Low coolant level

[phxAz]

My 2025 Toyota Tacoma has 23,000 miles and has been serviced by Toyota every 5,000 mile's. The fluid level is now very low, and Toyota never mentioned this during any of the service's.

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[MT-Taco]

Top it off.

 

[IDontWorkForTheWaterCo]

If you don't feel like going to the dealer for the coolant, get some Valvoline Zerex pink. It's basically identical to Toyota's SLLC. Ive used it for years in all manner of Toyotas

 

[phxAz]

If you don't feel like going to the dealer for the coolant, get some Valvoline Zerex pink. It's basically identical to Toyota's SLLC. Ive used it for years in all manner of Toyotas

I’ll go to Toyota on Monday. I’m just surprised that my dealer always marks the coolant level as good, when it’s actually always low.

 

[maxx075]

Ever notice any slight sweet coolant smell after turning it off? Mine occasionally does and I've had to have mine refilled as well. Around 30k or so and I was at the Low level.

 

[IDontWorkForTheWaterCo]

Pretty normal to get a slight wiff of coolant around the reservoir on a warm engine. All 3 gens do this.

 

[phxAz]

Ever notice any slight sweet coolant smell after turning it off? Mine occasionally does and I've had to have mine refilled as well. Around 30k or so and I was at the Low level.

Honestly, I’m not sure if I smell coolant, but I was surprised to see that the truck had lost that much coolant after only 23,000 miles. I usually don’t check the engine bay, and I’ve had the truck serviced regularly at a Toyota dealership every 5,000 miles. They haven’t mentioned anything about the coolant level or any possible issues. All of my service records state that the fluids were checked and topped off.

 

[Mercedes]

I usually don’t check the engine bay, and I’ve had the truck serviced regularly at a Toyota dealership every 5,000 miles. They haven’t mentioned anything about the coolant level or any possible issues. All of my service records state that the fluids were checked and topped off.

As you've confirmed, what's seen under the hood doesn't always align with what's documented on the ticket.

Oil change stations are focused on sending as many vehicles through the line as possible, not necessarily doing a thorough (or correct) job. That, coupled with overall reliability and build quality of modern vehicles, items which were previously checked frequently, aren't.

I recommend anyone getting oil changes and general service to check fluids before leaving the dealer. Oil level, coolant reservoir, brake fluid, battery terminals, followed by an overall visual. Bonus points for taking a quick look underneath.

As part of my maintenance routine, I check under the hood, underneath, tire tread and tire pressures once a month.

I’ll go to Toyota on Monday.

I think that's a good idea. You're still under warranty. Seeing the dealer will start a history, paper trail and lend support if repairs are needed.

Ever notice any slight sweet coolant smell after turning it off?

Occasionally, yes.

It seems to be a phenomenon with newer generations of vehicles? I've noticed it. I've read similar comments in Ford and Jeep forums. Attached is a video highlighting an interesting detail of an electric VW pump.

I'm still learning my truck. I consider the smell a characteristic of the engine.

 

[IDontWorkForTheWaterCo]

On a some what related note....I'm a once-a-week hood popper. Oil check, fluid checks and inspection. It's habit every Wednesday afternoon. I think it stems from being a kid and watching my father dump oil into whatever clunker we had at that moment. Being poor, checking under the hood frequently was an absolute requirement with the shit buckets we had.

 

[MT-Taco]

I topped mine off once at about 2K miles. I’m at 48K now and it’s fine. Probably just a few pockets of air from the factory fill.

 

[phxAz]

I topped mine off once at about 2K miles. I’m at 48K now and it’s fine. Probably just a few pockets of air from the factory fill.

I hope so—I’ll take it to the dealer tomorrow and see what they say since the truck is still under warranty.

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