The short of it is new vehicles sales across the board for all manufactures at an all time low and dealers are struggling so the manufactures came up with a scheme to help them by changing the owners manual on maintenance items.

And if that is not bad enough repossessions are off the charts, so now they only give you one key fob if it's a push button start, that's so they can repo it. They'll give ya a bs line on why saying it only comes with one fob.

Anyway, that 20k on the diff is 100% pure adulterated bulls--t !
Don't ever trust those pricks further than you can spit. Once they break that factory seal you gonna have problems cause you just know they ain't gonna seal it back up good.

 

You are the prime example of the saying "Maintenance is a Scam!". Doing Maintenance regularly helps ensure a vehicle can last. I don't care what vehicle you have, the Manufacturer will have Recommended Service Intervals for Normal use(which never happens for anyone) and Severe Service(happens for anyone that owns and drives a Vehicle of sorts). Don't want to spend the money on the Maintenance? That's fine as you can pay a much higher repair cost later when stuff breaks.

 

Under the Severe Service Schedule for Nissan the following is recommended.

Every 5,000 Miles change the Engine Oil with a Tire Rotation.

Every 15,000 miles replace the Engine Air Filter, Cabin Air Filter, change the Brake Fluid and Power Steering Fluid.

Every 30,000 miles change the Transmission Fluid, Drive Axle Fluid(both Front and Rear) and Transfer Case Fluid(if applicable).

Now you might be asking what qualifies the vehicle for Severe Service right? It's quite simple actually. Frequent short trips(generally speaking trips less than 5-10 miles), Driving in Extreme Cold or Hot Climates(very easy to do depending on what part of the Country you reside in), Driving in Dusty Conditions(not just going OffRoad. Even driving on a Dirt Road as needed or living in a dusty area like New Mexico or Arizona for that matter) and Towing(even if you Tow once it still counts).

Now keep in mind that the truck you just bought is expensive and it will cost a bit to make major repairs if Maintenance is not kept up. That's not to say things won't break if you do the Maintenance, but the chances of it happening is lowered considerably. The overall cost will also be lower with Maintenance vs the major repairs.

Hopefully this answers your questions

 

Lotsa folks dont change trans fluid... or any fluid. Ever. Many from that "appear" to get away with it. They dont really.

20k is probably early but within the realm of possible. Examples exist.

My mother always does the, "can it wait til next time?". Seems to have worked for her. Try that approach maybe

 

Lotsa folks dont change trans fluid... or any fluid. Ever. Many from that "appear" to get away with it. They dont really.

20k is probably early but within the realm of possible. Examples exist.

My mother always does the, "can it wait til next time?". Seems to have worked for her. Try that approach maybe

Have a 2017 Changed Tran fluid an coolent with flusher 50,000 doing def at 75,000

 

So, a rant and a diatribe based on a rant, both based on faulty information and not actually reading the Nissan maintenance schedule. We are Devo! D. E. V. O.

Standard/Normal maintenance does not require the diff oil changed. Ever. As Z indicated, it's 30k if you're on the Severe Driving schedule.

But make sure and lube those prop shafts!

 

Seems pretty easy to qualify for "severe" service intervals.

 

I myself due more frequent fluid changes whenever I can. Changed the oil, diffs, and transfer case fluids before first 2000 miles just to make sure factory crap was out, proper level was in, and to get rid of any initial factory sediment/break in shavings. The rear diff is easier to change fluids than a regular oil change IMO, so I have changed it about every 10-15k miles. Figured it's a traditional rear wheel drive, and most of the wear will be in the rear. I do the front diff and transfer case fluid every other 10-15k miles when I do the rear diff. Again, for me, it's easy to do, easy to get the fluids, and gives me peace of mind. Is it overkill? For some maybe. For others it's a no brainer. They don't build them like they used to, so I figure fluids is the easiest thing to change and invest in the vehicle.
Now, the transmission service is a little bit more involved, and the fluids are not 'as' cheap, so this gets done less often. YMMV.

 

A few thoughts.

Local automotive radio show sponsored by NAPA, most those that participate are service stations, but two are also used car dealers and one is a auto leasing company. As routinely pointed out, a vehicle with an extensive PM service history is worth more than a vehicle with a “shoulder shrug” when asked. How many times do we see comments on here of people buying used trucks with no clue the service history, if you’re buying a used vehicle, which would you rather buy, one with an extensive PM service history or one with no history?

According to Kenworth, my 2021 semi’s transmission fluid is rated to 500k miles before needing servicing. My coworkers 2020 truck had the trans rebuilt at 465,000 miles, Kenworth put new fluid in and said it’s good to 900k. Few months back, he was commenting the truck shifted strange, it’s got 680,000 miles on it. Boss had the mechanic look at it, the fluid new is purplish, the sample they pulled was black. Changed the fluid, miraculously the truck shifts and cycles much better. All our trucks are now on a 250k transmission fluid interval.

 

Some owners don't plan to drive their vehicles more than X number of miles before selling/trading it in. What is the value of X?
IFF X = 60-80K miles, here are your folks who might do nothing...while also installing a K&N, cuz, well who cares. It won't be their problem.

