I have searched and read all articles on a few people who switched to the Synthetic ATF and I’m still on the undecided side of changing over. If there are any other members whom have switched over can tell me of how the over all performance and feel of your cars transmission after the flush and install is I would be grateful (Also what brand of Synthetic ATF you used)
Thanks in advance

 

I use redline syn ATF.....I also have re-cal. vb installed. so my shifting is much more responsive. synthetic ATF has higher temperature tolerance, which is good for mods like vb recal....

 

It's not a night and day difference, but my car definately shifts more smoothly and getting it out of park is no longer a tug of war. I switched at 6k with the Amsoil ATF.

 

So when I switch over to ATF which should I use, and do I need to have a shop flush it out, or can I do it myself? I know there's been discussion on this, but I haven't found any for when you originally switch it up.

 

Not sure if you saw the thread that I started just this past weekend, titled "My Y2K Tranny Fluid Change Experience".

My transmission wasn't all that bad anyway, but at 53k, I felt it was time to change/upgrade to synthetic. I cannot tell a difference at all...but the peace of mind helps me sleep better at night.

I used Mobile 1 Synthetic ATF.

 

Amsoil and Mobil seem to be the ATF's of choice. Amsoil warrants up to 3 times the normal change interval. You need to find a shop that will change and flush the system with the ATF you bring to them. You'll need 12 quarts to flush the system with a 5th gen.

 

I've switched over to the Redline ATF and all is well... I did it the same time as my VB Mod and tranny cooler..

 

i have Amsoil running in my tranny now, i also switched it out when i did the VB

 

12 quarts? are you serious? 12 quarts of Synthetic ATF?!?! holy cow batman!

 

The car doesn't actually take 12 quarts, but the flush machine requires that as a minimum and it does waste some. I believe it actually holds around 10 quarts.

 

i HAD JIFFYLUBE SUCK OUT MY OLD FLUID AND PUT IN MOBIL1 SYNTHETIC ATF.
i SAW THIS MACHINE SUCK OUT ALL OF THE OLD FLUID AND PUMP IN THE NEW STUFF RIGHT IFO MY EYES. tHEY EVEN PUMPED MORE NEW FLUID IN TO FLUSH ANY MORE OLD ATF. SMOOTHER ESPECIALLY AT COLDER OPERATING TEMPS. NO BANGING SHIFTS EITHER -SMOOOOOOTHHHHH!!. i PAID $75 MORE OR LESS. i THINK i GOT A DEAL.

 

It's ok, you don't have to YELL I paid I think $70 for them to use the flush machine and yes they will do it in front of you. Sorry I forgot to mention Redline ATF. Also a very good product.

 

I use Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF mainly due to its easy availibility as I change the fluid myself. The torque converter will drain about 4 1/3 qts or 1/2 of the total fill. I do it 2 more times(10K miles after 1st/2nd change). At the first change, it is a 50% blend, then 75% and finally 98%. Sure I waste some fluid and don't have a total 100% sysnthetic fill from the start but I do this when the car has 1500 miles on it so the dino ATF is still fresh....and stays fresh with the changes. I just prefer to work on the car myself.
Have always been pleased and notice a difference using synthetic transmission fluid whether auto(ATF) or manual(ie, Redline MT-90). Feel this plus that it helps the transmission not cook(ie, last longer) makes it well worth the money.

 

I think I’m swaying toward doing this process. Nissan just changed my transmission fluid approximately 8000 miles ago. The transmission feels fine just once in awhile you get what seems to be slippage but I think it maybe from switching from second to first back to second while in highway traffic. The other question is when they or myself does this change of ATF do I need to change the filter in the transmission or do you think since I only have approximately 8000 miles since Nissan has done (Or supposedly done) the ATF and filter change do I need to have this done again? confused:

 

Just flush the tranny yourself and you'll be all set.

 

No filter to change.

 

nope no filter just a screen in the VB

 

Nice, Thanks alot i really appreciate all your help everybody

 

I just changed my ATF this weekend. I drained all the fluid I could using the drain plug. I've got 36K miles on my 2001 and I was amazed how nasty the fluid looked. It was the color of burgundy wine. I let the fluid drain for about 30 minutes and then removed the pan. Gee, that was fun. Had I noticed there were 21 bolts holding the thing on, I might have decided against it.
After I dropped the pan, I removed the magnets. They weren't as bad as I expected. Each one had about a tablespoon of superfine metal shavings -- almost like grey clay. I cleaned the magnets and the pan with brake cleaner and dried them. I let them sit for a while so any remaining brake cleaner would evaporate. After I put the pan back in, I removed the tranny cooler feed line (which I didn't realize is actually part of the radiator), hooked up some 3/8" ID tubing from Home Depot. I had a friend pour a quart of fluid in before I started the car. He put the clear tubing in the empty ATF bottle while I started the car. I shifted between R and D a few times until the bottle was full. We did this a total of 10 times. By the eighth quart the fluid coming out looked exactly the same as it did going in. I ended up with two full quarts left over. I bought 12 quarts of Mobil 1 synthetic ATF and used 10 -- lost about a quart juggling the tubing around. The whole thing took about an hour and half -- with beer breaks. Definitely get a friend to help -- it would have been nearly impossible otherwise.
My tranny has been REALLY rough lately. After the switch, I couldn't believe how much smoother the shifts are! My Dad rode with me the next morning and asked if I had something done to the tranny. He was quite surprised when I told him I just changed the fluid!

