about ATF

bvl · 10-06-2011, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

My 2001 WS6 was a 6-speed, and I had the fluid in it changed (@75K miles). It didn't have any problems afterward, but it never shifted as smoothly in my opinion.

So I'm just not a fan of messing with it.

Just because it LOOKS dirty doesn't mean it's not working just fine. Anyone who has ever checked the oil on a diesel can tell you that.

Nissan says not to screw with it. Do you really think their master-plan is to have your transmission go out at the 100K mile-mark and that's to be their big money-maker? Seriously? Just don't **** with it.

My .02

The WS6 is a manually: different fluid properties. Many trannies tend to like a particular additive package a tad more if you are that sensitive to shift feel (you trade off smoothness for bearing wear over a long time. Few good docs on this, including Redline as they make several different packages for manuals and diffs)

As you note: dirty does not mean bad. Unless you run an analysis on the used stuff, you don't know the additive package and fluid composition. Regular motor oil will darken in 1-2K (if not less) miles but is working just peachy.

100K maintenance free is really a demand of consumers: they feel its a hassle to maintain a car (face it: most americans can't check air pressure, its sad but true).

That said, most manufacturers have 'premium' style service intervals which do still replace fluids more aggressively. Varies by car of course. Diff, transfer, MT, AT, and brake fluid are just a few that often go un-maintained.

- b