Antifreeze for Nissan Terrano: which one to choose, when to change and how not to make a mistake

Nissan Terrano is a popular crossover that was assembled in Russia at a plant in St. Petersburg until 2020. Despite the end of production, these cars are actively used, and their owners regularly face the need for maintenance. One of the key aspects of maintenance is replacing coolant. But how not to make a mistake when choosing antifreeze for Terrano with engines R9M (2.0 l) or K9K (1.5 l dCi)?

In this article we will look at the official recommendations Nissan, compatibility with analogues, frequency of replacement and nuances of the procedure. You will also learn the dangers of using unsuitable antifreeze and how to check its condition without visiting a service center. The material is relevant for models Terrano I (2014–2017) and Terrano II (2017–2020) with gasoline and diesel engines.

Official Nissan recommendations: what kind of antifreeze is filled in from the factory

From factory to Nissan Terrano original coolant is added Nissan Coolant L248 Premix (article KE902-99932). This carboxylate antifreeze ethylene glycol based, meets specification Nissan Long Life Coolant. Its key features:

• 🔹 Color: green (not to be confused with the traditional G11!)
• 🔹 Service life: up to 5 years or 100,000 km (depending on operating conditions)
• 🔹 Temperature range: −37°C to +129°C
• 🔹 Compatibility: all engines Terrano, including R9M (HR16DE) and K9K (dCi)

Important: original antifreeze Nissan supplied as ready solution (does not require dilution with water). Using a concentrate from the same brand (item no. KE902-99931) is allowed, but it must be diluted with distilled water in a 50/50 ratio.

⚠️ Attention: Some dealers in Russia filled in Terrano antifreeze CoolStream A-110 (produced by Tosol-Sintez). It also meets the specification Nissan, but has blue color and another additive package. You cannot mix it with the green original!

Analogues of the original antifreeze: what can be used instead of Nissan Coolant

If the original antifreeze is not available, analogues with identical specifications can be used. The main rule: the liquid must meet the standard JIS K 2234 (Japanese standard for antifreeze) or G12++/G13 (European classification). Suitable options:

Brand	Title	Article	Color	Notes
Motul	Inugel Optimal	106365	Green	Compatible with aluminum radiators
Total	Glacelf Auto Supra	173770	Red	Suitable for diesel engines K9K
Liqui Moly	Kuhlerfrostschutz KFS 2001 Plus	8844	Orange	Service life up to 5 years
CoolStream	NRC	A-110	Blue	Approved Nissan Russia for warranty service

When choosing an analogue, pay attention to:

• 🔧 Composition: only carboxylate or hybrid antifreezes (no silicates for aluminum engines).
• 🔧 Freezing point: no higher than −35°C for Russian conditions.
• 🔧 Compatible with plastic/rubber parts cooling systems.

📊 What antifreeze do you use in Nissan Terrano?

• Original Nissan Coolant L248
• CoolStream A-110
• Motul/Total/Liqui Moly
• Other brand
• I don't know what's in there

When to change antifreeze in Nissan Terrano: regulations and signs of wear

Official regulations Nissan requires replacement of antifreeze every 90,000 km or 5 years (whichever comes first). However, for Russian conditions with sudden temperature changes and aggressive operation, it is recommended to reduce the interval to 60,000–70,000 km or 3–4 years.

Signs that antifreeze requires replacement:

• 🚨 Color change: darkening, cloudiness or rusty appearance.
• 🚨 Sediment: flakes or particles in the expansion tank.
• 🚨 Foam: Indicates oil contamination or additive development.
• 🚨 Burning smell: Overheating is possible due to loss of liquid properties.

You can check the condition of the antifreeze yourself using test strips (for example, Motul Coolant Tester) or hydrometer. Normal density for ethylene glycol liquids is 1.073–1.080 g/cm³ at +20°C.

💡

If antifreeze is in Terrano turns brown, this may indicate corrosion in the system. In this case, before replacing the fluid, be sure to flush the cooling system with special compounds (for example, Liqui Moly Kuhler-Reiniger).

