2015-2022 Nissan Murano Brake Fluid Type and Flush Interval

By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse

The 2015-2022 Nissan Murano uses DOT 3 brake fluid: the owner's manual calls for Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or an equivalent DOT 3. Nissan's published schedule says to replace it every 20,000 miles or 24 months on 2015-2019 models and every 30,000 miles or 24 months on 2020-2022 models, whichever comes first, and every 10,000 miles or 12 months if you drive under severe conditions.

That is the short answer. Below is how the Murano's brake hydraulics work, why the time limit matters as much as the mileage, how to check the fluid yourself, and what to look at while the brakes are opened up for a flush.

Brake Fluid Spec for the 2015-2022 Murano

The third-generation Murano (2015-2022) runs a conventional glycol-based hydraulic brake system with disc brakes at all four wheels. The recommended fluids table in the Murano owner's manual (we checked the 2017 edition) lists brake fluid as Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT 3. Any quality DOT 3 fluid from a sealed container meets that requirement. Before you top off, read the reservoir cap on your own vehicle, which states the fluid grade, and confirm it against the manual for your model year.

DOT 3 is a federal grade defined by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 116. That standard sets minimum boiling points for new (dry) fluid and for fluid that has absorbed moisture (wet). Here is how the common grades compare:

Two practical points come out of that table. First, the drop from the dry number to the wet number is the whole reason brake fluid has a replacement interval: glycol fluids pull in water over time, and the boiling point falls as they do. Second, DOT 5 is silicone based, and the standard requires it to be labeled "DOT 5 SILICONE BASE" so it cannot be confused with DOT 5.1, which is non-silicone. Never put silicone DOT 5 in a Murano. It is not the fluid the system was designed for.

Some owners and shops use DOT 4 in place of DOT 3 because it meets and exceeds the DOT 3 boiling point minimums and is glycol based. If you choose to do that, do a complete flush rather than topping off, so the system holds one fluid, and keep the manual's warning in mind: use only new fluid from a sealed container, because old or contaminated fluid can damage the brake system.

Flush Interval by Model Year

Nissan's own maintenance schedules for the Murano changed partway through this generation. The severe-duty interval stayed the same, but the standard mileage interval went up for the later years:

Notice that the time limit, 24 months, did not change. Brake fluid absorbs moisture whether the vehicle is driven or parked, so a low-mileage Murano that sits most of the week still needs fresh fluid every two years under the standard schedule. For most owners the calendar, not the odometer, is what triggers the service.

What counts as severe driving

Nissan's severe-conditions list in the owner's manual includes:

• Extensive idling or low-speed driving over long distances, such as delivery work
• Driving in dusty conditions
• Driving on rough, muddy or salt-spread roads
• Towing a trailer, using a camper or using a car-top carrier

If your Murano lives in the salt belt, tows, or runs rideshare and delivery hours, plan on the 10,000-mile or 12-month interval. Under the same severe schedule Nissan calls for inspecting the brake pads and rotors every 5,000 miles or 6 months, which fits neatly with every oil change.

Why Old Brake Fluid Is a Problem

Brake fluid transfers the force from your foot at the pedal to the calipers at each wheel. That only works because liquid does not compress. Nissan's maintenance guide explains the failure mode plainly: as fluid ages it picks up contamination and moisture, and water in the system can turn into a compressible vapor and reduce braking efficiency. Moisture also promotes corrosion inside the steel lines, the ABS hydraulic unit, the master cylinder bore and the caliper pistons.

The danger is heat. During a long downhill run, repeated hard stops or towing, caliper temperatures climb. Fresh DOT 3 is rated to a much higher boiling point than DOT 3 that has soaked up water, and if the fluid at the caliper boils, the vapor bubbles compress and the pedal goes soft or sinks toward the floor. You rarely notice aging fluid in daily driving. You notice it at the worst possible moment, which is why the interval is a schedule item rather than a "replace when it acts up" item.

How to Check Brake Fluid on a Murano

The brake fluid reservoir sits on top of the master cylinder, and its location is marked in the owner's manual engine compartment check-location diagram. Nissan recommends checking fluid levels, including brake fluid, as often as possible or at least whenever you refuel.

1. Park on level ground with the engine off.
2. Wipe the cap and the area around it clean before opening, so dirt does not fall in.
3. Check that the level sits between the MAX and MIN lines on the translucent reservoir.
4. Look at the color. New DOT 3 is nearly clear to light amber. Dark brown or cloudy fluid is due for a flush regardless of the date.
5. If you add fluid, fill only up to the MAX line, and do not spill it on paint. The manual warns that brake fluid damages paint and should be washed off immediately with water.

A falling level is not always a leak. As the pads wear, the caliper pistons move outward and more fluid sits in the calipers, so the reservoir drops slowly over the life of a set of pads. If the level is dropping and your pads are nearly worn out, the pads are the fix, not more fluid. If the level drops quickly or the pads are fresh, find the leak. The manual says that if brake fluid must be added frequently, the system should be thoroughly checked.

