Hey everyone! I was wondering if anyone has a step by step procedure of how to properly change the transmission oil on a 1997 Nissan Maxima? I can't seem to locate the oil filter or the drain plug and I'm hoping someone cal help me

Thanks!

maxvq wrote:Hey everyone! I was wondering if anyone has a step by step procedure of how to properly change the transmission oil on a 1997 Nissan Maxima? I can't seem to locate the oil filter or the drain plug and I'm hoping someone cal help me

Thanks!

With most transmissions you must drop the pan to change the fluid. Often there is a filter located inside there. There is no filter like you would find for engine oil, at least not that I have ever seen. Most transmissions do not have a drain plug.

You can find a service manual here: http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/maxima/That should have the exact stuff for your maxima trans and how to do it.

There should be a plug located on the bottom of the trans pan. This will only drain about 3 to 4 QTS of fluid. Check your book on how much it holds. The trans filter is a metal screen and is a bugger to get out and clean. You can have a flush done at a dealer that uses genuine Nissan fluid or other shops do it too for about 125.00. I would have it flushed so you can get all the fluid changed. Or another method is do 3 drains. Drain and drive drain and drive ect. How many miles on the old fluid. I had a Nissan Stanza that went 225K miles before the trans went with no changes in the fluid. I was young and didn't know how to change the fluid at that time.

MCovington wrote:There should be a plug located on the bottom of the trans pan. This will only drain about 3 to 4 QTS of fluid. Check your book on how much it holds. The trans filter is a metal screen and is a bugger to get out and clean. You can have a flush done at a dealer that uses genuine Nissan fluid or other shops do it too for about 125.00. I would have it flushed so you can get all the fluid changed. Or another method is do 3 drains. Drain and drive drain and drive ect. How many miles on the old fluid. I had a Nissan Stanza that went 225K miles before the trans went with no changes in the fluid. I was young and didn't know how to change the fluid at that time.

I bought this Maxima used at a dealership and I am unsure as to whether the dealership changed the transmission oil or not. Currently there are 74,000km's on the car, I'm not really sure if it is necessary to change the tranny oil yet...but I've noticed that there is a jerk when it switches from 1st to 2nd gear (it's an automatic tranny). Could this mean that the transmission fluid is not lubricating we well as it should? Or is it just a normal thing?

If you don't have any records for the car. Here is what I do when I buy used. Chaeng all fluids,motor oil, trans, coolant, brake fluid, plugs. check brake pads. This is simple stuff just hit the search button up top and insert what you want to find out.

MCovington wrote:If you don't have any records for the car. Here is what I do when I buy used. Chaeng all fluids,motor oil, trans, coolant, brake fluid, plugs. check brake pads. This is simple stuff just hit the search button up top and insert what you want to find out.

I do the same thing. I would also change the fuel filter & pcv valve, and make sure the ignition components & battery are in good working order. I'd probably also seafoam or clean the intake/upper engine in whatever method you prefer (bg44k, whatever...)

Sorry, I keep meaning to post up info on how to change the filter but I've been really busy.

Read through the FSM here for manual or here for automatic and you should find what you need.

When I bought my car last year, I went to the local Infinity dealer and asked the service manager to pull a repair history on the car (by VIN). Of course this only shows dealer serviced items, but it's better than not trying...--Mike