Synthetic Transmission Fluid

[Elmojo]

Having owned Nissans most of my driving years, I'm kinda used to the semi-rough shifting. However, I used Redline MT-90 full synthetic fluid in my '88 300ZX, and it completely cured a 3rd gear grinding issue I had due to a worn syncronizer.I was planning to switch my V to Redline MT-90 as well. I asked my service Dept. about syn transmission fluids, and he said that "Nissan does not reccommend using anything other than Nissan ...Fluid". "Okay", I say, "but will it void my warranty?""No, it will not" he says.So I order 5qts of Redline MT-90, which takes almost 2 weeks to come in and costs ~$8 per qt.

Yesterday, I called the Service Dept. back to ask about the proper precedure for draining and refilling the transaxle, and now I'm told that syn fluid will indeed void my warranty.

Can anyone provide any positive answer on this issue?I know Nissan wants me to use their fluid, but I need to know if Nissan Corporate will allow me to use syn, or if it will void my warranty.Any input is appreciated.

Elmojo

[MinisterofDOOM]

My understanding was that you don't have to use Nissan BRAND fluid, but it does need to be equivalent to the correct NissanMatic fluid for the Versa (Nissan stopped using DexronIII a few years back and switched to their own formula). Unfortunately, that's just my understanding--I'm not sure if it's correct or not.

[BenDupre]

Unfortunately you are not allowed to talk to the people who can answer that question.

However, since you asked for supposition, here's mine:

Nissan probably does not goto the trouble of testing other types of fluid. And if they would likely say since we haven't tested it, we can't endorse it. And since they can't endorse it, they won't back it under warranty.

I expect for it to become an issue for you, your transmission would have to fail AND NISSAN would have to know you were using other fluid.

Ben

[Ever Victorious]

Nissan cannot void your warranty for use of a 3rd party equivalent fluid or filter. However, if there is something seriously chemically different (not an equivalent fluid), then yes, they can.

An example of this would be my XT6's steering fluid... If you could FIND an alternate power steering fluid to use in it, Subaru could have done nothing to stop you from using it. However, in reality, you had to use the Subaru fluid because use of regular ATF would eat the seals in the system. Fast.

[proxim2020]

Unfortunately you are not allowed to talk to the people who can answer that question.

However, since you asked for supposition, here's mine:

Nissan probably does not goto the trouble of testing other types of fluid. And if they would likely say since we haven't tested it, we can't endorse it. And since they can't endorse it, they won't back it under warranty.

I expect for it to become an issue for you, your transmission would have to fail AND NISSAN would have to know you were using other fluid.

Ben

Ben's right. A warranty can become void only if the dealer can prove that the aftermarket modifications caused the failure. That's the federal law. Make sure the Syn Trans fluid that you want to use is equilvient and you "should" be ok.

[Elmojo]

I feel I need to clarify one point, I'm talking about manual fluid, not auto.

Anyway, the master service tech told me that in the event of a transmission failure, Nissan does test the fluid as part of it's diagnostics. He also said that use of any non-nissan fluid would void the warranty. I tend to agree with you guys that using an "equivalent" fluid simply cannot void my warranty. However, to a certain degree, the term "equivalent" is subjective and mostly up to Nissan to define. I could probably fight it in court and win, but that would be awefully costly.I really wish I could get hold of someone at Nissan to try for a decision, but as someone mentioned, it's doubtful that I'd ever get a straight answer.Oh well, I guess this $42 will sit on my shelf until my warranty runs out.There are drawbacks to new cars, this being one of them!

One other thought: Something I saw in another thread makes me wonder if the Versa uses the same Manual Transaxle as any other Nissan vehicle?If so, we should be able to use the other vehicle's reliability record as ammo in the "why can't we use syn fluid in our Versas?" argument. Any ideas?

[BenDupre]

Bullets are useless without a target to shoot at.

I'd use the syn fluid. It can't hurt, and if you did >knock wood< have a trans failure under warranty you could change the fluid before taking it back in to the dealer.

When they test fluid, they're not testing it to see if it's the authentic NISSAN fluid. They'd be testing it for particulate and other contamination, kinematic viscosity, and lubricity. Using the SYN fluid in a manual trans is no way going to contribute to a failure.

If you had to fight the manufacturer on a warranty claim, what would be most helpful is obtaining your own independent analysis of the fluid.

BTW... are we sure the NISSAN fluid isn't a synthetic already?

Ben

[LA02MAX]

They very rarely test the fluids when draining them, so I don't think you'll have a problem. I think if something went wrong with your transmission, you could *possibly* see some problems because they would try to prove that you were at fault, but even that is doubtful.When I had 3rd gear synchro issues with my maxima, they replaced the entire transmission no questions asked, and did not test the fluid. Right now I have MT-90 in there and I couldn't be happier

[Elmojo]

Personally, I agree with Lao and Ben.I appreciate all the advice, keep it coming!Does anyone have any contacts within Nissan?I know there was a dealer on here at one time.Maybe if someone has an email address or phone number to someone "in the know" at Nissan, I can do some legwork and get us an definitive answer.I love Redline products, and really would like to use it in my V, but not at the cost of a (possible) battle in the event of a failure.

[BenDupre]

I was seriously considering calling the tenesee number and impersonating a dealer to see if I could get to the tech line.

Ben

[Elmojo]

Hehe, go for it!Lemme know if you find out anything useful.