Hi Everyone,
I'm new to this great website. Anyway, I just bought a 95 loaded (at least I think its loaded) GXE, white,with AT. It has security w/remote entry, power seat, sliding sun room, alloy's, CD, I've only had it about a week. I have a couple of questions, the shift from 1-2 is noticably sharper than the 2-3 & 3-4. Not talking about getting on it, but just in normal driving. Its kind of hard to explain, but it does not seem harsh, but rather it kind of shifts quick and hard in to 2nd. Is this normal? The car has 65,000 on it and I'm sure the trans fluid has probably not been changed. I'm not sure if I should change it myself or have it done, or if it really needs to be changed.
Also, I'm planning on changing the engine oil this weekend. Is there anything else that I should really check over well?
Thanks for any info, great car! This seems to be the place for info.

 

There are two methods for changing the Automatic Transmission Fluid.

Method 1) An ordinary drain-and-refill may be done by the home mechanic. This method changes only about half of the fluid, but is easy and inexpensive. The cost is 4 or 5 quarts of ATF, plus your time.

Method 2) Most commercial service facilities use the Magic Sucker Pump which changes all of the fluid. The cost is about US$80.

My Maxima is a 5-speed so the issue of ATF change does not apply. I maintain a Honda Accord for a family member. On that car I do a drain-and-refill ATF change with every oil change. It is not a big deal, as the car is already up on jackstands and my hands are already dirty. This costs about $10/year and the car is always running on almost-new ATF.

 

I recommend the transmission flush and fill. It's a bad idea to leave lots of contaminants in there all the time, which a simple drain will allow.

 

You should get a short throw shifter. It makes it much faster and more comforable

 

He's got an auto-don't think that'll help much.

 

Hey all,
Thanks for the replies. I'm going to change oil on it this weekend, and I think I will look around to find a good shop to have the tranny 100% changed. I may even take my own ATF to them. Possibly snythetic.
Are there any negitives to switching to snythetic on a car that has 65000 on regular oil. In both the engine or the trans.
Any one have any recomendations for tranny service place in the East side of Phoenix AZ. I have always been kind of leary about tranny places...... not sure I trust them all.
Thanks

 

Damn Newbies think they know everything , hehe

 

Maxima automatics are just harsh to begin with. What did you expect when you bought the car? A Camry? The Maxima will never shift like a Camry, and no matter what you do to the transmission it will never be Toyota smooth. Okay, end rant.

I find my transmission a bit harsh too, but I've gotten used to it. Last week I got my transmission flushed and refilled completely with Redline D4 ATF. The flush service was $70, but the fluid was $120 (you need 14 quarts for the jiffy Lube T-Tech machine). Shifts are a bit smoother now, but not near as smooth as my mom's 99 V6 Camry. If you want slightly smoother shifts, this is the way to go.

However, if you just want your transmission to last a long time, change the ATF now, and then every 15k afterwards. Most transmissions don't even have a ATF change interval, and most shop manuals recommend 30k, so 15k should be very safe.