when is the scheduled tranny flush suggested from date of purchase new?
what type of tranny fluid is best on a auto tranny?

thanks

 

The short answers:

Don't wait more than 30k.

Mobil 1 ATF or Amsoil ATF









The long answer, and more detail as to why:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....hreadid=100060

Look at the ATF worksheet(s).

 

What about for a stick shift Maxima? Whats a good brand to use?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SonicDust187
What about for a stick shift Maxima? Whats a good brand to use? [/QUOTE


Best Choice: Amsoil 75w-90 gear oil, will last 3 times as long as dino juice

Second Choice: Redline MT 75w-90, will outperform dino juic

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by johnny2kgle

Quote:

Originally posted by SonicDust187
What about for a stick shift Maxima? Whats a good brand to use? [/QUOTE


Best Choice: Amsoil 75w-90 gear oil, will last 3 times as long as dino juice

Second Choice: Redline MT 75w-90, will outperform dino juic

Every how many miles should the oil be changed?

 

For manual trannies, pretty much "never". Some here subscribe to doing it every 60k with standard lube. Redline MT-90 or Amsoil 75W/90 shouldn't ever need to be changed.

 

how do you check it the level of tranny fluid?

 

Special thanks to member Daniel B. Martin for this write-up

Nissan does not require changing transmission lubricant unless you are towing a trailer, using a camper or car-top carrier, or driving on rough/muddy roads. Therefore the previous owner of your car may honestly say "it was maintained by the book" and yet the transaxle is still running on the factory fill. If you like to do your own "wrenching" this will cost you only 5 quarts of gear lube.

How do I change the fluid?

For specific install instructions, see:
http://integra.vtec.net/geeser/megam...fluid_page.gif
http://vbxmaxima.8m.com/mtoil.html

Here is a summary of how to do this:

The drain plug is horizontal, low on the transaxle case near the engine, and near the shifter boot. It is fairly small and looks like an ordinary bolt.

The fill plug is on the side of the transaxle housing nearest the front of the car. It is fairly large and has a square recess. The tool to remove it is an ordinary 1/2-inch ratchet wrench, with no socket fitted.

Remove the fill plug first, and then the drain plug. That will eliminate the risk of draining the old lube and then discovering you can't install new lube because the fill plug is too tight. It will also help the gear lube to drain faster.

Observe the color of the old lube as it pours out. It should be brown or black. If it is shiny and silvery, that is cause for concern. That silvery color is thousands of tiny metal particles which have flaked off internal transaxle parts such as bearings.

You may want to have your gear oil examined by a lab to get a detailed report of the status of your 5-speed. Please visit http://www.blackstone-labs.com to arrange a sample kit to be sent to you. The analysis will cost around $20.

Install and tighten the drain plug before installing the new lube. (Don't laugh, plenty of people have forgotten to do this and wound up with a large puddle of new lube on the garage floor.) You may find it convenient to install the new lube with a funnel and a short length of plastic tubing fitted to the funnel spout. Position the funnel in the engine compartment, near the battery. Route the plastic tubing into the fill port. Add gear lube until it begins to overflow.

Which gear fluid should I buy?

Nissan recommends API GL-4 SAE 80W-90 gear lube. The capacity of the 5-speed is 4.5 - 4.8 liters. Do not use API GL-5 gear lube.

Many "enthusiasts" here swear by Redline MT-90 gear oil. In terms of easily available gear oil synthetics, Mobile 1 makes a synthetic gear lubricant as well and it is readily available at Auto Zone. However, Redline MT-90 comes so highly recommended, this is probably the best gear oil for your Maxima 5-speed. The cost would be about $40 for 5 quarts. Redline may be purchased through:

www.ogracing.com
www.summitracing.com