How to Change the Coolant in a Nissan Maxima

The life of your vehicle is dependent upon a routine of regular maintenance and check ups. One of the things you can do to keep your Nissan Maxima running efficiently is to check the cooling system for any signs of problems. Changing the coolant in your cars radiator routinely can prevent many problems from occurring later. This is something you can do very easily and inexpensively to save yourself some frustration and expense.

Things You'll Need:

• Drain pan
• Screwdriver
• Pliers
• Hot water
• Scrub brush
• Coolant
• Empty bucket
• Water hose attached to water supply

1. Verify that the car's engine is cold

Verify that the car's engine is cold. Do not try to change the coolant while the engine is hot. Open the heater core valve to allow coolant to drain out. For a Nissan Maxima with manual climate control, turn your ignition key to "on" and set the heater control to maximum hot. Then turn ignition key to "off." For automatic climate control cars, turn ignition switch to "on," hold the "off" button of climate control for at least 5 seconds. Depress "hot" button 3 times, hit the "defrost" button twice and you will see code "43" being displayed. Once you see this display, wait 10 seconds and turn ignition key to "off."

2. Place a drain pan under the radiator

Place a drain pan under the radiator and remove the radiator cap from the top of the radiator.

3. Remove the drain plug from bottom of the radiator

Remove the drain plug from bottom of the radiator with a screwdriver. Allow the radiator coolant to drain completely.

4. Remove the clip from the hose

Remove the clip from the hose going from the top of the radiator to the coolant reservoir. Once the clip is removed, pull the hose and the reservoir out of the engine compartment.

5. Clean reservoir tank out completely

Clean reservoir tank out completely with hot water and scrub brush.

6. Refill the coolant reservoir with coolant about half way

Refill the coolant reservoir with coolant about half way and reinstall reservoir tank in engine compartment. Reattach hose to top of radiator and secure hose with clip.

7. Flush the radiator out by inserting a garden hose in the top of the radiator

Flush the radiator out by inserting a garden hose in the top of the radiator and allowing water to run through the system until it comes out clean at the bottom. Note: Replace the drain pan filled with spent coolant, with a bucket. Empty the bucket of water as many times as necessary to flush out the radiator system.

8. Close the drain plug at the bottom of the radiator

Close the drain plug at the bottom of the radiator. Fill the radiator with a mixture of coolant and water. Follow the directions on back of coolant container for exact amounts.

9. Replace the radiator cap and start the engine

Replace the radiator cap and start the engine, allowing it to warm up. Check for any signs of overheating or leakage. Dispose of the drained coolant by taking it to your local recycling center or automotive supply store for recycling.

Video showing how to flush a Nissan Maxima radiator:

Comments:

• Thanks great content new subscriber and also great tip on the headlights. I've done that McGuire's tire and rim spray like the purple for sure but the other two work as well for the headlights just another tip for anyone who may see this and making use it if you have some on hand or something it goes on white and comes off yellow you see the yellow stuff just fall right off
• Thanks, a great video and a nice 7th gen Maxi. I had the dealer flushed my 09 but would have much better wanted to do it myself. They used Valvoline flush stuff and then filled with the green Nissan fluid. I will be DIYing mine for sure next time. I trust myself more than my car being worked on while I am not present. I wished your video showed exactly the drain plug. I am concerned that I might damage the 10 years old one opening it