Step-by-step instructions: how to replace antifreeze in a Nissan Terrano

Replacing antifreeze in Terrano does not require special equipment, but will require care. You will need:

• 🔧 New antifreeze (6-7 liters for a complete replacement).
• 🔧 Distilled water (10-15 liters for rinsing).
• 🔧 Set of keys (10 and 14 mm heads).
• 🔧 Container for draining (at least 8 liters).
• 🔧 Funnel and hose with a diameter of 10–12 mm.

Sequence of actions:

1. Draining old antifreeze:
   • Place the car on a level surface and let the engine cool.
   • Remove the engine protection (4 x 10mm bolts).
   • Place a container under the drain hole on the radiator (bottom right) and unscrew the plug (14 mm wrench).
   • Unscrew the cap on the expansion tank to speed up draining.
2. Flushing the system (if necessary):
   • Close the drain hole and fill with distilled water through the expansion tank.
   • Start the engine and let it idle for 5-10 minutes.
   • Drain the water and repeat the procedure 2-3 times until the liquid is clear.
3. Refilling with new antifreeze:
   • Screw in the drain plug and fill antifreeze through the expansion tank to the mark MAX.
   • Start the engine, turn on the heater to maximum heat and add fluid to the level.
   • Check for air pockets (press the radiator pipes if necessary).

Engine has completely cooled down (temperature below 50°C)|

A container for draining has been prepared (volume of at least 8 l)|

Purchased antifreeze with the correct specification (JIS K 2234 or G12++)|

Checked the radiator and tank caps for damage -->

⚠️ Attention: When replacing antifreeze in Nissan Terrano with diesel engine K9K be sure to reset the cooling system adaptation parameters via the diagnostic scanner (for example, Launch X431). Otherwise, false fan activations are possible.

Mixing antifreeze: is it possible to add another brand?

Mix antifreeze of different brands and colors in Terrano highly not recommended, but sometimes it is necessary (for example, on the road). Mixing rules:

• ✅ Allowed top up with antifreeze of the same manufacturer and specification (for example, Nissan Coolant L248 with Motul Inugel Optimal).
• ⚠️ Caution: You can mix carboxylate antifreezes (G12++, G13) from different brands, but only in emergency cases and with subsequent complete replacement.
• ❌ Prohibited mix:
  • Green Nissan Coolant with blue CoolStream A-110.
  • Hybrid (G11) and carboxylate (G12+) antifreezes.
  • Coolants based on propylene glycol with ethylene glycol.

If you had to mix different antifreezes, be sure to flush the system at the first opportunity. To do this:

1. Drain the mixed liquid.
2. Fill with distilled water with a cleaning solution (for example, Wynn’s Cooling System Flush).
3. Start the engine and let it run for 15–20 minutes.
4. Drain the flush and fill with new antifreeze.

What happens if you mix incompatible antifreezes?

When mixing antifreeze with different additive packages (for example, silicate and carboxylate), a chemical reaction occurs leading to:

- Formation of gel-like deposits that clog the radiator and pipes.

- Corrosion of aluminum parts (block head, radiator).

- Loss of anti-corrosion properties and engine overheating.

In critical cases this can lead to destruction of the pump or burnout of the cylinder head gasket (especially relevant for diesel engines) K9K).

Frequent problems with the Nissan Terrano cooling system

Owners Terrano Often encounter the following antifreeze-related problems:

1. Leaking from under the thermostat:

   Reason: gasket wear or housing corrosion. The solution is to replace the thermostat (original part number 21200-4M50A).

2. Engine overheating when the fan is running:

   Reason: air lock or clogged radiator. The solution is to bleed the system and flush it.

3. Foam in the expansion tank:

   Reason: oil ingress through the cylinder head gasket or pump malfunction. The solution is diagnostics at a service station.

4. Constant drop in antifreeze level without visible leaks:

   Reason: evaporation through a leaky tank cap or microcracks in the radiator. The solution is to check the pressure in the system.

For diesel Terrano (K9K) is a typical problem with thermostat solenoid valvewhich may become stuck in the open position. This leads to a long warm-up of the engine and increased fuel consumption. You can diagnose the malfunction using a scanner (error P0128).

1. Liquid level in the tank (should be between MIN And MAX).

2. Presence of air pockets (warm up the engine with the reservoir cap open).

3. Thermostat performance (when warming up, the upper radiator pipe should heat up).-->

Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ)