Sooooooooo. Many years of neglect in this post.
My 2000 Maxima 5M has been my DD/beater for about 4 years now.
I've owned the car for over 10 years. The tranny fluid, and actually no fluid other than coolant and motor oil, has ever been changed.
196,000 miles.(I know, I can feel you guys shaking your heads)
My question is, If I change fluids should I expect new problems to arise?
My car is all stock all the way around mechanically. Never changed anything. Just fixed stuff when it broke(Wheel hubs and bearings, alternator, radiator, belt, tires, brakes.)
But she's starting to need some attention. Everything I've read
seems to point to stuff like suspension-cause it's obviously shot.
Where should I start? I'm somewhat new to this sort of stuff and DIY has really just started to interest me. So please take it easy on my laziness.

Thanks in advance to any and all who pitch in.

 

Manual transmission you say?

Amsoil time, GL-4.

You'll be fine.

Hopefully you never lost any fluid over the years through axle seals and such that might have caused some extra wear.

Try to change it at around 60k next time.

 

Do the amsoil like he said and make sure you get the correct one because the newer stuff like gl-5 eats your brass synchros. Change the brake fluid with high temp stuff. Also replace the power steering fluid with synthetic automatic transmission fluid like amsoil. Etc...

 

Thanks guys.

 

You may want to change the brake fluid at this point as well.