Nissan Frontier Forum banner

Auto tranny fluid level

2121 Views 18 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  nismo08frontier
Im suspecting my tranny might be a little low. Sometimes it is slow to grab after shifting into reverse, and there is a slight vibration that I feel wel sitting still when it is cold. On older vehicle one would check the tranny when it is hot/running/ and either in park or neutral. The owners manuel says just let a service tech check it. I tried in park , running and it doesn't register. engine off it showed mid. What is the proper way?
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
Not sure the proper way to check it, but for what its worth mine is slow to grab too after shifting from drive to reverse or vice versa. I think it may be just the way they are.
The Factory Service Manual explains how to check the fluid level. ClubFrontier doesn't have a 2010 manual for download, but you can grab the 2009 manual and it should be good enough.

http://www.clubfrontier.org/forums/f23/frontier-service-manuals-available-download-46290/

In the TM.pdf file of the FSM there's an On-Vehicle Maintenance section that describes the steps for checking the fluid level at idle temperatures and again at "hot" temperatures. From other posts, letting it idle from a cold start for about 10 minutes will get you into the "cold" range for that part of the fluid check.
For what it's worth, my 2010 was low on fluid and after experiencing a few 'slips' then catches at starts from being stopped in drive, my local dealer added about a cup so they say. Hasnt happened since. The fluid was added at only 3000 miles.
Ok. I stopped at the dealer this morning after dropping of my kid at school. I told them my concern and they said that all vehicle are checked before they are sold, Mine has 5000 miles and I asked them to check just to be sure. 10 minutes later the service advisor reappeared with my truck and said it was 1/2 quart low......HUH! CHECK YOUR FLUID!
Not sure the proper way to check it, but for what its worth mine is slow to grab too after shifting from drive to reverse or vice versa. I think it may be just the way they are.
Yep, I think the transmission is just slow to shift from D to R, or R to D.

I'm used to a manual...and I've noticed when I drop it in R from D, that I'm used to hitting the gas kind of quick, and it'll "shudder" like a clutch skipping/slipping - or like a whole lot of drivetrain slack is being taken up.
when shifting from p to reverse i get a loud clank especially if im on an incline any ideas
no loud clanks here .. but mine is a bit slow to grab too .. it always felt as if it was an electonics delay thing ... if that makes any sense. I may give'r a look myself .. thanks.

d-mo
when shifting from p to reverse i get a loud clank especially if im on an incline any ideas
My guess is you werent using the parking brake? That gets a clank out of most all auto trans vehicles.

Clint
it still happens even when using the parking brake
i'm just trying to pin down a thought I have. Do you apply the parking brake before you put it in park? I know some who put it in park let go the brake pedal allowing the trucks weight to roll against the parking pawl. They then apply the parking brake. In that scenario when it's pulled out of park you'll get a clang. The weight of a vehicle should never rest against the trans.
On occasion people need a tow truck to nudge them as they park on an incline with no parking brake and the trans can't get out of park.

Clint
Best not to use Park alone for anything other than flat surfaces. Especially with a loaded bed/hitch. If my truck is heavily loaded on an incline, (with foot on pedal brake) I'll set the e-brake, shift to neutral, let off the pedal brake to allow the truck 'settle', then Park. When leaving, apply the pedal brake, release e-brake, then shift out of Park.
AT Engage Pause .... Low ATF

My '07 Frontier with 15K mi had a AT pause from a stop.
Checked the ATF stick .... it was a pint low on the AT juice.
Added 16 oz of "Matic J" and pause problem was gone.
.
See less See more
How often do you guys change your tranny fluid?
I do it at 30,000 miles.

Clint
If you just do a simple drain/fill and drive hard, then 15k. If you are nice then 20ish but never beyond 30k or you could have issues.
Well I have never changed Transmission fluid before. I plan on changing it soon when I do my first oil change. I bought it used with 80,000 miles and I have no idea how long it has been so I will go ahead and do it.
My '07 Frontier with 15K mi had a AT pause from a stop.
Checked the ATF stick .... it was a pint low on the AT juice.
Added 16 oz of "Matic J" and pause problem was gone.
.
This seems to be a common problem. All my shifting issues are gone and seems to have a smoother idle when in gear,
i baby my vehicle and its barely 20,000
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top