To do 7A trans fluid change or not??

AstatenateZ · 04-16-2018, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

If you can do all the maintenance list, you should be able to do a fluid change on the 7AT. There is at least one DIY (by a reputable contributor) on here that doesn't require reading the temp from the TCM.

When to change? Going by what others have reported on this site, if you do any spirited driving, 40K miles seems to be a good target. If the car is a glorified grocery-getter, you can probably get away with 90-100K miles.

FWIW: You can use Google (or any of the other major web search engines) to search this site. Just add "site:the370z.com" to your search string. Eg, "7AT fluid change site:the370z.com" (or "site:the370z.com 7AT fluid change").

I searched a few times using google and the forum search bar. I couldn’t find any DIY for 7A , only 6M! Well I drive it pretty spirited so like I stated 70k on it now. I’m roughly 30-40k over what I should change it only because I was told it was sealed and thought you physically couldn’t change it. Til I saw the plugs on the trans!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quicksilvers

Changing your transmission fluid is a necessity for maintenance on your Z. I change my transmission fluid once every 2 years. You will notice your A7 transmission shifts smoother and more efficiently after you change your transmission fluid. Changing your transmission fluid at least every 30K will help prolong the life of your A7 transmission. I would use any synthetic transmission fluid like Mobil 1 or Amsoil. The transmission fluid capacity of your A7 transmission in your Z is about 10 quarts. You only drain 3 quarts of transmission fluid at a time and the only way you can drain all your transmission fluid is by using a machine like at your local Nissan dealership service department or by removing your transmission from your Z. If you don’t trust yourself or are a novice I wouldn’t recommend DIY. Have the Nissan dealership service department or a reputable shop change your transmission fluid for you.

Agreed, I thought it was weird for it to be “lifetime” fluid. That and sports car just don’t seem to mix to me. So roughly 10 qts of a good full syn trans fluid? I saw Valvoline MaxLife in a thread on here that seemed to do well. Full syn and works in compliance with Nissan specs.

Ok so if only 3qt at a time drain, how do you get it all swapped out DIY? Driving it? Draining? Driving? Draining? Until it is all fresh? I’m assuming...

Quote:

Originally Posted by SG4247

I would suggest every 30K miles.

You can drain it, measure what comes out, and refill with that same amount.

That’s actually a really good idea. Drain it. Measure it. And then add exactly what came out! Only issue I see is the above comment says only 3 qt at a time comes out. Kinda confusing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EZT

For peace of mine, I would say its worth the 180$ it cost to have a flush, and fill done via the dealer. I have 133k on my Z, and I've had this performed twice.

Sweet thanks! $180 isn’t bad. And I have friends who are techs . So I’m assuming I could get this done for around $100

Quote:

Originally Posted by wideglideleon

I did mine at 40000 I had the steelership do it. It's the only thing I let them touch actually.

Okay great. Thanks for you input!

Quicksilvers · 04-16-2018, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AstatenateZ

Agreed, I thought it was weird for it to be “lifetime” fluid. That and sports car just don’t seem to mix to me. So roughly 10 qts of a good full syn trans fluid? I saw Valvoline MaxLife in a thread on here that seemed to do well. Full syn and works in compliance with Nissan specs.

Ok so if only 3qt at a time drain, how do you get it all swapped out DIY? Driving it? Draining? Driving? Draining? Until it is all fresh? I’m

DIY method you will never get all the transmission fluid out removing the drain plug. I would say it’s just about 3.8-3.9 quarts purchase 4 quarts you will use to refill your transmission back up with new transmission fluid.Yes the only possible way to remove all the transmission fluid in your A7 transmission would be to remove your A7 transmission from your 370Z and drain from your drain plugs and completely drain your torque converter or use a drain machine like the one’s you will find at your local Nissan dealership service department and they still can’t remove all the transmission fluid from the torque converter only some transmission fluid will come out. In total your A7 transmission holds about I would say 10.2-10.3 quarts of transmission fluid. The worst thing you can do is not change your transmission fluid because the fluid itself will degrade over time and get darker so you would have to do the drain/refill/drain/refill drain/refill method over and over again until your transmission fluid begins to come out clear which can be a pain. The Nissan transmission fluid that all the Nissan dealership service departments use is a semi synthetic type transmission fluid to last a long time. You can use any semi synthetic or full synthetic transmission fluid you choice. Nissan will never know what transmission fluid you are using. That is why I recommend using a higher quality synthetic transmission fluid like Amsoil or Mobil 1 etc. as long as you change your transmission fluid by 30K miles you should be fine. I change my transmission fluid every 2 years because the service on my Z is severe duty with track and street duty.

AstatenateZ · 04-16-2018, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quicksilvers

DIY method you will never get all the transmission fluid out removing the drain plug. I would say it’s just about 3.8-3.9 quarts purchase 4 quarts you will use to refill your transmission back up with new transmission fluid.Yes the only possible way to remove all the transmission fluid in your A7 transmission would be to remove your A7 transmission from your 370Z and drain from your drain plugs and completely drain your torque converter or use a drain machine like the one’s you will find at your local Nissan dealership service department and they still can’t remove all the transmission fluid from the torque converter only some transmission fluid will come out. In total your A7 transmission holds about I would say 10.2-10.3 quarts of transmission fluid. The worst thing you can do is not change your transmission fluid because the fluid itself will degrade over time and get darker so you would have to do the drain/refill/drain/refill drain/refill method over and over again until your transmission fluid begins to come out clear which can be a pain. The Nissan transmission fluid that all the Nissan dealership service departments use is a semi synthetic type transmission fluid to last a long time. You can use any semi synthetic or full synthetic transmission fluid you choice. Nissan will never know what transmission fluid you are using. That is why I recommend using a higher quality synthetic transmission fluid like Amsoil or Mobil 1 etc. as long as you change your transmission fluid by 30K miles you should be fine. I change my transmission fluid every 2 years because the service on my Z is severe duty with track and street duty.

Okay cool, I may just have Nissan do it. It’s not like it has to be done a lot and it’s not crazy priced. It seems kind of a hassle the DIY way. I was just told by some of the techs it’s sealed and best to leave it alone if it’s not making noises or slipping. And others said it’s a good idea to change it every 60-100k depending on how I drive. So I guess I’ll be talking to my local Nissan friends and see if I can get a good deal on it. After hours

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