Checking transmission

[BigJoe_Titan]

I noticed on my Titan that the transmission stick is bolted down. The Owners manual states to have the transmission only checked by Nissan. Any idea why they don't want you to check your transmission fluid? Seems like if everybody checks the tranny, then many problems can be elimanated. Is there any reference in the service manual?

thanks in advance
BigJoe

[Optimist]

Originally Posted by BigJoe_Titan

I noticed on my Titan that the transmission stick is bolted down. The Owners manual states to have the transmission only checked by Nissan. Any idea why they don't want you to check your transmission fluid? Seems like if everybody checks the tranny, then many problems can be elimanated. Is there any reference in the service manual?

thanks in advance
BigJoe

Here is my only guess, perhaps they require a specific modifier unique to the Titan or some such Nissan product.

Wait I have the Owners not the Service manual but let me look………………

hang on….

one more second already….gosh….

Ok. I see that Nissan Matic J ATF is REQUIRED & I suspect this is for us do it yourself Synthetic gurus to avoid doing the wrong thing by using anything but? You would have thought they could have been a bit more subtle about it. I don’t know really but this is all I can come up with.

[Farmer Fred]

My dealer told me it was to prevent people from adding the incorrect ATF, which will void the warranty and wreck the trans.

[mr.walleye]

I think they did it to keep the stick from coming out and allowing dirt to get in.If they didnt want you to check it they would have put a tamper evident seal on.this is just my guess. Maybe some kind soul that works for Nissan would enlighten us all on this?

[BigJoe_Titan]

Originally Posted by Optimist

Here is my only guess, perhaps they require a specific modifier unique to the Titan or some such Nissan product.

Wait I have the Owners not the Service manual but let me look………………

hang on….

one more second already….gosh….

Ok. I see that Nissan Matic J ATF is REQUIRED & I suspect this is for us do it yourself Synthetic gurus to avoid doing the wrong thing by using anything but? You would have thought they could have been a bit more subtle about it. I don’t know really but this is all I can come up with.

I wasn't asking about what type of fluid to use in the transmission. I was wondering why they don't even tell you how to check it? Most new cars you get transmission to normal operating temperature, and place the transmission into all gears momemtarily, then put back into park or neutral and check the transmission dip stick. I don't see the big deal for a consumer to check it to see if it is low. Do you? The only other car i have seen where they don't want you to check it yourself is the corvette. The C5 has the transmission located with the diff and so there is not even a dipstick to pull on the corvette. I don't have the service manual yet and was asking if there is a reference in there on how to check it.

thanks
BigJoe

[Optimist]

Originally Posted by BigJoe_Titan

I wasn't asking about what type of fluid to use in the transmission. I was wondering why they don't even tell you how to check it? I don't see the big deal for a consumer to check it to see if it is low. Do you?

thanks
BigJoe

I understood your question & my guess-answer-opinion remains, & same as Fred’s.
Do you think I like it? No.

Nissan doesn‘t trust you & they do trust that the tranny fluid will remain fine until servicing is required @ that time they would rather save you the need for a new trans. by them draining in full, & using the correct fluid.

I assume Nissan felt “no reason for you” to check prior to servicing for the below reasons.

1.Consider the tranny stick is where you refill.
2.Torque converter will hold 1/3 or more fluid after you drain yourself,
3.Tranny fluids don’t burn off
4. Less chance of leak since compression is a non-issue.
In short your fluid will reamin as factory until time to service.

Perhaps Nissan feels your reassurance in checking is less important than the assurance of correct servicing … and this is still only a guess.

Mitsu & Dodge had problems with people not using the correct specific Chrysler ATF mated with the 3.0 auto. even though it is right there in black & white in your owners manual. Now if they cared to cap off the fill stem.. well, I suspect some would complain while more tranny’s would have been saved.

You find a better answer make sure to post it would you?

[Streetrodder]

Another reason the trans dip stick is bolted in could be for safety. A number of years ago when I owned a Chev pick-up Chevrolet sent me a new type dip stick for the tranny that locked in place. Eventually they were standard on all of them. The reason for replacing them was some owners had experienced engine fires due to pressure biulding up in the tranny and blowing oil out the tube and hitting the hot exhaust manifolds. No need to check it unless there is evidence of a leak.