OK, So I know everyone feels very strongly one way or another when in comes to changing transmission fluid and what type of fluid should/can be used. Of course we SHOULD use Matic J/S. But what about Mobil1 ATF? Also, my 04' sedan has 118,000 miles on it and runs great. Unfortunately, I purchased it at 26,000 and have not changed the ATF fluid yet. Many people say that at this point I should not change it at all because the transmission is "used" to the fluid that is in it ($). On the other hand, some people also say to drain the pan and put 4ish qts back in it and repeat this procedure a few times ($$). Then again, people say to go ahead and do a complete flush with the proper piece of equipment at a shop ($$$). So I am in a little bit of a dilemma. Do I Flush, drain the pan and refill or cross my fingers and see if it makes it another 100,000?????? I want everyone to throw their votes in and at the end of the week I will tally them up and go by whatever the majority opinion is. I know that this has been discussed but I really want to hear from people that are in the same situation that I am in. Thanks to everyone that helps me figure this out!

 

This topic has been beaten to death, revived and beaten to death again in the drivetrain section...

 

it is a sealed system, and if you must flush, stick to nissan jmatic fluids only. dont go with any other atf fluid other than the manual says.

 

Thanks for the input!

 

You're welcome

 

They don't make J-matic anymore. So nothing but S-matic should go in your tranny. Period.

Change the fluid immediately. Go buy ~12QTs. Drain the tranny when the fluid is cold. FYI, tranny fluid expands up to 15% when heated which can lead to under/overestimating replacement amount.

Measure the amount of fluid removed and replace with the exact amount.

Drive for 30-100 miles. Do a tranny fluid change again. Drive for 30-100 miles. Do a tranny fluid change again.

From there on out, at 15K miles perform a tranny fluid change.

 

*sigh*

every 30k, matic-S

its that easy

if it hasn't been changed in that long you need to do it, a transmission doesn't get adjusted to fluid...

 

Do you just drain the pan or drain the line going to the trans cooler also?

 

Use J or S matic only.

Drain and re-fill every ~50k.

Don't do the pressurized flush!

 

It doesn't get used to it, but it does depend on the fluid to work properly at that point and changing the fluid could possibly do more damage to the car then good.

The fluid that has been in the transmission all this time has become dirty and gritty. This gritty fluid is actually providing needed friction for the worn internal parts of the transmission. Changing the fluid and replacing the filter would remove this friction that the internal transmission parts have become dependent on. If you have not been regularly maintaining the transmission throughout the life of the car, you might actually be doing more harm than good if you replace the transmission fluid at this point. For example, putting new clean slick transmission fluid in an older high mileage vehicle could cause the transmission to slip.

 

Is that how you would do it on a manual transmission as well?

 

I would simply change it and not worry about a flush. Drive it like you have been and change again on whatever schedule based on your use, maybe half that the first time.

 

I have heard this alot. I am going to drain a bit out of the pan and see how bad off it is. I kinda drive like an old lady these days and dont beat the $hit out of my car so i think it might be in somewhat ok condition. You mentioned a filter. Theres a filter? Where is it located and how might I find out how to replace it? Thanks alot for your help.

ALSO, www.infinitipartsusa.com is having a great sale on Matic S and if you add them on twitter and facebook you get a $10 promo code for both. For purchases of $100+ you can use both on one order. Sorry for spamming there but i thought it was a great deal. Ended up getting 13qts for $90!

 

Unless I am mistaken, you have to drop the pan to change the filter on an auto G.

 

no need to drop the pan on an auto

just did mine last month