7 Speed Auto Trans Fluid Change

Tractionless

Thanks Joby (jchammond) for the laymans instructions and help via PM.

After performing the drain/fill procedure I just wanted to add a couple of notes.

1. When topping off let the car run so all of the fluid is not in the pan. I overfilled (while running), when the fluid stops pouring out of the fill plug between (100-113) pan temp. (I used a Harbor Freight Infrared Thermometer) and just begins to drip reinstall the fill plug.

2. I initially drained just 4 qts. so I added back 4 qts. during the flush and fill steps; however, for the final fill with the engine running at temp. (see above) the trans. wound up holding 5.5 qts. I therefore, recommend purchasing 4 gallons of fluid or 3 gallons plus a couple of extra qts. It's more price conscientious to just purchase the full 4 gallons though.

3. The OE drain plug crush washer is thin and after the 2nd flush and fill it looked to be leaking. I found HELP! (brand) pn# 66250 crush washer assortment contains a size that will screw onto the OE drain plug while holding it with pliers and turning the plug with the 19mm socket. Do this off of the car and make sure it's seated before installing the plug. The OE plug/washer assembly is a tight fit and the washer is actually stepped (first I've seen) to grab the threads so I wanted to make sure I had the correct contact to insure no leaks.

4. I couldn't find a crush washer for the OE fill plug and neither could the dealer. The reason the manual says to change the entire plug as the plug/washer are sold together as a unit. They're $3, so for peace of mind and for how many times you're going to be taking the fill plug in and out, I'd have one at the ready.

5. If you're going to use Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc. be sure to get the bottle that says "full synthetic" (in white) under the Dex/Merc. label on the front of the bottle 1/3 down. From what I found on Valvoline's website the "for 75,000 mile" designation in the same space is NOT Nissan Matic S compliant!!!

Felix 808

The problem with using an IR gun is that you are measuring surface temp, not fluid temp which can be 20-40 degs off. The best way to do it is to install a temp gauge. Then you can monitor the heat cycle of the fluid & know when you should be replacing it.

$.02

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Semper Fi

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BoneZ

I'd love to do this.

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Tractionless

It's safe to say the fluid in the pan is transferring heat to the outside surface that the IR is reading. I watched the temp. go up as the car heated up on ramps, sitting level. I'm much more comfortable in this method than the aforementioned "back of hand on the pan" for guesstimating temp.

After all is said and done the transmission is shifting much better most likely due to being 1.5 qts. low upon drain and the fluid having 6 yrs. and 76k miles on it. My next change will be in 25k miles.