The Anal Retentive Xterra Transmission Fluid Change

[Java]

We got a notice from Nissan about a recall, they needed to reprogram the computer for rollovers in some way... while it was there we got an oil change and a surprise estimate to change the transmission and brake fluids. Our Xterra has just over 42,000 miles on it and I'm not really sure it's needed, and even if so it seemed a tad on the high side to me...

so I went on youtube to see what all was involved (not much, a typical drain and fill, doing it myself) and found this video which reminded me of the old SNL skits and made me laugh out loud for real.

This guy is my new hero, I didn't realize how unorganized I was or how dirty our Xterra was until I saw him

[Max]

"slightly"

Tires are slightly worn. (adds 5 new tires to the quote)

[JandDGreens]

This reminded me of a u-tube vedio I watched the other day!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-avpx8UTakI

[Bob]

I took my 2001 F350 4x4 to the Longmont dealer for a recall issue a few years ago. By coincidence, I had recently changed all the fluids and filters. Three guesses what the dealer recommended...yep, change all fluids, filters, and do a number of other things like ball joints (already replaced elsewhere) for the low, low price of around $2200!

Contrast to the Longmont Honda dealer where we bought and serviced a Minivan. They had fair service prices and never, ever tried to cheat me or upsell anything. A couple of times I asked them about servicing an item that concerned me, but they said it didn't really need to be replaced yet and recommended waiting until later!

[Chris]

Yep, Stevenson Toyota did the same to me when I first bought my 4Runner. Had them change the transmission fluid and they came back with a laundry list of things it needed. I checked them out on my own and they were all new presumably from the seller.

I think there here are a lot of techs who look at the mileage and come up with the list based on that. Not sure if they're told to do that but it wouldn't surprise me.

[Jim]

chuckle - `went to a local muffler shop for a muffler replace for the trail jeep. They scheduled 1.5 hours for the job. I asked why so much time for to replace the easy to access muffler??? Oh, we evaluate the vehicle for other issues you might wish to be tended. Thank you, no. It's a TRAIL JEEP - I KNOW it has a laundry list of stuff that could be done. Oh, OK. We'll have the muffler done in 20 minutes...

[Terrafied]

As someone who worked for Nissan for years I can attest that a lot of techs will list absolutely everything that is even slightly worn or has reached a certain mileage. The ASR lists I would get would be full page long lists of every little thing that wasn't perfect or was still good but had reached a certain age/mileage.. Every Altima needs lower control arms and shocks, every 4.0 liter truck needs timing chains and tensioners at a certain mileage. Do take care of that transmission though and have the fluid changed, not just a simple drain and fill, but a full fluid change. I would also bypass the internal trans cooler and get a good external one. Intermix was an issue for a few years and its always best to be safe. At least regularly change the coolant and keep the trans fluid clean, its not a Toyota after all.

[Java]

I read up on Xterras before buying one, and as I recall that problem was through 2010, there was a class action settlement in 2012 and our 2013 should (hopefully) not be affected. I'm really particular about our maintainance, I just don't want to overpay and $500.00 is nucking futs. They hate me there anyway- when they had it on Monday they put regular oil in instead of synthetic. On tuesday morning it went back and got a 14 mile oil change back to synthetic, even though Nissan says either is fine. It's a fantastic truck, we're really happy with it, and I want it to last a while. Maybe even as long as a Toyota!