequently why would you want to save a few dollars on this?
     
    #2 jdcollins5, Jul 24, 2013
  3. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    I paid $18.95 for my last gal of Toyota SLLC, so the price difference is not worth it to me. However, the chemistry is advertised to be very similar to most Asian coolants, so I think it will probably work fine.
     
    #3 The Critic, Jul 24, 2013
  4. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    I am going to drain/refill both coolant circuits during my next 'big' DIY maintenance. I'll need about 4 gallons of coolant, and could pay about $100 at the dealership, or I can pay $52 online and have the stuff delivered to my home.

    Huh. Let me think about this ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
     
    #4 SageBrush, Jul 24, 2013
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  5. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    Now available on Amazon.com

     
    #5 Mike500, Oct 6, 2014
  6. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Zorotools still sells the product, now $14.32 a gallon, free S&H
    Link.
     
    #6 SageBrush, Oct 7, 2014
  7. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    I just came across your response. You can get the Toyota SLLC for $19 a gallon or $76 for 4 gallons. So you save $24.

    OK, my point being that it would not be worth $24 to me for something that I will change every 3 years.

    YMMV
     
    #7 jdcollins5, Oct 7, 2014
  8. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I was thinking about using zerex at $13.99 from napa. But then found toyota sllc for $17. Used the more expensive stuff
     
    #8 JC91006, Oct 7, 2014
  9. genonervo

    genonervo Junior Member

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    This coolant meets Toyota specs at walmart online; Valvoline Asian Vehicle Formula Antifreeze 871668 was $8.38 a few days ago now $11.97.
    I'm new...says I can't post links yet.

    • Silicate free, phosphate Hybrid Organic Acid Technology
    • Provides protection of 5 years or 150,000 miles
    • pre-mixed 50/50.
    • Color is pink
     
    #9 genonervo, Oct 2, 2016
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  10. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    The Zerex (aka, Valvoline) stuff is in O'Reilly and Wal-Mart stores, among others, at much lower prices. My manual doesn't say we HAVE to uses Toyota SLLC, it says use it or equivalent, which Valvoline promises their version is. Why be paranoid?
     
    #10 CR94, Oct 6, 2016
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    For me it's not paranoia, just practical chauvinism: this is I'm buying once in a decade. With the alternative fluid I'm saving maybe $10, and there's an outside chance it's not compatible.
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, Oct 6, 2016
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