Warning lights to know

The red brake warning light on the Murano does double duty: it shows the parking brake is applied, and it warns of a low brake fluid level. If it comes on while driving with the parking brake released, Nissan's instruction is to stop, check the fluid level, and add fluid as needed. If the level is below the MIN mark, do not drive until the brake system has been checked. If the brake warning light and the ABS light come on together, have the brake system inspected before relying on it.

The Flush, the Parts, and What to Replace at the Same Time

A brake fluid flush on the Murano is a standard four-wheel bleed. Old fluid is pushed out through the bleeder screw at each caliper, usually starting at the wheel farthest from the master cylinder and working toward the closest, until clean fluid comes out. Most shops use a pressure bleeder or a two-person pedal bleed. On many ABS-equipped vehicles, a complete flush that also clears the fluid inside the ABS hydraulic unit may call for a scan tool; follow the factory service manual procedure for your model year.

Difficulty: a pedal bleed is a manageable driveway job for someone who has done brakes before, but it is not a job to rush. Let the reservoir run dry and you pull air into the master cylinder and ABS unit, which can turn a simple flush into a much longer bleed. Keep the reservoir topped up with fresh fluid the whole time.

Because the wheels are already off and the bleeders already cracked, a flush is the natural time to inspect the rest of the system:

• Pads. The Murano's disc pads have audible wear indicators that make a high-pitched scraping or screeching sound when replacement is due. If they are getting thin, replace them now, before you flush, so the fluid level settles correctly. We carry Bosch rear ceramic brake pads for the 2015-2022 Murano and Pathfinder, and the full range of ceramic brake pads.
• Rotors. Check for scoring, a heavy lip at the outer edge, or pulsation in the pedal. Browse replacement brake rotors if yours are worn.
• Bleeder screws and hardware. A seized or rounded bleeder is common on salt-belt vehicles. New clips and pins from a brake hardware kit keep new pads from dragging.
• Rubber hoses. Look for cracks, bulging or chafing at each wheel. Replacement brake hoses are inexpensive insurance while the system is already open.
• Caliper pistons and slides. Dark, dirty fluid often means corrosion has started. A sticking caliper shows up as uneven pad wear or a pull; see our brake calipers if one needs replacing.

Nissan's schedule also calls for inspecting the brake lines and cables at regular intervals, so have the steel lines checked for rust along the underbody during the same visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of brake fluid does a 2015-2022 Nissan Murano take?

DOT 3. The owner's manual specifies Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or an equivalent DOT 3 fluid. Check the reservoir cap on your vehicle to confirm, and always use new fluid from a sealed container.

How often should I flush the brake fluid on my Murano?

Nissan says every 20,000 miles or 24 months for 2015-2019 models and every 30,000 miles or 24 months for 2020-2022 models, whichever comes first. Under severe conditions such as towing, dusty roads or salted winter roads, it is every 10,000 miles or 12 months for all years.

Can I use DOT 4 in my Murano instead of DOT 3?

DOT 4 is glycol based and exceeds the federal DOT 3 boiling point minimums, so many technicians use it as an upgrade. If you switch, flush the whole system so it holds one fluid. Never use silicone DOT 5, which is a different chemistry.

Why is my Murano's brake fluid level low?

Normal pad wear lets the level fall slowly, because the caliper pistons extend and hold more fluid. A fast drop, fluid on the inside of a wheel, or a soft pedal points to a leak that needs attention before you drive further.

Why does my brake warning light stay on after I release the parking brake?

On the Murano the same red light warns of low brake fluid. Check the reservoir; if the level is correct and the light stays on, have the warning system and brakes inspected.

Is brake fluid really bad after two years if I barely drive?

Yes. Glycol brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air over time regardless of mileage, which lowers its boiling point and promotes internal corrosion. That is why Nissan's schedule includes a time limit as well as a mileage limit.

Sources

1. Nissan - 2017 Murano Owner's Manual and Maintenance Information - DOT 3 fluid spec, reservoir MIN/MAX check, warning lights, severe-condition list, pad wear indicators, four-wheel disc brakes
2. Nissan USA - 2015 Murano brake fluid maintenance guide - 20,000 miles or 24 months standard, 10,000 miles or 12 months severe
3. Nissan USA - 2019 Murano brake fluid maintenance guide - 20,000 miles or 24 months standard interval
4. Nissan USA - 2020 Murano brake fluid maintenance guide - 30,000 miles or 24 months standard interval
5. Nissan USA - 2022 Murano brake fluid maintenance guide - 30,000 miles or 24 months standard, 10,000 miles or 12 months severe
6. Nissan USA - 2017 Murano brake fluid maintenance guide - how moisture turns to compressible vapor and causes corrosion; 20,000 miles or 24 months standard
7. 49 CFR 571.116 (FMVSS 116) - Motor vehicle brake fluids - DOT 3, DOT 4 and DOT 5 minimum dry and wet boiling points; silicone base labeling