Who has changed these fluids?

[XIS]

I start thinking about this stuff yearly before I make a 6 hr drive across the desert at the hottest and dryest time of the year...

My car now has 41K on it... I bought it with 30K on it. I run synthetic oil.

*Has anyone changed their rear differential fluid?
*ATF fluid?
____Drain and fill or Flush? (I took the engine cover off to get to the dip stick and the ATF fluids looks clean and brand new still)
*What about radiator drain/fill? Looks pretty clean in there too
*Brake fluid?
*Power Steering Fluid?

The dang maintenance manual has both extremes... either change it all the time under PREMIUM or just check it under the the other two service interval options. Just looking for REAL world experiences and if it ended up being a good thing you changed it, or it if ended up just confirming that the fluids still look good... (oh, and at what miles did you do it or skip it)



This is one of those posts that EVERYONE can / should reply to... Just answer NO if you haven't (and why) and YES if you have (and when)...

Don't just lurk...

[sashki2]

I checked the maintanence booklet a couple of days ago and was pleasantly surprised to see that no fluid changes are recommended on the ex. Atf and other fluid changes were things of the past in all recent model cars but most would require changing coolant at some point (our Altima is at the shop getting this done right now) and some require flushing break fluid. I couldn't find reference to the fluid change requirement in the booklet for EX.
B.t.w. I hate current Nissan practice to call maintanance premium, platinum or whatever else sales driven name - it's like you're paying for something pleasant done. I figured I stick to schedule 2 and do what's required. Anyone can correct me?

[EX-KAT-35]

I changed these fluids/oils as preventive maint starting from the 15k mile svc.

Yeah the dealer service rep looked at me all crazy - but its my car and I have my boyfriend's experience to guide me on the fact that there is NO SUCH THING as a lifetime fluid. For most systems it is the very first fluid change that is most important in the overall life if a car.

Power steering (15k miles)
ATF (15k miles)
Center differential (36k miles)
Rear differential (36k miles)
Coolant (36k miles)
Brake fluid (36k miles DIY with BBK it was getting bad too at this mileage)
Oil (Royal Purple + Quaker State synthetic every 5-7k miles mostly every start of winter and early summer)

No two situations are alike.
Hope this helps anyone to figure out your best maint intervals.

[XIS]

Thanks to you TWO that replied. Not sure why so many people are afraid to post what they do or don't do with regards to these issues??

I am not sure if my car's previous owner changed anything at all. But since my AFT fluid is super clean, and both my brake fluid and power steering fluids look decent, as well as the coolant - I am expecting the rear dif to be decent too... BUT I am going to change those all fairly soon. I can probably wait till after my little trip across the desert....I hope. I just changed the oil and filter last week (Castrol Edge Titanium full synthetic and a K&N filter) so I am good there.

[sashki2]

I wouldn't change anything that's not required.
I look at this this way. If it was bad for the car not to change the fluids, it might make something fail/break. This would lead to the manufacturer paying for it since it'd be covered by long power train warranty (power train warranty is usually much longer then regular one). To prevent their extra spendings manufacturers would include an extra item into required maintances to make you pay for it. If you skip something that's required, it voids the warranty. From all this I conclude, if it's not included into the required maintanance, there's no impact on reliability. If it has no impact, there's no reason to change the fluid.

[box_of_lego]

How about "I think so"
I bought the Vehicle used , from a Infiniti Dealership , when I had the EX in for an Oil change the service manager asked If I had changed the transmission/ diff fluid I said no I bought the Vehicle here a few months ago .
The service Guy said .. Then its been done we always change fluids and flush rad when prepping a used vehicle
so I know there is transmission and Diff fluid , engine oil , rad flush done (kinda wonder why the info wasn't on the Vehicle history in the dealerships computer , but whatever!)
The power steering fluid was done when a hose leaked and system was flushed and repaired under warrenty.

I guess if Infinity feels it should be done when prepping a used car there may be a good reason for it. ?

Oh I got the EX at 72K all service completed so lets say the "lifetime" lubes in Question were changed at 72K

[sashki2]

I learn no to trust too much salesman and never know how much of what they say is true

[jrmotorsports55]

Only 22k on my clock, planning on going by the old school rules (36k).

Jason

[Tasman]

I still only have 4,600 miles on the EX after owning it for 17 months so fluid changes (other than oil) are no where on my radar yet. I go by the manufacturers recommendations "generally" based on miles and not months.

[ArcticBlue]

Lots of opinions on various boards for different vehicles I own. I agree with Sashki. For example, my Jaguar XJR has "lifetime" transmission fluid, but many say that is bull - mine now has 132K miles with original fluid - at 60K miles I tried to get the Jag dealer to change the fluid and they refused - unless I signed a waiver absolving them of any untoward consequences. It seems they frequently see failures after changing the fluid! Similarly, my wife's Audi A6 now has 165K miles on original transmission fluid, no problems - same scenario with dealer. Intuitively, this doesn't make sense, but there ya go!
I am not of the opinion that "if it ain't broke, fix it until it is!"

[Towncivilian]

There is no such thing as a "lifetime" fill. No lubricant lasts forever.

As mentioned above, the first full fluid exchange is the most important, in order to purge all break-in wear and any crud left over from the manufacturing process. Every fluid, except maybe brake fluid, will contain a relatively significant amount of such contamination.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic (it absorbs moisture from the atmosphere), lowering its boiling point and contributing to the possibility of brake fade as more moisture is absorbed. Get it flushed every 2 or 3 years. Use a DOT 4 or 5.1 fluid for higher minimum wet and dry boiling points. Do not use DOT 5 brake fluid.

[mikey1951]

ROT: (rule of thumb) -- syn oil @ 5k or yearly -- brake fluid yearly -- coolant x 2yrs--PS fluid x2yrs -- urine daily!!LOL

[ddean0612]

i got my 08, use, and am not sure if the dealer ever check this fluids but i am very corious to change them just to see how is done and how often they should be change.

[EXceptional]

I have not changed anything except the Engine Oil.

We have 40,000 Km's on it.


EX-KAT-35...

How much did your fluid changing service cost?

[EX-KAT-35]

I have not changed anything except the Engine Oil.

We have 40,000 Km's on it.


EX-KAT-35...

How much did your fluid changing service cost?

I have the receipts in a little folder I keep in the car.
Will update by this weekend when I have time to take the stuff out and sift through.
Average offhand maybe $200 for auto/coolant/steering/rear differential each any parts+fluid+labor.

More to come.

[EX-KAT-35]

Here are the prices I paid:

Transmission fluid : $215 (ATF Kit, fluid, labor)
Cooling system flush: $177 (coolant, disposal fee, labor)
Front and rear Diff and transfer case fluid: $212 (2 fluid types, labor)
Power steering: $140 estimated (dealer gave my receipt to another customer grrrr)

Sorry I couldn't get them up here earlier.