I've posted this before, but what is the proper re-fill coolant for the Maxima. My 2K2 owner's manual stipulates that I use Nissan's Coolant. When I looked it up in the Service/Maintenance Schedule booklet it shows a picture of Nissan's Long Life Coolant (green in color, but it says it contains no silicates, etc.). However, the change interval listed in the maintenance schedule recommends changing the coolant at 2 years/24K miles. I'm confused, if it's "long life" wouldn't it be similar to DEXCOOL (orange in color) used in GM cars which has a supposed change interval of 5 years/150K miles.
When I went to a local Nissan Dealer the service manager said that they use Zerex Coolant or whatever they have in stock (i.e. cheapest) and do not use Nissan Coolant. Well, if that's the case then they're mixing regular coolant with Nissan's Long Life Coolant and that's not good. Or with a complete flush and fill they are now putting in a coolant which is not "long life." Anyone know more about this?

Also, one other question: The MAX and MIN markings on the coolant resevoir are confusing...does the MAX correlate to HOT and MIN to COLD like on US vehicles? Or should you always ensure that the level in the coolant resevoir is at MAX when the engine is cold (i.e. after having sitting all night)?

 

Ideally, the replacement coolant should contain no silicates. It seems a lot of people here use Toyota Red. Personally, I use Zerex which has a low silicate content. Judging by the numbers of Japanese cars using coolants that contain silicants when they're not really supposed to and how long they last, I'm not too worried about it. Though this will spark lots of different opinions. Didn't this topic start a multi-page debate the last time you posted it??

The level in the overflow tank should be between Min and Max when cold. Any other time and it's not that accurate.

 

iwannabmw, thanks again. Yes, I've resurfaced this issue because it really does tick me off that a local Nissan Dealer admitted that he doesn't use the factory filled type of coolant.
And then I thought, if I decided to top off my resevoir bottle...shouldn't I be able to top it off witht he "right" coolant?
I will be stopping at different dealer this afternoon to see if they carry Nissan's Long Life Coolant.

 

iwannabmw, an update: I stopped another local Nissan Dealer late this afternoon and they definitely had the Nissan Long Life Coolant. I went ahead and purchased a gallon of it (keeping it alongside my other coolants...the regular one for the Stang and Neon and the Dexcool for the Vette).
The service manager said that they definitely use Nissans Long Life Coolant when changing (i.e. flushing/filling) the coolant on their Nissans. He also said that normal Prestone anti-freeze, even if just used to top your resevoir tank, contains silicates, etc., and will contaminate the factory fill and definitely take away it's longer lasting properties. Good info to know and pass on.

 

I've heard conflicting info regarding this silicate use equating to problems down the road. Can you add any details as to why its not wise to use it in imports?

 

From what I've picked up, the silicates have a detrimental effect on water pump seals and life due to the erosion they can cause. If the system is flushed frequently, I personally how big a problem this can be. If the system is neglected, I can see it being more of an issue.

Supposedly, Japanese cars are supposed to use a silicate free coolant. How many cars do you see serviced at gas stations etc. who use coolants like Prestone? I see quite a few, which is why I believe it's not as big a problem as some people make it out to be. Even some Nissan dealers apparently use whatever coolant is on hand. I use Zerex and change it once a year and I have yet to have problems. Who knows, maybe I'm in for a big surprise and the water pump will have to be replaced soon

 

iwannabmw, I agree with you that if you regularly change your coolant you shouldn't have any problems. In fact I believe the maintenance booklet states 24K miles or 2 years....which of course kind of lends their coolant to a misnomer since the label on the coolant jug says Nissan Long Life Coolant. I do know that for the Vette the DEXCOOL is supposedly good for 150K miles or 5 years (I will most likely have it changed when it hits the four year mark).

Now if Nissan really insisted on using their coolant they would have a sticker near the radiator stating that the coolant must be silicate free, etc. I haven't seen it.

However, now that I have found a Nissan dealer that does use "Nissan's Long Life Coolant"...that's where I will take her for a coolant change in two years. I will also have them do the Micronfilter clean-up at the same time. Oil/filter changes...those I do myself.

 

I've heard the same stuff Iwanna, I just wonder if there's hard proof to it or is it similar to the old synthetic oil eats seals stories we still hear. There was a website somewhere that focused on coolants and I'll have to track it down to better understand this. My car has 34k on it in 14 months and I haven't flushed the coolant so I want to know what I can use, ideally I'd use something similar to Dexcool that I could leave in for a long time....of course only if that's safe to use.

 

srbarnes4ever, your best bet is to call around to your local Nissan dealers and ask the service managers if they use Nissan's Long Life Coolant when flushing/filling. If they do, I would use them and that way you'll be replacing your coolant with what came from the factory and you won't have to worry if DEXCOOL, etc., fits the bill (not to mention you won't have to worry about any warranty issues should your water pump fail early, etc,... however I believe that the maintenance schedule recommends flushing/filling at 24K miles or 2 years ((whatever comes first)).