Coolant for 2002 Nissan Frontier

[GaryMX5]

I'm about to change radiator hoses and coolant on my 02 nissan PU truck. The manual naturally calls for Genuine Nissan coolant. A bit of research seems that this is just more or less an ethylene glycol fluid. I was thinking of just using some Super Tech Extended life Yellow coolant (says it's a ethylene glycol based fluid on the bottle). I haven't changed coolant on any vehicle for over 25 years because I rarely keep them more than 50K miles. There seems to be as many coolants now as there are oil varieties. When I enter my car info on auto parts store websites it often shows a dozen or more coolants compatible with my truck. Assuming they differ in some ways is it possible there are some better than others? Back in my day you had a choice of 50/50 or full concentrate of a couple of brands (Zerex or prestone) which made decision making pretty simple. Anyone see any issues with my choice or if I should be using something different or better? Thanks

 

[boom10ful]

I use pentosin a2 in mine, but any generic green coolant will suffice.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Zerex Asian Green and Pentofrost A2 are the best options for your 2002 Frontier

 

[doitmyself]

GaryMX5, (almost) all coolants are ethylene glycol based and that overly general OEM recommendation causes confusion for many. The plethora of today's available coolants also causes confusion. It's the additive packages you want to be concerned about: IAT, HOAT, OAT and variations of those three. And, color is not necessarily an indicator of chemistry type. Yikes.

Probably not knowing what is in your truck now, as important as the type you choose is that you flush the old product out VERY well. Mixing different chemistries can result in "goop" formation as stated in the product sheet below. I'm also old...old school.....and stubborn about avoiding coolants with 2EHA (plasticizer), especially in very old engines.

https://crpautomotive.com/wp-conten...oduct-Data-Sheet-Antifreeze-Pentofrost-A2.pdf

Very awesome that you have a 2002 Frontier still going. Good luck with your work.

 

[NibbanaBanana]

Prestone in the yellow jug at WalMart says to use for flush and refill, top off, or drain and refill on any car with any color coolant. I've been using it and no problems yet.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Nissan uses a lot of plastic in their cooling loops. DO NOT use anything with 2EHA in it - ie no Prestone, no Supertech, et al.

Nissan "green" properly known as Nissan L248 is a HOAT - not just any old coolant. The green is available undiluted at the dealer for under $25, or $21 online from z1offroad which is where I get mine. Combine with a gallon of distilled water and its the same price as the stuff from walmart. Used it exclusively for 412,000 miles so far in my Xterra.

If you must use aftermarket, thee Xerex asian formulations would be my choice, but there actually more money.

If you want pre-mixed, you could go with the "Nissan Blue" which is compatible per Nissan - but also more money because its pre-mixed for the same price.

 

[Sayjac]

Any true (no 2eha) Asian Phoat AF will fit the bill nicely. That includes but not limited to, Zerex Asian, Peat OET Asian, Napa Asian. In blue or green tint, in those AFs color only difference. Peak OET concentrate from AZ nice if you're looking to do a complete distilled system flush. Though less forthcoming about no 2eha info, Super Tech Asian now by Recochem CA also an option.

 

[FowVay]

That model year would specify the use of Zerex Asian Green coolant. They didn't start using the blue colored coolant until 2009 I believe. The analysis data on the Asian Green, Blue, and Red all appear to be the same coolant with differing colors. As mentioned above, do not use ANY coolant with 2-EHA listed in the SDS. The Zerex Asian coolants do not have this and are excellent choices for any automobile on the road.

 

[GaryMX5]

One would think changing/selecting a coolant would be easier than selecting motor oil. I have no idea what is currently in the truck (I bought it used 5 or so years ago with only 65K miles on it). It appears to be a yellow green color. I will drain the system, then do a flush with tap water (we have very good water with minimal minerals), replace the hoses, and do one final flush with distilled water. I will add one gallon of "concentrated" coolant (system takes 7.75 qts) then top up with distilled water. The only locally/readily available concentrate I can find is Peak OET Asian Green at Autozone. Most of those recommended above that I can find only come in 50/50 mix. This could be problematic as I'm not sure how much water will be left in the system after the flush hence my choice to use concentrate. I'm assuming this should be OK as I would like to get it done this weekend. Thanks for all the comments....I'm more enlightened....as in I hope I never have to do this again!!

 

[Sayjac]

..... The only locally/readily available concentrate I can find is Peak OET Asian Green at Autozone. Most of those recommended above that I can find only come in 50/50 mix.

Peak OET Asian concentrate a good AF choice and your plan to flush the system. After your last water flush with drain through radiator, should be pretty clear. Then look up your system capacity fill to half that amount with Peak OET, then top up with distilled, done. And yes, Asian AF rare in concentrate form.

And just to be clear, the older Nissan "Green" was the old shorter service interval Phoat, ~2years/30k miles. The new blue is the longer service interval AF and superseded the older green. What I'm saying, the Peak blue or green OET same, and can use either one.

 

[Coolant Kid]

The yellow green coolant that is already in there is likely a Dexclone like Prestone, Peak Long Life, Supertech or any other house brand extended life universal coolant. It's perfectly fine, there really is no need to convert to the Asian formulas. You mentioned you bought this truck 5 years ago and haven't done anything with the coolant. This is the reality with these Dexclone coolants that so many people simply can't accept, they're perfectly fine and users experience no issues whatsoever. Shops everywhere use them day in and day out. I've been using them since 2007 in all different makes and models, including various Asian makes and haven't had one single issue whatsoever. I leave them in at least 5 years and have even gone 7 to 8 years with no issues whatsoever, cooling system passages and radiator all looks pristine. I would just use whatever cheapest house brand universal extended life coolant you can get in this truck and call it a day.

Another plus to do this that no one thinks of, you can add whatever to the system if it's low and no worry about compatibility. Should this truck be somewhere far away and need a top off or unplanned repair, Dexclones are plentiful and easy to find for that use. You won't need to hunt down Peak Asian Green.