ATF change

[Jason Boggs]

I haven't found any info on this, so I was wanting some feedback here. As most of you know, I bought a newer vehicle last March (08 Nissan Xterra). It's the first automatic transmission I have ever owned. I looked in my owners manual, but I can't find out how often I need to replace the auto trans fluid. I'm thinking every 30,000 miles, but I'm not sure. Also, what kind of ATF would you recommend? Thanks for any help you can give!

 

[D. Hayes]

30k is cautious but 50k is normal. It's not that expensive to do every 30k if you're a DIY guy. I use with Royal Purple but I'm a DIY guy and I don't do it but when I'm close to 50k.

 

[Greg Campbell]

No idea what type of ATF Nissan might require. Manufacturers often try to sell you a proprietary fluid that is found only at the stealership. Using this 'special' ATF is not necessary, but you'll want to find a compatible substitute. Suggest you hit the Xterra message boards. You might also try Bobistheoilguy - there's a lot of info in their Trans-fluid forum section.

Another issue is: How much ATF to change at once.
One option is to take it to a shop and have them do a complete drain/purge/refill. (Don't get the solvent flush that they will likely push for!)
The other approach is a partial change. You can drain the pan every 10~15K, then replace the missing volume with new fluid. (Depending on the vehicle, draining usually changes 1/4 ~ 1/3 of the fluid at a time.) This is a little less efficient, but is dead easy and much cheaper in the end since it's a DIY operation. Continual flushing like this will keep the transmission happy forever. (You'll eventually need to change the transmission's filter, if present.)

 

[Jason Boggs]

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I'm looking to change the trans fluid next week. Thanks for the feedback guys. Nissan recommends what's called Matic S fluid. I have looked around on xterra forums, and they pretty much say this:

Best way to flush it is to drain it through the drain bolt. Refill it with the same amount. run it for a few minutes. Repeat 3 to 4 times depending on how much you get out on each drain. I actually took mine for a spin for a couple of minutes after each drain and refill. You should now have replaced the entire old fluid with new.

I'm going to do the above procedure every 30,000 miles.

Also, for you Xterra owners, only use Matic J or Matic S for your transmission. Any other fluid will void the warranty.

Again, sorry for bringing up an old topic, but this time of year I try to get my vehicle serviced and maintained for winter and the upcoming chase season.

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

There is also a filter that needs to be replaced as well - and equally important to change.

If there isn't a magnet inside the pan - you might consider gluing one away from the filter/pickup area.

Look in a shop manual to see if there is a drain plug on the torque converter. If there is, then that oil should also be drained out. A torque converter will hold a few quarts of oil. Usually, newer models don't have this feature. Once drained, the transmission will now require extra quarts. Never overfill! Check oil level on level ground to make sure. Run it thru the gears a few times - holding it in each range for ten seconds. Then re-check...

I used to have my own automatic transmission shop a few years back - had it for 13 years. That is what I would do...

 

[Jason Boggs]

There is also a filter that needs to be replaced as well - and equally important to change.

If there isn't a magnet inside the pan - you might consider gluing one away from the filter/pickup area.

Look in a shop manual to see if there is a drain plug on the torque converter. If there is, then that oil should also be drained out. A torque converter will hold a few quarts of oil. Usually, newer models don't have this feature. Once drained, the transmission will now require extra quarts. Never overfill! Check oil level on level ground to make sure. Run it thru the gears a few times - holding it in each range for ten seconds. Then re-check...

I used to have my own automatic transmission shop a few years back - had it for 13 years. That is what I would do...

Thanks Rob. Yea, there is a screen that needs to be changed out. There is a magnet inside the pan. A lot of folks recommend dropping the pan and cleaning it along with the metal shavings on the magnet. I've never changed out auto trans fluid before, so it won't be easy for me at first. I'll have a Chilton's or Haynes manual with me as I do it.

EDIT: I looked the other day under the hood and could not find the dipstick for the auto trans fluid. I now feel like a dipstick. Anyone know where it is on an 08 xterra?

 

[cedwards]

It would have to be one of these types.


Alcohol, Tobacco & FirearmsATFBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (US Department of Justice)ATF Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Advanced Technology FighterATFBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and FirearmsATFArmored Task Force (warfare game simulation)ATFActivating Transcription FactorATFAfter the FactATFAJAX Toolkit FrameworkATFAviation Turbine FuelATFAcquire the FireATFAfter the Fire (Band)ATFASEAN Tourism Forum (annual travel convention)ATFAfter the FallATFAdvanced Tactical FighterATFAll-Time FavoriteATFAll Time FavoriteATFArab Thought Forum (Palestine)ATFAmerican Type FoundryATFAbove The Fold (web/print advertising)ATFAs Trustee for (finance)ATFAmphibious Task ForceATFFleet Ocean TugATFArrived to FindATFAir Task ForceATFAnterior Talofibular (ligament)ATFFrench Southern and Antarctic Lands (ISO Country code)ATFAutomatic Track FindingATFAcross the FenceATFALMA Test Facility (Atacama Large Millimeter Array)ATFAlbuquerque Teachers FederationATFAll Things Fresh (website)ATFAustralian Temporary FencingATFAdvanced Technology Fractionator (SeQual)ATFArticulation Task Force (Arizona State University)ATFAutomatic Track FollowingATFAll Too FlatATFAviation Task ForceATFAutomatic Terrain FollowingATFAbsolute Terror FieldATFAsynchronous Transmit FIFOATFAuxiliary Tug, Fleet (Auxiliary Fleet Tug)ATFAnti-Tenure FactorATFAcross the Flat (geometry)ATFAdministrative Task ForceATFAcceptance Test FacilityATFArea to Free (Cisco)ATFAstrometric Telescope FacilityATFAllied Tactical ForceATFAdvanced Targeting FLIR (US DoD)ATFAerodrome Traffic FrequenciesATFAnimation Trace FileATFAircraft Torque FactorATFAutomatic Test FacilityATFArea-Time-IntegralATFAdaptive Tracking FilterATFAutonomous Thruster FacilitiesATFAutomatic Tracking FeatureATFAir to Torpedo Fire ControlATFAudit Transfer FilesATFAutomatic Target FollowATFAutomated Target FolderATFAverage Transaction Frequency (credit)ATFAutomatic Test FormatATFAUTOVON Test FacilityATFAlternate Treatment FacilityATFAquatics Training Facility (US Army)

 

[Steve Polley]

Different types of fluid are very important for your transmission. I actually teach automotive tech as a day job and this topic come up all the time. As a rule of thumb, 20k miles is recommended for severe duty and 30k for non severe. Of course there is variances of the mileage requirement with some manufacturers. The reason that they sell specific types of fluids such as ATF+4, Mercon V is because these fluids have as a rule different types coeffiecients of friction within the fluid. By using a generic Dexron/Mercon fluid is a gamble at the least. Then there is the whole, "you have to change the filter bit, dont do a full trans flush", but thats another topic all together.