lilaclucymaxima

iTrader: (16)

hey, my car is due for a tranny flush and i am contemplating on whether i should drain it and put synthetic automatic transmission fluid in the transmission or just regular transmission fluid. my car has 81,000 miles and i am not sure if it the transmission fluid has been changed before, i bought the car with 71,000 miles on it. it makes sense to just get regular fluid, but would i benefit at all from synthetic atf?
thanks

Torkaholic

Start with the owner's manual. If it's gone, you can get it on line. I'm not sure about the Nissan products from the mid-90s, but many of the current products spec a particular Nissan fluid, and they're very picky and particular that the wrong one will cause damage. For example, I'm a member here largely because I'm a VQ engine fan, and share that with my Maxima friends, although I drive a G35. My G has the VQ and a 5-spd auto trans. It requires the use of "Nissan Matic-J" ATF, and the manual if full of dire warnings about using any other fluid. The current Maxima has a very similar version of the VQ and a 5-spd auto (obviously there's a manual available, and last year there was a 4-spd auto too). It mandates the use of "Nissan Matic-K" fluid, and the manual is full of similar dire warnings. Unfortunately for Nissan/Infiniti customers, there's a whole array of "Nissan Matic-X" ATFs out there.

These cars are not like GM products (duh), that all spec one type of ATF. Maybe there is one place where GM is superior. . . Anyway, make no assumptions about your ATF, and don't just get an over-the-counter syn and think you're ok because it's a syn. If yours is a Dexron ATF car, fine, if not, beware. But again, start with your manual.

flthere

iTrader: (2)

From my 98 I30 (4th gen maxima) manual:

Use only NISSAN Matic D (Continental US and Alaska) or genuine automatic transmission fluid (Canada). DexronTM III/MerconTM or equivalent may also be used.
Outside the continental US and Alaska contact an INFINITI dealer for more information regarding suitable fluids, including recommended brand(s) of DexronTM III/MerconTM automatic transmission fluid.

So guess you can use any Dexron III synthetic ATF. Since you are in the Northeast, maybe you look for a Mobil1 lube center and get it done there and put Mobil1 synthetic ATF which is Dexron III equivalent.

S00NR1

iTrader: (3)

To answer your question, I flushed and filled with M1 ATF about 4k miles ago and have had EXCELLENT results. The shift from 1-2 is MUCH smoother and the tranny moves a lot better when cold with the syn ATF. You will not harm your tranny WHATSOEVER using a syn ATF, but I would recommend only Mobil 1 or Amsoil as analyses have shown the best results with these two.

2002 Maxima SE

iTrader: (3)

I use M1 for my ATF as well. I did a drain and refill at 20k and again at 35k. I plan to do one every 20k to 25k.

Torkaholic

I've been unsuccessfully searching for feedback from owners who have used synthetic Dexron/Mercon fluids in place of the "Nissan Matic-X" products. I'm very curious, which of the Nissan fluids does your car spec? Do the footnotes allow the use of Dex or Merc as an alt? The footnotes in my book specifically warn that NO alternate fluid is acceptable (the car is a G35 which specs Matic-J ATF). Please tell me about your use and results. Thanks.

imported_Max_TL

tork, my '03 manual states :

Nissan matic 'D' (continental US & Alaska) or Canada Nissan ATF *
* - Dexron(tm)III/Mercon(tm) or equiv may be used.

don't know what Canada Nissan ATF is, but i suspect that is just the dealers using bulk dexron/mercon in our cars. the manual also states these equiv's can also be used for our PS fluids. i've already turkey basted the ps resevoir 2x, nice & pink now.
bought M1 ATF last week on sale, will wait to flush when slightly warmer though.

a friend on mine has a Murano, he's also limited to the Nissan ATF fluid thougn, may be same situ as yours??

2002 Maxima SE

iTrader: (3)

The Murano comes with a CVT which is a whole different beast.

Bobo

I'm sure glad I don't drive an automatic. It cost an extra C$1,200 when I bought my car new over 10 years ago and look at the BS one has to go through. I just got my transaxle fluid replaced a few days ago at a Mr. Lube @ 56,800 miles and it cost less than Cdn$35 using Quaker State. I couldn't justify the extra $40 to $45 for their Castrol synthetic. Anothe plus, my original brakes still have 50% front and 40% rear left because I don't use them, lol!

johnny2kgle

Tork,

The 4th and 5th Maxima have 4 speed automatic. The manual states "Use only Nissan Matic D atf. Dexron III/Mercon or equivalent may also be used."
So any DIII fluid can be used, Mobil 1, Amsoil, et al.

I have used Amsoil ATF and did not notice any difference from the factory fill. This transmission is the weak link on this vehicle. I had a TSB service to fix the abrupt shifting and to get a software update for the ECM. It drives better but the shifting of the auto is not as smooth as it should be. The dealer also flush it at this service. I will probaly try the "Speciality Formulations" ATF to see if its any better than the others.

I bet your 5 speed auto with sport stick is a much smoother and responsive unit. The Nissan D matic most likely has special friction modifiers like the Honda Z1 ATF. Most of the Japanese car companies are requiring their OEM fluids, suprised?

