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Rear Differential Fluid - Replacement Interval

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DMan

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi Guys,

Hoping someone can help answer this question. I have an 07 SE AWD with 32000 KM on it. I bought the MO (this is my second one) when it was just shy of 12000 KM.

This past Saturday I had the MO in for the routine 36000 KM service i.e. oil change + more. The techinician came out and reported that I should get the Rear Differential Fluid replaced as it is recommended to be replaced every 24000 KM. Does anyone know if this is true? I never had this even suggested to me on my previous '04 MO that I drove for 4 years. I'm wondering if this is just a cash grab or if this is really needed every 24000 KM. I even asked them why I was never asked to do this with my previous MO (which was also serviced by them) and they had no explanation for me (the Service Advisor looked like a deer in Headlights). Is there a way to inspect the fluid? I did ask the techincian to show me and he basically gave me a lame response....."I need to hoist it up again and I don't have time for this. It's a recommendation. If you want to change it, change it, or forget about it." Needless to say, I was PISSED off at this comment, but kept quiet. I will be speaking to the Service Manager later today to air my displeasure about the treatment I received this past service.

Can anyone please advise me....should I or shouldn't I be replacing the fluid this soon? Again, the MO only has 32000 KM on it. Thanks.
 
#3 ·
I have a 06SE. Did the dealer not include a 'Service & Maintenance Guide for Canadian Models' with his Murano sale to you? In my 2006 guide the 1st suggestion to change out the diff oil is 48,000kms. My guess is the mechanic is trying to build up his 'sales' percent to pay off his Xmas gifts!
Hope this helps,
Sandy
EDIT: Maintenance Guide suggests 42,000kms if you're doing alot of towing, camper, or car-top carrier!
 
#4 ·
I just checked my shop manual for a 2005 - but they're the same mechanically as an '07 - and it says to only inspect diff every 24000 km. It never says to "replace" unless you are pulling a trailer or going into muddy/rough roads on a regular basis. However even if you do heavy duty towing, it says the change interval is 48,000 km.

If you live an urban lifestyle, the CVT and differentials are recommended to only be inspected.
 
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Discussion starter · #5 ·
Hi All,

Thanks so much for all the responses. Yes, I do have the Maintenance Guide, but I forgot to check there before posting (sorry). I have never towed anything with the MO. So it is basically as I thought was the case. Zebelkhan & Koenig are right.....they are BS-ing me and the mechanic is trying to pay off his X'Mas gifts :2:

I'm going to check the maintenance booklet this evening when I get back and drive to the dealer to show it to him. As indicated in my original post, I spoke to the Service Manager today and he told me on the phone that the rear-differential fluid should be changed every 24000 KM and that this is recommended by Nissan. He even went on to say that they don't just "dream-up" these things, and that they always go by what Nissan says. What a bunch of horses***t! I can't wait to see the look on his face when I show him the Miantenance Guide. I guess it's time to find another $tealer!
 
#8 ·
DMan said:
This past Saturday I had the MO in for the routine 36000 KM service i.e. oil change + more. The techinician came out and reported that I should get the Rear Differential Fluid replaced as it is recommended to be replaced every 24000 KM. Does anyone know if this is true?
Click to expand...
:bsflag:

-njjoe
 
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Discussion starter · #9 ·
craigster said:
Can you name which dealer, please?
Click to expand...
Hi craigster, the dealer is Village Nissan in Unionville, ON. I called the Service Manager as soon as I got back to my car and had a chance to look at the Service Maintenance Guide. The first replacement is scheduled at 48000 Km, just as you said. When I mentioned this to him, he asked me where I was getting this informatin from. I told him where I got it, to which he responded, that he was going by what Nissan Canada recommends, and that they (Nissan) were contradicting themselves. I feel the need to call Nissan Canada to confirm and sort this matter. I've been a customer of theirs for over 5 years now, and this is definitely not acceptable. Anyways, they won't be getting my business anymore. Thanks for everyone's help on this. You guys are the best! :D
 
#10 ·
DMan-

There are two things to keep in mind regarding the rear differential fluid:

1) The rear differential is free-wheeling and under zero load 99% of the time. It is only under load when the AWD system is engaged. So even if you are towing a trailer, if the AWD system never engages then the differential fluid in under very little stress.

