How-To Change Automatic Transmission Fluid 2005+ Gen 2

[shinermiller]

How-To change the Automatic Transmission Fluid 2005+ Gen 2, Drain + Fill.

Don’t get bewildered here! After I had done this… I realized just how easy it was. It’s basically the same as changing the oil.

Materials: 6+ quarts of J-Matic Transmission Fluid (or other recommended fluid), Various sets of funnels (the dipstick filler hole is tiny!), a drain bucket, Sharpie Magic Marker, water pitcher with 1quart markings on it, 10mm socket, 19mm socket, Shop towels, a temp gun if you have it.


First off, you’re going to need to locate some Fluid. I used Amsoil Synthetic Universal Automatic Transmission Fluid. I had purchased 12 quarts in hopes to do a full flush. But I changed my mind and just opted for a simple drain and fill. So that left over some extra fluid… Lots! Which means I’ll have a stock pile for the next Drain+Fill. Nissan requires J-Matic, well I said screw that stuff. For the $2 CHEAPER a quart I could get the Amsoil, as per quote by my local Stealership. So I went for Amsoil. Total Transmission fluid capacity Via Frontier SM (pg. AT-332) @ 10 & 7/8ths quarts. This is why I bought 12!


Step 1. Get the truck warmed up fully. SM says 176*F for the transmission. I got mine up to about 115*F @ the transmission pan, I really couldn’t get it any hotter…

Step 2. With it Idling in park, check that fluid! I always do this to make sure where it’s at as for a reference for after it’s already full to know where it should be on the dipstick. after checking the level and making note, you can shut the truck down.

Step 3. Now go ahead and get setup to drain out the fluid. I grabbed up a 5gal. bucket from Lowe’s for like $5 and put 1 quart increment marks on it for reference as to how much fluid had drained out. It’s pretty important to know this so you don’t over/under fill the transmission. To set these increments on the bucket just grab a Sharpie and a water pitcher, mine had a 2 quart capacity and various other markings on it. Just go a quart at a time making your marks as you fill it up. Be sure not to screw up LOL. I marked mine all the way up to 10 quarts since I didn’t know how much was going to drain out. After you’re all setup go ahead and use a 19mm. socket to get the drain bolt loose. Mine was torqued to all hell, I had to use a cheater bar on it!


Step 4. Get a beer and watch it trickle out. I let mine drip drain for about 20mins to expel all those old demons LOL.



Hard to see on the bucket, but I was able to drain out 4.5 quarts

Step 5. Re-install the drain bolt on the transmission pan and torque it down.


Step 6. Time to fill’er up. I had a ghetto funnel setup due to the fact I didn’t have a funnel small enough to fit in the dipstick tube. It’s also imperative that everything is clean so as not to contaminate the fluid w/ debris. Be SURE to replace the SAME amount of fluid you drained out. I drained out just shy of 4.5 quarts. So I filled it back up with 4.5 quarts.

Step 7. Replace the dip stick (without bolting it down, you’ll need to yank it out a few times).

Step 8. Now you can start it up and let it idle to warm up that new fluid! I let mine idle for about 15mins before even bothering to check it.

Step 9. After it’s warm (checking the transmission pan w/ my laser thingy and making sure it was similar temp to what it was before I drained it) and up to temp go ahead and check the fluid level using the dipstick while letting it Idle in park. I only had to put in just a little to get it back to where it was on my reference mark before draining.
First reading off trans pan before draining:


Second Reading after draining, refilling, and letting it warm back up:


Step 10. After the fluid is up to par on the dipstick, clean up and tighten down the dipstick w/ the 10mm and take it out for a spin (have someone else drive if you followed step 4!! Haha).

Step 11. After the cruise (medium driving for my truck) I rechecked the fluid level just to be sure it was where it needed to be. That’s it! Now you just have to pick up everything!

After I had finished filling it up and checking everything (before the cruise), I cycled it from Drive to reverse. I noticed that it shifts into gears a heck of a lot faster than it did prior. As I was backing out of the driveway too, I noticed it took less gas/pedal to move the truck than before. I could only imagine what a full flush would do.

