The ULTIMATE 4Runner Coolant DRAIN and FILL

In this video I will take you through the process of draining and refilling the coolant on your 5th Gen 4Runner. This method will drain most of the coolant without overcomplicating things.
Tip: Tighten end of vinyl tubing with zip tie for engine block as drain is slightly smaller
Coolant fill kit - amzn.to/3xPwI0u
Vinyl Tubing 3/8 I.D. - amzn.to/4aXBZl2
Toyota Coolant (I used 2 gallons) - amzn.to/4aZiYii
Torque Wrench (set to 10ft/lbs) - amzn.to/4aCp4p5
I hope you found this video helpful, thanks for watching!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases at no extra charge to you. Thank you for your support!

[@wolfeadventures]

Great job. Just a note. Regardless of how well you burp it while idling, the system will continue to burp small amounts of air over the next few hundred miles. That will impact the overflow tank level. Don’t panic, it will eventually get all air out and the tank level will stop lowering.

[@T4Rgarage]

Good call! Definitely a good idea to keep an eye on the overflow tank and top up as necessary. Thank you!

[@jollytime0811]

Yeah, I noticed the same thing when I changed the coolant in my Yaris. I just topped it off over the course of about a week when the fluid dipped slightly. After that, it leveled and was good to go.

[@joesphmarzella1936]

Thanks guys ! I will definitely keep that in mind . 👍

[@jollytime0811]

Followed this video on my 4Runner and Yaris with 0 issues. You've got the clearest instructions out of all DIY videos I've watched. Thank you!

[@rommel-777]

Awesome! Thank you for providing such high quality content. The 4R community is just amazing. God Bless you all!

[@T4Rgarage]

Thanks so much!

[@KingSev]

Agreed ! A1 all the time !

[@morfdq]

Great video. Very easy to follow

[@leafinitup1]

Great video with clear instructions. Thanks

[@ian0841]

Very well done on this video!

[@Robert-Jaudon]

Thank you! Heading out today to get fluid to do the flush. ALways great content and I appreciate your time and effort.

[@GE-pu8vt]

The best video that I have seen on doing this job....Thank you

[@dmitryperekopsky7026]

Thanks man, great video and info

[@trailrunnah8886]

Excellent video, clear, concise, to the point. I had kind of forgotten about this, I'm gearing up to change all my other fluids, I'll add this to the list.

[@craiglee1707]

Thanks for doing these videos. I love the list of tools and parts before you run us through the job.

[@T4Rgarage]

Glad you like them!

[@meatball1080]

Great videos, keep them coming!

[@T4Rgarage]

Thank you!

[@tylerbarton541]

Found your channel a couple weeks ago and have started purchasing everything i need for the 100k maintenance on my 2015. Thank you so much for this. Your videos are high quality, very informative, and have fantastic execution!

[@T4Rgarage]

Thank you!!

[@charlestimmis273]

Good job man.. you rock.. I do all the work on the 4Runner myself too... please be always extra safe and always use double jack stands for backup.. and put tires under the car if lifted...

[@abetownneufeld6057]

Very nice.. doing that

[@AdamChannel1000]

5/16 ID tubing fits the block drain perfectly, FYI.

[@stormtrooper4r]

Your video instructions are simple, on point and effective. Thank you and I subscribed and follow you on IG as well.

[@T4Rgarage]

Thank you!

[@4runner1grfe]

Thank you

[@jrod96819]

I’m pushing 40,000 on my 2016 5th gen gonna go ahead and do this for some preventative maintenance hopefully the water pump will last longer..🤙🏽

[@mattfredericks5999]

Good job. Nice vid. Make sure not to back off the drain valve too much on the radiator or it will drain down the tube as well as all over the skid plate. Thanks 👍

[@billbill1797]

@T4Rgarage Very nicely done video. I think you did a great job explaining the procedure and detailing each tool that was used. Two questions though - can an ordinary funnel be used or is there something in the bleeding that makes the funnel in the video better? Is more bleeding required if the funnel with the seal is not used?

