hey guys, i wanna change the tranny fluid in my auto 94' GXE. i used the search, but found the answer to new max's and i'm not sure if it would be same for the 3rd gen. what kinda redline would i use (D4 ATF?) and how much would i need? anyone got a DIY? TIA,

Bryan

 

c'mon guys no one can help me out?

 

get 5quarts to be safe... http://maximadriver.com/ shows what to do...Not too sure if it's the same with the autos....for the rest of your questions, try searching using keywords and you might come up with something

 

Hi, StreetTrixE4six.
Dexron 4 ATF is always better for any kind of auto transmissions. You can use it without worry. First drain the old oil by removing the measuring tie rod and the plug under the tranny box (you'll need a square 1/2" tool to do this). Wait until all old oil comes out, replace the plug and refill the system with 2.5 liters of new D4ATF through the tube where is mounted the measuring tie rod. Please try not to overfill it. After this turn on the engine, move the lever to "D" position, wait 30 seconds and move it to "R" position (with the car stopped), waiting 30 seconds too in this position. Do this a couple of times.
Put the lever in the "N" (idle) position and measure the level by the tie rod. The level is to be between the two marks, if not, put CAREFULLY a little more oil. Take a run until the system warms up and complete it if necessary. Stop and turn off the engine. Wait 3 or 4 ours, turn the engine on, take another run and verify the oil level again. Complete it if necessary.
Remember: Please try not to overfill it! Verify the oil filter too, if you can. It is mounted inside the box, near to the left wheel, that you have to remove and take the bonnet off.
Any more informations?

 

thanks for the info, very helpful.

Bryan

 

I have a very similar question that I emailed to Redline today, actually for a Q45 asking them to compare their Dexron type fluids with NissanMatic "D" fluid. I also asked them about "Highly Friction Modified" (HFM) suppliments that will change the Dexron to be more like the OEM fluids.(see http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/trans_atf_hfm.html ) Nissans, Chryslers, Toyotas and Hondas use HFM fluids. The friction properties for HFM and Dexron differ. I have read elsewhere that Dexron type fluids accelerate the death of the transmission, or at least affect how they shift and how the converter works, especially in Hondas and Chrysler products, which both use a similar fluid to the Nissan fluid.

I'll post an answer when/if I get one.

 

what's this??? took a look under the car today and i saw the plug w/ the 1/2" square, but i'm not sure what the measuring tie rod is. is that the measuring stick on top?

 

I got a response from Redline:

"The Honda, Nissan and Toyota fluids are not an open spec but a
proprietary fluid so are only available from the manufacturer.
Torque converter shudder is typically a sign that the fluid isn't
quite slippery enough."

my comment: If you look at the graph at the link I posted above, you'll see that the additive is supposed to make the Dexron fluid MORE slippery. MY brother's Q has shudder with the Dexron, thus the search for answers.

>2: how [do] your fluids compare to the requirements/specifications of these three (mainly Nissan at this moment) and other OEMs

"We don't offer a cross [reference] for the Nissan ATF Matic Fluid J as they don't release their fluid specs."

my comment: Redline matches or exceeds Dexron/Mercon specs, but they don't know how it compares to NissanMatic "D" or"J" fluids.

>3: how you feel about adding a supplement to - say- the Synthetic D4
>or Synthetic High-Temp fluids

"I am not sure what the result would be compared to the Nissan fluid
as the frictional characteristics of the[m] aren't specified, it is hard to say where you would end up."

 

Further:

I have a Nissan service bulletin from 5/15/98 that applies to "All Nissan vehicles with automatic transmission" that says that "Nissan Matic 'D' ATF must be used in performing repairs paid by Nissan..."

It goes on to talk about how ATFs containing ash tend to have a higher zinc content that "will adhere to clutch linings and cause slippage, resulting in transmission damage." It says some other things too.

I can't cut and paste from the source. I'll send the .pdf if anyone wants it, or if anyone can OCR a .pdf and post it....

I am positive that Redline is good stuff, I'm just not sure it is the RIGHT stuff for a Nissan AT.

 

Yes, it is!
It's a measuring dipstick in the front side of the tranny box, that is inserted into the charging pipe. You can see it just opening the hood and looking behind the radiator, at the right hand side of it, near to the coolant reservoir.
If you need, I can write a step-by-step procedure so that you can do it very easy, OK?
Best regards, Bryan.

Paixao

 

Yes, it is! It's a measuring dipstick in the front part of the tranny box. You can see it just opening the hood and looking behind the radiator, in the right side of it, near to the coolant reservoir. It is mounted inside the charging pipe, under the air intake duct elbow.
If you need, I can write a step-by-step procedure so that you can do it very easy, OK?

Best regards, Bryan.

Paixao

 

thanks Paixao. i actually changed out the fluid last week, piece of cake. my tranny fluid was very low, but i managed to get out about 3 quarts. i put in 5 new quarts but i will need more. i just bought the car about 4 months ago and really starting to realize that the maintanence on this vehicle has been neglected. It currently has 74,000 miles and i wouldn't be surprised if nothing has been done to it other than occassional oil changes. thanks for the help.

Bryan

 

This is an interesting thread.
I ran Redline ATF in my 91 GXE for the past 6 yrs, went from 100k to 215k miles without a hitch, I was thinking of changing the fluid, after reading this I might want to consider the Niss fluid. Especially if its cheaper.

 

The jist (gist?) of my posts were that Redline and others don't know how their fluid compares to the Nissan fluid because Nissan doesn't tell anyone what their specs are... so Redline and others can't tell if their fluids meet or exceed the specs.

Nissan and other ATFs like Honda, Toyota, and ATF+3/4 for Chryslers- known as HFM ("highly friction modified") fluids- are supposedly "slipperier" than Dexron ATFs. In transmissions designed for non-Dexron ATFs, Dexron fluids may make the converter shudder and gear changes harsher (a little or a lot). Plus, if the non-specified fluids contain stuff that the transmission doesn't like, it's a shorter ride. While other fluids may be ok, you know what you're getting with the "right stuff".

I also found that Nissan and Infiniti dealers don't use Nissan fluid with their regular fluid change services. They use bulk Dexron from God knows where and then put in an additive to smooth out the characteristics of the Dexron. Such was the case with my brother's '95 Q45 with 93K. I flushed the tired/old/Dexron fluid out (should do this every change any way) and used Nissan fluid. No more shudder and the gear changes are smoother, though they weren't bad.

I'd guess the Redline fluid is probably awesome stuff... it may even be better for Nissan transmissions than the Nissan fluid... but it's hard to know for sure. If you have 215K on the original trans, if you got as many miles as you did with Redline in it, and it doesn't shudder or shift harsh then stick with it.

BTW: I am not an "expert"- I just did some research recently on the web, asked a few questions here and there, and proved it out when I changed the fluid.

 

Well I sold my 91, I'm gonna miss that car. Needless to say, I dont think the RedLine AT fluid hurt me any, seeing how many miles I got out of my tranny with it in, but I was probably just very lucky and had a really good car overall. Believe me though, I was rough as h@!! on that thing, I'm really surprised at how many miles I got out of it! Those cars are as tough as tanks and fun every minute.