Easy Maintenance Tip: Coolant pH and Brake Fluid Strips

[Heritage 2020]

Greetings All,

I recommend you purchase test strips for your coolant and brake fluid (pH/freeze for coolant and corrosion for brake)

NOT a brand endorser/social media influencer, thus the photo of my test strip results on my 2020 Heritage Edition will hopefully show the brand I prefer.
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As we swing into “winter” (depending on where you live), some may place vehicles into storage—or catch up on overdue maintenance.

There is no “winter” where I live; thus, I’m focused on overdue maintenance for my collection of toys and family vehicles.

Good news is my 2020 HE is tip top (photo below)—as Wolfchase/Penske Toyota dealership did a 60k coolant system complete flush/fill, PS flush/fill, transmission flush/fill a few months ago. Yes, I trust my dealership due to personal relationships—plus, my LC is my daily driver and the one vehicle I don’t like working on—as I prefer to work on sports cars/American muscle.

NOTE1: Photo is from today with 68859 miles, as we are heading to Big Bend and then to Santa Fe for the holidays tomorrow.

NOTE2: INTENT FOR RECOMMENDING test strips is due to CCN discussion about head gaskets/coolant acidity on the 3UR-FE (only relevant to those who don’t maintain their vehicles or purchase used without maintenance history). Hopefully peace of mind for some—or reminder to do some maintenance!

 

[ryanCA]

Thank you for the info. I check my coolant monthly now.

Does Wolfchase/Penske Toyota dealership have any advice on how often we should replace the head gasket preventatively? Since the whole HG/Coolant issue discovery has happened on the 200, I don't take it out of the city. I don't want to be stranded somewhere, and any piece of mind info you can provide would be helpful from the trusted dealership sources.

 

[Heritage 2020]

Thank you for the info. I check my coolant monthly now.

Does Wolfchase/Penske Toyota dealership have any advice on how often we should replace the head gasket preventatively? Since the whole HG/Coolant issue discovery has happened on the 200, I don't take it out of the city. I don't want to be stranded somewhere, and any piece of mind info you can provide would be helpful from the trusted dealership sources.

@ryanCA

3UR-FE is 100% bulletproof with maintenance per OEM guidelines.

There are no recommended head gasket replacement intervals.

NOTE: I suggested the test strips for those who might be fearful of pH levels—based on the CCN post indicating that there may be a correlation between maintenance negligence and head gasket failure (which is a no brainer as maintenance is key).

Feel free to PM.

 

[KLF]

Does Wolfchase/Penske Toyota dealership have any advice on how often we should replace the head gasket preventatively? Since the whole HG/Coolant issue discovery has happened on the 200, I don't take it out of the city. I don't want to be stranded somewhere, and any piece of mind info you can provide would be helpful from the trusted dealership sources.

This is getting old. Let it go. Not even funny anymore.

 

[KLF]

I bought a package of these test strips this summer, as I was starting on the typical front end re-do (radiator, water pump, pulleys, etc). I had 9 years and 105,000 miles on what I am pretty sure is the factory coolant and brake fluid. Figured I'd compare old vs new as I was doing the job. Old stuff tested on the left, new on the right. To me they are identical. Wondering how qualitative these strips really are.

 

[gasman4u]

If you're that worried, send a sample off to Wearcheck, etc. Blackstone apparently is not what the bitog guru's prefer due to flashpoint calculation issues among other things with UOA's. But you would get legitimate data vs just "what shade of purple do you think this is?"

I'll keep doing a drain and fill and call it a day. If I overheat, I overheat. I'm willing to take whatever "risk" that may entail. But I like to live dangerously I guess...