AT Fluid Change Nightmare

Nut_N_Much · 06-09-2012, 06:05 PM

Started with the local Nissan Dealership. Can you believe the dealership didn’t know how to change the AT Trans Fluid. They had to read up on it and do it by the numbers. I turned the car in at 10:30 and got it back at 4:25. I did learn something new, 370Z has a sealed AT transmission, no dip stick. They had to add fluid warm it up; let it cool to get it to a certain temperature then add more fluid. They measured how much fluid the put in each time. I am glad I didn’t try to do it myself… Will not go back to that place…. Anybody else have similar experience?

Jordo! · 06-09-2012, 06:51 PM

How many miles?

The manual actually lists the 7AT fluid as non-serviceable -- there is no scheduled change. Probably not bad to do at 60K, I guess, but no schedule for it.

Anyway, You won't need to do this again for a loooong time.

Also, keep an eye on how the trans shifts -- I've heard from others that if its even slightly low, the trans will act up.

MattP725 · 06-09-2012, 08:21 PM

I think all nissan drivetrain fluids work this way... basically you fill them til they overflow/top off. I did this with my 6mt and diff atleast.

Megan370z · 06-09-2012, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattP725

I think all nissan drivetrain fluids work this way... basically you fill them til they overflow/top off. I did this with my 6mt and diff atleast.

the 7AT is completly different as it need to be at 40deg Celcius for the proper fluid level and the only way to fill the tranny is by Vaccum

its far to be as easy than the 6MT or a differenciel.

IDZRVIT · 06-10-2012, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nut_N_Much

Started with the local Nissan Dealership. Can you believe the dealership didn’t know how to change the AT Trans Fluid. They had to read up on it and do it by the numbers. I turned the car in at 10:30 and got it back at 4:25. I did learn something new, 370Z has a sealed AT transmission, no dip stick. They had to add fluid warm it up; let it cool to get it to a certain temperature then add more fluid. They measured how much fluid the put in each time. I am glad I didn’t try to do it myself… Will not go back to that place…. Anybody else have similar experience?

Why would you want to change it? Because you read it on the internet?

Nut_N_Much · 06-10-2012, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megan370z

the 7AT is completly different as it need to be at 40deg Celcius for the proper fluid level and the only way to fill the tranny is by Vaccum

its far to be as easy than the 6MT or a differenciel.

Absolutely right.. What took the most time was the warming and cooling cycle. They had fans blowing up on to the tranny until it reach temp, the fluids viscosity changes with the temp.

I changed it because its at 49,000 miles and I drive the shizznick out of this car every single day. I am glade I changed it, the mech showed me the fluid. It was black and had a burnt smell to it. Buying a used car and not knowing what the fool did before me I feel good about changing it, will do it again at 80,000. If the car makes it that far..

The hole process took me and the dealer by surprise!

There are a few good right ups on Manual Trans Changes but not much I could find on Auto Trans. I'll get some facts together and try to post some DYI for it.

I have noticed smoother shifts,

IDZRVIT · 06-10-2012, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nut_N_Much

Absolutely right.. What took the most time was the warming and cooling cycle. They had fans blowing up on to the tranny until it reach temp, the fluids viscosity changes with the temp.

I changed it because its at 49,000 miles and I drive the shizznick out of this car every single day. I am glade I changed it, the mech showed me the fluid. It was black and had a burnt smell to it. Buying a used car and not knowing what the fool did before me I feel good about changing it, will do it again at 80,000. If the car makes it that far..

The hole process took me and the dealer by surprise!

There are a few good right ups on Manual Trans Changes but not much I could find on Auto Trans. I'll get some facts together and try to post some DYI for it.

I have noticed smoother shifts,

Ah, that would be a good reason.

Jordo! · 06-10-2012, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nut_N_Much

Absolutely right.. What took the most time was the warming and cooling cycle. They had fans blowing up on to the tranny until it reach temp, the fluids viscosity changes with the temp.

I changed it because its at 49,000 miles and I drive the shizznick out of this car every single day. I am glade I changed it, the mech showed me the fluid. It was black and had a burnt smell to it. Buying a used car and not knowing what the fool did before me I feel good about changing it, will do it again at 80,000. If the car makes it that far..

The hole process took me and the dealer by surprise!

There are a few good right ups on Manual Trans Changes but not much I could find on Auto Trans. I'll get some facts together and try to post some DYI for it.

I have noticed smoother shifts,

Ohhhhh... yeah, if you bought it used, certainly not a bad idea.

And if the fluid looked burnt -- definitely a GOOD idea.

Did you just have Nissan use their ATF or did you use something different?

nmjaxx9 · 06-10-2012, 06:01 PM

And to think that i was gOnna do this myself at 30k

UNKNOWN_370 · 06-11-2012, 03:07 PM

Why touching the fluid so early? 7at transmission fluids can last long. You can get a fluid change @ around 150k. That's when the fluid starts to need a change. I seen nissans drive 225k without a fluid flush with no problems. At least without problems related to the fluid.

nmjaxx9 · 06-12-2012, 10:30 AM

Talked to my mechanic and a nissan service manager both told me that the 7at does not need servicing. However they said that this doesnt mean it cnt be done. They recommended that i wait and see if i see a significant difference in my shifts and wait until atleaat 50k. Since its a new car i bought they said you may never need to change it, but it can be done.

