Sorry guys, I coulondn't find the answer in the fluids section. I'm on doing a darin and fill on the AT this weekend (38K) an di have 2 questions. First, has anyone tried using the Asmoil Synth in the 5speed AT and with what results? Second, does anyone know the size of the allen wrench for the drain plug? OK that was three questions.

Thanks in advance.

 

Rich, I'd love to help, but I haven't done this with our Maxima's yet.

I haven't tried Amsoil and am not sure I am going to.

I don't know that I'd flush my tranny at that low mileage. What does your tranny fluid look like? Is it burnt and dark and in need of a change? Older vehicles required transmission flushes often. These Maxima's are designed to go quite sometime without needing one. I believe I was told 100k miles....I don't know about going that long in between, so I'll just check it often.

Be careful also, putting anything other than Nissan Matic K fluid in your tranny could void your warranty. Nissan spells that out pretty clearly in your manual. They caution you to use their fluid only (as they would with even something as simple as winshield washer fluid). The lubricant used in our transmissions is a synthetic-type of blend. Please be careful!

Can't help when it comes to the drain plug sized head. I'm not sure, haven't done this yet.

Swee

 

1 and 2. I do not have the answer.
3. The size is a 10mm allen wrench.

 

Thanks for size. As for the change,the manual calls for one at 30k which is also how much i put on in a year, so i thought I'd go ahead and do it since I'm doing oil and brakes.

 

I've heard that you should only use the fluid that is specified for your trans. And if you could please show me where this drain plug is located then that would be greatly appreciated!

dan

 

RichA - Nissan has scheds for three different 'levels' of maintenance for the 6th gen Maxima. Only the highest level (I call that level the '****' level) lists an ATF change at 30K. The first MANDATORY change is (as Swee mentioned) at 105K miles.

Of course the manual states that the fluid should be checked every 15K, and if any discoloration, odor, etc is noticable, a fluid change should be made fairly soon.

I have had good luck in the past changing my Maxima tranny fluid at mileages like 60K to 75K, but plan on changing at 45K on my '04 SL. Of course changing sooner won't hurt the car, and there are those who love to baby their Maxima.

Nissan is fairly blase about tranny fluid brands in most of their products, but seems fairly serious about the requirement of using their special fluid in the 6th gen 5speed tranny.

Unless you have an extended warranty, at 38K your Maxima is no longer under warranty, so you won't void it. Looking at that another way, warranty or not, if you guess wrong and mess up the tranny, repairs come entirely out of your pocket.

If I were you, I would check out the fluids, etc section of this board very carefully before changing to a non-Nissan tranny fluid.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

I went ahead and picked up the ATF at Nissan today. It was only (!) 9.30/qt. Thats about .25 more than the Amsoil is on their site. I do have the 100k warranty so I decided to use Nissans ATF. I pretty much stick to the **** schedule on service. Dan, as far as I can tell the drain is on the front of the tranny, kinda straight down below where the dipstick goes in. It is about the size of a quarter and has an Allen head on it. It's about the only thing down there so it shouldn't be too hard to find.

 

I change mine every 15k

 

on your manual or auto? do you just drain and fill, or do you drop the pan and clean the filters as well?

 

Drop, clean, fill. Auto.

 

The 5AT requires 3 quarts of NISSAN K-matic. I replaced mine at 17K and sent a sample to Blackstone Labs. They said my oil had become acidic and my timing was perfect. They said its normal for factory oil and that this oil should last much longer.

Plug is at the front of tranny. No filter to clean since 5AT has no oil pan under.

 

Are you sure about the 3 quarts? I have not done mine yet, but according to my FSM the capacity is 7.75 US quarts for the 5A/t. So are you saying that you only get 1/3 of the factory fluid out?

How did you know your timing was perfect? And did the lab say it was normal for the factory fluid to become acidic, and if so wouldn’t the new Matic K also then become acidic?

 

so just a quick drain and fill and no cleaning of the magnetic filters in the pan? I remember someone saying that they did drop the pan and clean the filters on a 6th gen, I think it was chernmax.

 

That's correct if you want to do it the correct way...

 

^^^ Remember that the early 6th gen (I believe the SL) came with the 4 speed auto only. That transmission has an Oil pan and a filter to replace.
The 5-speed auto do not have an oil pan and the max amount you can take out of them is 3 quarts. I know, it sucks but you dont have other choice.

 

Chernmax has a 5-speed auto.

 

Just like others, only 3 quarts came out. The rest stays in the hydraulic lines and the torque converter. I change my tranny oil every two years at most. It could have been a waste of money at 17K. The fact that the lab said I did the right thing made me happy and re-enforced my conviction that FWD tranny’s run hot and work hard. They too need fresh oil once in a while. From what I read, it’s a normal aging process of oil to become acidic:

“Chemical change results from oxidation when oxygen combines with oil molecules to produce peroxides and organic acids. The oil thickens over and becomes more acidic. Sludge and varnish deposits erode shift quality and clutch durability and cause increased component wear. The transmission fluid doesn't just lubricate. It cools and transmits power, too.”

 

Peroxides are horrendous/

 

how about a full trans flush at the stealership...or do I risk damaging more than I could improve?

 

IMO, at the recommended NISSAN interval is when you get the full flush. I don't know if the dealer has better or the same equipment as Jiffy Lube. I read that problems with power flush are caused by poor training where the tech connects the hoses incorrectly. There is solvent base flushing and oil based flushing. Solvents will remove varnish deposits.

 

Ok I just want to review before I decide whether my ATF should be changed.
I have 32k miles on my 5sp auto so I should check my fluid for discoloration before changing. What is considered discoloration? Is it a dark color?
Changing the ATF is like changing motor oil....drain and refill? There is no
filter, gasket, and dropping the pan to deal with? I should get 3 or 4 qts
of K-Matic ATF. If it's a simple drain and refill process, then I could just do it myself.

 

is their any reason as to why the drain plug on the trans is at that weird angle