MaxLife ATF in my Nissan

[charbaby]

As most of my post/replys are, this is a long post. Why change now!

I just switched to MaxLife ATF in my '04 Altima 2.5S w/4 spd auto transmission. A little transmission fluid history since I've owned the car since new. Total capasity is 10 qts, D&F is anywhere between 5.5 & 7.5 qts...

At ~10K miles, I removed the OE Matic-D and I D&F ONLY the transmission pan and added Mobil 1 ATF(7.5qts). I noticed nothing different from the transmission since the car is still new-ish). I do like Mobil 1 ATF in other vehicles as well.

At ~40K miles, I removed the M1 and put in Castrol IMV(5.5 qts) IDKY only 5.5 qts but, that's all I was able to remove this time. Yes, the ATF level in the transmission was proper prior to draining.

Not right away but, over the next several weeks, this transmission seemed to be experiencing some shift flare(slippage), only when the vehicle had been sitting for long periods of time such as overnight or after the work day. Yes, it could be the transmission!

I would experience this only on the 1st startup(after sitting several hours), some shift flare from 1st-2nd & 2nd-3rs ONLY. And not again for the rest of the day even after normal engine shutdowns and restarts.

I don't know how many hours the engine/transmission would have to be at rest before another restart and the Flare would come back. So, let me just say, 8 hours.

I am using Castrol IMV in 2 other vehicles with good success. I have only notices different shifting patterns(shift points) but, that's all! It shift different than the previous ATF but, not poor shifting...just different!

At ~60K miles, I have done another D&F removing the IMV and adding MaxLife(6qts). This is all that came out on this particular D&F.

In all cases(D&F) my ATF quantity was at the proper level in the transmission on level ground after a 20 min drive so, I know the fluid level was correct prior to draining. Also, I keep an eye on all of my fluids in all cars and measure them to MFG's directions. This is something that I've been doing for over 40 years.

Anyway, I am hoping that the ML ATF cures the shift flare in this transmission. I have driven for 2 day thus far and have noticed a bit of a good change in the slippage. But, it's been warmer the last 2 days and the Flare is more noticable when colder than warmer. I'll wait and see as the temps are dropping agian and as I drive the car.

This is a good shifting transmission. Sometimes, noticing the shifts from gear to gear and sometimes NOT! This is with any ATF.

If there was infact some shift flare in my Altima transmission usin the IMV, and the MaxLife cures this, I will consider this an isolated case as I am sure there are others using Castrol IMV in their Nissan transmission. I am also aware that Castrol has added the name "Transmax" to their line of ATF's. The IMV that I used is NOT Transmax.

I still have 7qts of IMV to use up but, I keep using it in my daughters Mazda3.
I have also used the IMV in my wife's Lexus RX and now using Castrol High Mileage this last change. It too is OK!

 

[Phishin]

Not sure how much different your transmission is in your Altima, vs. my 2000 2.4L....

But since I've owned the car (3 years ago, with 99k miles) and now I'm currently at 165k miles.

In that time, did a VIOC "exchange" with Maxlife ATF at 105k miles with one bottle of LubeGard Red. I then did another at 140k (Maxlife ATF) with another bottle of LG Red. Recently, I dropped the pan and replaced the filter at 160k (MaxLife ATF) with yet another bottle of LG Red. I've had no problems or changes in my transmission.

I can only share my experience.

 

[Hokiefyd]

In my experience with my Honda, MaxLife has a noticeably firmer shift feel compared with Transmax IMV. I have not yet used the Transmax IMV in our Acura, but I will on the next service, due this coming weekend.

I don't know why the MaxLife and Transmax IMV fluids feel so different in the Honda. Transmax IMV feels close to the OEM DW-1, maybe slightly more positive. MaxLife is very firm, almost harsh. But it shifts smoother in our Acura. Maybe it's due to the different transmission design, maybe due to transmission age, I don't know.

 

[charbaby]

Phishin,

Yeah, I don't know the differneces in our Transmissions either. My neice has a '00 Altima 2.4 and the cars are completly different.

Hokiefyd,

IDK either but, there is a difference in my Altima transmission, "coincidently" when I changed to the IMV.

