5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

Tranny fluid

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Old 06-30-2010, 05:39 PM
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Tranny fluid

I found a good discount on some dextron VI, would it be a good idea to use that? Or go with a different type of fluid.

TJ
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Old 06-30-2010, 07:20 PM
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Please read your owners manual.

If you cannot get Nissan Matic D, pls buy Dex/Merc III or the Castrol Import formula if necessary
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Old 06-30-2010, 10:05 PM
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Originally Posted by soxruled0
I found a good discount on some dextron VI, would it be a good idea to use that? Or go with a different type of fluid.

TJ
http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/maxima/2002/MA.pdf

It says you can use DexronIII/Mercon, but the FSM isn't up to date (it's a one time copy). Wouldn't hurt to give the dealer a call just to verify, I know some transmissions can be damaged by using the wrong fluid.

Also try checking on the bottle of ATF that you're buying, it might say on it what it's compatible with (or meets specs of). I know on the back of castrol import ATF it lists that it's compatible with Nissan Matic D.
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Old 07-01-2010, 12:19 AM
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Originally Posted by soxruled0
I found a good discount on some dextron VI, would it be a good idea to use that? Or go with a different type of fluid.

TJ
Don't be cheap with your baby...get mobil 1 syn atf...140000 miles on my original tranny, still gets floored once in A while and running like new still
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Old 07-01-2010, 04:39 AM
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how do you know when its time to change the trans fluid? went to jiffy lube the other day and they were like every 30k miles?? hmm
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Old 07-01-2010, 06:07 AM
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Originally Posted by f.weezy.babii
how do you know when its time to change the trans fluid? went to jiffy lube the other day and they were like every 30k miles?? hmm
I change mine every 8th oil change, so about every 24K for me!
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Old 07-01-2010, 09:37 AM
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Ya my cars at 75k and its never been changed before. I have noticed that the shifts have become harder over time. It is probably normal, but I feel that if I change the fluid it might make the shifts a bit smoother. Still not 100% sure what fluid I should get, gunna try and change the tranny fluid myself.
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Old 07-01-2010, 09:52 AM
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Originally Posted by soxruled0
Ya my cars at 75k and its never been changed before. I have noticed that the shifts have become harder over time. It is probably normal, but I feel that if I change the fluid it might make the shifts a bit smoother. Still not 100% sure what fluid I should get, gunna try and change the tranny fluid myself.
it will make the shifts a lot smoother! amsoil works great, mobile1 is also great, and also I had a slight grind in the 4th gens tranny I used Gm synchromesh modified and it took the grind away completely.
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Old 07-01-2010, 09:53 AM
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Use DEX III. DEX VI might not be backwards compatible to Dex III.

Read the fine print on DEX VI, it will tell you if it replaces DEX III. If not, do not do it.
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Old 07-01-2010, 09:56 AM
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hmm, thats what I heard that it would take away the hard shifts. Alright I think I'm gunna go to the auto parts store and grab some mobile 1 dextron III, does that sound good? Btw is there anyway to get all the fluid out I heard you can only get like half of it out. Then you have to wait a bit for the fluid to go through the tranny all the way. Then you can swap more of the fluid. I also heard you can't change the filter, is that right?


Originally Posted by j23a45m9
it will make the shifts a lot smoother! amsoil works great, mobile1 is also great, and also I had a slight grind in the 4th gens tranny I used Gm synchromesh modified and it took the grind away completely.

Last edited by soxruled0; 07-01-2010 at 10:01 AM.
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Old 07-01-2010, 10:15 AM
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Yeah, I just checked the back of some "Mobil Super Multi-Vehicle ATF" and it listed Nissan Matic-D as compatible. It's workin' great so far I think it's a synthetic blend.
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Old 07-01-2010, 01:02 PM
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Stay away from DexVI, its vis is too low for our trannies. Our trannies like something in the order of 7.00-8.00 cSt. DexVI is close to 6.0 cSt.

Castrol Import MV ATF, M1 synthetic are good replacements post warranty!!!
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Old 07-01-2010, 01:05 PM
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Is there anyway to get all the fluid out I heard you can only get like half of it out. Then you have to wait a bit for the fluid to go through the tranny all the way. Then you can swap more of the fluid. I also heard you can't change the filter, is that right?
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Old 07-02-2010, 07:27 PM
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Drain the fluid and measure how much came out. Drop the pan and clean the gunk off the magnets. Reinstall pan with new gasket ,(and bolts if your **** about things), and refill with new fluid. Same quantity as you drained. Start engine, hold foot on brake and shift through all gears for 90 - 120 seconds. Shut off engine and drain fluid. Refill with new fluid, same amount as drained. Go for a drive to get it warmed up. Check fluid level and adjust accordingly. Drive it for a week and drain again. Obviously, refill with new fluid amount drained. Drive again and adjust level if necessary. This will replace about 80% - 90% of the old fluid in a safe, yet inconvenient way. I used Mobile semi-synthetic about 3k ago and all is well.
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Old 07-04-2010, 05:01 AM
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Originally Posted by soxruled0
Is there anyway to get all the fluid out I heard you can only get like half of it out. Then you have to wait a bit for the fluid to go through the tranny all the way. Then you can swap more of the fluid. I also heard you can't change the filter, is that right?
I just had the transmission flushed. They used a machine, and I supplied 12 quarts of fluid. I went with Valvoline (for >75000 mile cars) that met the Nissan spec. Doing it this way gets it all out.

Cost was about 65.00 for the fluid, and 75.00 labor. The previous owner had a pan drop and screen clean about 50000 miles ago, so I went for the flush only.

The transmission shifts noticibly smoother and quicker now - though it was operating ok before the fluid flush.
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Old 07-04-2010, 09:31 AM
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Anytime u give a moving part better lubrication it is going to work better (both in perception and reality). Good job in flushing thro the tranny with new fluid, next time avoid these machines and do a return line flush.
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Old 07-04-2010, 10:31 AM
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Please, for the love of the car god, never do a flush.
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Old 07-04-2010, 01:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Child_uv_KoRn
Please, for the love of the car god, never do a flush.
Yeah, even the word "flush" just makes me laugh.

Drain and refill.. All that is required.

For the record, I used Napa brand DEXIII ATF in my dads 2K Auto... shifts great after the drain + refill.
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Old 07-05-2010, 02:14 PM
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Drain and fill every oil change. Keeps the fluid fresh.
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Old 07-05-2010, 02:15 PM
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2 qts all you need of DEX III.
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Old 07-05-2010, 03:35 PM
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Totally unnecessary to do every oil change, and 2 quarts???
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Old 07-05-2010, 03:42 PM
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The 2 quarts of fresh ATF every at oil change time sounds like a good idea.

Cheap insurance, freshens additives, purges some rot . . . etc
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Old 07-05-2010, 06:45 PM
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Hey man, whatever you like. It is your car, afterall.
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Old 07-05-2010, 07:43 PM
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Originally Posted by mandyfig
Drain and fill every oil change. Keeps the fluid fresh.
Definitely excessive. But props for taking care of her
I do it about every 30k kms for my dad (20k miles?)
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Old 07-05-2010, 11:25 PM
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use Redline MT90...o wait, this is for an auto...


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Old 07-06-2010, 06:18 AM
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When you get a DEX III for a good price, then it is well worth the investment to use it on the Max. Every oil change means 5K. Also means done 2x a year for my driving. $12/year. Not bad at all.
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