[ineedamedic]

77K miles. from what I have seen on youtube and read online, the fill plug is not supposed to drain, and when you refill you should stop when it start to drain. But definitely not QX56 because it drained from the fill plug. I plan to add half quart to make it 6(I was out and got another 2 qt today). I didn't use the adapter and used a 1/4 OD tube which fits the fill plug, but I plan to order either the adapter(Amazon.com: Yuenpau Tools Transmission Fluid ATF Filler Adapter Compatible with Infiniti 7-Speed Replacement Compatible with CTA Tools 7425: Automotive) or this one(https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Z9RZ8NP/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1THAZDOWP300U&psc=1) next time. I will try to take some pic or video next time.

I jacked the rear to make the car level in my garage, I also changed the transfer case, front and rear differential fluid, thanks to your post! My wife drives the car, she said yesterday it didn't move very smoothly in first gear but I test drove it twice without any issues, I didn't check the temp, hopefully it is OK.

 

[crazy4trains]

If just doing a drain, measure and refill then just put the side of the vehicle that the fill plug is on up in the air with the other side on the floor. That should allow you to get the same amount of fluid in.

 

[ineedamedic]

good idea, I was thinking the same, it is different than other fluid change since it is not depending on level of the vehicle. going to add another 0.5 qt when the adapter arrives.

Change antifreeze today, old fluid does not look bad at all, high quality coolant, I opened the valve on driver side with a Philip screw driver, it drains slowly, then I opened the tank cover, highly recommend this: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I40ZQWE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1, green adapter fits, makes burp easy. I was going to do a flush, bought case load of distilled water but since the old fluid is not dirty at all, I decided to just replace them. I used Peak 50/50 long life antifreeze with good review on Amazon(good deal with 50% off from Ace Hardware last week). Run the car at highest temp with biggest fan speed for about 8 min, gauge needle pointed to just below half, used about a little over one gallon. Took it for a drive and temp is steady.

I added another 0.5 qt of Matic S, driving is no different, turns out I set it to 4H because it was snowing and didn't change it back to Auto, that is why my wife felt it was not smooth at low gear. I test drove on ice and snow, 4L with turning wheel all the way to left or right makes some grinding sound, is this normal?
Now it is back to Auto mode and drives well. IMO, transfer case, front and rear differential fluid don't need to be changed, but transmission fluid was dirty, with capacity of 10.5 qt, it makes sense we replace about 60% of them, the fill valve is pressured, that is why it drained 3 qt when opened, to refill it, I used a hose with 1/4 in OD with very little leaking, then I bought a M8 x 1 with barb fitting with no leaking at all, but when you remove it, prepare for some fluid gushing out, I put the fill hole screw(use 5 mm Hex) back as fast as I can with only a little spill. Sorry I didn't make a video, it was an easy enough job, refill with how much was drained, I don't think you need to check the temp.
Nissan dealership charges $19 for one quart of Matic S, Infiniti charged 10.99, I used about 6 on my QX56, 4.5 on my 370Z with same transmission fluid and valve, both are 7 speed auto transmission. Infiniti quotes $289.99 for transmission fluid change so I saved about $210.

 

[Dannik80]

I just decided to make a thread to follow up major maintenance on this QX56.

