Auto Transmission Oil

[Modena]

My car has done "50,000" kms and I want to change transmission oil, its auto. I am not sure what type to buy... can I use Shell Spirax CX 80w-90?

[satanic]

Castrol Dexron III

[Modena]

Castrol Dexron III

How much do i need?

[Wink]

I used Castrol Transmax Z on my R33 auto.

Works fine, with gear changes as good as they ever have been.

[satanic]

I drained my gearbox on the R34 the other day... dunno how much came out as it was still dripping for ages (we lost patience)

We did however put back about 5L and the dipstick did read FULL!

[SECURITY]

i used dextron III.

be careful when filling it up. i used around 3-3.5L when filling mine back up.

when reading the dipstick it has a COLD and a HOT section, after putting in around 3L, turn the car on then check it. make sure you're checking it when its cold when looking at the COLD section and hot in the HOT section.

it doesnt take long for it to heat up when idling.

[Modena]

Is this something a regular mechanic can change? I have a friend who specialises in BMWs, can he change my transmission oil? I presume...

Also where is the deepstick for it?

[satanic]

Car up in the air; un-do drain plug.... go away for 3-4hours

Come back; do the plug up again.... drop the car; fill er up through the dipstick thing.

[Modena]

Car up in the air; un-do drain plug.... go away for 3-4hours

Come back; do the plug up again.... drop the car; fill er up through the dipstick thing.

Sounds good dude!

[Busky2k]

Just by draining the pan you've only drained out less than *half* of the total capacity because the rest of the dirty oil is in the torque convertor/galleries. You need to do several succesive changes to do a complete flush, and this is the same with 95% of auto trannies out there. I'd just do 3 changes over 3 weekends to make life easiest.

[Modena]

Just by draining the pan you've only drained out less than *half* of the total capacity because the rest of the dirty oil is in the torque convertor/galleries. You need to do several succesive changes to do a complete flush, and this is the same with 95% of auto trannies out there. I'd just do 3 changes over 3 weekends to make life easiest.

Ha? Can you clarify bit more?

BTW I bought Castrol Transmax Z... bloody rip off but I want the best oils.

[satanic]

My bad on the draining... that explains the amount of oil that was still in the box when we took it off.

[Modena]

BTW will 4 litres be enough?

[RB30-POWER]

Check your manuals, because most of the electronic JATCO trannies requires Nissan Matic D (high quality synthetic tranny fluid), if you go putting standard mineral Dex 3 etc in your going to do damage for sure. They are very hard on their tranny fluid and its why, even most oil manufacturers say go to Nissan for these vehicles.

Also pull the line off the cooler and allow it to pump all the fluid out of the torque convertor if you want to change all the fluid, not just whats in the pan. Close to 4L without torque convertor or around 9 if you do the full flush from memory.

Check your manuals for all the specifics.

[SECURITY]

i just dont think its a good idea to have your car running while its pumping out 9L of oil.

[Busky2k]

Ha? Can you clarify bit more?

BTW I bought Castrol Transmax Z... bloody rip off but I want the best oils.

Theres nothing to clarify really. You need to drain and refil it 3 times, with at least 5 km worth of driving in between changes to make sure the new fluid mixes with the old. You'll notice say for example, 3L comes out of the pan but the manual says the tranny holds 8L. Its same with almost all trannies out there, old or new. So.. that 4L you bought is definitely not enough unfortunately. You need another 2 bottles to do it correctly.

Btw Matic D is very close to Dexron III (Transmax Z is rated Dexron III). I have had no problems using Dexron III products in Nissans and some factory manuals also suggest Dexron III if Matic D is not available. Also my ignorance suggests that Matic D is not synthetic (as if Nissan would go synthetic for anything from factory!) Also pulling the tranny lines won't do the convertor. It'll only drain whats in the pan, even less so because there will be some left underneath the oil pickup.

Cheers.

[RB30-POWER]

Castrol Transmax Z will be ok as its fully synthetic.

Castrol say you can use it but specifically cover there ass by put a note alongside the recommendation saying

"Manufacturer recommends "Nissan Matic D" fluid, available from Nissan Dealer"

Im rather sure matic d is fully synthetic, just look at the price and not many manufactuers of oils, castrol, valvoline etc recommend an alternative they always quote Matic D from Nissan to be used.

Anyway, your cars, just trying to give some heads up

[RB30-POWER]

You can start the vehicle and disconnect the cooler lines and run the engine to pump the old fluid out of the convertor just add new fluid as the old crap is pumping out.

If in doubt leave it to the pros or just do 3 changes like said above, but 3 changes with synthetic fluid is not cheap.

EDIT:

If anyone wants to have a quick read of a guide on tranny fluid change this isn't to bad or hard to understand

http://www.amsoil.com/lit/EASY%20STEPS%20I...TF%20FLUID2.pdf

Edited August 9, 2006 by RB30-POWER

[Modena]

I might just either get my mechanic to do it or give to Fluidrive people... I cant afford to buy 3 x $67 of tranny oil...!! Im sure they know how to get all that oil out, excuse the ingorance.

[Lezzare]

Just by draining the pan you've only drained out less than *half* of the total capacity because the rest of the dirty oil is in the torque convertor/galleries. You need to do several succesive changes to do a complete flush, and this is the same with 95% of auto trannies out there. I'd just do 3 changes over 3 weekends to make life easiest.

Yea. Just had a 100% ATF Flush on my X-Trail. My mech used Dexron III. My mechanic uses some machine to flush it thoroughly. He was telling me that you lose like only 40% of the dirty fluid by doing it manually. I can't remember clearly what my mech told me, but a full flush would require 8-10 litres replacement of ATF.

I would do this for my skyline as well.