So my girlfriend brings her 02 Max to the dealer b/c her transmission feels like it might be slipping a bit. The idiot behind the counter asks her if she ever changed her transmission fluid. She says I have no idea, I don't think so. He tells her that she was supposed to change it at 15K and 30K (she's got 35K on it now) and if it is determined that there is a transmission problem, her warranty will be voided b/c she never changed the fluid.

So she goes absolutely nuts on them for a little bit, and rightfully so I believe. She brings her car to Nissan for service and oil changes, so if the transmission fluid needed to be changed it's their fault for not telling her. Any service department I've ever been to loves to push that kind of stuff on you, so if it was supposed to be done they should have told her.

But, the problem I have with this is in the maintenance section of the owners manual, at 15K it says "check" auto transmission fluid. At 30K, it says "optional" change transmission fluid. It also says "If towing a trailer, using a camper or car-top carrier, or driving on rough or muddy roads, replace the transmission fluid/oil at every 30K miles or 24 months. So in the absolute worst conditions, it says change at 30K, so I think she's definitely within the specs for not having changed the fluid at this point.

BTW, she does a ton of highway driving, so those are the least stressful conditions according to the owners manual. So pretty much, the dealer is BSing her I think. Opinions? Thanks.

 

It is the "guilt" game... The dealer wants to make you feel it is your fault. Your '02 powertrain should still be under warranty. I believe most Maxima owners around here do tranny fluid changes every 15k as preventive maintenance, because of the spotty history of these auto trannies. As an owner, all you have as a reference for required services is the owners manual, and as you have indicated, it doesn't really specify ATF replacement until 30k. And if you have evidence that you have kept up with Nissan's recommended services at the dealer, you should not worry about it. Call Nissan Consumer Affairs and complain if the dealer gives you a hard time.

 

you change it based on how hard you run it and where you drive it. you can tell if it needs change by looking at it.

nissan uses 2 schedules. under schedule A they say 15k. under B i think it said "inspect and change as needed". too lazy to go grab the manual and quote it. but it should be in yours as well.

 

cuda,

There are two Nissan Technical Service Bulletins for AT out there applicable to the '02 model year. Sorry, I don't have the complete description but you may want to mention them to your dealer. Like Evil says, it will depend on the condition of your AT fluid, but the dealer should have detected in previous services if it was burnt or showing indications that needed to be replaced. Good luck.

NTB00039 - A/T Slips from First to Second and Second to Third Gear

If an applied vehicle exhibits slow or delayed shifting from first to second gear or from second to third gear (particularly at one-half throttle or greater application) refer to the Service Procedure listed below to properly diagnose and repair the vehicle.

NTB04035 - Abnormal Shifting of Auto Transaxle (RE4F04B/W)

IF YOU CONFIRM: An Applied Vehicle equipped with an automatic transaxle has ALL of the following conditions: · Abnormal shifting (like: slip, "shift shock", no shift, improper shift timing) · Transmission fluid is not burnt · No excessive debris inoil pan* · The incident is listed as an A/T internal fault as per the Electronic Service Manual (ESM) diagnostic procedure *See A/T Fluid Cooler Inspection Procedure in the appropriate ESM. SERVICE INFORMATION Policy Change When ESM diagnosis shows an incident is caused by an A/T internal fault for an Applied Vehicle; · DO NOT replace the transaxle assembly. · Instead, first replace the control valve assembly (valve body) of the incident transmission. Use the latest part number shown in your Nissan Parts Catalogue. See this bulletin for further detail.

 

Yeah, I've read the entire schedule for "Premium", "Schedule 1", and "Schedule 2". To sum up each category, Premium says "recommended option that is suitable for all driving habits and local conditions. With Premium Maintenance, more maint. items are regularly checked or replaced than with either Sch. 1 or Sch. 2 maint. schedules".

Schedule 1 says "Use Sch. 1 if you primarily operate your vehicle under any of these conditions: 1) repeated short trips of less than 5 miles in normal temperatures or less than 10 miles in freezing temps, 2) stop and go traffic in hot weather or low-speed driving for long distances, 3) driving in dusty conditions or on rough, muddy, or salt-spread roads, 4) Towing a trailer, or using a camper or car-top camper".

Schedule 2 says "generally applies only to highway driving in temperate conditions. Use Schedule 2 only if you primarily operate your vehicle under conditions other than those listed in Sch. 1.

So, at 15K, all 3 schedules says "inspect" auto trans fluid. At 30K, Premium says optional to flush auto trans fluid and schedules 1 and 2 both say inspect, unless you are towing a trailer (which she is not).

First off, I'd say she falls into the schedule 2 category, but I won't be greedy and I'll say schedule 1. But at 35K, nowhere does it say to flush the fluid. Now, the thing that sucks which is pretty confusing is if you go through the entire manual, not once does it say to definitely flush the trans. fluid, even under premium. It always says optional, and that's only under the premium schedule. Sch. 1 and 2 always say inspect, which if she's getting her oil changed at Nissan and they check off those boxes that say "topped off and inspected fluids" or whatever it says, then it's their fault if it should have been changed and it wasn't.

Regardless, I think at 35K with a ton of highway driving, her warranty shouldn't be voided b/c she hasn't done this yet. I just think it's typical Nissan service, which is the worst I've ever experienced. Always trying to pass the blame on you and not standing behind their product.

Sorry for the long post, but I'm just trying to be perfectly clear. I appreciate the responses.

 

Gimmetorq,

Thanks, I'll look into those.

 

I'd state your case - you've summed up your defense well. If they continue to deny warranty service, then hit up another dealer. You're not in the wrong - Don't let them try to convince you otherwise.

 

if worse comes worse.. just buy redline high Temperature ATF from myoilshop.com..
get 14 quarts.. go to jiffy lube.. pay 60 bucks and get a nice and quick flush and enjoy your new and BETTER oil.

 

I do a drain and refill every 20k...but I over do my maintenance when it comes to the tranny.

In reality, you can get by with flushes every 60k miles (the 30k mile change is optional). Now, some may gasp at that, but that is the average. We as americans are tough on cars and pay little for preventative maintenance. GM now has transmissions that are sealed from the factory, meaning the fluid never gets changed.