I've seen this question asked a few times without a concrete answer.
There have been several posts of "I changed my MT fluid to XYZ and boy
do I feel the difference" but I would really like to know what to look for
that would necessitate a change.

I vaguely recall on my 89SE that they say change every 60K miles.
I have almost 30K now on my 02.

My 02 owner's manual doesn't say (it doesn't even list the quantity).
My 02 ESM says that it basically needs to be inspected every 30K.
I dropped my car off for the free 100 point check up and the dealer
recommended changing the fluid (of course this is the goal of these
"free" inspections, not that I can blame them).

So can someone tell me what to be inspecting for? Thanks.

 

The manual states I think just to check it every 30k. I went so far as to call several dealers in my area. One, which I know from experience sucks, recommended changing every 30k. The others (I called three others I think) said that the oil has no recommended change; it's good for the life of the car.

Nissan has several "schedules". The highest one does recommend changing the fluid I think every 60k, and the others not at all.

I basically took all of this information and for me decided that I would change it on my cars every 60k. I firmly believe, however, that the differences that people supposedly notice when they change fluids are in most cases purely placebo in nature.

 

Thanks. Completely agree with your assessment.