Posted: Jan 21 2011 at 4:30pm | IP Logged

do i need to change the fluid now or after my wife gets back from dallas? do i need to worry about anything since i havent changed the fluid since i bought the truck? i went to get a filter and fluid before but nobody sold a filter so i figured id wait. now i know there is a screen in it instead. if i change it now will i have to worry about it on her trip next weekend?

dallas is a long way from mobile. i dont need that phone call.

Posted: Jan 21 2011 at 7:55pm | IP Logged

i bought it with 23k. i dont know what was done before then.

i was worried if i changed it now would it cause problems. its shifting fine but i would like to change it. guess ill wait until she comes back.

Posted: Jan 23 2011 at 10:02am | IP Logged

You really have waited too long on this.  I agree with Frontier guy to some extent.  Maybe what I would do is just drain the pan, replace what drains out, drive it for 2000 miles, repaet and then again.  I think the 04 Frontiers took Matic D??? That is really the same as Dexron.  But I would go to a dealer and buy the correct fluid.

I would NOT flush the trans at this point and don't let anyone talk you into that.  After a few of the drain and fills, you might want to have the pan dropped and cleaned.  This method should provide a gentle cleaning.  I would expect the fluid you drain to be burned a dark brown. Watch the trans for signs of funny shifts, slippage or other unusual behavior.  Crud that loosens can get into the valve body and clog up some of those small orifices or clog the cooler in the radiator.

Posted: Jan 23 2011 at 3:14pm | IP Logged

Well, the drain and fill is probably the least expensive way of doing this.  If you can get through three or four drain and fills and then a pand rop eventually, the fluid should then basically be a nice red color again.  I do a drain and fill at least once a year (10,000 miles) on my 2007 Fronty using Matic S.

Also, got to bobistheoilguy.com and go to the forums on trnasmissions.  You can also ask for advice there and read lots of stuff like your problem that has been discussed.  One of the best lubricant sites on the Web.