I went to the dealership today to buy 4 quarts of the matic-k fluid so I can drain my trans fluid. The guy at the parts counter first pulls out 4 quarts of the matic-D and says thats what I need. I told him I was pretty sure that it takes matic-K. After consulting with the mechanics and his boss he now is sure it takes some J-type fluid. I finally had to go out to the car and show him the owners manual stating matic-K and the note about possible trans damage using something else Then it took them about 10minutes to hunt down the 4 quarts....I can't be the first 04 Max needing the trans fluid changed can I? ....I wonder how many 04's they have put the wrong type of trans fluid into?

 

Sometimes it amazes me that dealerships stay open. Then I realize that they grossly overcharge for everything they do... Which makes me want to open my own dealership to make $$$ (as I have no knowledge about cars so I would do just swell as an owner). What do you guys think. Would you buy a car from Taylor's Nissan Stealership?

 

My dealership told me to be sure to get the right trans fluid or it would be curtains for the trans. They want almost $200 just to change the trans in my '04. What are some you folks paying for just a trans fluid change at the dealer? Anyone changing the fluid yourselves?

 

All you guys have 60+k on the clock already? forget about that 30k crap unless your extremely hard on the car

 

I just received a coupon from Passport Nissan. They are running a special on transmission flush and change for 159.00. I have to check and see if this goes for the "special k" fluid. Will post in the morning as the coupon is in my car. It's not time for mine to be changed, but I hope some dealers are running the same special.

 

Bought the car with 26k last month and I just clicked 30k last week. No telling how hard it was driven before I got it.

@maxedout04, you don't think the trans need the service till 60K?

 

I had the dealer change my fluid at 35K I believe. It gets notchy if you have the 6speed so I might be changing again soon. Possibly to Redline fluid.

 

Yep.....I have 60200 miles on my car. I did have my trans fluid changed at 30k by the dealer and they charged me $150 for just a drain and fill. I wanted a flush but they told me the gen 6's can't be flushed due to the cooling lines (not sure exactly what that means). I just drained and filled my trans this evening and it was easier than changing the oil because there's no filter. The only thing I had to buy was a socket with a 10mm hex head on it to get the drain bolt out. I bought 4 quarts but only 3quarts drained out which is interesting because the dealership who changed my fluid at 30k charged me for 4 quarts The matic-K fluid was $13 a quart so it cost me $39+tax to do it myself. The dealer had mentioned that my fluid was really dirty at the 30k change and it was pretty dirty today at the 60k change. I would recommend changing it every 30k. Remember too that your really only changing a portion of the fluid.

 

I'm planning to drain/refill the oil at 30K too. Except for my Accord (which I waited until 40K to do the 1st oil-change and ended up living with a nasty transmission. I wasn't that hard with the car), all my cars have been solid on the transmission part with 30K 1st flush and 15k thereafter. I would appreciate if you can point me to the drain plug, 'cause I've been looking for it.

 

There's some pics in the Fluids and Lube sticky for 2k2+ trans. fluid change.

 

Here it is: Its on the side of the trans facing the front of the car

http://myweb.core.com/photos/scottja...transfluidbolt

 

yeah, I see what you mean

 

I fixed it. Try the link now.....and give us old guys a break. I learned most of what I know about computers on a TI-499A.

 

 

Thanks man. I've been thinking it must be somewhere on the pan. Or at least at the lowest point of the trans. It must be messy draining the oil, no ??

 

On my last Oldsmobile i had to remove like 15 screws to drop the tranny pann to drain the oil. When that was done I had to pull out the filter, get a new one, new gasket and re-assemble.

Tranny survived 110K of my beating the shizza out of it before I got rid of the clunker, I still see the same dude that I sold the car to for $50 and a crack rock, booking around in it.

For all ya munjicakes here up in Canada, go to Mr.Transmission and get them to put in an tranny oil cooler for you, it will cost you about $115 with taxes but trust me when I say its worth it, your tranny stays nice and cool and happy, especially if you drive in traffic, hills, city, or towing.

Peace,

Kam

 

Good thing you caught them f ing up because one guy on here changed his tranny oil on his own and he didnt use the K formula and about a month later his Tranny popped on him (go figure nissan wasnt going to cover him either because he used the wrong oil type).

 

Yeah, when I took the bolt out, the fluid overshot my catch pan which is pretty good size so be prepared for it to shoot out of there.

 

I recycle my old engine oil at Advance Auto. Do any of you know if they will take used trans fluid?

 

did you just drain it then pour the 3 qts in through the dipstick housing? Did you do anything with the return line?

 

I have 24K on my Max and would like to do the trans service myself. I find it hard to believe there is no filter. Or that you can't flush it. I will research this a bit. Any Nissan tech ous there?

 

I agree it's easier than changing the engine oil. I normally buy 4-5 quarts (previous cars) 'cause the amount of oil coming out depending on how hot the engine is. I prefer doing while engine is warm to get maybe a quart more out. Then I just measure and put back the same amount. This way I don't need to mess with the dipstick often. I usually do the 15Kmiles thereafter with $1.5/quart. But @$15/quart, I guess 30K interval would be good.

 

Yep, just used a small funnel and put the new fluid right into the dipstick housing. I didn't touch the return line.