I talked to my mechanic buddy and when I mentioned getting Toyota Red to replace the coolant in my car, he was sorta iffy saying that it is of different thickness (or i suppose viscosity) and may cause headgasket issues.

So before I jump on Toyota Red - just want to make sure that this is not the issue in this case as he told me to be 100% sure the coolant is compatible to avoid crap in the future.

Sooooo - I am not stepping into any trouble by getting coolant that is designed for a different car, correct?

 

As long as the ingredients including nothing that looks like it has silicates in it, I'd say it's ok.

As for viscosity and headgaskets, I find that a little strange. But mixing types sounds like a bad idea.

Any reason you want to change? It's not like Maximas are overheating with the regular coolant.

Dave

 

I'm low tech AND lazy so when I replaced my radiator and flushed, I used the pre-made Prestone 50/50 mix. No issues so far.

 

The car wasn't designed to use Toyota Red. Just toss that around for a bit.

Think about the type of seals, gaskets and other materials it comes in contact with. Are they spec'd for Toyota Red?
If your water pump seal fails, is it a cheap and easy fix?
Is there any real benefit to using the red stuff over the green stuff? Seriously.......

 

I always thought coolant was coolant....prestone 50/50 mixture has always worked for me... except...my resevoir has a leak(?)

 

Hrm well when I was browsing around and asking about 90K service, people here recommended toyota red or honda blue...

 

I used Prestone "Mix with all colors" . I just got the car with 170,000 miles and I know it hasn't had anything but green up to now. If it were me, I wouldn't mix colors, and I would just be sure to change often.

 

I'll just buy the OEM nissan coolant and call it a day.

 

Zerex G-O5, good for 150k, or 5 years, i plan to run it for 3 years regardless of mileage (likely 50kish) Redily avaliable, and silicate free.

The BITOG crowd loves it

 

Use only Nissan coolants even if they cost $20/Gallon full strength. I messed around with the Prestone stuff and recently had to replace the radiator, it was clogged!!!

Any other coolant other than Nissan is at ur own risk, not worth it since I have been thro it.

 

I went with Honda Blue when I changed my radiator, 8 months later and 13k later no problems.

 

Along with new coolant, you need a new mechanic.......................coolant viscosity? Yikes.............................................

 

I don't think that was good advice. Changing coolants will gain you nothing and leaves open the question of whether it's compatible with your system. Unless you simply can't get the normal silicate-free or Nissan coolant, it's downright foolish to dump different formulations in there.

Plus, any time you switch something like coolant types, I believe they recommend that you completely flush the old stuff out. That's a minor pain in the butt - and again - for no gain at all.

Dave

 

I just changed the rad at 264,xxx miles. It had to replaced because of a crack, not because it was clogged. I have never used Nissan coolant.