Have a 04 maxima 4spd auto with 108k miles, never has had a transmission flush or drain and fill to my knowledge, checked the fluid looks clean on the stick and level is good, but just noticed when i put the car in drive its a little jerk that ive never noticed before, car runs perfectly fine when driven, other than a little hard shift sometimes into 2nd gear, what would anyone reccomend? I hear transmission flush is not a good idea but to drain and fill is ok, anyone with any advice on this will be greatly apreciated, thanks.

 

Don't change the fluid go get it checked out before it gets worse. You're in the begining stages of transmission failure. That's the hot topic around here just go get it looked at don't go to the dealer go to AAMCO or see a transmission specialist dude. If you change the fluid its gonna worsen it.

 

The 4speed tranny has little known issues. Check your mounts. Also, no harm changing the fluid if that old. Drain/refill. The recommended fliud is Nissan Matic D.

 

04max831 Have it looked at first I can tell you from experience and others will attest to this if you change the fluid with those symptoms your experiencing it will make it worse. Ask a few guys around here before you do anything I wouldn't want you to have to pay 3500 for a new transmission.


here's my best advice have that issue in the transmission looked at (specifically the valve body) and then once that repaired has been made do a fluid change until then don't mess with it. Others wait until they experience the jerk then go and change the fluid and then the transmission fails.

 

You don't seem to realize the difference between the RE4F04B and the RE5F22A.

 

Costee all in favor agreed!

 

I would recommend you getting the level 10 valve body with shift kit. You are in the very beginning stages of transmission failure. The reason for the failure is the faulty valve body on the stock transmissions. Level 10 has discovered the reason for the failure and has developed a product that will prevent it 100%. You have a decision to make. pay 800 for the level 10 valve body and never have to worry about your transmission, or do nothing and wait for your transmission to fail and end up paying 3500-4200 for a new transmission later on down the road. I had my transmission doing the exact same thing. I didn't do anything about it and it go worse and worse until my transmission basically put my car into fail safe (stuck in 5th gear). I bought the Level 10 VB with shift kit and it completely fixed my hard shifts. Now my car shift like it did when it was brand new and so far everyone that has gotten one has never had another problem. I think its the best decision anyone can make who has a 6th gen maxima. The 6th gen has 2 major problems. The transmission and the timing chain guides. The level 10 eliminated the transmission problem. The timing chain, well there is nothing you can do about that. Just need to wait and hope your car doesn't have a problem through the duration in which you own it.

The level 10 valve body is pricy but it will save you thousands of dollars down the road. It is a 100% fix to your issue.

 

Wrong diagnosis. The guy has a 4speed.

 

Are you suggesting that the 04 (Maxima SL) 4 speed is dealt with differently than the 5 speed?


I have the 4 Speed and just noticed a delayed engagement from P-D. I was thinking of going the Level Ten route, but is that not a good option?

 

Yap, they're different. Your delayed engagement is probably caused by a bad mount. Maybe you need to also change tranny fluid. Nissan recommends Matic D. Also, scan for codes. The typical symptons of the 5speed is that the delayed engagement is accompanied by a lurch.