1997 Pathfinder Transmission Fluid

[A1218]

On the automatic transmission on my Pathfinder, should I use a high mileage fluid or synthetic fluid? Or should I stick to Nissan's matic D fluid which is what I usually use?

The vehicle has 185,000 miles and the transmission has been rebuilt once due to failed planetary gear about 6 years and 65k miles ago.

I've been told by a few Pathfinder owners about Castrol Transmax High Mileage Transmission fluid that is Nissan matic D compatible.

I have also heard about Valvoline Maxlife Fully synthetic ATF.

Is the Castrol high mileage not fully synthetic?

Any other recommendations? I’m doing a drain and refill.

[macgiver]

Only my opinion - stick to Nissan D , FWIW general common sense reasoning , your 97 Pathy is of that era , not designed w/ synthetic "in mind " , AND the 65k (relatively low mi) on the rebuild , AND you never seemed to have issue whatsoever ...... with the BIG 'Deeeeeee' ???????
Always respect othert's comments and suggestions though , for I'm only a self proclaimed MINOR GENIUS here.

p.s. I would give a slight higher up-vote to Valvoline over Castrol ,seems Valvoline has topnotch expertise in Hi-Mi technology .

[A1218]

Only my opinion - stick to Nissan D , FWIW general common sense reasoning , your 97 Pathy is of that era , not designed w/ synthetic "in mind " , AND the 65k (relatively low mi) on the rebuild , AND you never seemed to have issue whatsoever ...... with the BIG 'Deeeeeee' ???????
Always respect othert's comments and suggestions though , for I'm just a self proclaimed MINOR GENIUS here.

p.s. I would give a slight higher up-vote to Valvoline over Castrol ,seems Valvoline has topnotch expertise in Hi-Mi technology .

I had the rebuild about 65,000 miles ago or a little more. Not at 65k.

Im not sure if I understand what you are trying to say after that.

[macgiver]

I got that , in other words it's " fresh " as 65k mi ago whatever , we're actually copasetic on that - in a nutshellif you may , respectfully forget about my after the 65k mi stuff , I'm simply using the " if it aint broke dont fix " mentality of staying with the OEM - tried & true - what you've BEEN using .......Nissan D.
Respectfully -mac

[A1218]

I got that , in other words it's " fresh " as 65k mi ago whatever , we're actually copasetic on that - in a nutshellif you may , respectfully forget about my after the 65k mi stuff , I'm simply using the " if it aint broke dont fix " mentality of staying with the OEM - tried & true - what you've BEEN using .......Nissa D.
Respectfully -mac

Okay, understood.

Thank you

[macgiver]

And sorry for the p.s. Castrol / Valvoline comment which was just a "vote" one over the other by me , and I see I confused my final answer to stick with the D . I figured you may go with a Hi-Mi , ? and my Hi-MI choice IF in that case would be Valvoline - sorry

[A1218]

And sorry for the p.s. Castrol / Valvoline comment which was just a "vote" one over the other by me , and I see I confused my final answer to stick with the D . I figured you may go with a Hi-Mi , ? and my Hi-MI choice IF in that case would be Valvoline - sorry

The Valvoline Maxlife is a Fully synthetic, not high mileage correct?

[macgiver]

Just looked at it on Amazon for you , mid-way down the bullet points says " prevents seal leaks on hi-mi transmissions " yad yada , so seems to have hi-mileage properties , yes . But the Valvoline website you may want to check out for more comprehensive info .

Looked at Amazon page again and noticed Parseh A. says "totally screwed up my transmission" a '13 Frontier v6 uses Nissan 'S' ???????? Whaaaaaaat? I will look mostly at the negative reviews so I'm aware of the possible problems a product may have , AND this guy and his car could be a fluke or troll , one in a million whatever ya know. This is another reason MAYBE to stick with Nissan Deeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Double up on the D

[macgiver]

I'm gone ...................takin the 650 to out to " clear the Carbon " , there goes my FOOTPRINT!!

[mdmellott]

I've been using Castrol Transmax High Mileage ATF in my '02 since I bought it used in '12. Works great for me. It is not a synthetic ATF. It has a limited application list of vehicles it can be used in. https://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/Fusi ... AFE8TS.pdf The Valvoline Maxlife Multi-Vehicle ATF is a full synthetic ATF. It has a one-size fits all (so to speak) application list of vehicles it can be used in. https://sharena21.springcm.com/Public/D ... 162d889bd1 I have recently used it in my Kia Soul+ because I could not find another suitable aftermarket substitute for the ultra-thin viscosity of the Kia OEM brand. I have no doubts it's a high quality ATF but I wouldn't use it in my Pathfinder. Check out the manufacturer's technical data sheets I linked above.

[A1218]

I've been using Castrol Transmax High Mileage ATF in my '02 since I bought it used in '12. Works great for me. It is not a synthetic ATF. It has a limited application list of vehicles it can be used in. https://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/Fusi ... AFE8TS.pdf The Valvoline Maxlife Multi-Vehicle ATF is a full synthetic ATF. It has a one-size fits all (so to speak) application list of vehicles it can be used in. https://sharena21.springcm.com/Public/D ... 162d889bd1 I have recently used it in my Kia Soul+ because I could not find another suitable aftermarket substitute for the ultra-thin viscosity of the Kia OEM brand. I have no doubts it's a high quality ATF but I wouldn't use it in my Pathfinder. Check out the manufacturer's technical data sheets I linked above.

