Transmission issues

I

Ijustrockout

Member
Car
2012 fx35
Name
Nico
Just here looking for advice:


Transmission fluid change fx35 (2012)

So my fx35 (88k miles) has recently started acting strange intermittently. From a cold start, when going uphill, it seems that the transmission is slipping. It revs to 4/5k RPM before it catches the proper gear. After it’s warmed up it doesn’t seem to have the same issue. I’m not sure if the transmission is going on me or if it just needs to fluid changed. I cannot find a dipstick to check the levels. I’ve read a lot of conflicting info online. Can someone please help me to find out if this can be done by me (well, actually my step dad who is great with mechanics), or do I have to schedule service to have this done? It may not even be the fluid, I’m hoping it’s something as simple as that obviously (just lost my job recently), because I can’t begin to afford to replace it. Any insight would be appreciated!
 
There is no dipstick for the transmission fluid. It is supposed to be lifetime fluid and there is a lot of discussion on whether you should change it or not. That is totally up to you. However, you can do a drain and fill. Just google “infiniti transmission fluid change” and check out the images. You will find a lot of info. I have done the drain and fill twice in the past few months using Valvoline Maxlife ATF.
 
No offense, but there's no such thing as "lifetime fluid". All fluids break down over time.
 
I have a 2014 QX70 with the seven speed auto as well. I have 65k miles and recently took it to the Infiniti dealership and talked to the shop Forman. He said that “lifetime” fluid is nonsense and they recommend changing the fluid every 30k miles for city driving!
When I asked if he recommends drain and fill 3x method he mentioned that he would drop the transmission pan and clean the magnets and all and that should get at least half the old fluid out. He said that he doesn’t recommend touching the torque converter even if the rest of the fluid is there and to leave it alone unless it has issues.

anyone has experience with the second gen transmission? I thought it was a closed system and only a drain and fill method works. Anyone know if the transmission pan can be dropped on these cars?
 
The pan can be dropped, I believe there are 24 bolts holding it on. Three drains and fills sounds about right to get most of the fluid changed.
 
Denis McGuire said:
The pan can be dropped, I believe there are 24 bolts holding it on. Three drains and fills sounds about right to get most of the fluid changed.
Click to expand...
Thanks, do you think it’s Necessary to have them drop the transmission pan or should I ask them to just to only drain and fill?
 
Ijustrockout said:
Just here looking for advice:


Transmission fluid change fx35 (2012)

So my fx35 (88k miles) has recently started acting strange intermittently. From a cold start, when going uphill, it seems that the transmission is slipping. It revs to 4/5k RPM before it catches the proper gear. After it’s warmed up it doesn’t seem to have the same issue. I’m not sure if the transmission is going on me or if it just needs to fluid changed. I cannot find a dipstick to check the levels. I’ve read a lot of conflicting info online. Can someone please help me to find out if this can be done by me (well, actually my step dad who is great with mechanics), or do I have to schedule service to have this done? It may not even be the fluid, I’m hoping it’s something as simple as that obviously (just lost my job recently), because I can’t begin to afford to replace it. Any insight would be appreciated!
Click to expand...
I would change the fluid first. I heard amsoil signature series can do wonders to transmission. Just make sure you don’t flush your transmission.
 
Abdul Ardate said:
I would change the fluid first. I heard amsoil signature series can do wonders to transmission. Just make sure you don’t flush your transmission.
Click to expand...
I'm running Amsoil SS ATF in my FX45 and its slowly resolving my elongated shift into 4th. The stuff solves issues for me no what what brand of car I put it in (Volvo, Toyota, Isuzu, now Infiniti).
 
I would just have the drain and fill done. If you plan on getting it done three times, I suggest that you drive a hundred miles or so between the drains. This will allow all of the old fluid to be mixed with the new each time.
 
I did the 3x drain/fill on the FX37 last year. Also dropped the pan and cleaned the magnets; some will say this is unnecessary but it doesn't hurt anything and it's easy to do while you're already under there with the pan drained. No need to jack up all 4 wheels; I drove the front wheels onto ramps so I had more clearance to work, and then lowered it back onto all 4 wheels to do the final level check (there is enough ground clearance to reach under and finish the job).

Immediately noticed that shifts were smoother and the car was quicker and more decisive when downshifting. 8K miles since and no issues!

Here is an excellent DIY that I followed: G37 Automatic Transmission Fluid Change, Pan Drop/Clean - MyG37

Took me about 6 hours by myself going super slow and about $150 in supplies.

- 4 gallons of Valvoline MaxLife ATF
- 5 gallon bucket to collect the old fluid
- Drain plug P/N 31377-31X06
- Fill plug P/N 31361-1XJ0A
- Drain plug washer P/N 11026-JA00A
- Pan gasket P/N 31397-1XJ0A (reused the original one, but nice to have a spare in case the gasket rips when you drop the pan)
- Homemade pump using these excellent instructions: Make your own ATF fluid pump on the cheap - MyG37
- Adapter to screw the end of the hose into the fill port so it doesn't fall out and make a mess (makes your life MUCH easier): Fitting Metric M8 M8X1 Male to Barb Hose ID 1/4” 6mm Brass Fuel Air Gas M559 | eBay
 
TXDrew said:
I did the 3x drain/fill on the FX37 last year. Also dropped the pan and cleaned the magnets; some will say this is unnecessary but it doesn't hurt anything and it's easy to do while you're already under there with the pan drained. No need to jack up all 4 wheels; I drove the front wheels onto ramps so I had more clearance to work, and then lowered it back onto all 4 wheels to do the final level check (there is enough ground clearance to reach under and finish the job).

Immediately noticed that shifts were smoother and the car was quicker and more decisive when downshifting. 8K miles since and no issues!

Here is an excellent DIY that I followed: G37 Automatic Transmission Fluid Change, Pan Drop/Clean - MyG37

Took me about 6 hours by myself going super slow and about $150 in supplies.

- 4 gallons of Valvoline MaxLife ATF
- 5 gallon bucket to collect the old fluid
- Drain plug P/N 31377-31X06
- Fill plug P/N 31361-1XJ0A
- Drain plug washer P/N 11026-JA00A
- Pan gasket P/N 31397-1XJ0A (reused the original one, but nice to have a spare in case the gasket rips when you drop the pan)
- Homemade pump using these excellent instructions: Make your own ATF fluid pump on the cheap - MyG37
- Adapter to screw the end of the hose into the fill port so it doesn't fall out and make a mess (makes your life MUCH easier): Fitting Metric M8 M8X1 Male to Barb Hose ID 1/4” 6mm Brass Fuel Air Gas M559 | eBay
Click to expand...
Wow This material is GOLD! Thanks for sharing!

Couple of questions here, do you recall how much ATF came out when you dropped the pan? Would you say 6-7 quarts?
Also what was the sequence of the work? Dropped the pan first then drain and fill multiple times?
 
Abdul Ardate said:
Wow This material is GOLD! Thanks for sharing!

Couple of questions here, do you recall how much ATF came out when you dropped the pan? Would you say 6-7 quarts?
Also what was the sequence of the work? Dropped the pan first then drain and fill multiple times?
Click to expand...

I'll try to find my notes later, but I believe it was around 6 quarts when I dropped the pan. I do remember it was exactly 16 quarts to drain/fill 3 times, but that includes pumping in a little extra on the last fill so I could be sure some would drain out and I'd get the fluid level right.

I dropped the pan as part of the initial drain. I might post up a separate DIY because there doesn't appear to be one on this forum.
 
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