I'm at 55k and wanted to change my ATF. I read the FSM but don't have a consult or the specialty tools required, so this looks like a dealership job. The problem is the dealerships I'm calling are giving me conflicting information. Some are saying they don't have the adapter or machine to do it because it's a lifetime fluid, others are saying they just do a drain and fill, and I'm not paying someone to change 1/3 of my transmission fluid.

Am i not asking for the right thing? Am i not asking the right people?

 

I would get it changed. Ininiti/Nissan "say" it's lifetime fluid. There is no such thing (yet that I know of) that is a lifetime fluid. If you can find a dealership that will do it as the FSM says (2010 modle example FSM given, but they are all the same; page 258) to get most of the fluid out I would take them up on it if the price is right and you do not want to do it yourself. If you are a DYI type of guy:

Tranny flush DYI

 

My dealer has also told me that it's lifetime fluid, but I told them I wanted it changed anyway and they still did.

 

My dealership didn't skip a beat when I asked, they then proceeded to quote me $330...

 

The link that zero99 posted works well and isn't too bad if you have jack, jackstands, and a helper, and that DIY also includes dropping/cleaning the pan which is a good idea after 60k miles.
Got about 15k on mine since the DIY and shifting/performing well.

 

My local Nissan and the Infiniti dealer said that it is a drain/refill only and not a flush. Nissan quoted $210 and Infiniti quoted $350. I am having Nissan change my tranny fluid, front and rear diff and transfer case for $499 total.

 

All things considered not to bad of a deal. I was quoted $600 for the same package by my Infiniti dealership. Tempting, especially because I can basically see into the service bay from my office. At this point I've decided to DYI the trans case and the diffs, but I'm still on the fence on the tranny...

 

There's a procedure in the FSM for a complete fluid exchange, so im not paying $200-300 to have 1/3 of my transmission fluid replaced. Thats like paying for someone to do an oil change and having them just change the filter and top it off.

I would also rather have the dealership do this with 5k left on the warranty so if anything goes wrong afterwards I'm not liable.

I did the front/rear diff and transfer case at 42k

Just reread the FSM and the DIY, this actually doesn't seem as difficult as It did when i browsed it last time. The consult is really only needed to check atf temp is below 104, which i could accomplish by hitting the pan with an IR laser thermometer, and the fluid level is just letting the fill hole drain until it drips (i thought there was a level sensor that needed to be read with the consult, but that doesnt appear to be the case)

Looks like the only trick will be convincing the dealership to sell me the fill tool.

 

Did you DIY the diff fluid? If so, do the DIY in the ATF, it's a 3x drain & fill so it's much better than just a single shot, and cleaning the pan & magnets is a biggie too.

 

^agreed! I went through a similar run around with my dealer - quoting a high price for a flush, but I decided to drop the pan and clean out everything. I followed the DIY and it was very easy to follow.

@ Victory,
I'm glad I dropped the pan! it was filthy! a lot of gunk at the bottom and on the magnets. I have to be honest, since completing the DIY (I've driven approx 200 miles since), the shifting has been really crisp. Prior to the DIY, I was starting to experience odd shift patterns during city driving (when the outside temps were in the 90's) so it lead me to believe that the trans fluid was not holding up or the fluid level was low. I'm a firm believer that fluid breaks down (unlike Infiniti's suggestion of a lifetime fluid) and now after cleaning the pan, magnets, adding fresh trans fluid I've had no odd shifting experience - and I've driven the car hard during the hot temps we've had. I thought I had to change the trans fluid filter, but it was pretty clean.

So now, I'll just have to perform a drain/refill at 100K miles (I'm near 60K).

Although I did not use the Infiniti trans fluid tools, here it is for reference:

https://techmate.service-solutions.c...ti&SKU=J-49829

Assenmacher ATF 180 Transmission Filling Adapter for Infiniti | eBay

 

So, Matic S is pretty expensive stuff. What has everyone been using for ATF?

 

I used Valvoline Max life (it's in the DIY link). It's one of the very few aftermarket ATFs that is specifically spec'd for Matic S replacement.

 

I think I will have to change my fluid soon. When its cold it shakes in gear at low speeds. 2012 with 49k miles.

 

Is there a gasket above pan?

 

If I remember correctly, there is a gasket, but I did not need to replace mine when I did my pan drop. It was in good shape and didn't really need replacing. Have about 20,000 since I have done it, no issues.