370z automatic transmission fluid change schedule

Eric370z12

Hi all!

I'm new here and trying to navigate the service schedule for my wife's 370z roadster.

The service schedule appears to say you should *never* change the automatic transmission fluid. I've read it's a "sealed system". This seems really surprising if true.

I had the car at the dealer and they said it was overdue for a fluid change and quoted $350 to drain and fill. This seemed insane to me (I've done oil changes myself and while I understand this is a bigger effort it still surprised me).

The dealer couldn't explain why the service schedule seems to indicate that the fluid doesn't need to be changed and is proposing a 20k mile/2 yr schedule.

So I'm here to ask the experts, what's the deal with the auto transmission service schedule? Obviously I can change the fluid but I don't want to do unnecessary servicing, especially if it's a dealer trying to fleece me.

For reference, the 2016 service schedule: https://owners.nissanusa.com/content...ance-guide.pdf

Page 14: "Automatic transmission fluid for 370Z and NV 1500/2500/3500 is maintenance-free."

Page 23: "3 Automatic transmission fluid except for 370Z and NV 1500/2500/3500."

If the fluid should be changed on a conventional schedule what's the deal with these "except for 370z" caveats and the "maintenance-free" term?

Thanks!

SouthArk370Z

Nissan doesn't think the trans fluid needs to be changed in the 370Z.

Personally, I like to change trans fluid (in any car) at 20k-40k miles. IIRC, I did the first change on my Z at about 24k miles on odometer; if I had kept it, I would have done the next one at 50k-60k.

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Spoiler

I think I would change it periodically. Doesnt seem to be a downside other than some cost

Eric370z12

Of course it wouldn't *hurt* to change it. .. likewise, I could change the oil every 500 miles. This car is my wife's daily driver; she doesn't redline it or abuse it in any way and I don't feel the need to baby it particularly. I just want to know what it *needs*.

Obviously this fluid needs to be changed at some point .. 1 million miles? 2? But I'm frustrated that Nissan seems to be vague about this, leaving it ambiguous about what's necessary for the car.

jchammond

I perform a drain/fill every 10k miles (only 4qts.)
On my initial drain/fill,milage was at 50k & fluid looked like black coffee,,,didn't smell burnt-but very dark.
I drained/filled,drove 5 miles & repeated 2 more times;until fluid was clean.
drain plug is 19mm hex @ rear of pan & fill plug (overfill is their term) is 5mm allen near front of trans.
I use the Valvoline Multi Vehicle ATF (meets all Nissan spec) & cost less than $20 per gallon at Wally-World.
I use a 1 gallon plastic pump-up style chemical sprayer to install in fill hole from bottom.
I did a dyi thread on this some time ago,,,i'll have to look it up-as it definitely makes a shifting difference each time i service it.
90k miles & rolling!

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nis350

is this atf better than the nissan's?

does it mix well with the nissan atf fluid for partial fluid change?

jchammond

If it meet's spec; it'll mix-though i drained & filled 3x & drove 5 miles between each session,,,to ensure i had flushed it well.
Afterwards i did a 10k drain & fill to ensure it stayed clean;;;also felt like a tune-up after each service.

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jchammond

PS;
Z was totaled in a crash;by an un-insured SUV driver @93K
Had just broke into the 12's (1/4 mile) that very same day.

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nis350

sorry about your z. hope you didn't have any injury.

as for the atf change, i was going to let a local shop do a partial drain/fill. just want to ensure that non-nissan atf mix well.

based on the info, I will need about 4 qts if I only drain/fill once? do you think it will be ok if we measure the amount drain and refill the same amount of atf?

SouthArk370Z

There is a procedure to refill the trans. In a nutshell, you get the trans up to temp (if you don't have access to an OBD tool that can read trans temp, people have had good luck measuring the case temp with IR thermometers), remove a plug on the side of the trans, then fill until fluid starts coming out the hole. Several threads on this site with more details.

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jchammond

trans temp should be just over 100* & check plug is a 5mm allen in the bottom of pan; this is also where it is filled.
19mm plug at rear is your drain plug.
You fill the transmission into the smaller port & allow excess to drain out until it slows to a steady drip-then install the 5mm allen plug.
It's designed to be overfilled & allowed to drain to correct level.
Plan on buying a case of fluid to do in correct.
You're probably gonna see some dirty fluid come out on first drain.

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JARblue

I would make sure the shop is competent and familiar with the process. It's not a difficult process, but there are very specific steps as have already been mentioned to you. There are reports of Nissan dealers screwing up an AT flush or just refusing to do one because they don't know how.

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CrunchyCajun

Here is a video I found of someone doing the partial change on a 2009 Infiniti G37 Coupe. Seems pretty straightforward.

The dealer near me initially agreed to do entire fluid exchange, then chickened out and did a partial change. I'm not confident that they even did that correctly, but it shifts and drives well and the temp is ok.

I will be doing this myself too as soon as my Quick Jack lift gets here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lE3lZEcaqY

JerryDeluxe

I was quoted at $265 for transmission service. Is the price reasonable

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SG4247

Depends, pan off or pan on?

What fluid?