[@davidf9027]

I just drain the radiator, refill as you did, drive for a few days and repeat. I don't do the engine block. I mean, with your method you're getting 8 out of 11qts (so even with the engine block drain it's not a full drain) and with my method I pretty much get the same. Sure, mine may keep a bit more of the 'pre-changed' coolant, but it's really easy/quick to do and I've done it every 50k (first at 50k and just repeated as I turned 100k). Either way is more than enough, I'm sure! Thanks for the video.

[@kannermw]

Your method is no where near as effective. By draining block it allows you to add 2/3 capacity for equivalent 66% fresh coolant. By doing just radiator it is 33% first time but you are then drawing 1/3 volume which includes 1/3 fresh coolant and replacing it. You method is thus ending up with 55% fresh coolant equivalent (100%+33%×2)/3=55%

[@rickseifert9040]

Great video. Is it a good idea to change the hoses at 100k as well?

[@derekwilliams9154]

Another banger, thanks for making. I think you've pretty much done videos on all routine maintenance at this point. We're going to have to start requesting more obscure tasks. 😂

[@T4Rgarage]

Thank you! I’m thinking spark plugs next…..then maybe how to replace the windshield washer fluid 🤣

[@jeremysmothers5143]

Have you made a power steering fluid flush video?

[@T4Rgarage]

@@jeremysmothers5143 Thanks for the reminder Jeremy, that’s definitely one I need to do soon as well

[@jollytime0811]

​@@T4Rgarage Serpentine belt adjustment and/or replacement? Depending on if you need it though

[@derekwilliams9154]

Maybe you can focus on the 'soft skills' of 4Runner maintenance,@@T4Rgarage - like how to convince our wives to let us install mods like the Victory 4x4 DAM on their daily drivers.

[@forgerable]

i know its very basic, can you do a tire rotation indicating all the jack points dont want to mess the part/body that is not the jack points. Thanks.

[@WK2299]

Thanks a lot for the very good video. It will help me a lot. I read some things about draining the thermostat too. What about it? Why did you not include it in the video. Is it necessary? Thank you

[@T4Rgarage]

The Toyota service manual calls for the engine drain(s) and radiator drain only. I think this is why the service interval after the first change goes from every 100k to every 50k, as you don’t quite get all the fluid out. This method gets most of it out though without overcomplicating things. Hope that helps

[@joesphmarzella1936]

Awesome job on the step by step video. This will help me tremendously and gave me the courage to try this for myself. Thank you for all the great information and as others have said listing what is needed. Please keep the videos coming ! Quick question on changing the coolant. When graining the blook do I turn the heat knob to the heat position ? Thank you in advance for your reply! Also how difficult is it going to be to burp all the air out of the system and in all tips will be very helpful. Again thank you so much!

[@T4Rgarage]

Thank you! Yes, you should have the heat knob cranked to max. Follow the procedure to burp most of the air, little bit will work its way out on its own after. Just keep an eye on your overflow tank for 2 weeks and top up if necessary.

[@joesphmarzella1936]

@@T4Rgarage sounds good . Thank you !

[@jjgionet1735]

Another great video! I know oil changes are easy and I don't think you have ever done a video on one, but my question would be what your thoughts are on engine oil additives like Ceratec Liquimoly for 4Runners?🤔

[@T4Rgarage]

Thank you! I haven’t researched additives much. I think I would stick to whatever is recommended by the manufacturer unless there was an issue. A high quality synthetic is what I use with factory Toyota branded filter

[@trailrunnah8886]

I just watched a video on additives, they ran lab tests on oil with and without the extra additives, turns out the additives actually made the oil perform worse.

[@user-wm5is3bi3y]

Great video as always.. I have 2016 4runner Sr5.. and manual states 11.1 qt so I need 3 Gal? Thank you

[@T4Rgarage]

You won’t get all of the fluid out but 3 gallons is good just to be safe and to ensure you top up the overflow as necessary

[@user-wm5is3bi3y]

@@T4Rgarage much appreciated.. I will do it today

[@tzetter]

Two things-The blue cap with the blue nozzle from the funnel kit shown here fit tighter on my 2018 the green one in the video was very loose and leaked when filling the funnel. The recommended tubing is definitely too big for the engine block drain it drips and runs everywhere. 1/4 is too small so what’s the secret to keep this thing from dripping all over the place?

[@timpve]

Have you ever used a compresssor to pull a vacuum on the cooling system (to check for leaks) and then filled it using the vacuum to eliminate trapped air?

