FYI-I have a 5AT

dealer: so you want to a tranny flush?

me:can you just inspect and see if I need one?

dealer:you should get it done every 30K

me:Lots of people say I don't need a tranny fluid change for the AT

dealer: You should, your tranny develops carbon and deposists...

me:can you just inspect and see if I need one?

dealer:fine...

<after a few hours>

me: how is my tranny fluid?

dealer: well the guy who looked at it said he reccomends a tranny fluid change

me: how did the fluid look?

dealer: it was full and clear....but he still reccomends a tranny fluid change

I am at 42K right now and the transmission seems good...is this guy jst trying to scare me?

...if the transmission fluid is clear of any residue and deposits and and full...why would i need a re-fill???

 

Hehehehe…good story…

For replacing the transmission fluid, stick with the recommendations in the owners manual. Fluids such as brake and transmission may "look" good, but no longer have the protective qualities of new fluid.

 

I just love a good case of dealer distrust, but if the recommended mileage for this change is 30k, then I would do it. Warranty stuff you know.

 

dammit...i was afraid of that...there goes another $200...

 

Just get it done! Its not that expensive compaired to a new tranny (if you dont do it and your tranny fails the dealership wont honnor your warrenty!)
Preventive maintnance never hurt anyone!

 

Are you serious about $200 to change transmission fluid. It cant be more complicated than drain and refill. Is it?

 

Its certainly not as easy as an MT thats for sure!

 

well considering the matic J is around $11 a bottle (and you need 10 of them)....

 

Have them inspect it only. The 5AT under normal use is fill-for-life. There is no need to replace it unless an inspection dictates it. And if it does need a fluid replacement I would make them put it on paper that based on the Nissan specifications and their inspection that you needed a tranny flush. A friend of mine who works at a dealership says that quite of few of the dealerships will "recommend" a flush at 30k even if it's not necessary. They usually call it a "dealer recommendation" and that doesn't mean it's necessary or in-line with the manufacturer's specs. Flushing the 5AT is expensive because the fluid and parts are proprietory. Nissan's own recommendation is just to inspect it a regular intervals and replace if necessary. If they are still playing the you need a flush game, have them show it to you in the manual. Only the premium maintenance schedule recommends replacing it at 30k. I think the premium maintenace schedule is overkill unless you really drive your vehicle hard and with several miles. The other two schedule are more realistic for normal driving and for low mileage driving.

Here's the link to Nissan's Maintenance schedule for 30k. Pull down the menu for other mileages.

http://www.nissanusa.com/form/0,,act...-51041,00.html

 

I had my transmission fluid changed at 30K and it "only" cost $100. Because you can't keep a check on the fluid level yourself, I thought it was worth it. Just my thought.

 

They recommended a flush plus a replacement. You only got the fluid replacement. Supposedly, $100 is a good price from the dealership for a tranny fluid replacement only.

I took my old Maxima to a dealership that I usually don't go to for a lube, oil and filter just because they were near by and cheap. I had my torque converter modified just a few weeks earlier which required a full tranny fluid replacement so the fluid in the transmission only had a few hundred miles on it. Even if I didn't do the mod it wouldn't have needed a tranny flush. After they changed my oil, they tried to upsell me with the tranny flush and new filters and even new tires because my mileage was just over 30k. I told them I just changed it a few weeks ago and they still recommended that I get the tranny flush because carbon deposits and viscous breakdown has occurred since the last time I changed it. They said that Nissan recommended it, when if fact I found out later, Nissan didn't. I wasn't sure if I should get it done so I took it to a Jiffy Lube of all places and they said the tranny fluid was practically new. I went to my regular Nissan dealer and they told me the same.

A lot of places will try to upsell you stuff you don't need based on their recommendation and not what the specs or the manual says.

 

those mother 'efers!!!! so Aggro Al...does this mean I can spend the $200 on a pulley or plenum spacer?

 

Get a second opinion if it really bothers you otherwise put toward the purchase of a new high-stall torque converter.

 

really? a tq converter? not a 3.5 FD?...hmmm....

 

Autos are for chicks?????

 

i guess that would mean i'm a chick...because only real men drive manuals.

 

In most cases, a high-stall TC is the best bang for buck on an AT. I think only FI gives you more performance but it cost a lot more. A high-stall TC and install probably runs about $700-$800. Unless, your car is going to be a track only car I wouldn't raise your stall more than a few 100 RPMs otherwise it will be too jerky in traffic. Raising the stall speed will allow the TC to instantaneously flash to a higher RPM when you step on the throttle. This will allow you to increase torque multiplication and also put you closer to the torque peak. Because of torque mulitplication, the tranny will put out more torque than the engine is creating. If you use it with a turbocharger you can eliminate or decrease turbo lag. Depending on the design you might be able to get up to 3x multiplication or more. I think the standard Z 5AT is set for ~0.8x at the lower gears. The upper gears use a clutch and are fixed like a regular manual so you won't get torque multiplication in those gears.