Which tranny do i have?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 856
From: MASS
Maximas in Canada were available with a Limited Slip Differential, often referred to as a locking differential.
In the US, Infiniti I30 models were available with an LSD.
To find out which one you have you can either take lots of stuff apart or get someone who knows what an LSD feels like and simply accelerate with the wheels turned - could be in a parking lot, could be pulling out of a side-street. You dont have to floor it, just give it a decent amount of throttle - if the inside tire spins, you're open; if you feel the outside wheel pulling you through the turn, then you've got an LSD.
In the US, Infiniti I30 models were available with an LSD.
To find out which one you have you can either take lots of stuff apart or get someone who knows what an LSD feels like and simply accelerate with the wheels turned - could be in a parking lot, could be pulling out of a side-street. You dont have to floor it, just give it a decent amount of throttle - if the inside tire spins, you're open; if you feel the outside wheel pulling you through the turn, then you've got an LSD.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,044
From: Minnesota
Maximas in Canada were available with a Limited Slip Differential, often referred to as a locking differential.
In the US, Infiniti I30 models were available with an LSD.
To find out which one you have you can either take lots of stuff apart or get someone who knows what an LSD feels like and simply accelerate with the wheels turned - could be in a parking lot, could be pulling out of a side-street. You dont have to floor it, just give it a decent amount of throttle - if the inside tire spins, you're open; if you feel the outside wheel pulling you through the turn, then you've got an LSD.
In the US, Infiniti I30 models were available with an LSD.
To find out which one you have you can either take lots of stuff apart or get someone who knows what an LSD feels like and simply accelerate with the wheels turned - could be in a parking lot, could be pulling out of a side-street. You dont have to floor it, just give it a decent amount of throttle - if the inside tire spins, you're open; if you feel the outside wheel pulling you through the turn, then you've got an LSD.
****, I forgot about you Canadians. Yes some Canadian Maximas came with LSD and you can decode your VIN number to find the answer.
What I meant to say was that no USDM Maxima 5 speed or auto came with a locking differential.
What I meant to say was that no USDM Maxima 5 speed or auto came with a locking differential.
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 7
2blue
You will find out in the end that the lsd diff will cost more to purchase and will not last as long. If you are not concerned with high performance, you should be able to do fine with an open diff. even in the snow. Proper snow tires on a fwd make a big difference. Now if each trans has a different computer controller, it would be good to know what one you have in the car now.
You will find out in the end that the lsd diff will cost more to purchase and will not last as long. If you are not concerned with high performance, you should be able to do fine with an open diff. even in the snow. Proper snow tires on a fwd make a big difference. Now if each trans has a different computer controller, it would be good to know what one you have in the car now.
Yep you can do it, pulled right from the stickies
How do I decode my VIN?
These are the items designated in the rows of the Vehicle ID Plate located on the passenger side firewall under the hood.
1-Type
2-VIN
3-Model
4-Body color code
5-Trim color code
6-Engine model
7-Engine displacement
8-Transmission model
9-Axle model
Body Color Code:
AL0 RUBY PEARL
AR2 CRIMSON BLAZE RED
AX5 NEW RED
BN6 STARFIRE BLUE PEARL
BT4 LAKESHORE BLUE
BV3 SATIN BLUE PEARL
CG2 PEBBLE BEIGE METALLIC
CP2 MAHOGANY PEARL
DJ2 BLACK EMERALD
DP0 DEEP EVERGREEN
DR2 SHERWOOD GREEN
EV0 SUNLIT SAND
FS0 SAGEMIST GREEN
KH3 SUPER BLACK
KN6 GRANITE PEARL
KT3 STERLING MIST
KV3 GRAY LUSTRE
LP0 PLATINUM IRIS
LS5 ROSEWOOD
LS6 CONCORD MIST
QN0 ARTIC WHITE PEARL (BASE)
QT1 ICELANDIC PEARL
Credit - jay_x
Need more help in decoding the VIN?
http://www.courtesyparts.com/specs/vin.html
This shows how to read the VIN for all the related vehicle info.
Credit: Deezo
So how do I tell if my car is Cali or Fed spec?
Raise your hood. Look for a shiny metal identification tag fastened to the passenger side of firewall. The top row is the Vehicle Identification Number, starting with J. The second row is model information. The first five characters are BLHUL. The 12th character is the destination:
N = Canada
V = California
U = US, not California
These are the items designated in the rows of the Vehicle ID Plate located on the passenger side firewall under the hood.
1-Type
2-VIN
3-Model
4-Body color code
5-Trim color code
6-Engine model
7-Engine displacement
8-Transmission model
9-Axle model
Body Color Code:
AL0 RUBY PEARL
AR2 CRIMSON BLAZE RED
AX5 NEW RED
BN6 STARFIRE BLUE PEARL
BT4 LAKESHORE BLUE
BV3 SATIN BLUE PEARL
CG2 PEBBLE BEIGE METALLIC
CP2 MAHOGANY PEARL
DJ2 BLACK EMERALD
DP0 DEEP EVERGREEN
DR2 SHERWOOD GREEN
EV0 SUNLIT SAND
FS0 SAGEMIST GREEN
KH3 SUPER BLACK
KN6 GRANITE PEARL
KT3 STERLING MIST
KV3 GRAY LUSTRE
LP0 PLATINUM IRIS
LS5 ROSEWOOD
LS6 CONCORD MIST
QN0 ARTIC WHITE PEARL (BASE)
QT1 ICELANDIC PEARL
Credit - jay_x
Need more help in decoding the VIN?
http://www.courtesyparts.com/specs/vin.html
This shows how to read the VIN for all the related vehicle info.
Credit: Deezo
So how do I tell if my car is Cali or Fed spec?
Raise your hood. Look for a shiny metal identification tag fastened to the passenger side of firewall. The top row is the Vehicle Identification Number, starting with J. The second row is model information. The first five characters are BLHUL. The 12th character is the destination:
N = Canada
V = California
U = US, not California
Stickies FTW.
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