I too have used LubeGard Red in other applications but, I can't say that I noticed anything because there was nothing wrong with the transmissions that I put in the LG. This is my first experience with MaxLife

One thing that I do notice with M1(I know this is a ML thread) is it's shifting consistancy over as wider range of driving and seasonal changes. I have used M1 in many apps and the shifting seemed to be the same all the time in each specific vehicles. More-so from shift-to-shift and between winter and summer temps.

I hope the ML(being syn on the website) will be as good as M1 but, at a better price. M1 would cost me >$60 for what I need and ML is $35 for what I need...We'll see!

Just because I have had good success with on brand doen't mean that I won't try another to see if it's just as good for le$$.

I was also thinking...

Nissan Matic-D is more like DexIII and I am wondering if the IMV may have had a bit too much FM for my transmission???

Just thinking!

 

[Klutch9]

Your shift flare issue after the car has been sitting for a period of time almost identically mirrors the issue my Focus is having. I did a drain/fill with Valvoline Mercon V a few weeks ago, but this didn't make things better or worse (it did help the soft 1-2 shift, though). In my experience, Maxlife does provide firmer shifts, as some have said, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. I'll definitely use ML in my Focus again. It took awhile to get used to the firmer shifts at first, but it's a quality fluid so I wasn't worried. Please let us know if the ML continues to help your flaring problem. If it does, and my problem persists, I'll do another drain/fill with ML.

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: Klutch9
Your shift flare issue after the car has been sitting for a period of time almost identically mirrors the issue my Focus is having. I did a drain/fill with Valvoline Mercon V a few weeks ago, but this didn't make things better or worse (it did help the soft 1-2 shift, though). In my experience, Maxlife does provide firmer shifts, as some have said, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. I'll definitely use ML in my Focus again. It took awhile to get used to the firmer shifts at first, but it's a quality fluid so I wasn't worried. Please let us know if the ML continues to help your flaring problem. If it does, and my problem persists, I'll do another drain/fill with ML.


I will indeed keep everyone abreast of my situation. I haven't noticed any firmer/milder shifting with any of the ATF that I have used in the Altima...OE, M1, IMV or ML(yet). I just need to eliminate the 1-2 & 2-3 Shift Flare.

 

[friendly_jacek]

Isn't Castrol IMV much thicker than the other ATFs? I think it is 8 cSt @100C IIRC. That would explain problems with cold transmission. Also, the additive package looks very weak on V/used oil analysis.
Disclaimer: I've never used it myself.

 

[Mau]

I did my third drain and fill yesterday on the Maxima.

1st drain and fill was nov 2011, drove for a week with Maxlife
2nd drain and fill was done after a week but i also dropped the pan and changed the filter and cleaned the magnets
3rd drain and fill was yesterday.

It may seem like a long time but I really haven't put much mileage on the car, I did the 2nd drain and fill around 200,000km now I'm at 208,000 km.

Feel, it feels good firm solid shifts no flares what so ever (which is known in the 4spd transmission in my maxima too).

 

[charbaby]

After doing some driving today, the 1st to 2nd shift flare seems to be gone(1-2 was never as noticable as the 2-3 shift) but the 2nd to 3rd Flare is still present but, no better/worst than before.

The sad thing is, each time I D&F the transmission, the ATF coming out of the pan is still a nice looking cough syrup red. whether it's at 20K miles or 30K miles. Almost seems like a waste, doesn't it?

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: Mau
I did my third drain and fill yesterday on the Maxima.

1st drain and fill was nov 2011, drove for a week with Maxlife
2nd drain and fill was done after a week but i also dropped the pan and changed the filter and cleaned the magnets
3rd drain and fill was yesterday.

It may seem like a long time but I really haven't put much mileage on the car, I did the 2nd drain and fill around 200,000km now I'm at 208,000 km.

Feel, it feels good firm solid shifts no flares what so ever (which is known in the 4spd transmission in my maxima too).

To make sure that I understand you correctly, did you do all of your D&F's with MaxLife for just the 1st one?

 

[Mau]

Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Originally Posted By: Mau
I did my third drain and fill yesterday on the Maxima.

1st drain and fill was nov 2011, drove for a week with Maxlife
2nd drain and fill was done after a week but i also dropped the pan and changed the filter and cleaned the magnets
3rd drain and fill was yesterday.

It may seem like a long time but I really haven't put much mileage on the car, I did the 2nd drain and fill around 200,000km now I'm at 208,000 km.

