Manual Transmission Fluid Replacement

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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

Note: This procedure is only for the 6spd manual transmission.

1 Supplies
2 Notes
3 Finished
4 Factory Service Manual

Supplies

Fluid (~$30)
- 2 QTs Redline GL4 MTL
- 2 QTs Redline GL4 MT-90
Fluid Suction Gun (~10$)
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

Notes

Warning!!

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

Finished

Overall 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.