max ride 41

iTrader: (4)

i was looking at rp but im not racing it and i dont want a high detergent dexron 3 either. my trans guy said leave it alone, i'd be opening up a can of worms. im at 55,000 since i had the trans swapped and new fluid put in. aimsol? no, redline, maybe, i just want the fluid to keep it lubricated, not sure if putting synthetic fluid in is safe? anyone with auto trans fluid change done recently that has a good product chime in.

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

A drain and fill should do no harm to the tranny. Just go with OEM fluid.

max ride 41

iTrader: (4)

so dexron 3 is the oem??? problem is the drain and fill would have to be done twice??? did'nt want to do a flush.

CrazxyDominican

iTrader: (2)

Doesn't it usually lead to slipping of the transmission?

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

I don't recall what OEM is. A drain and fill can be done twice if you want to try to get the most old fluid out but that's not necessary. I'd drain the tranny, remove the lower pan to clean the magnet, get a new gasket and reinstall the pan and refill. You should be good to go after that. I wouldn't do a flush.

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

I've heard of flushes causing slipping but not drain and fills.

Quickywd01

iTrader: (16)

Drain the fluid by pulling the trans rad cooler hose. This way you get all the fluid out but not flushing under pressure. There's a DIY on here. Amsoil is good stuff just pricey. I'd go with mobil1 synthetic atf (cheaper) or amsoil synthetic atf. I used this method of draining the fluid, added a B&M trans cooler, and amsoil synthetic atf. I noticed a difference. The trans shifted better and I didn't feel the heat soak during long drives.

sjonesist

The drain and fill made my trans shift smoother. I did mine with over 150 on the clock.

sjonesist

By the way, I used O'Reilly's brand dexron 3 on my 96 auto.

QT1 5MT AE

iTrader: (6)

just get mobil 1 syn and be done with it.

max ride 41

iTrader: (4)

you guys changing the screen as well?? it comes as a kit ( gasket/screen)

Quickywd01

iTrader: (16)

I did. There's a nut that's on the other side of the valve body so most people don't because it can spin freely like mine did. I just used a flat head to put pressure on the bolt head and got it out.

sjonesist

Nope.

max ride 41

iTrader: (4)

why not?? dont they clog??

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

Amsoil makes the best ATF.

If you wanna buy somethin from the autostore, I would get the mobil1 synthetic. And you can just do a drain and fill every oil change and after a few times, all the fluid should be cycled out

You can mix synthetic with "regular" fluid.

jholley

iTrader: (13)

You'll get all 10 quarts replaced doing this flush. As Quicky stated it is nonpressurized so it cannot do any harm. I flushed using Amsoil synthetic and it gives a smooth shift. If you need to save money then use castrol import.

Here is the writeup on how to perform this simple procedure:

http://forums.maxima.org/fluids-lubr...eck-level.html

The screen does not need replacement but just a cleaning. I used brake cleaner when I dropped the pan and screen. You'll need to replace the trans pan gasket. You can reuse the 21 bolts after cleaning them and adding on thread locker. Don't forget to clean those 2 magnets.

sjonesist

Unless you have a problem, a drain and fill is all the trans requires. I forget where I read that (factory service manual I think) but I generally find that overdoing that type of stuff opens pandora's box.

ookami85

I have a 1996 maxima with only 70k miles on it but the tranny was probably never serviced. Is it a bad idea to change the fluid? And would i have to change the filter too?

2000_MAXIMA_KING

iTrader: (30)

From experience regular ATF works just fine every 30k do a drain fill and your ok.


Btw OP dont you mean 225k in your thread title

Fauken

iTrader: (6)

Follow the link posted above

max ride 41

iTrader: (4)

nope, the original trans went at 178,000 and i replaced it with a 70,000 mile trans 55,000 miles ago.

kel456

dexron 3 will do just fine. save some money. i am curious of why synthetic atf covers many type of transmissions. is it a wonder oil?

max ride 41

iTrader: (4)

i would stick with standard dex 3 if thats whats in there, especially if you have high mileage. its made to be compatible, but the dealer and my trans guy said they would'nt recommend putting in synthetic if its always had dex 3. its thinner and is made more for newer cars from what i hear and wont last as long.

rikbakke

I've done the cooler line 'flush' trick with 2 '99 I30's at around 120k miles. Run 3 gallons of ATF through the system and you're done. Simple and you don't need to drop the pan. Good improvement on shift smoothness. Any judder during hard accel you had before the change will disappear after a few miles with the new fluid.
I used Wal-mart Supertech ATF in the gallon containers. I use Supertech synthetic 5w-30 in the crankcase, too.

cashoit

I would go OEM fluid. U can never go wrong with OEM. If thats too pricey or unavailable then the next best is Syn.

