2009 M35x Trans fluid
2009 M35x Trans fluid
I recently hit 50k miles and I thought it would be a good time to change my trans fluid. My service advisor at LIA Infiniti in upstate NY had recommended it during a previous visit, so I made the appointment and brought my car in. This is where it gets interesting, the service advisor no longer works there and the new fella told me that you cant do a trans service on the 2009 model year car because it is a sealed unit. He said he even went to the shop forman to question this and was told the same by him. I am not sure what to think, I can not find a dipstick anyplace under the hood to check the level......any insight on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all....Mike
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szh
- Posts: 15932
- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 12:54 pm
- Car: 2018 Tesla Model 3.
Unfortunately, no longer a Nissan or Infiniti, but continuing here at NICO! - Location: San Jose, CA
Re: 2009 M35x Trans fluid
The service guy and foreman are wrong. We have the service manual for the 2008 M here at our web site - one year less than your 2009 but still relevant, I believe. if you look at the section on the auto transmission, it shows you how to check the fluid level (it ain't a simple dipstick 
by the way).
Plus, the description of how to change the fluid is shown too - page AT-12. Please print those pages (or the AT section) and take it with you to them.
Two more important points though:
1. If these guys do not even know that this fluid exchange can be done, do you trust them to do the job right? Meaning do they even have the special powered equipment that cycles the gears while changing the fluid, under pressure, so that you get more of the old fluid out? Because a simple drain-and-fill will never get more than about 50 to 60 percent exchanged - too much of the old fluid remains inside the transmission and does not drain out.
I.e., you might want to find a better place to have the fluid replacement done - somebody with the BG powered system for example. If not an Infiniti dealer, many Nissan dealerships will have this, I would hope!
2. You should do these fluid flushes every 30k miles to maximize the longevity of the transmission ... 50k miles or more is pushing it just a bit more than I would want, as far as I am concerned.
Totally separately, (but while your car is in for the transmission flush), in your X model, you should also replace both front and rear differential fluid every 30k miles (rear only in the non X models). Use a synthetic like Mobil 1 Synthetic Gear Oil 75W-90 or 75W-140. Don't let the dealer charge you too much for this labor - it is a relatively simple job. You should also consider buying the Gear Oil at a local auto-parts store and take with you - the quantity needed is listed in the Service Manuals (remember two differentials in your car) - because the dealer will not normally carry the synthetic Gear Oil.
Good luck with all this!
Z
by the way).Plus, the description of how to change the fluid is shown too - page AT-12. Please print those pages (or the AT section) and take it with you to them.
Two more important points though:
1. If these guys do not even know that this fluid exchange can be done, do you trust them to do the job right? Meaning do they even have the special powered equipment that cycles the gears while changing the fluid, under pressure, so that you get more of the old fluid out? Because a simple drain-and-fill will never get more than about 50 to 60 percent exchanged - too much of the old fluid remains inside the transmission and does not drain out.
I.e., you might want to find a better place to have the fluid replacement done - somebody with the BG powered system for example. If not an Infiniti dealer, many Nissan dealerships will have this, I would hope!
2. You should do these fluid flushes every 30k miles to maximize the longevity of the transmission ... 50k miles or more is pushing it just a bit more than I would want, as far as I am concerned.
Totally separately, (but while your car is in for the transmission flush), in your X model, you should also replace both front and rear differential fluid every 30k miles (rear only in the non X models). Use a synthetic like Mobil 1 Synthetic Gear Oil 75W-90 or 75W-140. Don't let the dealer charge you too much for this labor - it is a relatively simple job. You should also consider buying the Gear Oil at a local auto-parts store and take with you - the quantity needed is listed in the Service Manuals (remember two differentials in your car) - because the dealer will not normally carry the synthetic Gear Oil.
Good luck with all this!
Z
Re: 2009 M35x Trans fluid
Thank you very much! You gave me some very good info to run with.....Mike
-
szh
- Posts: 15932
- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 12:54 pm
- Car: 2018 Tesla Model 3.
Unfortunately, no longer a Nissan or Infiniti, but continuing here at NICO! - Location: San Jose, CA
Re: 2009 M35x Trans fluid
You are welcome. Hope it goes well!K9zeus wrote:Thank you very much! You gave me some very good info to run with.....Mike
I did forget to mention one thing though. Please make sure to use the Nissan Fluid S for the AT - the warranty may be voided if you use something else! Most Nissan and Infiniti dealers will sell you this if you want the fluid replaced elsewhere.
Z