[@T4Rgarage]

I haven’t, I’ll have to look into that though, always open to learning new techniques. Are the attachments pricey?

[@pveca]

PS Really enjoy your videos. I have two 4Runners (2020 & 2021)

[@mujtaballa3105]

Is it necessary to drain from the engine block? What if you just drain from the radiator?

[@T4Rgarage]

You’ll only drain about a gallon (4qts) from the radiator alone. Draining the engine block will allow you to drain almost another gallon. You will exchange much more fluid by draining the block

[@colintran1069]

Will this process work for a 4th gen too? Specifically, just draining the coolant from the engine block. Is there a drain on the block for 4th gens?

[@T4Rgarage]

If you have the V6 it should be the same, except you will have two drains on the block. Drivers and passenger side. You could get away with just draining the drivers side though

[@tonyg7373]

Hello. I am about to do this process on my 4Runner. When refilling do you wait for the thermostat to open and then add more fluid.

[@T4Rgarage]

Yes, the thermostat open when you reach operating temperature.

[@tonyg7373]

Thank you

[@petyweestraw]

Is that rust prevention all over the place or leaks?

[@T4Rgarage]

It’s fluid film black, 1 gallon

[@chrishernandez7623]

Will this video apply to the 2015 4Runner limited v6 ? Also I have 65k miles should I go ahead and change the coolant let me know you guys thoughts thank youuu👊🏼

[@SalMadrigal]

In your video you show 55-45 pre-diluted coolant. On the Amazon link the coolant shown is 50-50. Which one is the correct one?

[@T4Rgarage]

Hi there, I am in Canada so they have tweaked the formula a little here the colder winters. Both will work just fine though

[@SalMadrigal]

@@T4Rgarage I see. Thank you.

[@scholz222]

Did you fluid film underneath?

[@T4Rgarage]

Fluid film black…a gallon lol

[@scholz222]

@@T4Rgarage love the videos. Using them to keep my 2020 4R in top shape. Hope to see my son drive it in 7 years. Thank you!!

[@edwardjohannes360]

Probably should add what to do with the used coolant.

[@dcabinet]

looks like you have some significant oil leaks... unless that is some sort of undercoating?

[@T4Rgarage]

It’s fluid film black, and a lot of it haha

[@teddynaicker2997]

​@@T4RgarageGood Product, my 2023 SR5 Premium is also covered with oil based rust proof including fluid film. Just trying to protect my investment from rust as much as possible. Our winter is brutal here in Toronto Canada.

[@T4Rgarage]

@@teddynaicker2997 I hear ya, our roads here have been terrible these past few weeks. Lots of salt being used by our municipality. Some of the salt chunks are the size of small rocks. You have to protect the undercarriage and frame on these things so they last as long as the drivetrain

[@kimbuck2177]

​@@teddynaicker2997Fluid F works great. No rust on our '22. Washed the body at a do it yourself car wash last winter from time to time. Left the underside alone until spring. In the good weather, I use a "sidewalk broom" attachment for the pressure washer that has polyurethane wheels. Roll it back and forth spraying upwards to flush it often. I learned the hard way on a Jeep what salt can do.

[@teddynaicker2997]

​@@kimbuck2177exactly same here. Just the coin car wash myself during the winter for the exterior. I don't touch underneath . I just use low pressure garden hose to rinse off underneath in April to remove bit of salt build up in certain spots. I Also remove the spare tire and rinse that spot also and then spray more rust proof in certain spots. I like how dust sticks on the rust proof and forms a nice thick barrier . Cheers!

[@lizardofozz88]

So your hose sizing did not fit on the engine drain. Might I recommend people use the radiator pickup hose from the radiator reservoir to connect to the drain ports. Then you also don’t have to purchase the tubing and it doesn’t make a mess of coolant on the engine block. Otherwise great video thanks for posting.

[@genehart261]

if you leave the radiator cap on during the initial drain you will drain most of the reservoir.

[@Baebon6259]

hell yeah Physics.

[@jeremysmothers5143]

If you don’t wanna deal with draining the block just drain and fill the radiator 2 or 3 times over the course of a week while running heat to flush/mix out all old fluid