What oil for 96 maxima

[VK56VD]

I would use Auto-RX regardless as it can restore compression and power in your engine. It can also increase your mpg once it finishes cleaning.

With an unknown maintenance history, I would change out all the fluids in your car. You are worried about keeping the engine for another 50-60k but neglecting the other parts of the vehicle such as the radiator and transmission. The PCV Valve is cheap from the dealer. It releases gases, blow off from your engine. By using regular fuel, you may develop knocking upon hard acceleration and may lose mpg. I would chnage the fuel filter and not worry about it for another 60k.

 

[02zx9r]

draining and refilling the radiator once a year or two regardless of the fluid used (5yr/100K fluid) is a good preventative maintenance thing to do. As well do a siphon/refill of the PS fluid yearly.

 

[djipka]

well i read somewhere that if the transmission oil hasn't been changed for a long time it is better to leave it alone. that's why I'm a little hesitant to touch it.
yesterday i looked under and it looks like the leak I have is not engine oil but PS fluid. its still a very minor one though. My car uses Dexron for the PS. can i get like the MaxLife ATF with stop leak for that or can i use normal PS stop leak deal for it?
and what do you mean by:
siphon/refill the PS fluid?

 

[02zx9r]

sorry should have said siphon/refill the PS resevoir.

when the car is cold, get a turkey baster or something like that to suck out what is in the ps resevoir, then refill with new fluid. You will always be putting in fresh fluid and fresh additives.

Some people do it every other oil change. It takes 5 minutes.

Some people change out there transmission fluid quite often. Norm I have seen the recommendations on here is every 30K. If you do a lot of highway miles you could probably do every 50-60K.

 

[djipka]

I dont know if its ok to talk about the transmission and PS here but...
so i like the MaxLife ATF. it says that it works with my kind of transmission which is good.
the question is about the PS. Since mine takes ATF do I put one that has Stop leak in it or just put normal atf and then add special PS stop leak product?

 

[02zx9r]

I am assuming the maxlife atf would work for the PS fluid. If you go to http://www.auto-rx.com and view the site, a lot of people use it in their ps as well and it has helped some to stop leaks. Might could try it out.

Hopefully someone will chime in about the ps fluid as I am not that up to date on ps stuff so someone else could probably help you better, hopefully

 

[djipka]

any one about the PS fluid? I went to the dealership in town and they said with the age of the car and not having any records not to touch the transmission at all. so now i'm down to coolant, PS fluid(atf)and engine oil. I know what to do with the oil but the rest is still questionable.
Any input is highly appreciated!

 

[BigAl]

I finally sold my '93 Maxima. It only had 150k on the odometer . . . not a lot for a Maxima. The drivertrain was mechanically perfect, but the road salt was getting the better of the chassis. I used WalMart Supertech filters, whatever-is-on-sale conventional oil, and Supertech Dexron ATF in the transmission and PS system. I changed the ATF for the first time right after I got it at about 100k and again at 140k. New ATF might dislodge some crud, but old fluid will certainly varnish everything up. I never worry about it, and just change it. I suctioned and refilled the PS fluid at about 130k. Those cars are built well. The engine, trans, and PS functioned like new. Don't sweat it.

 

[VK56VD]

for your PS system use any Dex III

 

[RD400]

If you haven't determined the source of your leak, check the oil pressure sending unit - they are known to weep. I have replaced mine twice now after 150K miles. It is located on the back of the block just above the oil pan.

 

[djipka]

can you give me some more detail on that "oil pressure sending unit"?
Thank you!
P.S. I changed the PS fluid with MaxLife DEX/MERC
Still wandering about the transmission though

 

[aquariuscsm]

On my Z,the oil pressure sending unit is on the oil filter tree right above the filter. Not sure if your Maxima is the same. If you ever have fluctuating oil pressure readings,it`s always more than likely the oil pressure sending unit either getting clogged (a lot of people take them off and drill them out) or going bad. A common Nissan issue.