Did a search, but did not come up with an answer. (Probably as a result of poor searching skills) I need to know how to check the transmission fluid level. I assume it is done with engine running. Do I check with transmission in Neutral or Park? (This has been important in other vehicles) I will be checking with engine hot, but just wanted to make sure I did it right. I have 2003.5 Sedan with 5AT. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

It will be the same as in other cars.

Check with the tranny hot. Engine running, shift through all the gears twice, put in park, and then check the level.

 

I appreciate the quick response. My 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee requires it to be checked in Neutral. Only vehicle I have ever had that required it to be checked in Neutral. Again, thanks for the help. Just finished changing the transmission fluid. All too easy.

 

Where in the hell is the dipstick for the AT?

 

Dipstick/fill tube is located under the engine cover towards the back of the engine compartment on the passenger side. Near the firewall. Depending on model year, yours may not have a dipstick to actually check the level. It should say something along the lines of "Use Only Nissan Matic-J Fluid" or something like that on the cap. Fill tube cap is held on with a 10mm bolt. Used a 6 inch extension to get it off. When filling, make sure to have a long funnel with a narrow tip to get into the fill tube.

 

Apparently, Infiniti decided to leave off the dipstick on some runs of our cars. They thought that because the trannys are designed to run on the special Nissan formulation of fluid, that there was the danger that ppl would top-off with other tranny fluid and contaminate mix.

For any tranny failures, Nissan has and will test for contaminants in the fluid and will void warranty coverage if even trace amounts are found. This is what I was told by several of my Nissan Service contacts.

 

The earliest G35s came with only a cap bolted onto the filler tube. If you've got one of those cars, you can purchase a dipstick for yourself if you want (how cheezy does that sound...). Mine (an 04 Sedan) has a stick, but I can't believe I have to unbolt the thing to check my fluid. Nissan makes an array of "custom" ATFs. For the G35 (at least 04s), the fluid is "Nissan Matic-J". The current Max, btw, uses "Matic-K". There are several other "flavors" of Nissan ATF, and to avoid a warranty fight if things go wrong, owners would be wise to stay with the prescribed fluid. I've also noticed an interesting pattern in the pricing for the stuff. It's very expensive if you try to buy it by the bottle, but the dealer's price for a full flush service, with the correct new ATF, is not too far beyond reasonable. One bottle of the stuff at the New Orleans dealership is $10.98!!! The whole service procedure, including the fluid, can be had less than the cost of the fluid you'd buy to do the fluid change yourself. Hmmmmmm, should I feel manipulated, ripped off, or perhaps both. . .