2) The "Service & Maintenance Guide" is drafted by the dealers (NNA) and contains maintenence intervals that are more stringent than the intervals published by the manufacturer. The Service Manual calls for an inspection of the fluid every 24,000 KM.

-njjoe
 
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#11 ·
Thanks. I am in Mississauga so not likely I will run into them. ;)

As for service on my '05, I have been using an independent shop for my mechanical work (not that I have needed much for the MO) that has been nothing short of excellent and honest. I have an older Maxima as well which has been an outstanding car (near 250,000 km and drives like new). My (now former) dealer porked me good on a repair on it a number of years ago that turned me off dealer service completely (other than true warranty repairs which are free).

In fact, I got into a somewhat similar argument with them about engine oil change frequency - they were pushing for more frequent changes than the manual recommended. When the discussion got a bit hot and heavy, I simply said that I trust Nissan (and oil company) engineers over the dealer so if he could show me his Engineering Certification in automotive technologies, I would listen to him - otherwise RTFM.

Good luck, dude.
 
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#12 ·
One other thing...they sometimes say that our cars require more frequent service because Canada is a severe climate country. If you live in the southern Ontario region, as a former Winnipeger I say we are not in severe service territory here. Our climate here is more similar to Germany and BMW service points are WAY longer than ours!! If we were in Winnipeg or Edmonton or thereabouts, MAYBE the argument has merit.

Same thing for places like Arizona - maybe if we lived there we should change oils more often. But today's cars - with modern lubs should easily get what the manual says - or more.
 
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Discussion starter · #13 ·
njjoe said:
DMan-

There are two things to keep in mind regarding the rear differential fluid:

1) The rear differential is free-wheeling and under zero load 99% of the time. It is only under load when the AWD system is engaged. So even if you are towing a trailer, if the AWD system never engages then the differential fluid in under very little stress.

2) The "Service & Maintenance Guide" is drafted by the dealers (NNA) and contains maintenence intervals that are more stringent than the intervals published by the manufacturer. The Service Manual calls for an inspection of the fluid every 24,000 KM.

-njjoe
Click to expand...
njjoe...thanks for the interesting tidbit.

Based on all the feedback I have received from you guys, it is clear that this $tealer will no longer be getting my business. What a shame. A customer for over 5 years, and they lose me over trying to extract a measly $69.99!

Thanks everyone.
 
#14 ·
Or you can throw a 1-2 punch on them and bring your situation to the service manager. If you've given them 5 years of service and you're been satisified to this point, it might not be worth completely writing them off. Get the service manager to give you a serious discount for your next job if that makes you happy.

It sucks that one technician can ruin your otherwise good experience.
 
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#15 ·
I have replaced mine at 3 years / 30K miles, I feel that there if there are moving parts under load or not and the lubricated fluid should be replaced... would you say that was reasonable?
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
Warhammer said:
Or you can throw a 1-2 punch on them and bring your situation to the service manager. If you've given them 5 years of service and you're been satisified to this point, it might not be worth completely writing them off. Get the service manager to give you a serious discount for your next job if that makes you happy.

It sucks that one technician can ruin your otherwise good experience.
Click to expand...
Warhammer.....it was the Service Manager that confirmed the technician's report. I brought it to his attention and he stated that it is Nissan's recommendation. The comment about "we don't dream things up" was from the Service Manager. Not what I expected from him. I really didn't care what the technician told me.....which is why I figured I'd inform the Service Manager and get his take on it. To my dismay, he backed up the Technician and went on to lie to me. Even the Service & Maintenance Guide provided by Nissan (when you purchase/lease the vehicle) does NOT mention replacement (only inspection) until it reaches 48000 Km. Anyways, I'm not too hung up on it anymore. Just upset that the Service Manager thought he could BS me.

-DMan
 
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