I honestly have never SEEN a tranny go bad from drain and refill or flush.

max ride 41

iTrader: (4)

well, the dealer uses a chemical when they do a flush and i think it really rips apart an older tranny. i just did the drain and refill with castrol multi-purpose dex 3. still have the slight kick into 3rd, but its not bad.

Ryan95gle

Add a Hayden 403 trans cooler, change your filter and pan gasket, run BG universal synthetic ATF and maybe add a trans go kit if you want. By the way that the set up on my 4gen

Shift_A32B

iTrader: (14)

I did a drain and fill on my already, not long ago. Went with Nissan D-matic ATF. Also bought the gasket and screen from AZ. I am going to drain and refill again this weekend with Nissan D-Matic again.

ookami85

is using dexron III the same as nissan d matic atf? at 70k miles, is it recommended that i change the screen and gasket? and is dropping the pan meaning taking out the pan that has a screen in it and replacing the gasket and stuff? sorry noob attempting here.

ookami85

what link

jholley

iTrader: (13)

It would be a bad idea not to change the fluid. With only 70,000 miles it won't hurt to get a nonpressurized flush done at an auto shop. I had pressurized flushes done at 30,000 , 60,000 and 90,000 miles. At 120,000 miles I performed a non-pressurized 10 quart flush using the link below. These auto trans have a metal screen for filtering that will normally last the life of the AT. At 142,000 miles I dropped the trans pan to clean that screen and magnets using brake cleaner. It won't hurt to clean your screen and magnets but with only 70,000 miles I'd say you're safe just to perform a flush asap.

He's referring to this link that I provided in post #16


http://forums.maxima.org/fluids-lubricants/110363-how-flush-automatic-transmission-fluid-what-atf-use-how-check-level.html

ookami85

its a 70k car with fluid that hasn't been changed for probably 15 yrs though.. was gonna attempt the non pressurize flush through the tube thing just to be on the safe side, but not very confident on how to do it, not really getting what the steps are.. or waste alot of atf by doing the drain and fill thing..

sanford7575

Dude, I see a lot of hate'in on additives, but I use Lucas Oil Trans Fix and Lucas Oil Trans Fluid in both my '92SE and '97SE; it works wonders.
I change the trans fluid every 24 months (drain and fill method) in both cars and I use (1) 24oz bottle of Lucas Trans fix and the rest (approximately 6 Qts) Lucas trans fluid for regular changes, (2) 24oz bottles and the rest (approximately 5 Qts) Lucas trans fluid for times when it's shifting rough (especially between 2nd and 3rd). Be sure to check the fluid level after changing and top off as necessary.

kel456

or you can drain/fill 3 times in the interval of a month or 2.

evo626

On my G35 when I needed to change the fluid Matic J was the only thing I would trust. However after further research use what ever meets the requirements of your trans. If Matic S or J is used you can find that name on what ever ATF if at the store and that should work find.

If the MAX is anything like the G don't change all the fluid at once, do it in steps, maybe 4qts one week and another 4 the next so that the fluid mix and keeps some of the friction material in the fluid.

evo

ookami85

are either of these ok? they both say multi-car and meet dexron requirements. Or the vavoline?

max ride 41

iTrader: (4)

dex 3 is dex 3, its really not going to make any difference

ookami85

the guy said the gallon of castro and autozone brand are for domestic and GM cars.. they didn't have the gallon ones specified for imported cars so i had to spend extra on 5 qts of vavoline. i dunno if it matters if its for domestic or imported cars, the guy better not bsed me. gonna attempt to drain and fill today. ill drop the pan next time i do it since i don't have the pan gasket yet..