So basically what i learned is dont fix it unless its broke, jus hope they are right lol.

b1adesofcha0s · 06-12-2012, 11:26 AM

How much did it cost you to do the fluid change?

Nut_N_Much · 06-13-2012, 08:01 PM

Sorry Ive been out for awile, it cost 345.00 however since they messed it up it was free, along with the Diff & Oil change.

They used their ATF fluid. I have felt smoother shifts but like the others said, they are sealed boxes and don't need servicing until around 100,000 miles. At 4 AM everyday I am always thinking I'm a drag racer, drifter, road racer everywhere I go. So I changed it..

This weekend wile the wife is shopping I am going to put some info and references together for how Nissan recommends how to change the fluid.

b1adesofcha0s · 06-13-2012, 08:49 PM

I'm thinking about changing mine towards the end of next year after I get a couple track days in. I'll probably be at like 60k miles by then.

06-09-2012, 06:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Nut_N_Much A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Pensacola Florida Posts: 1,696 Drives: Awesome Car Rep Power: 26	AT Fluid Change Nightmare Started with the local Nissan Dealership. Can you believe the dealership didn’t know how to change the AT Trans Fluid. They had to read up on it and do it by the numbers. I turned the car in at 10:30 and got it back at 4:25. I did learn something new, 370Z has a sealed AT transmission, no dip stick. They had to add fluid warm it up; let it cool to get it to a certain temperature then add more fluid. They measured how much fluid the put in each time. I am glad I didn’t try to do it myself… Will not go back to that place…. Anybody else have similar experience?

06-09-2012, 06:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 417	How many miles? The manual actually lists the 7AT fluid as non-serviceable -- there is no scheduled change. Probably not bad to do at 60K, I guess, but no schedule for it. Anyway, You won't need to do this again for a loooong time. Also, keep an eye on how the trans shifts -- I've heard from others that if its even slightly low, the trans will act up. __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

06-12-2012, 11:26 AM	#12 (permalink)
b1adesofcha0s A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: MD Posts: 40,963 Drives: HypeTrain Choo Choo! Rep Power: 141	How much did it cost you to do the fluid change? __________________ Project: b1adeZmobile (2009 370Z) \| Uprev Tune by AAM Competition \| Berk Exhaust Project: b1adeZmobile 2.0 (2014 C7 Z51) \| Corsa Xtreme Exhaust

06-13-2012, 08:01 PM	#13 (permalink)
Nut_N_Much A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Pensacola Florida Posts: 1,696 Drives: Awesome Car Rep Power: 26	Sorry Ive been out for awile, it cost 345.00 however since they messed it up it was free, along with the Diff & Oil change. They used their ATF fluid. I have felt smoother shifts but like the others said, they are sealed boxes and don't need servicing until around 100,000 miles. At 4 AM everyday I am always thinking I'm a drag racer, drifter, road racer everywhere I go. So I changed it.. This weekend wile the wife is shopping I am going to put some info and references together for how Nissan recommends how to change the fluid. __________________ Did new cool science stuff to the car !!! http://www.the370z.com/mazoc/99606-z...y-14-17-a.html http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...-w-videos.html

06-13-2012, 08:49 PM	#14 (permalink)
b1adesofcha0s A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: MD Posts: 40,963 Drives: HypeTrain Choo Choo! Rep Power: 141	I'm thinking about changing mine towards the end of next year after I get a couple track days in. I'll probably be at like 60k miles by then. __________________ Project: b1adeZmobile (2009 370Z) \| Uprev Tune by AAM Competition \| Berk Exhaust Project: b1adeZmobile 2.0 (2014 C7 Z51) \| Corsa Xtreme Exhaust

06-09-2012, 08:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
MattP725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 1,904 Drives: 2010 40th Rep Power: 16	I think all nissan drivetrain fluids work this way... basically you fill them til they overflow/top off. I did this with my 6mt and diff atleast.

06-10-2012, 06:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
nmjaxx9 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Middletown, Ct Posts: 5,853 Drives: 2011 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 25	And to think that i was gOnna do this myself at 30k

06-11-2012, 03:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
UNKNOWN_370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ny'r livn in tx Posts: 8,687 Drives: well over 130m.p.h. Rep Power: 14857	Why touching the fluid so early? 7at transmission fluids can last long. You can get a fluid change @ around 150k. That's when the fluid starts to need a change. I seen nissans drive 225k without a fluid flush with no problems. At least without problems related to the fluid.

06-12-2012, 10:30 AM	#11 (permalink)
nmjaxx9 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Middletown, Ct Posts: 5,853 Drives: 2011 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 25	Talked to my mechanic and a nissan service manager both told me that the 7at does not need servicing. However they said that this doesnt mean it cnt be done. They recommended that i wait and see if i see a significant difference in my shifts and wait until atleaat 50k. Since its a new car i bought they said you may never need to change it, but it can be done. So basically what i learned is dont fix it unless its broke, jus hope they are right lol.

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