Still using original Automatic Transmission Fluid on 97 Nissan Sentra

[ken]

I know Nissan is recommending not to change the AT fluid EVER on newer model cars. I never changed the Automatic Transmission Fluid on my OLD 97 Nissan Sentra. The original fluid is still nice and pink. I have about $140k original miles on the car. The transmission works fine even though I have the fluid half a quart over-filled for the last 10 years. Some people are telling me to change the AT fluid, others are telling me to leave it alone. Is it OK not to change the AT fluid ever on this model car?

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[David]

Given how many miles are on the car, one thing I would not do is flush the fluid. A drain and fill might not be a bad idea, particularly if there is a filter you can change in the process. As the transmission ages, there is debris from the clutches that builds up – if you plan on hanging onto the car for a long time, I’d go ahead and do a drain/refill along with replacing the filter if it’s serviceable

For Subaru, the service manuals just call for periodic inspections (I have a manual, and have been driving one ever since I got my license (over 30 years now) – for Honda, my wife has an Odyssey, and it says never to flush it, but calls for a transmission fluid change every 30k miles or so (a single drain/fill, which is about a third of what’s in the transmission – they have you do that four times to “change” the fluid completely. In the van, you have one filter you can change, but the main one is buried in the transmission and not replaceable (unless you are rebuilding the trans)

It looks like Nissan calls out the same as Subaru, though they also do note that for severe driving conditions, it should be replaced instead of inspected – here’s a link to an owners manual for a 97 that has the info
http://www.vadennissanservicecontracts.com/owners-manual/nissan/1997-Nissan-Sentra.pdf

[Bluesnut]

Personally, I think it’s very foolish to never change the transmission fluid. The car manufacturers make a lot of what could be called shaky recommendations.
These shaky recommendations are done for one reason only; to promote the notion that the cars they build need very little in the way of maintenance. It’s a sales tool.

A percentage of people will have cars that run their entire lives on the original fluid with no problems. The remaining percentage will end up with a failed transmission. Changing the fluid regularly helps to assure that you remain in the segment with a transmission that doesn’t fail.

[ken]

OK, I’ll change the transmission fluid. I guess it is 3 or 4 quarts that will drain and the rest will not. The OEM fluid is too expensive. What after market AT fluid can I use? A mechanic whom I met at Autozone recommended that I use Valvoline maxlife multi-vehicle synthetic fluid, is that OK for this model car? Is there a video that shows how to get it done for a 97 Sentra?

[NoelM]

Don’t know about 97 Sentra. I have 06 Sentra and I am in the process of changing ATF. I already drained twice (4 qt each) and third change in due next week. I plan to add Lubegard Red as well.

Check around your local dealerships for Original ATF. Mine takes type D Matic and I found very cheap in the dealership little farther. My local are stealerships and sell at $20 a qt but found at $7.60 a qt.

I am hesitant to use all-in-one ATFs, esp since the car has more than 100K on it. I don’t want to blow the transmission.

For changing ATF, its exactly opposite side of the oil drain valve and this valve spins in opposite direction. Lefty loosy, righty tighty doesn’t work here. Also check if you can find a service manual, just google, loads are available.

[Author]

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