Transmission Oil change!! 2000 Nissan Pathfinder! need some help
Re: Transmission Oil change!! 2000 Nissan Pathfinder! need some help (stevek247)
Is this an automatic or a stick?
Although either one needs to be changed immediately for the sake of lubrication, it is much harder on an automatic to be neglected. The system depends on the ability to build pressure for gear changes. When fuild changes are missed, fluid viscosity breaks down and filters clog preventing the system from functioning properly.
I'm not sure where the rumor started, but changing the fluid now is not going to hurt it. If you don't have an owner's manual, buy a Chilton's or Haynes service manual at a Schuck's or Auto Zone and it will have the procedure outlined.
If you have an automatic, I would recommend taking to a shop at this point to have a complete fluid exchange done on the transmission since the type of change we can do at home only changes a small portion of the fluid.
Although either one needs to be changed immediately for the sake of lubrication, it is much harder on an automatic to be neglected. The system depends on the ability to build pressure for gear changes. When fuild changes are missed, fluid viscosity breaks down and filters clog preventing the system from functioning properly.
I'm not sure where the rumor started, but changing the fluid now is not going to hurt it. If you don't have an owner's manual, buy a Chilton's or Haynes service manual at a Schuck's or Auto Zone and it will have the procedure outlined.
If you have an automatic, I would recommend taking to a shop at this point to have a complete fluid exchange done on the transmission since the type of change we can do at home only changes a small portion of the fluid.
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Andrew224
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Re: Transmission Oil change!! 2000 Nissan Pathfinder! need some help (stevek247)
You are WAY overdue for a transmission fluid change. It should be changed every 30-45k miles.
The damage to the transmission has already been done by never changing the ATF.
And it's a pain in the a** to do it yourself. It's not a simple drain and refill. You have to have the truck running while it's draining out and at the same time you have to pour new ATF in. You'll need to follow the service manual's instructions to do it properly.
I'm going to recommend you take it to a shop to have this done. Soon. And then have it done again in about 10-15k miles. Then after that, back to every 30-45k miles.
I would not recommend a flush (all fluid replaced by a pressurized machine) because that's where potential damage could be done.
The damage to the transmission has already been done by never changing the ATF.
And it's a pain in the a** to do it yourself. It's not a simple drain and refill. You have to have the truck running while it's draining out and at the same time you have to pour new ATF in. You'll need to follow the service manual's instructions to do it properly.
I'm going to recommend you take it to a shop to have this done. Soon. And then have it done again in about 10-15k miles. Then after that, back to every 30-45k miles.
I would not recommend a flush (all fluid replaced by a pressurized machine) because that's where potential damage could be done.
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Andrew224
- Posts: 332
- Joined: Sat Sep 01, 2007 7:10 am
- Car: 2001 Infiniti QX4
2006 Maserati GranSport
2002 Harley Davidson VRod - Location: Plainfield, IL
- Contact:
Re: Transmission Oil change!! 2000 Nissan Pathfinder! need some help (stevek247)
I'll agree with the shops you talked to. The filter should be replaced.
Yeah, like I said, the truck should be running. That way, the new fluid will push out the old fluid. I've never tried it and don't think I ever will. I read that in the service manual and then made an appointment to have the dealership do it. It ran me about $90.
I'm not sure if your tansmission is the same as mine ('01 QX4), but I can send you a copy of the pages from my service manual if you want.
If you're really strapped for cash, your method of drain, fill, drive, repeat would be better than nothing but not nearly as beneficial as just taking it to a shop. If you can't afford the $140 for the service, how will you afford the $2000+ for a new transmission? With the mileage you have on your car, this is crucial if you want your transmission to last much longer.
I'd also suggest (if you haven't already) you change the differential gear oil which is fairly easy and you can do yourself (drain from one plug at the bottom of the differential, fill from another one above it), if you have a 4X4, the transfer case oil, have the brake fluid flushed (not easy), power steering fluid flushed (again not easy), and coolant flushed (with a presurized machine). This will greatly extend the life of your truck and prevent costly repairs. And you'll know that all your fluids are fresh.
Yeah, like I said, the truck should be running. That way, the new fluid will push out the old fluid. I've never tried it and don't think I ever will. I read that in the service manual and then made an appointment to have the dealership do it. It ran me about $90.
I'm not sure if your tansmission is the same as mine ('01 QX4), but I can send you a copy of the pages from my service manual if you want.
If you're really strapped for cash, your method of drain, fill, drive, repeat would be better than nothing but not nearly as beneficial as just taking it to a shop. If you can't afford the $140 for the service, how will you afford the $2000+ for a new transmission? With the mileage you have on your car, this is crucial if you want your transmission to last much longer.
I'd also suggest (if you haven't already) you change the differential gear oil which is fairly easy and you can do yourself (drain from one plug at the bottom of the differential, fill from another one above it), if you have a 4X4, the transfer case oil, have the brake fluid flushed (not easy), power steering fluid flushed (again not easy), and coolant flushed (with a presurized machine). This will greatly extend the life of your truck and prevent costly repairs. And you'll know that all your fluids are fresh.