Transfer case fluid

[01pathfinder7]

Curious to see what fluid most people found I their transfer case.

Doing my drive fluids next week and wondering if I'll see ATF Or Gl4 gear oil like the transmission. Seems to make sense it would be gl4 to minimize small leak issues between the two. But I have a feeling ATF Will be there.

I've had bad experience trying to swap the two fluids before in a Toyota transmission that "either or" were OK. So I figure what comes out should go back in. It's a 2001.0 Pathfinder SE.



Also does anyone know diff fill amounts? (liters)

[atraudes]

Per this thread,

Use Nissan Matic D or equivalent Dexron III/Mercon, or GL-4 gear oil. ATF is used in the factory. Do not mix ATF and gear oil in the transfer case.

and

Front differential: 2.17 quarts
Use GL-5 fluid, preferably 80W-90. 75W-90 is usable as well; scroll down for more details under the "Transmission and driveline" Q&A section.

Rear differential: 2.96 quarts
Use GL-5 fluid, preferably 80W-90. 75W-90 is usable as well; scroll down for more details under the "Transmission and driveline" Q&A section.

I used the same ATF fluid that went in my transmission. For the diffs, buy an extra quart and return it if it doesn't get used; it's better than getting stranded. You basically fill until the level reaches the bottom of the fill hole.

Pro side tip: use a proper square head socket like this one to undo the drain and fill plugs. Your 3/8" socket may fit and may work, but it's not quite the same size and you run a higher risk of stripping it.

Good luck!

[barnaclebob]

I used valvoline maxlife ATF.

My T case plugs were the hardest to get free. Use a hammer to make sure the socket is all the way in. I finally got it in a "the plugs coming out or I'm stripping it" operation using a breaker bar and heaving my body weight against it with a stiff arm.

[atraudes]

lol Yeah mine were comically tight as well. I think the plugs had some sort of sealant on them. I tried using a large 1/4" wrench and adapting down to the 3/8", but all of the cheap adapters I had sheared off. Once I got that square head socket and a legit adapter the 1/4" socket wrench made quick work of it.

[01pathfinder7]

I have some heavy dutybreaker bars and the socket as well hoping its not too bad.

Did you use lock tight thread sealer or tread tape to reinstall?

And I can imagine using the bottle to fill from under neath and up high might not work well/fit. Any tips or is it a non issue

[atraudes]

Just remember to open the fill plug first

I didn't use anything to seal it back up, though some pipe tape couldn't hurt. I cinched it up nice and tight and haven't noticed any leaks.

As for getting the fluid in, I bought this fluid transfer pump and it has been crazy useful with other projects too, like draining and filling the power steering reservoir. It's a lot easier to disassemble and clean, pump, and get into tight spaces than the other types I've tried (the cheapest too, go figure!).

[yeldogt]

The differentials use gear oil. The rear could be LSD ... using synthetic Mobil 1 will be fine for both as it has the properties for LSD

The transmission and the electronic transfer case use D-matic fluid.. Use the correct fluid -- a simple refresh only needs 6 quarts

[01pathfinder7]

It's manual so the transmission is gl4.


Any one ever use royal purple in their transmission I says yellow metal safe on the bottle