Alright, I’ll be giving the Castrol Transmax High Mileage a shot.

Thanks for the info mdmellott

[AlanAZ]

'03 QX4: I did a complete replacement of the factory ATF with Valvoline MaxLife ATF years ago, and fitted a Magnefine in-line filter at that time (see the pinned 'General Info' thread), I'm now on my 2nd filter. I didn't have any shift problems before, or now, but the original fluid was beginning to turn brown. I also used it to fully replace the power steering fluid, afterwards the steering was glass-smooth compared to before. It's my go-to ATF for other vehicle compatible applications (mostly Toyota/Lexus.) Note: I did complete fluid replacements as I don't think running a 50/50 blend factory fluid with a full-synthetic is optimal.

[mdmellott]

Additionally, as you will read in the data sheets, Castrol has a couple of specific OEM approvals from GM and Ford. Valvoline has no official OEM approvals. This is good news for confidently using the Castrol Transmax High Mileage ATF in your Pathfinder's power steering as well, since Nissan recommends Dexron III for this application and GM has approved Castrol Transmax High Mileage ATF as a substitute for Dexron III. I use a turkey baster to suck as much ATF out of my power steering fluid reservoir as I can, and replace it with Castrol Transmax High Mileage ATF, every time I change/refresh my transmission ATF. Given the age and high mileage (224K miles) of my '02, I refresh a gallon of ATF every 15K miles or so. Still leak free and going strong.

[macgiver]

Question for A1218 is - Do I really want to bath my relatively 'new' seals inside this 65kmi rebuild IF I have absolutely no leaks NOR issues at this time . Hi-Mi primary effect is to SWELL seals .Supposedly once they're swollen , you really don't go back - always need the Hi-Mi , AND if you try a non Hi-Mi later,you probly will reveal leaks . Like a barbed hook - you kinda get permanently committed.Like why use it if NOT needing/or ready for it?
I have used the Castrol ATF , Japanese specific in one of the 7 changes on my J30 and it was very , very satisfactory though - NO issues .
I think the differences may not be noticed much in driving a non-broke car /transmission. And I lean towards products that do have a more narrow and specific application useage as mdmellott talks , tis better when something doesn't try to achieve a "be-all" product.

[mdmellott]

There is a difference in the chemical additives found in "stop leak" oil products and "seal conditioners". Mac is right about the seal swelling type of Band-Aid additives found in many "stop leak" products which basically alter, at least temporarily, the physical structure of worn and/or hardened and dried out seals. Conditioner additives, on the other hand, are more of a preventative maintenance type of product that even new engine and transmission seals can benefit from in the long run. Although conditioners may help a bit on older seeping seals, no conditioner additive can actually rejuvenate a seal that is already in a state of physical failure. However, conditioners can prevent the failure from prematurely happening in the first place. Kind of like hair conditioner. I can use it everyday or occasionally to prevent premature damage due to the harsh working environment I am always in. If I stop using it, my hair won't fall out or break off if I don't expose it to damaging effects but if I do and I lose my hair, a conditioner will not help restore it. I will need a stop leak. Also known as a wig.

[A1218]

Question for A1218 is - Do I really want to bath my relatively 'new' seals inside this 65kmi rebuild IF I have absolutely no leaks NOR issues at this time . Hi-Mi primary effect is to SWELL seals .Supposedly once they're swollen , you really don't go back - always need the Hi-Mi , AND if you try a non Hi-Mi later,you probly will reveal leaks . Like a barbed hook - you kinda get permanently committed.Like why use it if NOT needing/or ready for it?
I have used the Castrol ATF , Japanese specific in one of the 7 changes on my J30 and it was very , very satisfactory though - NO issues .
I think the differences may not be noticed much in driving a non-broke car /transmission. And I lean towards products that do have a more narrow and specific application useage as mdmellott talks , tis better when something doesn't try to achieve a "be-all" product.

Yeah, I’m not too worried about it. Mdmellott has used it in his Pathfinder over 10 years now and has not encountered a problem as of yet.

I’m going into 7 years on this rebuild so I’m hoping and pretty positive that it should be fine with this fluid.

Even so before transmission had the rebuild I didn’t have leaks either and I’m sure majority of the components were not changed during the rebuild that can benefit from this high mileage fluid.

Time will tell.

[A1218]

There is a difference in the chemical additives found in "stop leak" oil products and "seal conditioners". Mac is right about the seal swelling type of Band-Aid additives found in many "stop leak" products which basically alter, at least temporarily, the physical structure of worn and/or hardened and dried out seals. Conditioner additives, on the other hand, are more of a preventative maintenance type of product that even new engine and transmission seals can benefit from in the long run. Although conditioners may help a bit on older seeping seals, no conditioner additive can actually rejuvenate a seal that is already in a state of physical failure. However, conditioners can prevent the failure from prematurely happening in the first place. Kind of like hair conditioner. I can use it everyday or occasionally to prevent premature damage due to the harsh working environment I am always in. If I stop using it, my hair won't fall out or break off if I don't expose it to damaging effects but if I do and I lose my hair, a conditioner will not help restore it. I will need a stop leak. Also known as a wig.

Love the analogy.