Nissan Matic-D ATF versus Dexron III

[Microstar]

Is there much of a difference between these two ATF's? Is the shift
smoother with Nissan Matic-D fluid?

[Dan]

Microstar wrote:
> Is there much of a difference between these two ATF's? Is the shift
> smoother with Nissan Matic-D fluid?
>

I don't know the specific differences, but if the owner's manual
says Matic-D only and doesn't list Dextron III as a suitable
alternative, go with the Matic-D. The $25 or so difference really
isn't worth the risk in my opinion.

[Eric]

My owners manual says Nissan Matic-D or 'a suitable Dexron III' - that's
why I'm confused. Also my manual was printed in l997 and so 'Nissan
Matic-D' might actually be an 'old specification' oil now.

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[JM]

Eric <Microst...@europe.com> wrote in message news:<3EDD24F1...@europe.com>...

> Dan wrote:
> >
> > Microstar wrote:
> > > Is there much of a difference between these two ATF's? Is the shift
> > > smoother with Nissan Matic-D fluid?
> > >
> >
> > I don't know the specific differences, but if the owner's manual
> > says Matic-D only and doesn't list Dextron III as a suitable
> > alternative, go with the Matic-D. The $25 or so difference really
> > isn't worth the risk in my opinion.
>
> My owners manual says Nissan Matic-D or 'a suitable Dexron III' - that's
> why I'm confused. Also my manual was printed in l997 and so 'Nissan
> Matic-D' might actually be an 'old specification' oil now.

Those Nissan engineers didn't fall asleep either. Whatever is
currently sold in the Nissan Matic-D bottle, is going to be the best
you can put in your transmission.

JM

[Microstar]

Spoke to the guy in the parts store at my Nissan dealers today. He told
me that they no longer use Nissan Matic-D. He called the guy in the
workshop and he told me they just pump the transmission fluid out of a
big 'Texaco' drum. I said 'what is it, Dexron II, Dexron III or what?'.
'No', he says, 'its ATF'..... ;-)

[Jim]

That's a lot of faith you have in Nissan. I'd wager it's more like
"whatever is cheapest that meets the specs" is what's in that bottle. Do
you really think they made their transmissions to use some special oil
that they have to pay a premium for? I know my local Nissan dealer uses
whatever generic Dextron III the bulk oil dealer has in stock that week.

[JM]

> That's a lot of faith you have in Nissan. I'd wager it's more like
> "whatever is cheapest that meets the specs" is what's in that bottle. Do
> you really think they made their transmissions to use some special oil
> that they have to pay a premium for? I know my local Nissan dealer uses
> whatever generic Dextron III the bulk oil dealer has in stock that week.

If a tranny breaks after they put in DexIII it will be 'way down the
road. You won't be able to prove causation, and that's all they care
about. They fix trannys too, don't they. Meanwhile their materials
cost is down a few bucks.

Some jobber comes along and offers the dealer a 55 gallon drum of
"DexIII" for 82 cents a quart. Are they going to buy it, you bet.
Who checked the specs? Why bother, it's pink, isn't it???

In any case, I said that Nissan fluid is the best you can put in your
transmission. Maybe some other fluid also meets that standard for
practical purposes. On the other hand, I have personally destroyed 3
Honda water pumps by using Prestone instead of Honda coolant. Would
it have been worth $13 a gallon in this case? I think yes. Does
spending a few extra bucks maintaining a very expensive transmission
help me sleep better? YES.

JM

[Jim]

I understand your point and maybe it's not worth the risk to some of us.
The water pump is a little different as it's known that the silica
(sand) in the cheap antifreeze eats water pump seals.