Auto Transmission Fluid

benjr · 06-17-2004, 04:34 AM

I was told by my dealer that if i or any shop other than a nissan dealer replaced or checked the auto transmission fluid it would void the warranty. I noticed the dipstick is bolted shut. They claim to use a special fluid. Is this bull? Usually I dont fall for this but I have never seen a dipstick bolted shut.

stevemis · 06-17-2004, 05:00 AM

It's special fluid. You can get the bolt off and check fluid levels with a 10mm socket.

BigJoe_Titan · 06-17-2004, 06:06 AM

I think they want you to have them do it as steve said, because of the special fluid and they have a detailed procedure for changing in the service manaul. As far as checking, I checked the service manual and they do want you to use only "lint free paper" to check and there was a detailed procedure just to check it. If you have the service manual and follow instructions and use the "lint free paper", I don't see how that would void your warranty.

bestatchess · 06-17-2004, 06:22 AM

You should DL the service manual. I have been trying to find out the difference between Nissan Matic Fluid J and the stuff you can buy at the auto parts store, but no luck so far. I have read that auto trans fluid contains a mix of like 15 different additives, so there could actually be something unique about the Nissan stuff.

z3axv · 06-17-2004, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestatchess

You should DL the service manual. I have been trying to find out the difference between Nissan Matic Fluid J and the stuff you can buy at the auto parts store, but no luck so far. I have read that auto trans fluid contains a mix of like 15 different additives, so there could actually be something unique about the Nissan stuff.

There's an article in the latest issue of Popular Mechanics which addresses a question regarding the special ATF in Chrysler vehicles. I don't have a scanner so i will type it verbatum, sorry in advance for typos.

Q: I have a 2001 Dodge Ram with an automatic transmission. The shop manual specifies that only ATF+4 fluid is to be used in this transmission. Fine, butit's over $30 per gallon at the Dodge dealer. None of the auto parts stores have anything compatible. After three years, you'd think some of this would reach the open market.

A. DaimlerChrysler specified ATF+3 for all vehicles for a number of years, and began speficying ATF+4 in 2000. In fact, they now specify ATF+4 for all vehicles that were originally filled with ATF+3, escept 1999 and earlier minivans with the Ultradrive transaxle. ATF+4 is a synthetic based fluif with aproprietary additive package, and DaimlerChrysler has successfully kept the manufacturer of the additive package from selling it to other petroleum companies Other brands of ATF are not suitable for use in Daimler Chrysler transmissions because the friction characteristics are too dissimilar. Use of the wrong fluid can result is sloppy or jerky shifting, premature clutch wear and premature transmission failure. Several additive manufacturers claim you can use a Dexron III-spec fluid with their additive as a substitute. Uh-huh. ATF+4 is expensive because it's based on a synthetic stock an is supposed to never need changing. (We've always suggested ATF changes every 30,000 miles or two years for most vehicles, synthetic or not.) With the fluid capacity of the average transmission around 10 to 14 quarts, $8 a quart makes a complete fluid flush and change run nearly a hundred bucks. Even partial change, which is more customary, will cost a quick $50 plus labor.
There are aftermarket sources for ATF+4-spec fluid as of press time. AMSoil says its premium synthetic meets virtually every vehicle manufacturer's ATF specification, including ATF-4. Uh-huh. Canadian Petroleum and Valvoline have products that they say meet ATF-4, Maybe. Just wait until owners of new (2002 and newer) DaimlerChrysler cars and trucks find out that they are supposed to use only a product that meets ATF-5 specifications.

taken directly from Popular Mechanics volume181, no.7.

bestatchess · 06-17-2004, 07:42 AM

ROFLMAO! Even with their "special" fluid, those Dodge minivan transmissions were failing like flash bulbs.

Steve04SE · 06-17-2004, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benjr

I was told by my dealer that if i or any shop other than a nissan dealer replaced or checked the auto transmission fluid it would void the warranty. I noticed the dipstick is bolted shut. They claim to use a special fluid. Is this bull? Usually I dont fall for this but I have never seen a dipstick bolted shut.

The Popular Mechanics article is correct along with the fact the Nissan fluid is proprietary with no known equivalent at this time.
FWIW, one important criteria for all tranny fluids is it's "molecular shear", which may be a major part of these "proprietary" blends and their specific usage.

SupraTitan · 06-17-2004, 08:10 AM

They can't say that you have to have it changed at a Nissan Dealer. What they do say however is that you have to use the Nissan ATF. I guess you could change it yourself and just keep the reciepts for the Nissan atf as proof.

