Hey Pauliekaboom, Meme,
This is the easiest way to change the Transmission Oil without involving the dealer. I did this three times, once for each oil change. You will not be able to drain all the oil, only 1/3 of it each time. But trust me, this is the easiest guaranteed method you won't introduce air into your transmission's hydraulic lines.
Transmission Oil Change:
Parts: Drain plug gasket, transmission oil (J Matic from Nissan/Infiniti or equivalent but research if not using stock)
Tools: Measuring cup, nitrile/latex glove (unless you like to go bareback), torque wrench, socket/wrench to remove the drain plug, funnel with slim tube for refill
1. Car must be warmed up, turned off and parked on level surface (give or take)
2. Using a nitrile/latex glove, loosen the transmission drain plug, get your oil drain pan under the drain plug area, keep your hand to the side as you take the drain plug off and let whatever fluid drain. It will eventually stop, that means that's all you can drain.
3. Wipe the drain plug and the drain plug hole, put on a new crush washer and thread it back into the drain plug hole by hand.
4. Using a torque wrench, torque it to spec (I don't have the spec on me right now)
5. Pour the drained fluid into a measuring cup and measure exactly what you drained. You will need to do this a few times as approx 2-3 liters will drain. Write down what you measured.
6. Pop the hood, you can remove the engine cover if you like for more clearance (IIRC), unbolt the filler tube's dip stick with a 10mm socket, remove it completely but wipe it first
7. Holding the funnel to the filler tube, fill the new transmission fluid slowly as its a small tube.
8. Once you have refilled it with what you drained, wipe the dipstick again, place it back into the filler tube and put back the 10mm bolt. Don't bother checking the level at this point, you will not get a proper reading because there's oil on the tube's inner walls.
9. Verify you have torqued the drain plug to the right spec, make sure the filler tube is bolted back on, remove any tools from the engine bay, under the car and anything else you have done.
10. Start your car and take it for a test drive, voila!
NOTE: In the service manual, it gives another option to drain the transmission fluid. I tried this, it takes two individuals and there's a high potential that you will introduce air into the system. Let me tell you its not fun at all to get that air out of the transmission's hydraulic system. You will have issues where your engine will rev but your car will not move until some fluid pushes the air out. This took a week and flooring the car. NOT FUN!
I have read that thread 10 times, and I get frustrated every time, every time it seemed like there was a definitive answer the next page again muddled everything.
I just wish someone would decide the best method. I think I have finally decided I will do the Transmission fluid when I do an oil change and just drain using the plug, refill how much I drain, then the next time I do my oil change I will do the same thing again. I may even do it a third time.
I have a HUGE list of maintenance I need to get done, I am just planning on gathering all the parts/mods/fluids I need and parking the FX on stands for a couple days while I get it all done.
The List:
-Steering Wheel Trim CF wrap
-Tuck Headlight wires-Front/Rear Differential Fluid
-Transmission Fluid
-Spark Plugs
-E-Brake Adjustment
-Power Steering Fluid Swap
-Program TPMS
-Seafoam
And the list is growing at an unholy rate.
---------- Post added at 09:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:40 AM ----------
Program TPMS means programming the TPMS sensors on each wheel to the vehicle. This is done from factory unless you either swapped a sensor or changed rims and need to program the new sensors.
Seafoam is a kit you buy that you spray it into your intake and put some in the fuel tank and it cleans your engine. Someone else might want to pipe in on this, I have not done this yet.
When you say jump, do you mean to say when you shift into drive while holding the brake? What was the temperature outside and what revs did the engine have when you shifted to drive? If the engine/transmission was cold, yes the high revs will make your car jump when shifting (btw this was corrected in the 2nd gen, the engine drops in revs if it detect a gear change).
what is program tpms and seafoam?
As for your transmission fluid question, I had a noticable jump when first putting my car into drive shortly after I bought it, ive done two drain and fills and notice a good difference after I do it everytime, and its incredibly easy. I probably will continue to do it regularly.
