I took my 2011 Maxima into my mechanic today for the first oil change, I had him put in Mobil One btw. At any rate, he informed me that he could not check the transmission fluid due to the fact that Nissan placed some type of lock on the AT filler cap and that Nissan is not willing to supply third party auto repairs shops with the tool to remove the cap in orer for non-Nissan repair shops to check the tranny fluid. He suggested that I go back to the dealer and suggest that they replace this Nissan cap with a physical dipstick. He even showed me the fitting on the tube at the front of the engine. Has anyone else replaced this cap successfully?

Edited

My mechanic told me to go to a Nissan dealer and ask for/pay for an auto trans dipstick. Is this possible?

 

This is by design to keep those type of shops from installing NON compatible with your CVT fluid in there and breaking stuff. Be happy those folks were NOT able to open that and check/top off, etc.

 

Schneid - The days of simply deciding between the two major types of tranny fluid are over. Most advanced trannies these days require a specific and dedicate tranny fluid, and the Nissan CVT is certainly one of these.

This 7th gen is definitely not a shade tree car. I would avoid all shade trees, lest there be a shade tree mechanic lurking nearby.

 

This basically means that were gonna get nickel and dimed when it comes to tranny service.

 

Have you had tranny serviced lately? I don't think 'nickle and dime' are the words you are looking for. You might consider sliding that decimal point over between three and four positions.

 

The days of being able to take your car to just about any reputable shop for repair and checkups are leaving quickly. Even when these cars are 10 years old, they will be going to the dealer for service on some items.

 

You got your 1st oil change and your worried about the trans fluid

 

With a 10 year / 100,000 mile warranty on the CVT, I guess it's not surprising that Nissan wants to make sure only the proper fluid goes in. They don't want to be on the hook for repairs due to impropper tranny fluid.

 

I agree CVT fluid is unique as is the transmission.

Just so you know the 2011 models don't have that CVT extended warranty, and it's for 120,000 miles...

http://www.nissanassist.com/faqs.php?menu=3

 

This is the best part...

Yeah, I bet he sounded real confident when he said that too...

I hate to point out the obvious, but these locked transmission sticks have been around for 5 years on the Max, ever since the 07 came out. And there are several other brands and model cars that have these too I'm sure. If this is the first time your Mech has seen one of these, he's way behind the curve, and probably not as good as you think he is.

 

Take car of you Maxima the right way.... get away from the shady shops when it comes to this HIGH TECH tranny

 

Not being funny but who was your salesman. You should have known that the day you purchased the car.

 

Yeah, I bought my 07 used from a Nissan dealership, and the salesman popped the hood and told me about the stick being sealed...

 

Anyone had their CVT fluid changed yet? If so, why? Mileage, CVT vibration issues, etc.? What did the dealer charge?

 

Come on man, that thread is still on the first page.
https://maxima.org/forums/7th-genera...intenance.html