Yup, I'm two for two today.

The trans oil is above the HOT mark when HOT. I drove around some, hoping it would go down as it worked its way around...but it still appears to be high. I did some digging, and am not sure if this is bad or not. On the one hand you have sites like this:

Do not overfill the ATF
http://www.valvoline.co.nz/prod011.htm
http://www.csaa.com/global/articlede...7C2025,00.html

And then you have these:
http://www.shoupsauto.com/FAQs.htm##2
http://www.quality-trans.com/faq/faq2.htm#9

Mine is a good inch over the fill mark. I drained the fluid this morning during the oil change then put about 4 1/4 qts back in (did this before and it was fine). Driving around today, the transmission shifts fine and the lever pulls to all the gears more easily than after my last change. Is it possible the fill marker is wrong and I was running low after my last change?

 

What does the manual say for the fluid level. I know on Honda ATFs you have to let the car sit for a few minutes before checking the level. Perhaps the newer Nissan automatics are like that?


Overfilling can cause similar symptoms to being underfilled.

 

I syphoned out 1/2 a quart and that got the level perfect when hot. When cold it still looks overfilled.

 

*****


Don't be freaked out by this issue. I drove my 03 Maxima for about a year with ATF fluid about 2 INCHES above the Hot limit. The only thing I noticed when I drained and refilled my ATF was moisture around the transmission underside due to venting. At first, I was so mad at the dealer (and myself) for not checking the fluid myself earlier. After some research on the web, though, I'm convinced no permanent damage was done. However, as for me in the future, I will never assume that some idiots have checked my fluids correctly in the future. Trust no one.

 

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