I'm delaying some 30k service items until I can get to a non-dealer where the prices won't be so outrageous (i.e. various fluid flushes). Going in for an oil change today, the dealer said something very strange, which I'd like to have verified. He said the transmission flush (a 6MT, mind you) "can only be done by the dealer". For this privilege they wanted $260.

Not sure what he's talking about here. I can't imagine there's anything more involved than cracking open a drain plug and a fill plug. Thoughts???

 

He was either trying to fool you into getting service done by them to make extra $$ by scaring you OR MAYBE he was trying to imply that you must use infiniti/nissan OE tranny fluids to keep you warranty.

The second part is highly unlikely so i guess he was just trying to scare $260 out of you as the drain and fill is fairly simple like many cars and there is DIY in the old sedan section which should be the same procedure for us. As for a flush you can go to any good shop that has the equipment to "flush" out the tranny rather than just drain and fill.

IMO @ 30k drain and fill is more than enough.

 

No such thing as a "flush" with a manual. It is just drain and fill. It is actually less involved than changing the oil. Any garage, quick change can do this, I cant see more than $30 or $40 (I do this myself)

 

DO IT YOURSELF!!! This is one of the easiest fluid changes to do. Even easier than changing the oil! Get stuff you need (ramps, tranny fluid (check Owners Manual), wrenches, drain pan, oil pump ($8.00) can get all this at Walmart), drive up on ramps (make sure transmission is warm for better oil flow), position catch can, pull drain plug, go make a sandwich and drink a beer. After a good burp *don't do it under car!), replace plug, pull filler plug on side of transmission. Screw oil pump onto trans oil bottle, and stick hose in filler hole. Pump until it runs out. Replace plug. Have another beer and throw a BBQ with the $200 you just saved.

 

**Note, its always a good idea to open the fill plug before removing the drain plug for 2 reasons. 1st is that if you cant get it open then you just drained all your fluid and you have no way of replacing it, and 2nd is it will help the fluid drain faster.

 

I have an automatic and yesterday when I went in for my oil change at 32k miles, my dealer told me to do the transmission flush ($199). Is this really necessary? I just did my 30k service and that was already like $550. The user manual says do every 30k if you drive in muddy roads haha. Thanks for the input.

 

I do my Autos at 60 to 80K

 

It's a simple drain/refill with the appropriate gear oil. So they're lying if you were told it "can only be done by the dealer".

 

+1!

 

Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to do a drain/refill OR a flush per the service manual, say every 2 years or 24k miles AFTER the first 30k or 36K miles. The service manual considers a flush as disconnecting the return from the radiator, turn on the engine, let the ATF come out (into a container), and refill through the fill tube.

Not very comfortable with the "flush" that many dealer's push, which are with flushing machines.

 

I wasn't either, until someone pointed out that a simple "drain and filter change" leaves a LOT of old fluid in the Torque converter. The "flush" removes it.

 

I think a drain and fill is fine around 30-40K, a flush - 60-70K.

 

BS. NTB will do it for you and use the appropriate fluids lol... i took my AT to infiniti and the 30k transmission service was only 169 bucks... be careful because some charge whatever they want to... southwest infiniti wasnted 299 bucks for the same service!!!

 

It is true that a lot of fluid is still in the torque converter so you're only getting part of it.

However, the approved "Honda" method is to drain/refill once, drive around for a few minutes, and repeat a total of 3 times. Yes, you're mixing new fluid with old fluid. However after 3x drain/refills, about 80% or so of the ATF mixture will be new.

In the 2007 G's shop manual, they recommend disconnecting the ATF return line from the radiator and draining it completely that way (with the engine on), no mention of a flushing machine.