[jw1977]

I recently had my 30k mile service performed at a local indepenant shop. I had them do all the fluids. Since that was done i've had two problems. First, the truck has a really hard time shifting (it is a manual) when cold. What could cause this? My other problem is the coolant gauge used to always read right in the middle when warm prior to my service. Now it never gets to the middle. Is that ok?

 

[ffips]

For transmission issue, did they use spec'ed fluids?

For gauge issue, did they "burp" the cooling system? Frontiers are notorious for air pockets.

 

[FitzIngarage]

I'm thinkin' like ffips that they failed to use a GL-4 grade in the gearbox or used the incorrect weight. You need to call them to confirm because a GL-5 will begin to erode your soft metal synchros and thus needs to be dumped.

My '06s engine temperature gauge has always risen to a mark a third of the way up --never halfway up.

 

[woodb01]

First, the truck has a really hard time shifting (it is a manual) when cold. What could cause this? My other problem is the coolant gauge used to always read right in the middle when warm prior to my service. Now it never gets to the middle. Is that ok?

Not sure about the shifting. However, on the coolant if the temperature you see now is correct it would indicate the motor is running cooler (i.e. less friction) and that is most likely a good thing. However it is a little odd because cold or hot the temp reading should be about the same because of the thermostat...

Just thinking out loud here. If it is an air bubble in the cooling system you might be able to work some of it out by just taking off the radiator cap WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD and then letting it warm up with the cap off. Depending on how full it is (or not) the air bubble may work itself out by just running it for several minutes with the cap off after it is warmed up.

Let me reiterate again, DO NOT TAKE THE CAP OFF WHEN YOUR MOTOR IS AT FULL TEMPERATURE UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING, HAVE DONE THAT TYPE OF THING BEFORE, UNDERSTAND THE RISKS OF GETTING SCLADED, AND KNOW HOW TO MANAGE THE PROCESS!

 

[S13Disco]

sounds like they put the wrong type of fluid in your transmission...not to sure on the cooling issue

 

[TwoBills]

Yeah, that tranny needs GL-4. I'd get some Amsoil GL-4, take it back to the shop that changed it, and get them to put it in. Is it possible they changed the t-stat? It's possible the t'stat is stuck open.