How do you change the antifreeze for a 2001 Toyota Echo?

Answer 1

Buy some Toyota antifreez from the dealer and follow the steps given in this link:

http://www.yarisfans.com/forum/yaf_postst178_Toyota-Echo-DIY--Coolant--Radiator-Fluid-Change.aspx

Or follow the directions below

DIY Engine Coolant Change/ Radiator Fluid Change

This is a DIY for changing your Echo's coolant. If you follow the 5,000 mile maintenance interval you should be changing your coolant every 30,000 miles. The coolant capacity ranges from 4.4 litters for echos with manual transmissions to 4.3 litters for echos with automatic transmissions. Until this DIY I have never changed my coolant before. It is so easy you are better off doing it yourself and saving the money. There is a nipple at the bottom of the radiator that makes collecting the used coolant extremely easy. I used Toyota coolant. It was about $25.00 for a gallon.

*Before starting please make sure you have the following tools:

--- a container to hold the 50/50 coolant/distilled water mix

--- some tubing ¼"Inside Dimension - you can purchase this at a Lowes or Home Depot

--- ramps or a jack and jack stands

--- a funnel

--- a gallon of distilled water

--- container to place used coolant in

--- new Toyota coolant

--- some rags and news papers.

--- a measuring cup

1. Drive up on ramps - this allows easy access to radiator drain plug. Carefully drive up the ramps. After driving up ramps set e brake and rear wheel chocks to keep vehicle from rolling backwards..

--- Pic of front of car while up on ramps

--- Pic of rear of car showing rear wheel chock while up on ramps.

--- View of radiator drain nipple after car is on ramps.

--- Close up view of radiator drain nipple

2. Connect ¼" ID rubber drain hose to drain plug nipple. - Then place other end of drain hose into the container that will catch the old coolant.

--- ¼" Inside Dimension Drain Hose.

--- Drain nipple with hose attached. Just slide hose over nipple.

--- Drain tube going from drain nipple to waste container. Make sure you use a container that can hold at least 4.5 litters.

3. Drain coolant. - Open the drain plug. It is located above the drain nipple. You will be able to see the drain plug from under the car if you look above the splashguard. Be careful to only unscrew the drain plug a little. Just enough for coolant to start flowing. If you unscrew the drain plug too far it will come completely out along with coolant and you will have a mess on your hands.

--- Picture showing radiator drain plug location.

--- Picture showing coolant draining into container.

--- Picture showing coolant draining into container.

4. Mix up coolant. - Using measuring cup put equal amounts of Toyota coolant and distilled water into the mixing container (I used an empty one gallon water jug with a screw on top). To mix the coolant I measured out 500ML at a time (1000ML is a liter) of coolant and then distilled water into the jug until I had a total of 3 Litters mixed at a ratio of 50/50.

--- Picture showing coolant mixing items. From left to right distilled water, measuring cup, Toyota Antifreeze & Coolant Mixing Jug with funnel.

5. Fill Radiator with coolant. - After coolant has stopped draining close radiator drain plug , remove tube from drain nipple. Remove radiator cap (engine should be cold, make sure cap is clean of debris so that nothing falls into radiator). Place funnel in opening and slowly pour coolant mixture into radiator. Allow time for coolant to drain into radiator. In order to fill up the radiator you may have to mix another 50/50 batch of coolant. After radiator is full put the radiator cap back on and fill up the engine coolant resevior tank with coolant to the full line Before removing the cap to the engine coolant reservoir make sure the area is clean so no debris fall into the tank. After coolant is to the full line in the coolant reservoir put cap back on.

--- Funnel in radiator fill tube.

--- Radiator filled with new coolant (50/50 mix).

After filling the radiator and reservoir tank you should run the engine with the heater set to hot on high for a little while. Then verify that the coolant level in the reservoir tank is ok. Add if necessary. After your first trip of 10 miles or so le the engine cool, remove the radiator cap and add more coolant mix if necessary. Then check the coolant reservoir and add more coolant mix if necessary.

This concludes my DIY for an Echo Coolant Change! Note that coolant is toxic and extremely poisonous if ingested. Animals such as cats and dogs tend to lick it up if it has spilled anywhere because it has a sweet odor or taste. Be very careful to not spill any. If any coolant has spilled soak up as much as you can with an old rag or towels and then thoroughly rinse the area with water. Because the coolant is going to be in the radiator for the whole year or 30,000 miles I prefer to go with the Toyota long life coolant. This assures that I do not have to worry about any adverse chemical reactions within the radiator (such as if you use an alcohol based coolant).

Below are the pages of the shop manual pertaining to a coolant change. If you have any questions or comments let me know. If you want to see any of the pics utilized in this DIY in greater detail click on the following link:

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/56 ... good-times

--- Shop Manual Page

--- Shop Manual Page

--- Summary layout of the engine compartment for reference.