Alright, I can see the level in my 2000max but can't see the fluid w/out taking the cap off, obviously, so what's the stinkin' trick??? It won't tighten down so I assume the reservoir bottle is not threaded for the cap, so does it come off w/ a screwdriver "pop off" or what? I aint stupid here, but careful beyond all measure w/ cheap plastic...like the fuel filter job...I can do this PS fluid change, but I NEED THE CAP OFF! Help me b4 I break it! One try w/ a screwdriver could be my last night for a long time!

Also, is the consensus on PSII to use ATF or what? I see quite varying info, so is it just safe to get the stuff from the stealer?

 

You have to twist the cap forward, or twist left, and it should come off when trying to take it off. I also have a 2000 and pretty sure our PS fluid tank is the same. By the way, I just changed mine this past weekend and simply used Mobil 1 Syn ATF, no problems, steering wheel feels more nimble now, guess I really needed to change it.

 

Thanks. So the cap does not need to be aligned "just so" so that it can come off? There's the lines in the plastic cap on two ends and a line mark on the reservoir as well, does that mean anything?

 

On my 2000 SE I just pulled up while twisting it and it came off.

There is no special way to line it up (like on a pill bottle) or any threads.

 

Ok, I pulled hard while twisting, and it finally came off. Never seen a cap connection like this before! Kinda crazy. Anyway, fluid looks like a cross between red ATF and orangish/brownish tint to it. I guess that is cause it is old or might that be the original color? I would like to change it via the turkey baster method but any more opinions on the kind of fluid? Manual says PSII...sure would be nice to use my Castrol import ATF but some say atf doesn't have same properties. Any more feedback?

 

Any ATF with Dexron III/II or higher should be good. Mobil 1 Sny ATF uses Dexron VI, and is compatible with anything requiring anything lower. Also my ATF before I changed was a brownish red, and the new fluid is bright red, so yeah you may need to change it.

 

If only there was a forum for this type of question...

http://forums.maxima.org/forumdisplay.php?f=70

 

Thanks for the info, but I have been there already, thus my question woven in this about PS cap and fluid since there really is no definitive answer. Maybe that IS the answer, in that choose yourself what you want, just use DexIII or higher atf or buy the stuff from the stealer, Russian roulette. Sounds a bit loopy from Nissan to have some manuals state atf and others not - as stated in the above link - even the same year vehicle. Weird.