Hey Scotty! Right now my 2005 Nissan Maxima has 125k miles on it and I'm thinking about changing a bit of transmission fluid from its 5 speed automatic transmission. I refuse to do a flush because I know well enough that it would annihilate my transmission so I definitely wouldn't want to do it at all. Anyways, would it be a good idea to only drop the pan, change the gasket, add a bit of slip preventative fluid to the transmission, and add either a quarter or half a quart of new transmission fluid while adding some of the old fluid back in? The transmission holds about an estimate of 8.2 quarts and I'm thinking about putting in about 0.67 quarts (quarter of new fluid) or 1.34 quarts (half of new fluid). Which would sound best to you and/or anyone else experienced with this type of situation?
P.S. I don't know when the fluid had been changed and yes, I checked the fluid and it's an intermediate brownish red color so I don't know if it's a good time to change it or just leave it alone.
would it be a good idea to only drop the pan, change the gasket, add a bit of slip preventative fluid to the transmission, and add either a quarter or half a quart of new transmission fluid while adding some of the old fluid back in?
Check out the FAQs regarding whether you should change it. There is always a risk with a high mileage transmission that's never been serviced, so that's completely your call. If it's not slipping now, don't use an additive. If you decide to change the fluid your best approach is to drain, install a new filter, fill with fresh fluid. You can still save your old fluid if you wish, but use fresh fluid to refill. If your transmission has already suffered any damaged no fluid will fix it.
I think the FAQ covers everything in your question.
P.S. I don't know when the fluid had been changed and yes, I checked the fluid and it's an intermediate brownish red color so I don't know if it's a good time to change it or just leave it alone.
I would leave it alone, personally. Fresh transmission fluid is very light red, and used transmission fluid is dark red, not brownish red. Smell it. If it smelled burned, definitely leave it alone.