I'm aiming for 200K+ in my work truck that hauls 500-600 lbs of cargo making frequent stops. 2/3 of miles are stop&go city, 1/3 is at interstate speeds. Nearing 120K and I'm currently on my 4th driveline fluid swap. Being 4x2 makes is far more economical to refreshen the 6-sp trans & rear M226 diff.
Also, regular brake fluid swaps are wise (especially in humid regions) cuz any ABS issues on down the road can/will get VERY expensive.

 

Some owners don't plan to drive their vehicles more than X number of miles before selling/trading it in. What is the value of X?
IFF X = 60-80K miles, here are your folks who might do nothing...while also installing a K&N, cuz, well who cares. It won't be their problem.

I agree with this ^^

I used to and still have this attitude I didn't buy my vehicles, only to take care of them for the "next" guy But I have noticed that 'they don't build them like they used to' seems more prevalent now, and I find myself doing more of the simple PM things for "my" benefit and hopefully get a better vehicle ownership experience when I still own the vehicle. I still couldn't give two what the next dealer or owner wind up with, as long as I benefit from it in the long run.

 

I changed my rear diff fluid at 15K. It was quite sludgy and sliverish. Some of this depends on how long you plan on keeping the truck. Till the warranty runs out, then your probably fine to not change it. for 200k: I'd change it. By 30K I had changed all of my gear fluids.

 

The rear diff is really easy to change. I change mine every 30k miles because I live in the desert, so the fluid sees +110F in the summer, and I plan to keep my truck until the wheels fall off.

 

And a quart of good fluid is like $15 — cheap peace of mind. We ain’t checking valve clearance here, it’s two plugs.

In the time you’ve spent reading replies you could’ve had new fluid in the diff.

 

I change mine every 30k miles! And that first oil change, it always looked real sheety! Then after that it's looked new! Except on my 2000 Frontier. The transfer case fluid always looked sheety until it hit 90k. Then it stayed clean! A little preventative maintenance goes a long way! 2014 Crew Cab 178k close to trouble free miles!

 

Mine gets serviced at around 30-40k. When I dropped the rear diff at 30k, it still came out golden and not much sludge on the magnet. It just depends on the usage. But I tend to do what the manual says. for the 2nd gen, it recommends 30k. (i think)

 

Does the manual say that? I thought it said change at 30k in severe/towing use. Anyway, I tow and am doing it at 30k. The Nissan maintenance schedule is more protective than any other vehicle I have had, calling for fewer miles between changes.

 

Did mine today at 80K wasn’t in bad shape at all. Minimal sludge on the magnet filled up with some fresh Lucas 75 w 90 synthetic.

 

I own a 2019 Frontier and I am meticulous about service. I inquired from a very reputable source about this issue. He said that if I was towing a trailer consistently or off-roading frequently, 20 -25,000 miles is good. Whereas, with normal driving with only occasional tows or off-roads, he did not feel a need to do it more frequently than 50,000 mi. He also said that if off-roading or towing does occur frequently, it is best to get a breather for the rear axle to reduce the pressure thereby reducing wear. Easy bolt on!

 

You already have a breather, but not the extension.

 

My local dealership does a "fluid color comparison test" when they do a full inspection. They have a chart with all the fluids in the truck on it like paint color "chips" and they compare the color of the actual vehicle fluids to each "chip" on the chart. Then they tell the driver if they think the fluids need to be changed. I feel this works because I have never been told to change a single fluid, even when I asked to have them check it...except the diff fluid on my 2wd 2013 S with manual trans and the four cylinder. I asked them to change the transmission fluid at 75,000 and they said it was fine as the color indicated it had not been too hot and was not dirty enough. I found that refreshing in a service department at a dealership. But it was a fact that I knew that the transmission had had a repair at 55,000 and had new fluid administered during that repair. So, they appear to be honest, at least in that instance. I have had the truck for six years now and it has almost 92,000 on it and all I personally have changed is the motor oil, power steering fluid, and the coolant. I do have the fluid for the differential and the transmission in the garage so I can change it when it cools off and is time for the next oil change. I'd like to change the brake/clutch fluid myself, but I have never done it on brakes with anti-lock on them so I may let the dealership or a mechanic shop do that.

As an aside, it is more expensive for me to buy the oil and filter and change it myself than for the dealership to do it for me. I'd save $10 if the dealership did it but I want 5W30 full synthetic motor oil and the dealership puts 5W20 in all the vehicles but diesels and I just don't like that.

 

Most dealers suggestions are a scam. I wonder what the op is being asked to pay for this premature service?

 

They'll give him a coupon and he'll think he got the deal of the century.
And by the time he finally figures it all out they'll be into to him for thousands.
I got stories to tell.

 

Well my manual for my 2016 says every 30k. And for how little that diff holds I think it is wise to do so. That gear lube sees extreme heat and breaks down on lubrication faster than you'd think.

 

Had my 2023 Frontier for one year now, bought used. Have 20k miles on it now. Dealer and mx schedule says due for diff gear oil change?? Not 4x4, probably will never go off road with me. Most trucks go their whole lives without gear oil changes. Why this truck at only 20k miles? Randy

Well my manual for my 2016 says every 30k. And for how little that diff holds I think it is wise to do so. That gear lube sees extreme heat and breaks down on lubrication faster than you'd think.

So my 2000 must be higher capacity. No issues but changed it at 195,000 anyway.