I own a 2K3 with 14K miles on it and since I bought it brand new, the auto tranny has always slipped when shifting between 1st and 2nd gear. I know that a lot of 2K2-2K3 owners complaint about the same problem and the Nissan stealer always says it's normal. But yesterday I drained about 4 quarts of the factory atf and replaced it with Mobil One synthetic atf. Wow. What a difference. There is definitely a big improvement. Maybe I should've done a complete drain. I certainly recommended.

 

Do a full flush with either the Mobil 1 or the Amsoil and you'll be happy as hell.

 

How many quartz of tranny fluid do you need for the 2k2 maxima? I bought a case of six about 4-5 months ago.

 

If you only remove the drain plug like I did, you'll need about 4 quarts but if you do a complete flush and refill, I think it's something like 12 quarts.

 

I was just thinking that my 03 shifts very slowly between 1st and 2nd. It was really annoying me. My 4th gen work car shifts very firmly. Thanks for the info.

 

I have a 92 Acura Legned, and it also has a drain plug (instead of having to remove the pan). The legend forum guys do their own 'homemade flush' by draining, replacing the 4 quarts, driving a few hundred miles, drain, replace, drive a few hundred miles and drain and replace a 3rd time. At this point the ration of remaining OEM (or used) fluid is diluted so effectively, you've basically done a flush and you did it yourself for the cost of 12 qts of ATF.

I'd do this before a flush as I've heard several stories that say it really doesn't flush the whole tranny anyway. Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't, but I'd to do it myself anyway.

You guys like the Mobil 1 ATF huh??? I'll have to check it out.

 

This came from the 2002 Maxima Electronic Service Manual:

Changing A/T Fluid:

1. Warm up A/T fluid.
2. Stop engine.
3. Drain A/T fluid from drain plug and refill with new A/T fluid. Always refill same volume with drained fluid.
4. Run engine at idle speed for five minutes.
5. Check fluid level and condition. Refer to “Checking A/T Fluid”. If fluid is still dirty, repeat step 2. through 5.

Additional Info:

Fluid grade:
Nissan Matic “D” (Continental U.S. and Alaska) or Canada NISSAN Automatic Transmission Fluid

Fluid capacity (With torque converter):
9 US qt, 7-1/2 Imp qt

Drain plug:
29 - 39 N·m (3.0 - 4.0 kg-m, 22 - 29 ft-lb)

 

Anyone know, my manuals in the car.

I've seen Nissan type J listed. What Mobil 1 or Amsoil product is equivalent to the required Nissan?

 

Hey realtor:

Quick question - where is the ATF drain plug ?
I know the oil plug is on the passenger side....

Is the ATF on the driver's side ?

Thanks!

 

Dont 4get B&M trick shift as well, kinda overkill but works like a charm.

 

The tranny's drain plug is on the driver side. Just look under the tranny and you'll see it screwed under the pan. You'll need a 19mm socket. Make sure that you refill the tranny with exactly the same amount of fluid that comes out (should be about 4 quarts). If changing 4 quarts made a big improvement on the shifting, I can't begin to imagine what a complete flush and refill would do. Good luck.

 

Mobil One only sells one kind of Synthetic ATF for auto trannies. The label says "Dexron and/or Mercon". I believe Amsoil says the same thing.

 

Me and my dad just did this about a month ago. There was this cool link but i cant find it. I think it was something like greghome or something. Anyway you take the trans return line and put that into a bucket. then you take this other line and put that into fresh atf. It worked great and we got all new ATF.

 

Yep. Nissan's ATF is a Dexron III type fluid. The Obil 1 ATF or the Amsoil ATF is fully compatible with it. I prefer Amsoil

 

anyone know about how much the total price will come to for a full flush if i get it done at a shop (amsoil or mobil 1 ATF and labor)??

 

I had this done on my 2k2 SE Auto by a local lube 'n tune shop... I bought 12 quarts of Mobil 1 Full Synthetic ATF (fully compatible w/ Max) at an Auto Zone for like a couple of bucks each, much cheaper than the lube place sells it. Then I took the 12 quarts to a lube 'n tune specialist, and they use a new high-tech hydraulic pump system that literally pumps every ounce of your existing ATF out and simultaneously refills with the new Syn ATF.

The reason you need 12 quarts is so they can use the first couple to assist in cleanly flushing all the old crap out, the car actually only holds about 10 quarts. This process (if you bring your own ATF to the party) will cost you between 60-100 bucks depending on the shop. It is definitely worth it!

---Matt

 

Hi all..

Is there a "good time" to get this done? My Max got about 3700 miles on it right now.. Should I wait a lil while to let it wear in some more and then change the fluid?

Thanks,
Nick

 

Wait, absolutely. At least wait until 15,000-20,000 miles, until your engine and tranny have really hit their 'sweet spot' break-in wise, prior to that you won't be flushing the micro particles and contaminants out of the transmission. Plus I think most automakers recommend NOT using synthetic lubricants (oil or atf, etc.) until a certain break-in period has elapsed, any one else that can confirm this?

 

I used Amsoil ATF and it took about 9-1/2 10 qts (w/ the B&M tranny cooler). I had it done for $36 at a local Tire/Lube place (Merchant Tire). They do a good job of replacing it all. I did lose a quart in the process but had originally bought a case so no worries.

You need to underfill if anything (at the low mark when warm). Do not overfill and check over the next day or so to see if it needs a little more to get it to a greater than midline between the ranges.

Huge difference in shifting and it lowers the fluid temp by a lot (Don't really need the B&M now unless racing - a lot of runs).

 

I agree, let the tranny wear in a little before you swap.

 

At the rate I'm putting on miles that will take me another 3 years. I don't think I can live with that shift for that long. Besides, that long shift must putting some serious wear on the tranny.

 

I know for a fact that every new Corvette comes with Mobil One 5W-30 from the factory so there is no doubt those engines actually go through the break-in period with synthetic oil. I did my own break-in with Mobil One and my car runs very good. I did the same thing with my Nissan Quest and no problems at all.

 

Do you have a pic or a detailed explanation of exactly where the ATF drain plug is...i cant seem to find it.

 

Did you do anything else or did you only just change the oil. I talked to my Dad about doing it and he said that you also have to clean the filter screen or somethin' like that, I can't remember what he said.

 

i was able to find a kwik lube that had a transmition flushing machine. It flushed the fluid out of not only the trany, but the tourque converter also(where most of your fluid is) then replaced it w/ Redline AT fluid. Cost to flush; $85.00. Good luck
hunter

 

just look under the car by the driver side behind the tire. You'll see the tranny pan and a big bolt in the center of the pan. Get a 19 mm socket and try it. After you replace the fluid, make sure not to overtighten the bolt because you'll strip the thread and that means buying a new tranny pan. Good luck.

 

Man, that's great news... I was planning to do the same sometime this summer but I was kind of having mixed feeling about it. I'm definitely going for it then. Drain'n'Fill with Mobil 1 ATF every 15k is going to be...

 

For those of you who'd like to study this topic a bit more, here is an old link with lots of good info, and other ATF links embedded in the post, about changing tranny fluid.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....5&pagenumber=2