Dropped by the service dept and they had me worried. Please help to confirm
 

I'm a noob, please confirm with my fluid maintenance schedule

2011, auto, 44000 miles
I haven't replaced anything yet besides the brake fluid, air filter, and normal oil changes

1.Does the automatic transmission fluid ever needs to be replaced? I went to the dealer today and they say that they will find a way to replace it. But my owners manual says 'all vehicles except the Z'

2. When does everyone replace their differential fluid? At 30, 60, 90k or? According to manual, it ALWAYS states to inspect in schedule 1 and 2. Replace only in optional premium service add on.

3. Does the Z have in cabin micro filter to replace? According to the manual, the Z is not listed to have one

4. When to replace drive belts? According to manual, it's ALWAYS inspect in schedule 1 and 2. Replace only in optional premium service add on.


Thanks for all the positive inputs

Do the diff ASAP. The manual says 30k iirc, but it should be more like 15k. There's a cabin air filter. Go ahead and change that too.

I will be @ 19k on my 2011 the next time its due for oil. Going to do differential and cabin filter... pulled my air filters out the other day.. did not find anything interesting in them.

I have about 1100 miles to go until my next oil change @ 26,600 on my '09. I guess I should do the diff at 30k then!

i dont think you'd need to be that anal about the diff oil...

Why doesn't the manual put it as a requirement? I would done it long ago!

What about the auto transmission fluid and driving belts?

How often do you change it?

After you do it once and see how filthy it is on the way out, you'll bump up the interval. It's foul. And it's cheap and easy enough to do.

No idea on the tranny. How does the belt look?

:hello:They have it listed as drive belts. I have no clue what they are referring to.

They want about 830$ for the differential, brake, motor oil, air filters, wiper blade, radiator cap, drive belts, coolant, transmission fluid changed

Anyone else have experience with the auto tranny fluid change?

The only thing on that list you can't easily DIY is the tranny fluid. That price is insane.

Im sure you can find a good independent shop to do that for much cheaper. Hell, Im sure that you can probably take it to a performance shop and it would be cheaper

A hair under 2qt sump with 44000 miles and you don't think you need to be that anal? Really? Pay closer attention to your owners manual in regards to fluid intervals...otherwise you'll start to sheer the ring gear.

:confused: :wtf:

In the service manual (plan 1 and 2) it doesn't state to change, only to inspect those fluids. Only the optional additional service plan states to change those fluids. I think it's very misleading and not universal for Nissan to listed as such in the service manual

1) The auto transmission fluid can and should be changed. But it requires being able to monitor internal temperature (eg, CONSULT) in able to get the level correct. How often should it be changed? Depends on how you drive. I had mine changed at ~23k and I don't drive all that hard, but I tend to be very conservative when it comes to changing lubes and other fluids. Personally, I wouldn't go past 30-40k before the first change. After that, 60k ought to be good enough for most.

2) I had my differential fluid changed at ~15k. I like to change out diff fluid pretty early the first time and then mainly just keep a eye on the level and wait until the fluid starts looking dirty. From what I hear, it's a pretty easy DIY.

3) Yes, there is a cabin air filter. The '09's didn't have one installed at the factory but all the hardware is there; just buy a filter and install it. How often to change the filter varies widely with how much dust/pollen/&c there is where you drive and how much you run the HVAC. If you remove the battery lid and the surrounding cover in the engine bay (see some of the steering lock fuse removal (SLU or ESCL) DIYs for instructions), you can do a visual check of the filter. DIY is not that difficult but you have to remove the glove box which can be a PITA the first time you do it. There is a wide selection of filters available (same air handler as in many other Nissan/Infiniti cars). See some of the filter change DIYs for more info.

4) I usually replace belts on an as-needed basis. Do frequent inspections. A fairly easy DIY if you have the right tools and some mechanical experience.

You said "anal". :icon17:

Was posting to zerocool.

And lose the attitude

Yah, apparently some folks are just that. :D

:iagree:

:shakes head: telling me how to take care of my cars. wtf...

:wtf: on that list of dealer bull$hit.

If it were me, I would change the differential, brake, engine oil fluids. I would inspect the air filters (both intake and in-cabin), wiper blades, and drive belts before replacing any as needed. I would ignore the radiator cap, coolant, and AT fluid unless you're having problems with them :twocents:

Then again, I don't have an AT, which I would be hesitant to let a dealer service. If SouthArk has good experience, other than cost and dealer trust, I don't see why you wouldn't change it every 30K or so. I change both my MT and diff fluids every 15-20K miles.

All of this stuff except the AT fluid is easily DIYable. I never worked on my cars before the Z, but I really enjoy it now :tup: I am also happy not to be lining the dealer's pocket with my hard earned dollars :tiphat:

That seems to be the trend every time you're talking to me :icon17:

yah, they just get jelly, zerocool. why u get all the attention? :tup:

For sake of an argument. I'd get my diff inspected first before I consider changing the fluid out.

It's $20 in fluid and $2 in crush washers. Why is is even an argument? Looking at how much metal was on the drain plug at 15k miles when I did it was proof enough to me that it needs a shorter interval and better fluid.

:iagree: It's also difficult to inspect without draining. It's too easy not to do when the car is already up on jacks or getting serviced.

Anybody knows the cabin air filter,where is it located.?Easy to change.?Thanks.

Behind the glove compartment. Piece of cake.

http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...lter-370z.html

It's behind the glove box. You have to take the glove box out. It's kind of a pain in the *** unless you have a really long screwdriver.

Magnetic tips help, too. I guess it is a bit of a pain the first time. No problems after that, though.

After the first change, you should be able to go 30-40k miles (or more) before it needs to be changed again. Diffs (and MTs) nearly always shed a lot of visible metal pieces during break-in but after that it slows WAY down. Time will probably be a bigger factor than actual wear. YMMV

But, as you say, it's a cheap and easy job. Absolutely nothing wrong with changing every 15k.

Guest I got told....yeah helps when you phrase it in such a way
8===D

this reminds me. 27k on my 09, should prolly look into a diff fluid change

Always replace ALL fluids regularly!....

What does Nissan know about differentials...? I'd go with anonymous internet advice.

:icon18: :tup:

:icon17:

My 7A went out at 50,000 miles replaced under warranty. Nissan designed this unit to not be serviceable and claimed it was designed to last the life of the vehicle with the original fluid. The service director told me that they can't open the transmissions for repair, they can only change the fluid or replace the entire unit. The part costs $9,740, the lowest price I have seen is $8,045. Installation a couple grand more.

Nissan was astonishingly stupid and short sighted with the design and strategy regarding the transmission. The heads are the same way. When you look at it through that lens, it isn't hard to imagine maybe they are also wrong about the differentials, better to be proactive with the rear diff.

Interestingly, when I picked up the car the service director came out and launched into what sounded like a well rehearsed speech in defense of Nissan transmissions, saying that there are very, very few failures and that the 7A and the CVT are getting an undeservedly bad rap. I have read otherwise about both.

i dont understand where your sarcasm is coming from. i stated what the manual directed, was not going off some internet opinions

Why do you think the manual doesn't state it as a requirement?