Transmission fluid change?

[jtnanospy]

Hey mcheddadi, I would like to change my transmission fluid but would love a guide to go by before i just jump in and tear the car to pieces. Any chance you can do a write up on how to go about changing the fluid? Thanks man.

[08altima35]

hope this works for you. 350z, 3.5 altima coupe - should be very similar

This tutorial will demonstrate changing the Nissan 350Z's manual transmission fluid. The procedure is fairly easy and not any more difficult than an engine oil change. However, it is very messy and care should be taken to keep the mess confined to the spill bucket and off of you.

Nissan calls for 75W-85 oil. Many owners suggest using Redline fluid, but the do not offer the exact oil weight so this requires a mix if using Redline fluid (2 quarts each):

Redline MTL: 70W-80 Redline MT-90: 75W-90 NoteThis procedure is only for the 6spd manual transmission. Contents [hide]1 Supplies 2 Notes 3 Finished 4 Factory Service Manual

[edit] SuppliesFluid (~$30) 2 QTs Redline GL4 MTL 2 QTs Redline GL4 MT-90 Fluid Suction Gun (~10$) Oil drain ($~10) 2 new crush washers 10mm Hex Socket Socket wrench Torque wrench Gloves Jack & stands clean up supplies

Redline GL4 Transmission fluids Fluid Suction Gun Oil Drain 10mm Hex Socket

[edit] NotesWarning!!Do not use GL5 transmission fluid. It will damage the synchros in the Nissan transmission. You need GL4 fluid. Most fluid you buy at autoparts stores is GL5. I purchase mine here: http://www.myoilshop.com/

Jack up car and place on jackstands (make it level and ensure it is stable) Crawl under the car and verify everything looks ok. You will see 1 drain plug on the bottom of the transmission, and 1 fill plug on the passenger side. Both use a 10mm Hex Socket. Remove the fill plug before removing the drain plug. In the unlikely event that you cannot remove the fill plug, it is better to discover this before draining the fluid out. Slide the oil drain container directly under the drain plug and remove the drain plug. Wear protective clothing and gloves, as this stuff pours out very fast. Allow the contents to drain for a while (10+minutes) While waiting for the fluid to drain, prepare the new fluid for insertion. Get the fluid suction gun ready, and open all the fluid bottles. Check that the fluid is fully drained. Replace the drain plug with a new crush washer and torque it to 23 - 28 ft-lbs. Move the oil drain container out of the way. Use the suction gun to suck the fluid out of the bottles. The gun i used only held about 1/2 quart. So this job took me 8 passes to fill the transmission completely. Get under the car quick. The suction gun will start leaking fluid if you are not fast. Reach up and stick the suction gun hose into the fill hole. Pump the fluid in. (Repeat until all 4 quarts are used) Once you have finished there may be some overflow dripping out of the fill hole. Insert the fill plug with a new crush washer and torque it to 23 - 28 ft-lbs. Clean up any spills (I used acetone) Get the car off the stands and you are done!

Looking Up.. Drain Plug Right Side.. Fill Plug Oil drain in place

Removing drain plug Fluid gushing out Filling suction gun

[edit] FinishedOverall this was a very easy procedure. I highly suggest changing your transmission fluid. It made shifting so much easier. I never believed it when others claimed this, but now I definitely notice an improvement.

[GreyZone]

I just changed out my transmission fluid.

Mix Redline MTL and MT-90 in equal amounts, 50/50. THe 2008 6 sp MT transmission takes slightly less than 2 quarts (not four).

I am noticing a slight difference in shifting, nothing major as of yet. Jest did it yesterday, so not a lot of miles on it yet.

[mcheddadi]

I just changed out my transmission fluid.

Mix Redline MTL and MT-90 in equal amounts, 50/50. THe 2008 6 sp MT transmission takes slightly less than 2 quarts (not four).

I am noticing a slight difference in shifting, nothing major as of yet. Jest did it yesterday, so not a lot of miles on it yet.

you used 50/50?

I found out that 60/40 works better for my climate (cold winters with snow and hot summers with not a lot of humidity)

I want to do a tutorial but I guess I won't be able to snap lots of nice pictures with all the snow and stuff. I'll try my best, but I'm kind of busy at the moment with the family gatherings and with my GF. I'll try to make a nice tutorial as soon as I can but It may still be a while.

Hey mcheddadi, I would like to change my transmission fluid but would love a guide to go by before i just jump in and tear the car to pieces. Any chance you can do a write up on how to go about changing the fluid? Thanks man.

I'll give you all the info I have since I don't have the time to do the tutorial now.

First, check my post on this thread for more info:zerothread?id=296597

and second, here is the official way from the service manual:

and this is where the transaxle is located under the car: that's the best I can give you right now, oh yeah, I almost forgot, if you live in a warm weather, go with 50/50, but if you are in a colder weather, go with a 60/40 mixture of redline.

[RagingAardvark]

Stupid question: what size are the crush washers and where do you guys get them??

thanks!