I'm doing it tomorrow. Firstly I took a look around the engine bay and didn't see the obvious dipstick (except oil). Next, the owners manual. It talks about checking it but where? Finally went to the Service manual and identified the dipstick bolted down. What's the deal? We're supposed to check tranny fluid levels but only by those who join a secret society? WTF?

It's in a pretty straightforward position, in really hte only place it can be if oyu think about the fact that it's a rear wheed drive car with the tranny behind the engine. You will need a 10mm socket and an extention to get to it. Check it after driving for a few minutes after reaching normail operating temp, cycling the gears a couple of times, and the car running. Also look at the condition, noting any dark discoloration (it should be quite bright red in color), and burnt smell... yes, take a sniff... if so, then you know that your clutch packs are slipping...

The longer I own my G35X (one month today) the more I find myself noticing little details. Today I noticed that the door hinges were not greased from the factory. Normally when you get a new car there is a big glob of white Lithium Grease on the door hinges.

Is Lithium Grease the recommended grease? Any other suggestions?

I'm thinking that I had better check the trunk and hood hinges also.

Thanks Gurgen, I guess I just voiced a little annoyance. I'm done. Mobil 1, tranny fluid is looking fine!

Xman... no no no bro... Don't get me wrong.. I was just thinkign out loud..

Also, do NOT put Mobil1 synthetic in the tranny... this tranny MUST get it's factory Nissam J Matic fluid... it MUST. That's how the clutch material was designed...(the ATs are wet clutc packs... it MUST have this particlur fluid, and it's a darn good one too (and it IS synthetic already). Otherwise, you will burn off the clutc packs in less than 1000 miles.. and hte dealer will know why. I almost made this mistake myself way back whe...

Thanks bro,
You r the man, Thanx for the follow up. I'm running M1 and I checked the tranny tonite and it's fine. Peace!

Paul

If you put in anything other than J-Matic Nissan tranny fluid, the dealer will void your warranty. There was a thread about this awhile back but the dealer stresses to use J-Matic Synthetic or suffer the consequences.

Just want to clarify that I switched my engine oil to M1 5W-30 not the tranny fluid. I just checked the levels of the tranny fluid. I didn't know about the J-matic deal though. Thanks.

They told me when I bought my car, that only the dealer could check it, if you did it yourself, it could void the warranty, I don't know, that sounds like BS to me!

Tom,
A lot of the early G's were delivered without a tranny dipstick (to the US). I think they all come with dipsticks now.
It's easy enough to unbolt the hold-down and pull out the stick while warmed and idling.
For those who don't have a stick, they'll have to go to the shop where they have a special tool for this purpose.

Gurgen is correct: The fluid in our rides is top quality synthetic and cannot be improved on. More than that, if it's changed out and another fluid is used, it'll ruin the clutches and void your warranty.
I've also been told that every A/tranny failure is investigated by Nissan to check for fluid compliance and tampering.

C.