I've searched the forum for this but can't seem to find the answer: I recently noticed that the level of coolant in the reservoir of my 2003 Corolla is pretty low, so I just picked up a gallon of red coolant at the dealership to add some extra mix to the reservoir. The only times the radiator was ever flushed was during dealer maintenance, so I've never handled it myself. The clerk at the window told me that she wasn't sure this was the right kind for my car since they "changed the formulation" around that year's model. She said that if I have red coolant in the radiator, then the gallon I picked up should be fine, but if it's more pinkish, then I need to exchange what I bought for the right kind. (I wasn't driving my Corolla when I went there so I had to return home and check). Well what I have is more pink than red, but if it's diluted 50-50 then that's probably what it ought to be.
Is there such a thing as pink versus red? Was there really a change in formulation around 2003? I thought that red coolant is just that, I didn't think there are different types of incompatible reds. Anybody have a clue? I'd appreciate it - thanks!