 

Has anyone tired B&M Synthetic trick Shift ATF?

 

I don't recommend running the vehicle to flush the tranny. Gravity drain is an excellent second best solution next to forced pumping station. Considering that the average tranny caost much less then the average tranny service, I recommend just going to a reputable tranny shop and geting it done for less then $100. I have done it both ways, and will forever take it to the pro's from this point forward. It's well worth my $80 and 45 minutes.
I also recommend having the fluid changed at 3000, 30,000, and every 30K there after for the best protection against deposit wear.

 

I always sucked at math. You did it 10 times which equals 10 quarts. But it also takes 4.5q to fill the pan. So you used 14.5q, right? Or, are you now several(calculator quit) quarts low?

This is a method that experienced mechanics have been using for years before fancy flush/exchange machines existed and is actually recommended by certain domestic makes. I never bother with 1 quart at a time. Most trannies need at least 10+ quarts. Usually two times with 5+ quarts(repeat as necessary), running until exit line gurgles/burps, and then topping off the ATF pan, which is almost dry, because that is where the pump's pickup usually is. I also like using the clear homedepot tubing. I just like watching the fluid change color and it is very noticeable on poorly maintained transmissions.

I give you a pat on the back for ATF pan removal and cleaning. Since imports are more likely to have drain plugs, it is easiest(me lazy) to drain/overfill/bleed out of the cooler return/exit line(to flush cooler also). Rear drive domestics almost always required messy 'filled pan' removal. Wearing ATF sucks

I also can perform/teach you this function, in RI area, cheaper than quicklube places if you supply the ATF.

I do recommend synthetics. I have used the normal B&M fluid and don't recommend it--too grippy like TypeF.
But, the new synthetic B&M fluid is dex/mer certified and safe for newer transmissions. Pepboys/speed shops around here have it. Give it a try and let us know what you think.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I think this weekend will consist of a sythetic change over for my trans. I already on my second change od sythetic with my engine and i can justify that the motor seems to be running smoother and is cheaper than taking it to Nissan service to get a normal change done. (it seemed every time i brought my car to Nissan for an oil change that the oil change would start out at $20 and by the time i picked up my car it would cost me around $400 after they tell me all the stuff that needs to be serviced)Is it me or are most Nissan service centers crooks?

 

I probably didn't explain that very well. It sorta made sense when I wrote it, but makes no sense at after just reading it I ended up with about 9 quarts in the tranny -- which is about the total capacity including the pan. We actually didn't stop and restart for each of the ten quarts put in. That was a bit of an exaggeration. After draining the pan, cleaning it, and reinstalling it, I added 4 quarts to replace what I drained. I then added 2 more quarts (so the trans is actually overfilled by a little more than 2 quarts at this point), then started the car and let about 2 pump out of the tranny cooler return line back into the empty bottles. By the time the second bottle was almost full, the fluid coming out looked almost exactly the same as it did going in. Shut off engine. Added 2 more, pumped 2 more out. Repeated one more time with 2 quarts except I let a bit more pump out than I put in. Since I'd dropped the pan and cleaned it (which got rid of most of the gunk), I only needed about one additional quart to 'flush' the entire thing. I poured the rest of the used ATF from the initial drain back into the empty bottles and it added up to just under 9 quarts -- minus the small amount I spilled on my arm and the floor and the one additional quart I used for the flush. It registers perfectly on the dipstick when hot or cold. Still not sure if I explained that well, my math skills are definitely lacking and I haven't had enough coffee this morning.

 

Could you take a picture or describe in a little more detail how to locate the hose(attached to the radiator) you referred to?

 

Sure. I'll try to take some pics when I get home after work.

 

The pic isn't great, but it's not easy to get under the front of the car with a digital camera. This is the radiator towards the passenger side. You can see the large coolant hose on the right and the smaller tranny fluid feed line on the left. I was under the impression 2K1 Maxima's had an independent tranny cooler -- but it's apparently integrated into the radiator.



If you can't see the pic, try this link:
AT cooler feed line

If you haven't seem them before, take a look at a few of the other pics in the Maxima forum if you wanna see how Maximas hold up in an accident. That was my first one (Max and accident).

 

Thanks for the pic, kirzan. This is the hose that you place in a bottle to catch the oil left in the tranny right?

Man! What did hit or what hit you? That looks like it was really bad. Hope all is well with man. I guess it killed tha car but at least you are alright. Better the car than you man.

thanks
woosh