tranny fluid change

trowelsworth · 10-02-2005, 03:08 PM

Has anyone had there tranny fluid changed or analyzed? I f so at how many miles? I'm at 34,000 and have never towed , though I have hauled building materials several times per month. Overall pretty light use. I noticed the premium maint. recomends fluid change at 30,000 miles. I had planned to change at 30,000 but due to an injury money will be tight until I get back to work!

mtofell · 10-02-2005, 05:43 PM

I think 30K is a good interval, I believe that is what the manual says but I could be wrong.... With harder driving you want to do it sooner... it doesn't sound like you are too tough on it. Whatever you do, don't let on of those 'Quickie Lube' places do it... they don't always use the exact manufacturer spec. I learned the hard way with my F150.... the day after having them do all my fluids, my tranny started clunking and having problems... for 50K before that point it worked flawlessly... pretty big coincidence or something they used didn't sit right... I am going to take mine to the dealer....

Bayou Titan · 10-02-2005, 06:04 PM

The premium service interval for a transmission fluid change is 30,000 miles. I'm not sure what the non premium service interval is.

mtofell · 10-02-2005, 06:16 PM

What's the premium vs. non-premium? Are their different fluid types?

Clint · 10-02-2005, 06:32 PM

Just remember to use Nissan Matic J fluid only, nothing else is equal to it.

Clint

Bayou Titan · 10-02-2005, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtofell

What's the premium vs. non-premium? Are their different fluid types?

Oops. Sorry I didn't make that clear. No, the fluid isn't any different. Premium service is a shorter interval like some people change their motor oil at 3,000 mi. rather than 7,000 mi.

The required change of Titan tranny fluid is further out than 30,000. I just don't know how much further out.

skyhammer · 10-03-2005, 07:44 AM

I changed my tranny fluid at 1000 miles.

Oldfordowner · 10-03-2005, 11:26 AM

MNy Dealer charges $149 for a complete fluid exchange (including Converter). Taking into consideration the price of the consequences, I will be having the Dealer change at 30,000. Small change compared to an overhaul.

bestatchess · 10-03-2005, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldfordowner

MNy Dealer charges $149 for a complete fluid exchange (including Converter). Taking into consideration the price of the consequences, I will be having the Dealer change at 30,000. Small change compared to an overhaul.

I had the dealer change mine also, I think at about 9,000 miles. To DIY a complete change, you need to take off the line that goes to the tranny cooler and run it while filling until the fluid draining from the tranny cooler has the new fluid color. I was afraid I would have $1,000 of NissanMatic J running down the driveway. The other strategy is to do more frequent partial changes by just draining the pan. The only thing I don't like about having the dealer do it is that you don't get to see if there are any big chunks, etc. in the pan.

jessefrank · 10-03-2005, 05:16 PM

I would recommend changing it at least by 30k. I changed my auto tranny fluid in my '03 Maxima at 34k to M1 Synthetic (it requires a different Nissan fluid than the titan). The recommended interval is 30k for it as well. I did it myself and dropped the pan to clean it and the screen. I know it is a different tranny and I don't tow with it (it's a car), but the old fluid was quite dark and the magnets in the pan were full of metal shavings. This was the first time I've ever done it myself and after seeing it first hand I will definitely follow the recommended interval if not change it sooner especially if towing.
I think the DIY technique flushing using the return line or having a flush done on a machine are the only ways to fully flush your transmission. The dealer service manual for my Maxima says to drain fluid and refill, no cleaning the screen, or the magnets and leaving about 3-4 quarts of old fluid still in the tranny system (so to me servicing at the dealer is out). Then like bestatchess said you can do partial changes (i.e. drain 3 quarts, refill with 3 new and repeat until you've reached the tranny capacity with new fluid), but that just mixes the old and new, eventually changing it to a majority of new.
Doing it yourself is quite easy (I suppose since the titan sits higher than my Maxima it will be even easier getting under it). If you drop the pan get a new gasket from the dealer, probably no more than $30-40, and you can reuse all the hardware and crush washer/drain plug. Make sure you have quite a few empty jugs/funnel (I used milk jugs although something larger would be easier). If you DIY it is a lot cheaper than a machine flush (as well as the dealer) because the machines usually take 2-4 quarts extra and the cost of using it. Hopefully someone will post some pics or a "how to" if they do their titan (sorry I won't be doing mine for 28,000 miles).

-Jesse

juma · 10-03-2005, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint

Just remember to use Nissan Matic J fluid only, nothing else is equal to it.

Clint

unless you live in canada, then you can use dexron III like everything else....see it in the manual.

I do about 4 quarts by draining the pan and do it every 10k. jus DIY and way easier.

juma

RockyMtnTitan · 10-03-2005, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juma

unless you live in canada, then you can use dexron III like everything else....see it in the manual.

I do about 4 quarts by draining the pan and do it every 10k. jus DIY and way easier.

juma

Unless I misunderstood you (sorry if so), you must use the Matic J if you live in the US. Canada owners can use any Dexron III equiv. Sorry if that's what you meant....it sounded like you were stating the opposite.

My dealer told me they just do analysis to determine when to change the tranny fluid....even beyond the 30K interval. I'll probably change mine at 30K, regardless...and may even go with a full synth fluid. I think Head has been running the Amsoil since he did the tranny upgrades a while back. I don't think he's had any issues with it.

Anyone know if Blackstone Labs does AT fluid analysis? If I do switch to full synthetic, I may send in occasional samples for analysis just to make sure there are no issues.