Hi all.
I just paid $205 for auto tranny flush...
I told them to use Nissan J-matic fluid...
But my receipt said

16qt. Valvoline Maxlife ATF $6.75 per qt...

So I went to talk my service guy to ask them about what the hell..
and he told me they bought large amount of that oil and has been used without problem.

According to my research, Valvoline is not approved by Nissan.
Valvoline just mention it is suitable for Matic-J, which I am susceptical.

How come is Infiniti dealer not using recommended ATF ??
What should I do?

 

The service manual says to ONLY use Nissan Matic-J. Moreover, you specifically asked for that. That's a double error on the dealer's part. I would go back to them and say you would now like your transmission flushed using the proper fluid. They shouldn't charge you anything. If you don't want to do that, hang onto your receipts and write down what was said by the service manager to cover yourself down the road should the tranny crap out early.

 

id get that checked out...

 

Maxlife is probably better for it

 

If the manual calls for a certain oil I would use it. Sirboostalot told me some corvette guys switched atf to royal purple and f***ed up the trannies in the vettes. Just because they thought royal purple was better does not mean it is still compatible with your cars internals. If the manufacture recommends only a certain oil I would use that. If the independent dealership is putting in anything else it is only for profit for them and not for your benefit. I would not want to fight a dealership over a blown tranny in my car a year later. They will tell you to go pound sand. Remember it is your car not the dealerships. If you are unhappy with service speak up, you paid for the manufacture recommend procedure not what the dealership wants to do. Just my two cents. Really I would be pissed off if my local dealership did that to me and I would get it corrected. I am getting mad just typing this.

 

Valvoline advertise their Max-Life ATF to be for vehicles using DEX/MERC type fluid and the Max-Life with Stop Leak both for vehicles with over 75,000 miles, neither of which claim to be used in Nissan or vehicles requiring Nissan's J-matic fluid. I would go back to the dealer and ask them to prove where Valvoline states their Max-Life meets Nissan J-matic fluid specs. If they can't, demand they flush & fill your tranny with the J-matic. In addition you may want to call Nissan Corporate and report them.

 

demand a new tranny.

 

yeah man. go back and tell them off. thats not cool at all.

 

Ya i would be pissed, i just went through my manual to see when i need to schedule that as well.

 

yea that sucks that they told u one thing and used the cheaper bulk product they had....... but on the same note i went to buy some rear diff fluid from the dealer and they came out with a bottle of penzoil gear oil...so i went to wal mart and bought it..... dealers use whatever they can get there hands on cheap.... i know at my shop trans fluid is bulk and comes out of a pump...who knows what that is but havnt had any issues with it.

 

Service manager e-mail me that they have been using Valvoline for 4 years and no problems.

He said he will change to Matic J for one time if I want...
I don't want Valvoline and Matic J mixed together, so
what is the best way to change to Matic J?
Completely flush again Valvoline and refill with Matic J?

I am also think that flushing twice in very short period of time is not good for
tranny. Should I just leave Valvoline?

Thanks

 

get a new tranny.

 

Let them flush the tranny again. They should flush it without charge as they messed up in the first place. I just emailed a Nissan dealer near me to see what they say. Hopefully they respond

 

Here is what I just got back from a major Nissan dealer here in the midwest. I would make sure that dealer did a real flush and not just a drain and fill...

Hope it helps.

"We would be more than happy to perform a transmission service on your vehicle. Unfortunately, our equipment is not designed to perform flushes on “J” fluid vehicles. I would be happy to perform the standard drain and fill transmission service for you. That would run $129.95 for the fluid and labor plus taxes. If you would like to do that, let me know a date and time and we will be glad to accommodate you."

 

Contact Nissan directly regarding this improper service by the dealer that is in violation of the warranty requirements. I used to defend Nissan in Lemon Law cases and think this is a serious issue. There is contact information in your owners manuals. Call Nissan customer assistance and complain about the dealer. Nissan has Dealer Technical Service Specialists that travel among the dealers dealing with complaints and technical issues who will investigate your complaint. Nissan will want to know that one of their dealers is violating the warranty requirements and possibly opening them up to future warranty claims or legal action due to their negligent behavior.
Also write a letter to the dealer repeating everything they said to you regarding the transmission fluid. Send it certified mail, return receipt and keep a copy for your records. I think a complete flush with J-matic fluid as soon as possible will probably prevent any future problems since you have not had the Valvoline in there very long. Maybe Nissan will do it for free after you complain. Good luck.