After reading the unfortunate situation cjden20thae has found himself in after cleaning his air filter out with water and replacing it in the airbox (see today's 5th Gen thread) I thought I would fess up to my own stupid move of the year. A mechanical wizard I am not. In fact, a talented mechanically-inclined friend of mine suggests I leave the hood of my car closed henceforth, lol!

In early May, I had an urge to top up my brake fluid and clutch fluid reservoir. Without thinking I topped up my power steering fluid reservoir with brake fluid. Thankfully, I didn't put power steering fluid (which I had none of) in my brake fluid reservoir or I would have been hooped. After about a week and only say 100 miles I realized what I had done. So I phoned around to about 5 stealerships and 3 local shops to get their opinion on what I should do. One Nissan dealership put the fear of God in me and told me not to drive the car anymore, to get it towed in and replaced immediately because I would ruin my steering rack. A couple of dealerships told me to get it flushed and I believe one said not to worry about it. Two of the independent shops said that for one or two ounces of brake fluid in the power steering reservoir I needn't worry about it.

To be safe I took the car to the one independent shop who suggested I get the power steering reservoir flushed and I had it flushed. I found I had filled it too high in the first place and similarly had filled the brake fluid reservoir too high, so they took some out.

I guess I could have used a turkey baster and taken as much of the power steering fluild out as I could and replaced it.

So this leaves me to my question: If I had just had some fluid removed from the power steering reservoir (and brake reservoir while I was at it) would I have been ok. Is it necessary to replace the power steering fluid periodically - if so, when - every 60,000 miles?

How frequently should the transmission fluid be changed on a 5-speed? My car is a 95SE with 53,300 miles on it and it has never been changed. I've been told not to bother changing it as my car shifts fine, but I am considering switching to synthetic gear oil at 60,000 miles and if I do what is the change frequency, if at all, then?



Thanks

 

Sorry, I thought I posted this in the General Maxima Discussion forum. Not sure if I can move it.

 

Bump.

Looking for some feedback. I am amazed that I haven't been flamed, villified, or abused even once yet. Is everyone asleep at the switch, lol?

 

Auuugh...95SE with only 53K?!?!? Man...I'd love to find one like that for a project car.

BTW, after 3yrs my PS fluid looks burnt/nasty, so I bought Redline PS fluid and a cooler since I've seen it boil before and early 5th gens came with a PS cooler but no longer do. Still waiting to find energy to drain/flush/refil and install the cooler.

 

My car is not for sale now or anytime soon and as far as I can tell from the .org is the lowest mileage 95 in North America. You can't have it!

I can see why you might want a cooler in AZ but I don't need one where I live.

Any comments on changing the transmission oil.

What about power steering oil intervals in more moderate climates?

 

There is no recommended interval for transmission fluid changes - especially for the 5spd. Personally, I think every 2yrs/30k for an auto and every 5yrs/60k is sufficient for a 5-spd. Everyone is likely to have a different opinion on this - so the the best answer is, keep your eye on the fluid level, texture, smell, color. If it looks/smells burnt/dirty, just get a fluid flush.