Torkaholic

What I'm wondering about is Nissan/Infiniti's true motives behind their ATF recommendations and requirements. I'd really like to know what they did differently with the newer model transmissions, so that the more commonly available and less expensive Dex/Merc standard products are no longer acceptable. Nissan is not alone in this shift, Toyota also has a couple of trans models that require use of a Toyota-specific fluid (the current model V-6 Camrys, Gen-5, require Toyota T-IV ATF). Is there really something new and very sensitive inside the magic box, or is Nissan just wanting to sell us overpriced, red oil??? Here, BTW, is what Nissan has to say about ATF for the current generation Maxima, and its 5-spd auto's ATF. References to the G35 are almost identical, except it uses "Matic-J" ATF:

SERVICE INFORMATION
If the 5-speed automatic transmission in the Maxima (A34) requires service, a new
type of automatic transmission fluid MUST be used. The new fluid is Nissan Matic-K.
The New Nissan Matic-K
• Nissan’s new 5-speed automatic transmission contains internal components that require
the use of Nissan Matic-K automatic transmission fluid only!
• Only Nissan Matic-K (P/N 999MP-MTK00P) is specially formulated to meet the very
specific requirements of this new RE5F22A transmission.
CAUTION:
• Do NOT use any other A/T fluid for this transmission, use only Nissan Matic-K.
• Use of any other automatic transmission fluid (such as Nissan Matic D / Nissan Matic J /
Nissan CVT Fluid NS-2) will cause deterioration in driveability and transmission
durability.
• If this new transmission is damaged by the use of any other A/T fluid type, it may not be
covered by NISSAN warranty.

Food for thought. . .

johnny2kgle

Tork,

I believe that the only difference in the Car Brand specific ATF is their friction modifier package. Like all of their branded antifreeze/coolant which is non silicate, I would bet a Honda could run Nissan Matic and Toyota could run Honda's Z1 ATF. That is not to say that I would do it, but these companies are looking to get out of replacing transmissions under warranty since most people do not change the fluid every 30k miles like they should. The Maxima manual never specificaly says "change ATF"; it only says "inspect". For instance, my Japanese specialist mechanic flushed my Maxima and refilled with Toyota's red coolant.

My wife has a 2004 Honda Odyssey van that specificely requires Honda Z1 ATF. Since she has an extended warranty 7 years/75K, (Hondas only come with a 3 year/36k powertrain warranty), I will get the dealer to service it since a drain and fill for $45 is the only requirement since this vehicle has had TSB and problems with the transmission.

With your G35, just bite the bullet for the warranty period (5 years/60K miles?). The Nissan fluid is good for at least 30k miles. After that, you could get Speciality Formulations (Molakule's company) to brew up an ATF for you after the warranty period.

gsleve

I find this very very interesting people are forced to use product by the manufacturer in order for the component on the vehicle to perform optimally this is ludicris because you the owner have to buy the fluid from them they have all but said any other fluid on the market aside from mine will not work so don't use anybody else's.

Have we all forgotten the Magnuson Act that specifies if the manufacturer specifies that you have to use there products in order for your vehicle to run optimally then the this act says they need to provide these for free. Now the manufacturers have known for a fact that ignorance is bliss and who in the world is going to challenge them to do this, yet the scare tactic they employ works and works well so we are all forced to comply.

They even in a subtle way even explicitly say you must use they're filters and spark plugs or you will cause the damage to the car along the way heaven forbid if you deviate or else they have a loop hole to deny a warranty this again is a scare tactic. I for one will not buy into it unless they explicitly in technical terms explain how and why there fluids or products enhance the longevity of the vehicle. Would they have us believe that they subjected every synthetic fluid on the market against that specific component to verifiy concretely that the specific fluid promoted errosion and failure to the component, I don't believe so.

I've even called up the one manufacturers office and asked for a technician they wouldn't comply with my request and couldn't explain why the use of there fluid was necessary. I even stated that in accordance with the magnuson act how is that they stipulate these requirements, no answer was provided.

I've used a superior synthetic products in Honda's transmissions for well over 150k with no problems or difficulties despite they're requesting the use of Honda's specific fluid only, in addition I've used spark plugs other than what they specified and again over the same mileage the vehicle has performed flawlessly. So again I find nissan recommendations and others difficult to digest

mzmtg

iTrader: (11)

They are free to specify fluids required for optimum performance. Nowhere in any of these situations does the manual state that warranty coverage is conditional on the use of the Nissan fluid.

gsleve

Only Nissan Matic-K (P/N 999MP-MTK00P) is specially formulated to meet the very
specific requirements of this new RE5F22A transmission.
CAUTION:
• Do NOT use any other A/T fluid for this transmission, use only Nissan Matic-K.
• Use of any other automatic transmission fluid (such as Nissan Matic D / Nissan Matic J /
Nissan CVT Fluid NS-2) will cause deterioration in driveability and transmission
durability.
• If this new transmission is damaged by the use of any other A/T fluid type, it may not be
covered by NISSAN warranty.

I believe Torqueaholic copied this information therefore from the foregoing its seems the implication on this particular car and componet is clear

I believe previous nissans allow for an alternative, however Honda vehicles and Chrysler vehicles within there manual are quite explicit and don't leave room for alternatives or interpretation. For example the Honda CRV stipulates one must use there specific ATF if you choose to use any other performance may degrade and compromise the components life. Additionally car manufacturers along with there manuals use eloquent phrases that clearly indicate that aftermarket parts will not perform or allow the vehicle to run optimally and may compromise longevity or become problematic.

bill99gxe

iTrader: (1)

Amsoil, for example, does not list any Nissan auto fluid but does say Dexron III, which covers the Nissan D transmission fluid used in their 4-speed autos. I'm too ignorant on their K formulation for their 5-speed autos to know if it's wise to use an Amsoil ATF or Mobil 1 ATF.

It's probably best to e-mail Amsoil tech support and see what they recommend.

In the past year Amsoil finally tested the Honda Z1 compatibility so who knows how long it would take for the Nissan K fluid tests.