Feel, it feels good firm solid shifts no flares what so ever (which is known in the 4spd transmission in my maxima too).

To make sure that I understand you correctly, did you do all of your D&F's with MaxLife for just the 1st one?


All with Maxlife.

 

[charbaby]

Well, after 5 days now, I still have the 2-3 shift flare. So, I did a battery disconnect to see if this will change the flare. It has not yet!

But, as I mentioned earlier, the flare does disapear when the drivetrain warms up

 

[nicholas]

I have been using Maxlife in my 08 versa for 60,000kms now - I too had the 2-3 shift flare as well - 30k ago I tried using Lubeguard red, and have not looked back - completely fixed the flare after about 10min of driving and it has not come back.
Highly recommend.

 

[Mau]

I had LGR in my last drain and fill and honestly I didn't like how it shifted. In my last drain and fill I did not put in LGR but I'm sure there are traces of it in the fluid but it's shifting much better.

 

[nicholas]

There is more shift feel with LGR - I believe that it reduces friction between the shifts -

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: Mau
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Originally Posted By: Mau
I did my third drain and fill yesterday on the Maxima.

1st drain and fill was nov 2011, drove for a week with Maxlife
2nd drain and fill was done after a week but i also dropped the pan and changed the filter and cleaned the magnets
3rd drain and fill was yesterday.

It may seem like a long time but I really haven't put much mileage on the car, I did the 2nd drain and fill around 200,000km now I'm at 208,000 km.

Feel, it feels good firm solid shifts no flares what so ever (which is known in the 4spd transmission in my maxima too).

To make sure that I understand you correctly, did you do all of your D&F's with MaxLife for just the 1st one?


All with Maxlife.

Thanks for clearing that up!

 

[charbaby]

UPDATE:
Since it's colder outside(10-15 degs F), it's really hard to judge weather the MaxLife has made any changes in the shift flare. I don't think so although, I can't say the shift flare is worst but, it just takes a longer drive for the flaring to disapear.

In the warmer temps, the shift flare would only occure apon the first upward shifts after a cold startup and driveoff. Then when coming to a stop(redlight/stop sign) and driving off again, the flare was gone.

Right now, this flare continues until the drivetrain is much warmer or at operating temps. But, it is very cold outside now!

Under light throttle, I can control the flaring issues completly

And this could go on for years w/o any major transmission issues.

I have read online about this Nissan 2nd-3rd shift flare in my particular generation Altima. Some say that a transmission band adjustment helped for a while and others say to change a resistor. I'll need a bit more info on the resistor. Any help here would be GREAT, thank you!

 

[charbaby]

Here's a pic of the resistor to be replaced and the link

http://www.nissanclub.com/forums/2002-20...se-death-3.html

Scroll down to Swim100lyy's thumb nail post and there is a pic of the resistor.

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: Mau
I had LGR in my last drain and fill and honestly I didn't like how it shifted. In my last drain and fill I did not put in LGR but I'm sure there are traces of it in the fluid but it's shifting much better.


I have always like the way this'04 Altima 2.5 auto has shifted regardless of ATF brand.

What I am noticing right now is...with MaxLife ATF, the 1-2 shift is a bit hard(er) at slow, parking lot type speeds, than with the Castrol IMV that I just drained out. And overall the Castrol IMV offered some smooth/quiet shifting with a bit of cushin between the shifts at all speeds/gears compared to the current MaxLife or even the OE and Mobil 1 ATF's.

I have made comments in past threads about how much I like Mobil 1 ATF...And I still do! I like the MaxLife as well.

Now that all is said and done though, I must admit, I did like the Castrol IMV or, I got used to it although at first, I thought something was wrong.

I have always said though..."Since changing to the Castrol IMV in 3 vehicles(Lexus, Mazda, Nissan), it seemed to change the shift feel in all 3". Nothing wrong or bad, just different!

This is my 3rd D&F in this Nissan from the OE Matic-D and the internals are certainly clean

1) M1
2) IMV
3) ML

 

[nicholas]

Did you reset your trans PCM after your fluid drain - disconnect the negative battery cable for 30+ mins and tap the break pedal.

This will reset the shift logic in your Nissan trans - and give you a much better idea on how the trans and the Maxlife are interacting.

Cheers