2010 Nissan Maxima SE, Houston, TX - Page 36 - Nissan Armada Forum: Armada & Infiniti QX56 Forums

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

1/30/2016: 79,900 Bought my 2012 QX56 at Superior Auto Sales in Hamburg, NY. Drove it 1,500 miles home to Houston.
2/4/2016: 81,500 Oil change with Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W30. So, full synthetic.
2/5/2016: 81,600 Changed all 8 spark plugs. Drain and fill power steering fluid.
2/12/2016: 81,700 Did coolant flush.
2/18/2016: 82,300. Bought life time balance and rotation on current tires. Bought lifetime alignment. Bleed brakes. Got my TX license plates.
2/22/2016: 82,444. Front and Rear differential fluid done. Brake fully flushed. Installed rear bumper protector.
3/3/2016: 83,300. Transfer case drain and fill done.
3/7/2016: 83,400. Transmission fluid drain and fill done.
4/3/2016: 85,000. Installed OEM front brake pads, OEM rear brake pads, new front and rear rotors, and changed my ac belt. Car feels great and stopping power is immediate.
4/22/2016: 85,400 Oil change with Castrol 5W30 Extended Performance with Titanium.
8/27/2016: 96,000 Replaced timing chain under recall. Changed front lower control arms, front shocks. Did oil change and alignment. Replaced driver side dvd headrest.
9/14/2016: 97,000 Replaced Air and cabin filters
11/11/2016: 98,000 Replaced Transmission Control Module. Did transmission fluid change
11/14/2016: 98,100 Did oil change
12/17/2016: 100,000 ODOMETER turned to 100,000 miles
1/30/2017: 101,000 Car turned ONE year old in my ownership. So put 21,200 miles in first year.
2/26/2017: 102,550 Did oil change. (CHECKENG! first occurrence)
4/3/2017: 104,630 Installed offroad tires. 305/45/22 Atturo Blade XT.
4/17/2017: 104,870 Discount tire balanced and rotated tires. Firestone did alignment.
5/12/2017: 107,850 Changed bank 1 catalytic converter, gaskets, oxygen sensor and bolts and nuts. Oil change done. Cabin filter and air filter changed.
8/3/2017: 117,600 Oil change. Mobil 1 EP with Mobil 1 EP filter
8/8/2017: 117,800 Installed new fog lamps housing and new led fog lamp bulbs
9/16/2017: 119,150. Changed bank 2 catalytic converter, gaskets, oxygen sensor, bolts and nuts. Changed all 8 spark plugs with new oem spark plugs. Changed 2 ignition coils on the 1st 2 spark plugs. Cabin filter and air filter changed.
1/30/2018: 121,300. 2nd birthday of my 2012 QX56. I put a total of 20,300 miles this past year.
2/15/2018: 121,500. Oil change. Used Valvoline High Mileage Synthetic fluid with Mobil 1 Extended Performance filter. Balance and rotate tires. 4 wheel alignment done.
4/20/2018: 126,000. Oil change. First time using 0W40. Used German Castrol Full synthetic 0W40, which oil spec for european high end sports cars. My QX loves it so far.
8/2/2018: 131,000. Oil change. Castrol 0W40 with mobil 1 extended performance filter. Changed air filter and cabin filter. I used my last 0W40 for exactly 5,060 miles.
8/29/2018: 131,200. Dealership replaced wheel hub, bearings and ABS/Speed sensor on both passenger front and rear wheels. Balanced and rotated tires. Alignment done.
12/20/2018: 132,750. Oil change. First time using 0W20 and also using a larger filter than oem. Valvoline high mileage with KN filter. Changed 2 PCV valves.
1/23/2019: 135,100. Dealership replaced driver side rear wheel hub, bearings and ABS/speed sensor under warranty.
1/30/2019: 135,175: 3 years of ownership. Did 13,875 miles this year.
1/30/2019: 135,200: Replaced spark plugs, front and rear brake pads. Last set of brand new brake pads lasted about 50,000 miles. Replaced driver side caliper assembly. Driver front outer tie rod end replaced. Replaced all 24 lug nuts on all wheels. Rear differential leaking. Removed the whole rear differential. Cleaned it, put it back together with new sealant and put new rear differential fluid.
2/28/2019: 135,450: Installed 4 brand new mud tires; 285/55/22 Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003, made in Japan! Larger size tires than stock, giving me 1' lift. Tire rubs, but had to modify fender a bit to avoid rub.
3/28/2019: 135,500: Oil change. This time using all 7 quarts of Penzoil 10W30 and still using a larger than oem filter K&N HP 4001.
7/1/2020: 160,000: Oil change with 5 quarts of 0W20, 1 quart of 5W20, 1 quart of 5W30 with a larger than oem filter K&N HP 4001.

CURRENT ODOMETER: 168,100 Will be updating as often as I can remember.
My 2012 QX56 has extended warranty until 145,500 miles on odometer and my warranty has already paid over $18,000 in warranty repairs.

Hello! Thank you so much for the detailed repair list of you 2012 QX56. I am currently considering buying a 2012 QX56 and your post has me a little worried. I love the truck, but the possible repair costs have me thinking twice. Can you tell me

I just decided to make a thread to follow up major maintenance on this QX56.

