Antifreeze/Coolant Help Needed

[globe9]

I have a 2010 Nissan Rogue that I've had since brand new. I was checking fluid levels the other day and noticed that my coolant level seemed low. It was right at the "low" line on the reservoir. I know you're not supposed to fill this up completely as it's an overflow reservoir, but I want to add a little so that it's not sitting right at the low line.
I went to O'reillys with intent to purchase Zerex coolant for Japanese autos. I probably went to 6 different O'Reilly's looking for this particular coolant and all were sold out(according to Zerex website, it's only sold at O'Reillys and Napa). Anyway, the clerk suggested I buy Beck/Arnley Premium Antifreeze/Coolant as it's OEM for Nissan. The part # is 252-1501U. It says it's 50/50 prediluted and it's extended life blue. It was not cheap as it was around $22 for a gallon. I've got it now but am afraid to use it until I can be sure it's the same type that Nissan uses. I don't want to use the wrong antifreeze/coolant as I know this can cause problems.
Also, someone told me I really shouldn't just "top off" and that I should do a coolant flush before using the new coolant. Is that necessary? Apparently, that's not cheap either.

So basically, am I ok using Beck/Arnley Extended Life Blue Premium Antifreeze/Coolant in my 2010 Rogue? The current coolant in my Rogue is also blue in color.
And if so, can I just pour a little into the reservoir without flushing the whole system?
My Rogue has only been serviced at Nissan dealerships and I am meticulous with it, so I don't want to harm it anyway.

Thanks!!

[darylzero]

The correct anti-freeze from Nissan is part # 999MP-L25500P

I would suggest using only Nissan approved fluid.

Here is is thread you may be interested in, diy-coolant-flush-t565427.html

[globe9]

Thanks for the reply. From what the clerk told me this is the exact same fluid Nissan uses only its already diluted.
Thanks for the diy flush link but I'm never going to tackle that on my own. I just wanted to know if that was even necessary just to "top off" the fluid in the reservoir?

[ImStricken06]

It is best to use the same type of coolant originally used in your car or truck, or the vehicle manufacturer's current recommendations. According to industry experts, if you do not know what coolant is in the vehicle and you top off with another brand, nothing bad is going to happen. Only when dilution rates border 50% is the effectiveness of each coolant's inhibitor package compromised. However, when mixing coolants, the recommended coolant change interval will degrade to that of the shorter-life coolant.

did you check when things were cold or hot?

[DTASFAB]

My understanding, based on what I've been told, is that all the blue long-life Japanese OEM coolants come pre-mixed 50/50 and they're all essentially the same. I don't have time to find it now, but I remember reading on this forum within the past couple months that someone took a Rogue to a dealer that services both Nissans and Hondas for a radiator flush, and the part number on the repair order for the coolant was the Honda part number. If a dealer is willing to swap OEM coolants between manufacturers like this, I wouldn't worry too much about it. I've also been told by my regular mechanic that all pre-mixed 50/50 long-life coolants are basically the same, and the color is based solely on which dye is used. It's important to use a high quality long-life coolant, but I don't think the Rogue's radiator is nearly as sensitive as the CVT would be using something other than Nissan's OEM NS-2 or NS-3 ATF.

[ImStricken06]

its more about the metals used for the engine block/cyl head. back in the day the wrong fluid would cause some heads to develop scaling that would clog the rad. the colors are really a game, now a days.

[TrevorK]

Thanks for the reply. From what the clerk told me this is the exact same fluid Nissan uses only its already diluted.
Thanks for the diy flush link but I'm never going to tackle that on my own. I just wanted to know if that was even necessary just to "top off" the fluid in the reservoir?

No, you do not have to do a coolant flush when topping off your reservoir. I would suspect most people would tell you "you should not be adding coolant, and since you lose so little over time, by the time you need to add some you are due for a coolant flush". Keep in mind that a coolant flush is normal maintenance on many vehicles. You should check your maintenance guide to see when you are due for one (I believe it's typically recommended at 60K miles/4 years by Nissan for a vehicle of your era).

[darylzero]

Thanks for the reply. From what the clerk told me this is the exact same fluid Nissan uses only its already diluted.

The Nissan fluid is already diluted as well.

Here is an informative link on coolant, http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Rea ... ndamentals

[darylzero]

For some reason I cannot edit my post above.

I recommend using Nissan fluid because the CVT is very sensitive.

Here is a quote from a Nissan tech , Ddflosrt, from this forum,

I'm gonna start off saying that I work at a Nissan dealership and I'm gonna explain what I see on a daily basis and I will give you input from a dealer perspective. Fail safe happens when the transmission overheats. That's what it's designed to do. Cvt fluid level is a huge factor. I don't know if this has been covered but there is a special way to check the fluid. We use consult 3 and monitor a temp count. After the temp count is where it should be the fluid is set. The fluid is not set at the full mark though. If its set there it's overfull and will cause it to whine and go into fail safe. Usually when it whines it's because the fluid is aerated. The fluid is usually set in the middle of the crosshatch marks to 3/4 depending on fluid temp. This is why we see so many people with transmissions that are over full. Coolant protection is also a factor. There are tools out there to check freeze protection. Nissan recommends -34 degrees for proper cooling of the transmission. I seen some overheat at -48 degrees. I live in Colorado so it usually doesn't get that hot. The hotter the climate the easier the transmission will overheat if the coolant protection isn't set right. If your doing it yourself try to mix the coolant and water to -25 degrees. That would be more ideal. Seems to cool a lot better. And so everyone knows This is for all cvt equipped nissans. Rogues aren't the only one with these issues. Altimas and sentras have the same issues. Now if anyone has been in a front end collision And the radiator replaced make sure it's a Nissan radiator. Here is an example. Customer came in had the transmission replaced 30k miles ago. Transmission kept going into fail safe and whining. Level was good on the transmission but coolant protection was off. Set freeze protection where it should be and took on a long test drive. Same issue. Found out that it was in a front end collision 6 months earlier and a aftermarket radiator installed. Aftermarket radiators don't cool as well as oem ones. We replaced with a Nissan radiator and problem never came back. Now I have a 2005 Nissan altima. You better believe if my radiator cracks I will probably replace it with a aftermarket radiator because I don't have a cvt transmission. These transmission are so sensitive to heat its crazy. Now there are always times that it may need a transmission and if that's the case then it will be replaced. Usually when this happens a check engine light comes on or there are some codes stored In the ECM.