My 98 Maxima has 173k miles, and the automatic transmission recently started jerking when shifting from first to second. Should I change the transmission oil by just draining and refilling? Or should I do a complete flush? Or is it true that changing the trans oil on a high mileage car can make it worse?

 

I changed mine after almost 100,000 miles which is like 4-5 months ago and I now have 295,600 miles on my 97 se which is an automatic transmission and I used valvoline maxlife high milage which is synthetic and a really good oil and no problems runs smooth. Just drain and refill and u should be good. Plus the maxlife oil has additives that fixes rough shifting.

 

Mine was acting up a little and I've done two drain and refills which helped. Gonna do a few more though.

 

1 to 2 shifts at light throttle seem to be a little harsh on these cars, but you should always check the drop resistor for harsh shifting.