Coolant

[grindjv]

when changing my oil today, I noticed that the coolant in my coolant reservoir was low....Can you add any type of premium anti freeze to top it off, or do you HAVE to use the Nissan stuff?

[marlin29311]

I wouldn't go around mixing brands and types - make sure you use whatever is already in the system and you use the same mixture level that is already there (I would assume 50/50).

In other thoughts, when is the last time you had it completely replaced? It may be time for that too...

[grindjv]

I did think about that....I just bought it a few months ago, it is an 07 with 30K, so I am pretty sure it has the original factory stuff in it.

[szh]

It is a good idea to replace the coolant every 2 years or 30k miles ... Same with brake fluid.

Z

[RAGTPZ]

Just make sure if what's in there is green that you add green and not orange. Mixing those is bad, otherwise it's the same stuff.

Be careful to watch the label if it's premixed or not as well.

[SteveTheTech]

I would say if you plan on keeping Nissan antifreeze in the car than go buy a gallon from the Nissan dealer (~$10). Split into two containers 50% and top it off with (ideally) 50% distilled water.

The coolant overflow bottle is commonly over looked while performing routine maintaince as it is covered under the shield.

[antzrus]

I would say if you plan on keeping Nissan antifreeze in the car than go buy a gallon from the Nissan dealer (~$10). Split into two containers 50% and top it off with (ideally) 50% distilled water. The coolant overflow bottle is commonly over looked while performing routine maintaince as it is covered under the shield.

Yeah, what's the bit w/distilled water as noted in the owner's manual. Isn't this kind of attention to detail pathonumonic of severe mental illness (i.e. obsessive/compulsive disorder)?

[Double E]

Call me pathonumonic of severe mental illness then. I do that with all of my vehicles.

[antzrus]

Call me pathonumonic of severe mental illness then. I do that with all of my vehicles.

It's OK. I understand fully that 75% of the folks on these car "nut" lists are severe. So you and I are in good like company; along w/the folks who fill up on full synthetic oil and then change it @ every 3700 miles.

[szh]

along w/the folks who fill up on full synthetic oil and then change it @ every 3700 miles.

That is what I do!

Z

[antzrus]

That is what I do!

Z

I know...

[marlin29311]

Yeah, what's the bit w/distilled water as noted in the owner's manual. Isn't this kind of attention to detail pathonumonic of severe mental illness (i.e. obsessive/compulsive disorder)?

Distilled water is pure water and contains no minerals or contaminants...you wouldn't want to put additional stuff into your lines as it could cause a reaction with the heat.

Or at least i think that's what you were commenting on..

[antzrus]

Distilled water is pure water and contains no minerals or contaminants...you wouldn't want to put additional stuff into your lines as it could cause a reaction with the heat.

Or at least i think that's what you were commenting on..

Obviously I am being a bit facetious; to a point. The degree of harmful contaminants in everyday tap water that might adversely affect the Infiniti cooling system, would first affect the human "cooling system" built a lot less robust than the Infiniti's.

And with my last 20 oz glass of ice cold tap water no problems, yet. And over my 61 years I've probably ingested 10's of thousands of gallons of tap water, whereby the Infiniti might only go through less than 25 gallons in its entire lifetime.

Where's the rub?

[SteveTheTech]

Obviously I am being a bit facetious; to a point. The degree of harmful contaminants in everyday tap water that might adversely affect the Infiniti cooling system, would first affect the human "cooling system" built a lot less robust than the Infiniti's.

And with my last 20 oz glass of ice cold tap water no problems, yet. And over my 61 years I've probably ingested 10's of thousands of gallons of tap water, whereby the Infiniti might only go through less than 25 gallons in its entire lifetime.

Where's the rub?

You know, I have to agree with you, they recommend you use distilled but most people will not use the factory fluid or something other than tap water.

The cost difference is not that bad for most of the fluids but there is a pretty significant difference on some things. If you are like me and do not have the ability/patience to DIY you can buy the stuff online and bring it with you. The Nissan coolant is somehow different (IDK specifics,I'll go read the MSDS) it looks, feels and tastes(yes tastes) different I cannot really explain how but it is.

I almost always try to use the factory replacement fluids, but price and availability are a different story. Many people are not willing to drop a little more cash on the OE.

I am a nut about fluids, either factory or Mobil 1 (I got lazy last time and just got an M1 oil filter for the first time).

I just found out that Nissan has their own handwipes, I think I am going to order myself some next week,I've already got the leather cleaner and many other random Nissan products. lol I use the Nissan leather cleaner and treatment on the wifes Acura.

That is what I do!

Z

Same here, On the old ladies car they recommend 10K oil changes, I run full synthetic and OE filters I change hers at ~3800. It still looks used, clean but used I've read the technical analysis of several M1 tests and will always change it in short increments. Then again I rotate and balance my tires every oil change.

[maxnix]

Yeah, what's the bit w/distilled water as noted in the owner's manual. Isn't this kind of attention to detail pathonumonic of severe mental illness (i.e. obsessive/compulsive disorder)?

Actually the word is pathognomonic. One might argue it is also indicative of an understanding of chemistry.

There is a definite benefit to converting to OAT coolant, especially if you unintentionally extend that ideal 24 month limit by a few months.

[szh]

Then again I rotate and balance my tires every oil change.

Same here ...

