Dealer doesn't recommend filter change Nissan Frontier 9 speed

[steve c]

Just returned from dealer for free oil change/tire rotation. Confirmed their transmission service does NOT include filter change or remove pan. Just a drain and refill with 6 qts matic-p, and a BG detergent additive.
I feel real good aboutt getting a a maxlife atf flush with 11 qts at Midas

 

[oldcodger]

Is the vehicle under warranty? If it is I would not take the chance on a warranty refusal because you used an out of spec fluid.

 

[steve c]

Yes still under warranty. Already did it. I'll be the guinea pig. Maxlife says suitable for MB 236.17, which is the parent spec. It shifts better and smoother with the maxlife. Midas database shows it's a suitable replacement.

 

[CKN]

Dealers do not pan drop, they use a fluid exchange machine. What many fail to understand is that if you have a transmission filter that gets clogged-you have major issues that a fluid change will not cure.
Pan drop nor filter change is NOT NEEDED.

 

[JavierH19]

6 qts matic-p, and a BG detergent additive.

I would not take the chance on a warranty refusal because you used an out of spec fluid.

So why does the dealer chance it with an out of spec fluid.

 

[steve c]

That's exactly what they told me CKN. It's a totally different type of filtration system. It's a suction system and the filters are for gross filtration. Any particulate that's caught in the filter releases into the bottom of pan and smaller particulate has no effect on transmission operation as it circulates. It's held either at bottom of pan or in suspension in fluid. A drain or flush removes it. I prefer flush since it's a near total fluid replenishment.

The only transmission filters that should be replaced are the ones with spin on filters like my old 07 Dodge Ram 5 speed

 

[The_Jeff]

Dealer wants to use quick lube kids and not mechanics for this service. The flush machine maker encourages this behavior. They don't want to drop the pan for stupid reasons. If they don't follow Nissan's service manual for something like this, a 3/10 in difficulty, why would I go there for service on anything?

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Yah know after I take a shower I still change out my underwear!

 

[steve c]

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this. I have a certified warranty on this vehicle for 80k miles. The dealer enforces warranty compliance by doing approved maintenance per schedule. It's good for warranty compliance is what really matters.

 

[CKN]

Dealer wants to use quick lube kids and not mechanics for this service. The flush machine maker encourages this behavior. They don't want to drop the pan for stupid reasons. If they don't follow Nissan's service manual for something like this, a 3/10 in difficulty, why would I go there for service on anything?

It's fluid exchange. The "flush term" continues to be propagated on the Internet by those who think a pan flush is magical. The reason the pans is not dropped is because it's totally unnecessary-in most cases. When all us boomers die off-the pan-drop will-thankfully die off too.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

What does MB say about changing the filter? How long do they recommend?

 

[ka9mnx]

Went to the Toyota dealer to get a new transmission filter (screen) for my 4Runner. He didn't have one in stock but it could be ordered. He also tole me it's a non-serviceable item. They don't drop the pan or change the filter. I didn't change the filter.

Same thing when I worked on F16's. Fuel, oil and hydraulic filters were screens and we never changed them.

 

[BrendanC]

I do pan drops on anything that allows it. new filter and fluid. if it’s my personal or family vehicles i’ll pull a cooler line off and start the vehicle until the fluid changes to new fluid. transmissions draw through their filters so i like to keep restriction down.

 

[CleanSump]

My last two Mercedes maintenance manuals said fluid and filter at 60k. It's got nothing to do with "Boomers" and everything to do with most money for least effort and skill.
All the Navy/Marine aircraft I worked on in my career had hydraulic filters and differential pressure indicators to indicate clogging.

 

[sparky123]

When you drop the pan you are also cleaning the pan and most importantly cleaning the magnets of any magnetic debris and fuzz. Not super difficult unless you have a structural member in the way. I can tell you on our 2007 Rav4 V6 it was difficult to access 2-3 of the bolts and the pan was never dropped until I did @ 180k miles. The filter was dirty and I very much believe restrictive as well. Noticeable improvement.

 

[OilStainedNapkin]

Toyota dealer advised the same for me on my 4runner- two options: full fluid exchange via transmission line to radiator or drain and fill. No pan drop or filter change.

 

[Whimsey]

I tried to have four different Ford dealers do a drain and fill on the 6F35 transmission in our relatively new 2017 Explorer. All four would ONLY do a complete BG flush, even with only a total of 10,000 miles on the vehicle. I wanted to get any manufacturing debris
removed to help with a long life. That didn't matter with this transmission unfortunately, it still failed early. For goodness sake there is no pan to drop or filter to change, only a drain bolt at the bottom of the transmission case with the fill and check ports on the side of the transmission. I ended up changing it myself. Sad to say the transmission was prone to failure no matter what you did. All the dealers wanted to make big bucks doing a BG flush instead of a drain and fill.

 

[BC1]

Same thing when I worked on F16's. Fuel, oil and hydraulic filters were screens and we never changed them.

All of those filters are absolutely changed on an hourly schedule per the -6, They are also changed and inspected when the deferential pressure indicator is extended. Maybe you worked on prototypes in the 70s?

 

[Dave Hess]

Went to the Toyota dealer to get a new transmission filter (screen) for my 4Runner. He didn't have one in stock but it could be ordered. He also tole me it's a non-serviceable item. They don't drop the pan or change the filter. I didn't change the filter.

Same thing when I worked on F16's. Fuel, oil and hydraulic filters were screens and we never changed them.

How long did you work on the F-16 ?

 

[Wireman1987]

Just a drain and refill with 6 qts matic-p, and a BG detergent additive.

Did you ask the dealer - where as Nissan the manufacturer has a recommendation of using additives/flushes/detergents? Service depts like to write their own rules and recommendations then stick it on you if there was a failure.