Acceleration From 0-90mph: It took off a bit quicker and the power came on faster. 0-90 was a charge there realllly quick. The truck felt, litterally, brand new again.

Random temperatures of various parts after letting it warm up Via Idling, and after the Cruise.
Radiator @ Filler Neck: 155*F, 166*F
@ Upper Radiator Hose (center) 168*F, 170*F
Transmission Cooler 120*F, 140*F
AirAid Intake Filter 90*F, 86*F
Center of Intake Tube 95*F, 93*F
Throttle Body 99*F, 91*F
Upper Intake Manifold 112*F, 108*F
Upper Intake Manifold Runner 117*F, 115*F
WRP Intake Manifold Spacer 125*F, 150*F
OBX-R Headers 407*F, 569*F
Primary Catalytic Converter @ Flange 285*F, 514*F
Secondary Catalytic Converter 202*F, 466*F
Transmission Pan 121*F, 152*F

[stevet47]

Thats just a drain and refill. I think full fluid capacity is like 11quarts or something, isn't it? I did a full flush, but it was a while back.... I definitely wouldn't do that again. Nice to know a drain and refill is easy though.

[shinermiller]

Yes, the FULL FLUSH is 10 & 7/8ths quarts as I stated from the Frontier SM. People are rediculous around here, and on my budget a full flush just isnt economical. Plus, this extends how far I can push things, and I also have more for the next change!

Thank you though! I thought everyone might find the temps interesting too.

Hope yall enjoy. Consider sticky'ing that one

[bigriver]

nice writeup. this should be a sticky.

[shinermiller]

Thanks Big River! I think I took more time doing the write-up than I took working on the truck!!

Seriously, Its so easy... A Cave Man Can Do It

[bigriver]

Here's some additional handy info from Amsoil. Interesting that they point out that using a flushing machine may not be a good idea.

https://www.amsoil.com/faqs/ATF_and_...Procedures.pdf

Originally Posted by shinermiller;574574
[B

Acceleration From 0-90mph: [/B]It took off a bit quicker and the power came on faster. 0-90 was a charge there realllly quick. The truck felt, litterally, brand new again.

0-90, holy crap! lol.

[shinermiller]

Exactly what the Titan guys were saying. Two guys who had the full flush Via machine said their transmissions werent the same afterward. Which was half the reason I opted to just do a Drain+Fill. Most titan guys recommend dropping the trans pan, but I just didnt want to take the time to do it. Probably next time

Originally Posted by bigriver

Here's some additional handy info from Amsoil. Interesting that they point out that using a flushing machine may not be a good idea.

https://www.amsoil.com/faqs/ATF_and_...Procedures.pdf



0-90, holy crap! lol.

Oh yes. Its a daily ritual for my truck. Or for any vehicle I get into. First thing I HAVE to do is max it out. IDK Y? Last time I tried that on a motorcycle I had it doing a wheely up to about 65 before I realized I had to stop for a stop sign!! But, after I rack up a few miles on this fluid, I might try and change it again just to see the status of it. I'll keep yall updated. So far its great!

[Jonchos]

ShinerMiller Thank you for inspiring me and giving me the steps on how to do this. I have an 05 as well and is about time I do this.
I am sure there is plenty of people that will benefit from your write up. Sticky!

[shinermiller]

Thank you!!! Hey yall are my inspiration to do this! I wont lie, I got pulled over about 10 mins ago by a Local College Station PD. Lol! Come to find out I knew the guy. We chatted a bit and he said that he was going to let me walk Good thing!! I will say... If it hadnt of been for the new fluids, I wouldnt have been out doing what I was doing

Hey if you need any further help or get confused on something just PM me! Im always willing to help people when they ask

[2WD_NISMO]

Originally Posted by shinermiller

Step 9. shut the truck off and check the fluid level using the dipstick.

Supposed to be running in Park when checking...did I miss something?