So I have an '06 G35x with 89,000.

I had the AT flushed at a local indy with Matic-J at both 30k and 60k. For some reason, i decided to bring it to the dealer this time.

Dealer recommended a drain and fill rather than a flush and for some reason I went along with it.

After I picked it up, I noticed on the bill that it listed "Auto Trans Conditioner". So I called ot find out what the hell they put in it. Turns out it was zMax ATF additive.

After digging further, I found out why. My dealer is owned by Sonic Automotive. Sonic Automotive's CEO is Bruton Smith who is also the CEO of Speedway Motorsports. Speedway Motorsports owns zMax. AGH!!!!

My local indy guy said he doesn't think it will harm anything but I'm not sure. I have a call into Infiniti customer service and supposedly a regional rep is supposed to call me.

Any thoughts? Is this crap going to ruin my trans? I'm hoping Infiniti will take care of getting it flushed but if not, should I pay to do it on my own dime?

 

I would take it back to the same dealer and demand they make it right. I only do drain and fill with castrol multi import vehicle trans fluid every other oil change (164k miles on mine). I would never add zmax or other additive unless I my trans had a problem and I was trying to extend its life. Try to get infiniti to extend the warranty on your trans till 150k since their dealer fd up.

 

Thanks! we'll see what infiniti does. i'm skeptical that the dealer will do it even if they say they will. I may demand that they give me the fluid and I'll pay my indy to do the labor

 

At a minimum have them give you the fluid and refund your labor and zmax charge.

 

I don't believe in additives, I would definatly take it back especially if you didn't ask for an additive and they charged you for it anyway

 

I also beleive it's snake oil, and would bitch if someone put it in my car.


Also, the drain/fill method is preferred over a complete flush, especially at higher miles.

Usually, a drain fill for me is 4-5 quarts of fluid, and quicker than an oil change. I don't know what they charged you for a drain/fill, but it's something that can be done for $50 or so

 

I'll spare you some of the today's sausage making. Short version is that I spoke with Infiniti corporate and explained that I wanted a refund so I could go get it flushed elsewhere. They said they can't compel the dealer to do anything but to send them the receipt if the dealer said no and they'd consider refuding me directly. Dealer is adamant that the additive is safe (they are now saying its a different additive) but they agreed with no arguing to send me a refund check.

Of course they had to reinforce my opinion of them at the end when he said not to use Matic-J fluid (the specific fluid the book calls for) but to use Matic-S. I know I can use Matic-S but the fact that he told me Matic-J would "cause more problems for you down the road" shows how much service people at dealers actually know.

This is the additive the service manager says they used - would you leave it as is or flush it out?

http://mocproducts.com/PreviewInfo.aspx?i=43&m=3

 

Matic j hasn't been made for several years, so if you can find more power to you. I believe matic j was conventional and s is semi synthetic.

 

Just did my own drain and fill with maticS at 108k. Runs excellent and any dealer that is still using maticJ is because they bought so much in bulk. My car is A/T and only had the tran fluid changed twice ever, it runs like a champ! Good luck!