So I just went to the Infiniti stealership and purchased a case of Nissan J-matic fluid so I can flush my Tranny fluid and finally get started on the 60k service for my 03 5AT sedan. The fluid was $9 per quart ($110 for the case). The quote to have the fluid changed there was $150 for labor which would total about $260. (does that sound about right?)
Out of curiosity I stopped at Express tire on the way home to see what they charge for an Tranny flush and they quoted my $100 for a complete flush (fluid and labor included). I told them that worried me a bit since I know that we are supposed to only use J-matic AT fluid (which cost me $100 alone) and they said that they use a Dextron Transmission fluid + a protective additive in order to make it match the specs for Matic J fluid. They assured me their fluid was just as good if not better than the Nissan fluid and they guaranteed it (Whatever that means)?
So I need some help? What do you suggest? Has anyone had problems arise by not using Jmatic AT fluid? I would love to save some cash but I don't want to risk ruining my tranny...

 

You definitely dont want to use anything but J-matic. I just did my 30K, you shoulda PM'ed me about getting the fluid, i can get it for cost through my work... $95. I wouldnt suggest flushing the tranny just to be safe, drain and fill it. You can bring it by my work and i'll drain and fill it for you for $15. Shoot me a PM and we can work out a good day for you to come by.
-GP-

 

$260 is about right- mine was $280 w/ tranny flush and fill with J-matic and a synthetic oil change

 

Awesome... Ya I was gonna PM you but I happened to drive by an Infiniti Dealership so I decided to buy a case. The parts guy said I could return any bottles I don't use so if I only use 8 quarts for a drain and fill it will end up costing about $75 and I would gladly give you the $25 bucks I save over taking it to Evans Tire!

 

The pan only holds 5-6 quarts so you'll have half a case left over. Of course this means that not all the old fluid will be taken out of the tranny, you can however come back in a couple weeks and i can redrain it to get more of the new fluid in.
-GP-

 

GP,

Just a bit off topic question. I got the fluid drained and filled at dealership recently. While doing it they told me my dip stick is not there and might be broken and charged me labor for opening the PAN and looking for dipstick even though my car never came with a dipstick form Factory as per FSM.

Question is can you open the trans oil pan and look for the dipstick ? Does it go and check the oil level from the PAN or from the trans block itself.

 

Is your car a 5AT? if so then it most certainly does come with a dipstick at the back of the motor on the left side, its secured down with a 10mm bolt. They shouldnt have charged you for looking for a dipstick, especially at the dealer. I need more info on what you're talking about.
-GP-

 

early 03 auto sedans = no tranny dipstick. Just a stupid cover held on with a 10mm bolt.

 

your tranny wont perform to its full potential, of course if you dont push your car much then you wont notice much from not changing it. Over time, if you dont get fresh fluid in there, it doesnt lubricate the parts as it should and can start breaking stuff the same as if there is not enough fluid in the tranny. For the X, its not more expensive, its the same tranny, what is more expensive on the X when doing a 30/60/90k service is the differential drain/fill because you have 2 diff's.
-GP-

 

I just called the only Infiniti dealership within 2 hours of me to get a quote for a transmission flush (for my 30K maintenance). They said they only drain and re-fill. They quoted me $110.00.

I also called a local Nissan dealer and they said the same thing. Does this sound right?

 

GP,

Let me make it short and sweet. I went to dealer for trans flush and they told me while the car was in the service bay that your car doesn't have a dipstick and that it might be broken and might have fallen into the pipe where the dipstick sits. They told me that the Trans oil pan has to be opened to check for the broken stick and they charged me labor for it and than finally said nothing was found.

My car is real early 2003 5AT which didn't come with a dipstick and I have confirmed that from various sources including the FSM from page AT-13. My question to you is that can you open the Trans oil pan and look for a broken dip stick or in other words where does the Trans Dip stick measure the oil from ? Is it the oil pan or the trans block.

Is there any way such a broken dip stick can be looked for without opening up the transmission. My car never had that stick from factory and they should have known it but I feel they just wanted to charge me 100 odd bucks more than the money for trans flush so they came up with this story and charged me for labor without ever performing it.

 

ok, well i've now been informed that early 03's dont have a dipstick, you can open it up to check for a broken or lost dipstick. But since the dealer should have known that you didnt have one, they shouldnt have done it in the first place, let alone charge you labor for looking. Get your money back from that damn STEALERSHIP!!
-GP-

 

Yhea 03's have no dipstick, I just let Tustin Infiniti Do my flush & service. $130 and no mess on the garage floor