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simple atf question

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Old 12-11-2009, 08:32 AM
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simple atf question

Hey guys, I've looked in the stickies for info on what type of atf is appropriate, but didn't see it. I remember there used to be a section listing types and capacities for our cars. Maintenance would seem to be more crucial info that mods....Anyways, I noticed that my atf is a bit low,and there isn't a local dealer to get Nissan fluid, so what type and brand would be compatible with my 98?

Its got 165k miles on it now, and has always been flushed and changed at around 30k intervals. At this point in its life, would a change and no flush be recommended? The common myth is to not flush an aging AT.

As always, the feedback on this forum is awesome...thanks again in advance.
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Old 12-13-2009, 07:53 AM
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Dexron/mercon III . I've never had it flushed . I just do drain and fill - typically 5 - 6
quarts and use cheapest brand available . I'm the original owner and the tranny is still
running fine after 330,000 miles.
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Old 12-17-2009, 07:40 PM
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How often do you guys swap ATF? Brand preference?
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Old 12-17-2009, 08:13 PM
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If it has always been changed/flushed at 30,000 mile intervals, you are way ahead of the curve. Just do a drain and fill about every 20,000 miles, and skip the flush.

A certain percentage of those who have the trans power-flushed suddenly get significant problems relating to the power flush.

I would use Nissan Matic-D, which is Nissan's version of Dextron III
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Old 12-18-2009, 06:05 AM
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Originally Posted by trooplewis
If it has always been changed/flushed at 30,000 mile intervals, you are way ahead of the curve. Just do a drain and fill about every 20,000 miles, and skip the flush.

A certain percentage of those who have the trans power-flushed suddenly get significant problems relating to the power flush.

I would use Nissan Matic-D, which is Nissan's version of Dextron III
every 25k is my usual recommendation from new depending on how you drive the vehicle.
Nissanmatic-D is a special variation on DexronIII. it is a low ash formula, which is to say it is more of a semi-synthetic then regular trans fluid.
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Old 12-18-2009, 07:55 AM
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A drain and fill is only 4 qts. AMSOIL ATF !!!!
I use that **** in all my transmissions and power steering systems.
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Old 12-18-2009, 12:01 PM
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I have a '99 auto and when it was cold out it wouldn't move when in gear and it would stall. I installed a cooler, removed the pan, cleaned the magnets, poured in about 7 qts. of amsoil synthetic atf and it has helped. Now it revs a little before egnaging but it works unlike before. Synthetic will help since the auto heats up a lot. If you remove the pan get a new gasket because mine was cork and you can't reuse that as it falls apart when you remove it.
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Old 12-18-2009, 12:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Quickywd01
Now it revs a little before egnaging but it works unlike before.
You wasted your $$$ on that service, that tranny is done.
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Old 12-18-2009, 01:23 PM
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Originally Posted by njmaxseltd
A drain and fill is only 4 qts. AMSOIL ATF !!!!
I use that **** in all my transmissions and power steering systems.
With a drain and fill I get about 6 and 1/2 quarts, as long as I have the car on ramps and I click through all the gears a few times. It does take about an hour to get it all out.
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Old 12-20-2009, 11:09 AM
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thanks for your input guys..and I suppose i'll get some nissan atf and a new gasket.... drain teh trans, remove the pan and clean out the magnets and any residual fluid in the pan that didnt drain.

Does anyone know of the torque specs for the trans pan bolts when putting it back on?
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Old 01-04-2010, 02:59 PM
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4 quarts is what I get when I drain & refill
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Old 01-04-2010, 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by 7jackmack
Dexron/mercon III . I've never had it flushed . I just do drain and fill - typically 5 - 6
quarts and use cheapest brand available . I'm the original owner and the tranny is still
running fine after 330,000 miles.
WAW on the original tranny and 300K miles..touch wooooood
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Old 01-04-2010, 05:41 PM
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DEX VI

Dexron vi is probably your best bet since GM no longer licenses Dex iii. Therefore, there is much variation between the different brands of Dex-iii currently being sold. Also, you are better off doing a few drain and fills instead of flushing the tranny.
This advice is what my teacher told us in Automotive Service Technology school. He is a experienced master tech who specializes in automatic transmission.
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Old 01-04-2010, 06:32 PM
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wow, way to beat a dead horse but yeah; dont do flushes; stirs up too much crap. just pop the pan bleed it out and fill er up.. also theres a good how to on here with the proper method for the whole... 11? i think quarts flush you just use the coolant line to the radiator and pump out the coolant than fill it back up..
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