Ya, but its stupid that Infiniti would not include a dipstick at all... which leads me to the fact that there could be issues.

 

Yes, that is true, but I can see their logic behind not doing so.
It's to make people take it to the dealer for service.
I can't find any logic to build it differently, especially when considering the fact that it's the same transmission as the Z and the same dipstick works in the same way.

I think you're worrying about it too much man.

 

LOL.

Well, the only reason I am worried, to be honest, is that the parts manager told me it was a different charge pipe. Because of that, I don't know what to expect. I'd assume its not a problem but I wanted to make sure.

 

^Different from the Z or different from the newer sedans?

 

"special service tool" lmao! They probably got sued and had to start supplying everyone with the special tool

 

I bought one a couple of months ago for my 2003.0 and have been keeping it in with no problems. Had it out several times to check fluid during 2 drain and fills, and the end wasn't chewed off, haha.

 

Mercedes quit providing owners with an easy way to check transmission fluid level. The reason given was that owners were introducing contamination, including small lint particles from the rags they used to wipe the dipstick, and number of transmission problems from that exceeded the number due to low fluid.

 

^^^ this is exactly why I think Nissan initially made in not serviceable for owner... plus the issue of J-Matic only... I always figured they didn't trust owner not to put wrong fluid in.

Athen, just leave it in, I'm sure it is fine... as for the difference in "charge pipe", I'm going to look up the early model FSM (if I can find one) and compare what I can to the one I have...

 

What is a Charge Pipe? I thought that was the pipe coming off an intercooler?

 

both references in fsm are virtually identical (instructions and diagram)... so I can't believe the early model will be any different from when they started including the dip stick...

pdf references attached

 

Just ordered 9 quarts and the dipstick. I think I am going to do two drain and fills and clean everything out.

 

I just checked my fluid with the new dipstick (part 31086cd100), it is reading high. Am I correct in thinking the fluid should be in the middle of the striped section on the dipstick right when hot? I assume it should be between the lower two notches for a cold reading?

I am changing the fluid tomorrow morning, I need about 4 quarts to refill???

 

I put 3 quarts in, ran it around the block, trying to heat up the fluid for a clear reading. Do I want to check the fluid in neutral or park?

 

^ If anyone had some feedback for me that would be great.

I put in 3.5 quarts and it seems to be reading inbetween the two notches when HOT.

 

I wish I could help out, but I've never done the service myself. I'm going to do it in the next few weeks though once I have a better understanding of the procedure.