How to check AND change your own coolant on a Camry Hybrid, no dealer required., by Johnny on the Go on YouTube. 2 min 22 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 22 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Park on level ground and let the car sit until the engine and cooling system are completely cold. Never open the cap on a warm system.
Pop the hood and find the coolant reservoir. A bright pink level sitting between MIN and MAX means the coolant is fine.
Look again if the coolant is muddy, dark, cloudy or below MIN. That is your signal to drain and replace it.
Slide the drain pan under the radiator, fit a hex 10 socket on a half-inch drive and undo the drain plug. Let it run empty.
Fit a new crush washer on the plug and torque it back in. Never reuse the old washer or it may seep.
Fill through a funnel with Toyota Long Life or Peak Red/Pink coolant up to the full line on the reservoir.
Plug your scan tool into the car, open the hybrid menu and activate the inverter water pump in one-minute bursts.
Top off the reservoir as the level drops with each burst. Keep going until the bubbles stop rising and the level holds.
Refit the cap, run the car for a few minutes, then recheck the level cold and top off if needed.
Tips and common mistakes
Coolant is toxic and sweet tasting, so keep the drain pan away from pets and take old fluid to a recycling centre.
Buy the correct pink formula for your car rather than a random universal bottle.
Without a scan tool that can run the hybrid pump, air can stay trapped in the system, so borrow or buy one before you start.
Check the level once a month and you will spot a slow leak long before the engine runs hot.
Questions
How often should I check the coolant?
Once a month is plenty. It takes under a minute and catches low or dirty coolant early.
Can I just top it up instead of changing it?
Yes, if the coolant is still bright pink and the level is only slightly low. Dark, cloudy or muddy fluid means a full change.
Why does a hybrid need a scan tool to bleed the system?
The inverter pump is electric and runs on its own. Triggering it with a scan tool pushes trapped air out so the system fills properly.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