FLfinfan · 06-17-2004, 08:22 AM

I asked the service guy about the ATF the other day when I was in for the cracked over head console. He said I was allowed to check it, would not void warranty, but to only use the Nissan matic J fluid. I got a bottle from the parts dept while there just in case I ever need to top it off during our long summer trip later this summer. He said just add it right at the tube the super long dip stick goes into, but I will need a flexible funnel.
He also said the Murano is extremely sensitive to it's own version of ATF and just a few ounces of the wrong stuff could wipe out it's tranny. Sounds reasonable since it has the CVT (continously variable transmission) system

1Titan · 06-17-2004, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benjr

I was told by my dealer that if i or any shop other than a nissan dealer replaced or checked the auto transmission fluid it would void the warranty. I noticed the dipstick is bolted shut. They claim to use a special fluid. Is this bull? Usually I dont fall for this but I have never seen a dipstick bolted shut.

I have to agree w/Supratitan. The dealer can't tell you that you would void the warranty by doing it yourself or by another shop. However they are correct in telling you that you can void the warranty by not using the recommended fluid. Did the service mgr. tell you that? If so I would suggest going up the corporate ladder to prove him wrong. I verified that it is fine to do it yourself or by someone else by the service mgr. at the dealership I got my Titan from. As long as you keep the receipts. He also mentioned for all of you doing synthetic motor oils and saying they are going to change beyond the recommended change intervals that Nissan recommends is grounds for voiding warranties. Basically he mentioned if the synthetic oil manufacturer states a change every 10,00mi. Nissan still recommends every 3750miles no if's and's or but's.

PA Titan · 06-17-2004, 03:32 PM

What about my warrenty if I follow the local dealers advice "oh, we usually change the oil in Titans about every 7000 miles". Some how I trust what Nissan says since they are the manufacture and may decide not to cover their products when you ignore their guidelines.

the head · 06-17-2004, 03:40 PM

At least there's a dipstick. BMW doesn't even put one on theirs. It is "lifetime fluid" that never gets changed. Odd, I guess they figure you only need about 120k miles and that is the 'lifetime' of the car to them. I plan on changing mine at a certain interval but haven't decided what that interval will be.

spartan · 06-17-2004, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the head

Odd, I guess they figure you only need about 120k miles and that is the 'lifetime' of the car to them. I plan on changing mine at a certain interval but haven't decided what that interval will be.

Does anyone know the recommended service interval for changing the tranny fluid ?? All I have been able to see in the manual is inspections of fluid at various mileage. Is it one of those filled for life deals ?? The dealer says it should be changed every 30K, does that sound right ??

bestatchess · 06-17-2004, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spartan

Does anyone know the recommended service interval for changing the tranny fluid ?? All I have been able to see in the manual is inspections of fluid at various mileage. Is it one of those filled for life deals ?? The dealer says it should be changed every 30K, does that sound right ??

I think 30K is correct. I like to strain the old ATF when changing to see what kind of stuff is coming out and how big. Also, if you periodically compare a drop or two of the old ATF with new ATF on a coffee filter as to color and how fast & far it spreads you can get a good idea of the condition of the fluid and whether it needs changing. The Titan has a ATF cooler so you need to pay attention to the instructions in the service manual when changing the ATF.

todd92 · 06-17-2004, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Titan

I have to agree w/Supratitan. The dealer can't tell you that you would void the warranty by doing it yourself or by another shop. However they are correct in telling you that you can void the warranty by not using the recommended fluid. Did the service mgr. tell you that? If so I would suggest going up the corporate ladder to prove him wrong. I verified that it is fine to do it yourself or by someone else by the service mgr. at the dealership I got my Titan from. As long as you keep the receipts. He also mentioned for all of you doing synthetic motor oils and saying they are going to change beyond the recommended change intervals that Nissan recommends is grounds for voiding warranties. Basically he mentioned if the synthetic oil manufacturer states a change every 10,00mi. Nissan still recommends every 3750miles no if's and's or but's.

My service manual says 7500 miles for oil changes, no if, ands, or buts. Nissan can't void the warranty at all. If you elect to go with a different oil change schedule, Nissan could deny coverage for any oil related failure, which is something that almost never happens. If you are worried about warranty coverage, there is absolutely no way they can deny anything if you stick with 6 months/7500 miles, which for synthetics is a cake walk.

As for the ATF, the service manual recommends 30,000 miles/2 years if towing or used on rough/muddy roads. Otherwise they never tell you to change it, just inspect it (whatever that means) every 30,000 miles. They also never recommend changing the differential oil.