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Auto-trans fluid change..

11219 Views 15 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  20009
Hello guys,

I'm not on the site too often but was wondering about changing the ATF fluid in a Nissan Frontier SE 4x4 with a auto. I bought the truck used its a 2007 with 33,000 miles on it and it now has 41,000 thousand. I'm not sure the fluid has ever been changed so I'm sure it's most likely due.

It looks like the fill resevior is under the hood and Nissan fluid is needed to be used per the owners manual. How easy is this to do? I'm thinking I'll buy the fluid from Nissan, drain the old and refill. Anything else I should know? Do you recommend a different ATF like Royal purple, Amisol ect...? The owners manual recommends taking in the truck to the dealer.

Thanks for the help
Mouse
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if you plan on doing it yourself, you maybe want to check the DIY section of this forum, which has a thread that answers most al questions you could have about changing the transmission fluid.
Sure your not looking at brake fluid reservoir???
There isn't a resevoir (sp?). The trans is filled through the dipstick tube. The truck uses NissanMatic J fluid and Nissan is VERY specific about this. Check and make sure you fluid level is full and then you can remove the drain plug on the trans pan and after measuring the amount of fluid removed, put back the same amount of new fluid. I believe a drain and fill is approx. 5 quarts.
On one of my trucks I did it at the same time as three oil changes in a row and that way I changed most, if not all the fluid over 9000 miles.

Clint
Buy the fluid that meets the specs in your owner's manual. Drain and measure the ATF so you can add the same amount to the transmission. Use the drain plug in the transmission pan to drain it. If you are not good with this type of thing, I recommend letting an experienced person do it for you or show you how to.
I tried looking online for a quart size measured container and haven't had luck. I even looked at scientic supply websites. Using a measuring cup is a pain.

Clint
gallon milk container or empty quart oil container
This is the Nissan Technical Service Bulletin for the transmission. They are very specific about using the Genuine Nissan Fluid.

NTB08049

* If Warranty repairs are being done on a transmission listed in the chart on page 2, the listed fluid must be used. A claim to Nissan for warranty, service contract, or goodwill repairs to the transmissions listed below may be denied if Genuine Nissan ATF/CVT/eCVT Fluid is not used as specified by the part number in this bulletin. If Customer Pay service or repair of the transmissions listed below is done, the fluid type listed in the chart on page 2 must be used. Nissan recommends the Genuine Nissan ATF/CVT/eCVT fluid part number listed in Parts Information be used. See this bulletin for further detail.
gallon milk container or empty quart oil container
What I am referring to has graduations per ounce.
You're correct with the suggestion but a container with finer markings would be better.

Clint
I tried looking online for a quart size measured container and haven't had luck. I even looked at scientic supply websites. Using a measuring cup is a pain.

Clint
I bought some cheapo plastic jars from a dollar store. They have markings for ounces and quarts. Works perfectly.
4 cups = 1 quart
Fill the container w/ 4 cups of water. Make a mark at each quart interval. Empty water. :)
Just a quick question about this trannie oil changout. Is there not a filter in the pan that needs to be replaced at the same time. Had this done a on my other "truck" ... and they had to drop the pan, filter and replace.
Nice to see a plug in the bottom of the pan.

d-mo
Just a quick question about this trannie oil changout. Is there not a filter in the pan that needs to be replaced at the same time. Had this done a on my other "truck" ... and they had to drop the pan, filter and replace.
Nice to see a plug in the bottom of the pan.

d-mo
No, there isn't a filter as there was in past transmissions. There is a screen that gets left alone. Just remove the plug and drain.

Clint
4 cups = 1 quart
Fill the container w/ 4 cups of water. Make a mark at each quart interval. Empty water. :)
I understand, but a graduated container is faster and more accurate. You would just pour into it read the ounces and pour that off into a recycling container. It's when you get to the end and the smaller amount doesn't come up to your markings you then are guessing what's there.
They used to sell a tool to suck up liquid and told you by the ounce up to two gallons exactly what you had in the container.
My point is you would even know how low you were if you knew howe much was supposed to be in the bucket.

Clint
Thanks Guys for the advice,

A drain and refill is most likely all I will do at the point. I didn't notice the DYI Section until someone mentioned it. Like I said I'm not really on this site too much. I think I will definately use the nissan ATF fluid I know it's expensive but I would rather go with what they recommend. I'm glad it was mentioned to measure what you take out, I don't think I would have done that initially.

While I'm doing this I may change out the oil in the diffs as well. I want to flat tow an old jeep this summer for a few trips to wheel. The truck weighs around 4200 pounds and want the truck running as well as it can, I know its gonna be pushing it to tow that much, so we will see how things work out.

Thanks again, Mouse

I mean the jeep weighs around 4200 pounds...
I think it's reccomended to change it every 60 thou or so. Wouldn't be a bad idea to yank the pan and change the filter while your at it. It's pretty easy.
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