Toyota vehicles use a variety of coolant types depending on the year, make, and model. Most modern Toyotas use a pink or red coolant, but some older models use a bright orange coolant. This orange fluid is Toyota’s original long-life coolant, also known as Toyota Super Long Life Coolant or Toyota SLLC.
What is Toyota Super Long Life Coolant?
Toyota Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC) is an ethylene glycol-based orange organic acid technology (OAT) coolant that was introduced in 1991. It was designed to last for the lifetime of the vehicle under normal driving conditions, hence the name “super long life.”
Some key features of Toyota SLLC include:
- Bright orange color for easy identification.
- Long service life – designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle under normal conditions.
- Provides corrosion protection for aluminum and metal engine components.
- Formulated for Toyota engines and cooling systems.
Toyota SLLC contains a combination of ethylene glycol antifreeze, deionized water, and proprietary organic acid corrosion inhibitors. It has a higher boiling point and lower freezing point than conventional green coolants, allowing it to perform well in hot and cold weather extremes.
What Toyota Vehicles Use Super Long Life Coolant?
Toyota SLLC was installed as factory fill coolant in most Toyota vehicles produced between 1991 and 2001. Some examples of Toyota models that use the orange SLLC include:
| Model Years | Toyota Models |
|---|---|
| 1991-1997 | Camry, Corolla, Land Cruiser, Previa, Tacoma |
| 1992-1996 | Celica, T100 |
| 1993-1997 | Tercel |
| 1995-2000 | Avalon, RAV4, Sienna, Supra |
| 1997-2001 | Camry, Sienna, Solara |
In most cases, Toyota recommends continuing to use SLLC for the life of these vehicles if it was factory filled. However, some exclusions may apply if major engine repairs have required a switch to a newer coolant.
Maintenance and Replacement Intervals
One of the key benefits of Toyota Super Long Life Coolant is its long maintenance intervals. Under normal driving conditions, Toyota designed this coolant to last for the lifetime of the vehicle without the need for replacement.
However, Toyota does recommend checking SLLC at major service intervals to ensure protection is maintained. These intervals include:
- 60,000 miles or 72 months – inspect level and test freeze point
- 90,000 miles or 108 months – drain and refill if freeze point is more than -31°F
- 150,000 miles or 180 months – drain and refill regardless of freeze point
If any major engine repairs or issues have occurred, Toyota may recommend draining and refilling with fresh SLLC earlier than these intervals. Additionally, if SLLC is diluted or contaminated, it may need to be replaced sooner to maintain proper corrosion protection.
Compatibility with Other Coolants
Toyota does not recommend mixing different types of coolant together in their vehicles. SLLC is an organic acid technology (OAT) coolant that is not compatible with conventional coolants or other OAT formulas.
If SLLC needs to be topped off in between service intervals, Toyota specifies to use only Genuine Toyota Super Long Life Coolant. Adding universal or conventional coolants can reduce corrosion protection and cause damage over time.
If a complete coolant flush and refill is required, the cooling system must be thoroughly cleaned and flushed before switching to a different coolant type. The preferred replacement coolant for Toyota SLLC is Genuine Toyota Pink Long Life Coolant (pn 00272-SLLC00P-20).
Identifying Toyota Super Long Life Coolant
The bright orange color of Toyota Super Long Life Coolant makes it easy to identify in a vehicle. However, there are some other key properties that can help confirm it is SLLC:
- Orange color – brighter and more neon orange than standard coolants
- Translucent – should be mostly clear but maintain orange hue when backlit
- No odor – may have faint chemical smell but no strong odor like conventional coolants
- High boiling point – approximately 265°F (129°C)
- Low freeze point – minimum -31°F (-35°C)
- Miscible – should readily mix with water with no separation or gloppy texture
Testing the freeze point with a refractometer is the most reliable way to identify and test SLLC concentration. The fluid should also be labeled as meeting Toyota spec TC-0119 inside the radiator cap or expansion tank.
Availability and Cost of Toyota Super Long Life Coolant
Since Toyota SLLC has been discontinued on new vehicles since 2001, availability can be limited depending on your location. However, there are still some options:
- Genuine Toyota dealers – Most Toyota dealers still stock or can order Super Long Life Coolant in gallon containers. However, it tends to be expensive, often $25-$35 per gallon.
- Online retailers – Limited options available, but sometimes sold by online Toyota parts retailers for $20-$30 per gallon.
- Salvage yards – Can purchase used SLLC from older Toyota models. Needs to be tested before use.
- Aftermarket – Some major coolant brands claim their universal OAT coolants are a suitable replacement.
When purchasing Toyota SLLC, be sure to check that it meets the official Toyota spec TC-0119 to ensure you are getting the genuine fluid. Generic orange coolants may not offer the same protection.
Is it Safe to Switch Coolant Types?
Toyota does not recommend simply topping off the existing SLLC with a different type of coolant. Mixing types can result in reduced corrosion protection and sludge buildup over time.
However, a complete flush and conversion to a newer OAT coolant can be safely performed if done properly. Here are some important steps:
- Test the existing SLLC – check the freeze point and level before proceeding.
- Drain the old SLLC from the system.
- Thoroughly flush the system with distilled water 2-3 times to remove residual SLLC.
- Fill with the new coolant type per Toyota directions.
- Check levels after warm up cycles and top off if needed.
- Re-test freeze point after a few days to ensure proper dilution.
Ideally the conversion should be performed by a professional technician to ensure the system is properly cleaned and refilled. Always refer to Toyota directions for the specific vehicle when converting coolant types.
Conclusion
Toyota Super Long Life Coolant is an orange organic acid technology coolant used in many Toyota models between 1991 and 2001. It was designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle under normal conditions without the need for replacement. While availability is limited for this discontinued fluid, it can still be obtained from Toyota dealers or online retailers. When performing maintenance or repairs that require conversion to a newer coolant, be sure to follow Toyota procedures to avoid any long-term issues.