is there anyone okay with your 370Z after 100K miles without ATF change?

felix0121

I did read the maintenance guide. It said the 370Z's automatic transmission is maintenance free.

I really get confused here. Now I'm using my second Nissan genuine automatic transmission on my 370Z. I got it installed after its fluid had been changed when around hitting 100K miles and was soon broken after that ATF replacement. (it was a Nissan genuine AT fluid of course, because I got service at a Nissan dealership).

It does not mean that changing fluid surely did break it. I got my 370Z as a pre-owned one, and have no idea about what exactly its previous owners had put into it. (If in case they had put any third party ATF, then it might not be maintenance free, right?) - or it just unfortunately might be classified as a 'defect'.

Anyway I really do not want to see my transmission broken again. I want to keep my Z as long as possible even after I buy another car in the future. My dealership recommends me to get it checked everytime I take the oil change and replace its AT fluid basically every 100K miles.

I don't go to the track, and consider myself as a just normal daily driver with some rare spirited driving that I enjoy my zero to sixty when I enter to the freeway.

So, is there anyone in this forum okay with your automatic transmission without changing its fluid even after 100~200 miles? Is its fluid literally 'ever-lasting' as maintenance free? I've done pretty much research for this by myself, but still cannot make my decision.

UNKNOWN_370

This title made me think.

Fuckin ATF is after our guns and our Z's?

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FairladyZ40th

I've been told many times not to ever swap the AT fluid in a car and the differential fluid IFF, they have high miles because of the muk and gum that builds up within the system. Basically that dirtiness that builds up in there helps fill in gaps and wear within the systems and so when you put in new fluid all that helpful gum comes out and thus leaving your stuff vulnerable... My $0.02.

However if you swap your fluid early enough and continue this practice you should be good.

vtec to vvel

would this logic work for all fluids (i.e. engine oil)?

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vtec to vvel

OP, im starting to find your threads a bit disturbing....

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FairladyZ40th

Na haha I wish though, that's why they say that it's "maintenance free". Basically if you do the fluid swap you could mess your stuff. ESPECIALLY automatic transmissions. Now I know you hear about people swapping their tranny fluid and clutch fluid but well that's precisely the difference. AT vs MT manuals usually will go longer for the same reasons that you swap the clutch and swap your fluid. You can actually work with it as opposed with the AT. They are very delicate and they don't like it when you swap the fluid they get comfy in. Now I don't know a hole lot of details but that's how it makes sense to me.

Please don't take my word for it. Ask some mechanics you might know. Ask em this "is it suggested or good to swap out the transmission fluid on an automatic?" And make sure you mention your miles because that's a big variable.

felix0121

As I know, the maintenance guide does not say other fluids are also maintenance free.

Rather it says the engine oil must be changed on some specific intervals.

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FairladyZ40th

Oh man please don't tell me people are going to mistake what I said and turn it into something it's not. I did not mention he engine oil or any other fluid at any moment. Only differential and tranny

SouthArk370Z

I like to change ATF every 40000-50000 miles. Or sooner, if it gets very dark or smelly. 100000 miles is way too long.

While there is a bit of truth to the don't-change-if-miles-are-high theory (mainly with older ATs), it's not gospel. Depends on the lube and what's being lubed. With modern ATs/ATFs, it shouldn't be a problem.

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felix0121

Years ago, I asked what motor oil to use (when I didn't know any motor oil thread was not welcomed and closed), then someone answered to me that the best engine oil for my 370Z is an extra virgin olive oil.

Fortunately I did not know how to change oil by myself either, and later found out at a dealership that it must have been just a joke.

If I did, maybe I really might have tried it and sent my used sample for oil analysis..



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felix0121

differential ??

370Z's VLSD fluid is also maintenance free?

Just curious.

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FairladyZ40th

Sorry I suppose newer models do need the service haha my mistake.


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Spooler

The diff fluid is serviceable at least every 30K miles. The VLSD fluid is not serviceable. That is why it sucks.

felix0121

I own a 2010 370Z Sport, and my maintenance guide (of 2011) does not mention seperately that its VLSD fluid is also maintenance free.

Can you tell me where I can see the VLSD fluid is non-serviceable ??

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Spooler

You just did. The unit is sealed and is only replaceable. It is not a maintenance item.