2010 Nissan Maxima SE, Houston, TX - Page 36 - Nissan Armada Forum: Armada & Infiniti QX56 Forums

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

1/30/2016: 79,900 Bought my 2012 QX56 at Superior Auto Sales in Hamburg, NY. Drove it 1,500 miles home to Houston.
2/4/2016: 81,500 Oil change with Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W30. So, full synthetic.
2/5/2016: 81,600 Changed all 8 spark plugs. Drain and fill power steering fluid.
2/12/2016: 81,700 Did coolant flush.
2/18/2016: 82,300. Bought life time balance and rotation on current tires. Bought lifetime alignment. Bleed brakes. Got my TX license plates.
2/22/2016: 82,444. Front and Rear differential fluid done. Brake fully flushed. Installed rear bumper protector.
3/3/2016: 83,300. Transfer case drain and fill done.
3/7/2016: 83,400. Transmission fluid drain and fill done.
4/3/2016: 85,000. Installed OEM front brake pads, OEM rear brake pads, new front and rear rotors, and changed my ac belt. Car feels great and stopping power is immediate.
4/22/2016: 85,400 Oil change with Castrol 5W30 Extended Performance with Titanium.
8/27/2016: 96,000 Replaced timing chain under recall. Changed front lower control arms, front shocks. Did oil change and alignment. Replaced driver side dvd headrest.
9/14/2016: 97,000 Replaced Air and cabin filters
11/11/2016: 98,000 Replaced Transmission Control Module. Did transmission fluid change
11/14/2016: 98,100 Did oil change
12/17/2016: 100,000 ODOMETER turned to 100,000 miles
1/30/2017: 101,000 Car turned ONE year old in my ownership. So put 21,200 miles in first year.
2/26/2017: 102,550 Did oil change. (CHECKENG! first occurrence)
4/3/2017: 104,630 Installed offroad tires. 305/45/22 Atturo Blade XT.
4/17/2017: 104,870 Discount tire balanced and rotated tires. Firestone did alignment.
5/12/2017: 107,850 Changed bank 1 catalytic converter, gaskets, oxygen sensor and bolts and nuts. Oil change done. Cabin filter and air filter changed.
8/3/2017: 117,600 Oil change. Mobil 1 EP with Mobil 1 EP filter
8/8/2017: 117,800 Installed new fog lamps housing and new led fog lamp bulbs
9/16/2017: 119,150. Changed bank 2 catalytic converter, gaskets, oxygen sensor, bolts and nuts. Changed all 8 spark plugs with new oem spark plugs. Changed 2 ignition coils on the 1st 2 spark plugs. Cabin filter and air filter changed.
1/30/2018: 121,300. 2nd birthday of my 2012 QX56. I put a total of 20,300 miles this past year.
2/15/2018: 121,500. Oil change. Used Valvoline High Mileage Synthetic fluid with Mobil 1 Extended Performance filter. Balance and rotate tires. 4 wheel alignment done.
4/20/2018: 126,000. Oil change. First time using 0W40. Used German Castrol Full synthetic 0W40, which oil spec for european high end sports cars. My QX loves it so far.
8/2/2018: 131,000. Oil change. Castrol 0W40 with mobil 1 extended performance filter. Changed air filter and cabin filter. I used my last 0W40 for exactly 5,060 miles.
8/29/2018: 131,200. Dealership replaced wheel hub, bearings and ABS/Speed sensor on both passenger front and rear wheels. Balanced and rotated tires. Alignment done.
12/20/2018: 132,750. Oil change. First time using 0W20 and also using a larger filter than oem. Valvoline high mileage with KN filter. Changed 2 PCV valves.
1/23/2019: 135,100. Dealership replaced driver side rear wheel hub, bearings and ABS/speed sensor under warranty.
1/30/2019: 135,175: 3 years of ownership. Did 13,875 miles this year.
1/30/2019: 135,200: Replaced spark plugs, front and rear brake pads. Last set of brand new brake pads lasted about 50,000 miles. Replaced driver side caliper assembly. Driver front outer tie rod end replaced. Replaced all 24 lug nuts on all wheels. Rear differential leaking. Removed the whole rear differential. Cleaned it, put it back together with new sealant and put new rear differential fluid.
2/28/2019: 135,450: Installed 4 brand new mud tires; 285/55/22 Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003, made in Japan! Larger size tires than stock, giving me 1' lift. Tire rubs, but had to modify fender a bit to avoid rub.
3/28/2019: 135,500: Oil change. This time using all 7 quarts of Penzoil 10W30 and still using a larger than oem filter K&N HP 4001.
7/1/2020: 160,000: Oil change with 5 quarts of 0W20, 1 quart of 5W20, 1 quart of 5W30 with a larger than oem filter K&N HP 4001.

CURRENT ODOMETER: 168,100 Will be updating as often as I can remember.
My 2012 QX56 has extended warranty until 145,500 miles on odometer and my warranty has already paid over $18,000 in warranty repairs.

Hello! Thank you so much for your detailed post. I'm currently considering buying a 2012 QX56 with 67,632 miles and I have to be honest, after viewing your post and a few others, I'm getting really concerned about possible repair costs. Can you tell me who you warranty company is? Just in case I decide to move forward with the purchase. It's sounds like I'll definitely need a warranty

 

[zba2a]

Hey @PetitFrereArmada how do you like that Valentine radar detector? I'm thinking about picking one up.