Z

[szh]

Obviously I am being a bit facetious; to a point. The degree of harmful contaminants in everyday tap water that might adversely affect the Infiniti cooling system, would first affect the human "cooling system" built a lot less robust than the Infiniti's.

And with my last 20 oz glass of ice cold tap water no problems, yet. And over my 61 years I've probably ingested 10's of thousands of gallons of tap water, whereby the Infiniti might only go through less than 25 gallons in its entire lifetime.

Where's the rub?

I don't disagree with you per se ... however ... your innards do not have any exposed metal that is likely to react chemically with whatever might be in the tap water.

The human body is remarkably tolerant in some ways (for most people).

FWIW, I use distilled, de-ionized water to top off my radiators ... have done so for years. I do not know whether this has contributed in any way to longevity on my engines/radiators or not.

Z

[SteveTheTech]

FWIW, I use distilled, de-ionized water to top off my radiators ... have done so for years. I do not know whether this has contributed in any way to longevity on my engines/radiators or not.Z

Impressive, I have never met a person that has ever requested that.

[antzrus]

Heheheheheeee, Nico could easily change it's name to Carnutz..!!!

[Q45tech]

Dealers and shops love tap water as it decreases the life of rads, thermostats, hoses, and water pumps. After all they only make money when something expensive is replaced. The sooner the better.

Human kidneys are pretty good at removing all the bad things added to tap water to make it look pretty.

[antzrus]

Dealers and shops love tap water as it decreases the life of rads, thermostats, hoses, and water pumps. After all they only make money when something expensive is replaced. The sooner the better.

Human kidneys are pretty good at removing all the bad things added to tap water to make it look pretty.

Heheheehee... Try boiling away the 10's of thousands of gallons of tap water we drink over a lifetime; probably a few pounds of mineral sludge and dirt distilled out. Go for it Kidneys!!

Now try boiling away less than 25 gallons, put your magnifying glasses on and what's distilled out wouldn't register on a US Postal Scale. Our Infiniti's can handle it.

Carnutz it is.

PS Yeah, pathognomonic is the word...
Modified by antzrus at 6:16 PM 11/22/2008

[Double E]

One step further....oil is done every 3000. My commute is severe and I'm additionally severe on it....

Want to see what water that goes through many heat cycles leaves behind?

http://www.freije.com/control_scale.html

http://www.scalehammer.com/en/scale/damage.html

For my M, no thanks.

[antzrus]

One step further....oil is done every 3000. My commute is severe and I'm additionally severe on it....

Want to see what water that goes through many heat cycles leaves behind?

http://www.freije.com/control_scale.html

http://www.scalehammer.com/en/scale/damage.html

For my M, no thanks.

Your M is not a water heater or a plumbing system which processes thousands of gallons of fresh water monthly (weekly?). At any time the coolant capacity of your M contains only a few gallons of recycled water which doesn't get renewed until you flush the whole system w/new water etc. Hence, there's probably less than 25 gallons thru your M during its entire lifetime.

Those few gallons of potable tap water in your system @ any one time boiled away in a pot will leave only a barely visible (if that) dusting of contaminants in the pot. Try it.

Oh, I've been driving for the past 46 years and have used the cheapest oil imaginable for way over the 3000 miles you quote; 10k-15k and beyond I would imagine. As a kid my '56 Chevy Bel Air rarely ever got an oil change. And I honestly have yet to have any of my autos break down due to problems w/the oil; honest to gawd!! I use Mobil 1 in my M, changing @ 10k intervals only because I'm being a bit compulsive w/my M; I'm a bit nutz about my M too...
Modified by antzrus at 10:58 AM 11/24/2008

[SteveTheTech]

Oh, I've been driving for the past 46 years and have used the cheapest oil imaginable for way over the 3000 miles you quote; 10k-15k and beyond I would imagine. As a kid my '56 Chevy Bel Air rarely ever got an oil change. And I honestly have yet to have any of my autos break down due to problems w/the oil; honest to gawd!! I use Mobil 1 in my M, changing @ 10k intervals only because I'm being a bit compulsive w/my M; I'm a bit nutz about my M too...

Ahh to be young and stupid again, I have done the same thing with some of my cheap cars. I guess it's all relative to how much you care. Scaling is an issue but the chemicals in the antifreeze should counteract any scaling that may be present. I have however seen some serious buildup on some of the older cars, scaley green buildup around a leak and on connecting surfaces. I think the breakdown of the additives and ethylene glycol breakdown would be more damaging to the coolant systems if left in for a significantly extended period of time. The heat and flow through a daily driven car should keep the passages clean. I have taken many cooling systems apart and to the best of my knowledge anything post 2001 usually has very little to no calcified buildup on internal components. However, Many of the vehicles I service are <5 years old with <60,000 miles.

[maxnix]

Human kidneys are pretty good at removing all the bad things added to tap water to make it look pretty.

Which is why we get kidney stones, or worse!

Not a good trade off!

[antzrus]

Green scale sounds like the solids that are included in your antifreeze; which is packed w/solids. In fact, the buildup around your leaks is probably programmed into the antifreeze to help seal any such leaks. They even sell little cubes you drop into the cooling system to put such scale into the leaks to patch them.

Yeah, young and dumb and oil changes were the least I had to worry about. It was more like where would I get the $3.00 US to fill the empty gas tank..!!
Modified by antzrus at 9:22 AM 11/25/2008