Auto Gearbox oil change - when & what is the best.

[K370Z2]

My 2010 370Zed Auto has 38K on the clock, now out of warranty, due to my last dealership service being a complete disaster as they were looking for my previous 350Z & could not understand why there was a 370Z in the car park with my registration on it. I am going to start or over see my servicing from now on.

I believe the Gearbox Oil should of been changed at the last service, if not it can't be far away.

What is the Best oil to buy for the Auto box, always been of the opinion spend the money & use the best oils and filters at all times, i don't hammer the Zed & no track days planned.

 

So what is the best & recommended

[ZMANALEX]

You will require the proper Nissan Auto S Matic fluid for this auto transmission.

 

You will also require around 10 litres for a full fluid change if you include the torque converter.

 

I believe that Nissan state that this fluid is a fluid for life and does not require changing.

 

This fluid is expensive, however I have it in stock at the moment if required and good to go same/next day.

 

Just drop me a PM if I can help you further.

 

Alex.

Edited September 30, 2013 by ZMANALEX

[K370Z2]

Good man - Finish collecting my mods fit them & then full service - ill be in touch

[hibley77]

Hi I need cvt fluid for my nissan murano it specifically says nissan ns-2fluid only. But is difficult to find.

[Adrian@TORQEN]

No need to change the fluid on the automatic gearbox, it's for life. Extremely expensive, comes in 20 litres from Nissan only it's about £200-£300. Don't waste your money and time, it's extremely difficult to replace as well, I did it on mine when I've installed the gearbox oil cooler.

[Engin]

I know this is about 12 years after the last post, but I’m curious, does the “UK is for life, US is not” rule also apply to Japanese-imported cars? I’ve done a bit of reading (mainly forum posts lol) and saw that a veteran user ( @ZMANALEX ) says gearbox oil for UK cars is lifetime, whereas US ones don’t. Can anyone share how things stand for Japanese imports to the UK?

[ZMANALEX]

3 hours ago, Engin said:

. Can anyone share how things stand for Japanese imports to the UK?

UK 350Z cars do not have an Auto tranny.

JDM 350Z auto cars come with fluid for life.

[Keith D]

I changed my auto oil last year on 33k miles and I'll do it again at 60k and 90k whenever I get there.  I also dropped the pan, fitted a new filter, and cleaned the magnets.

 

It's an easy job, takes about an hour or so.

 

Personally I've never held with the idea autos are filled for life, I've drained too many high milers down the years and seen the black sludge. JMO.

 

A box of 10 litres of Motul S ATF cost me £142.89, the filter and sump gasket was £22.64. 

 

It took about 7 litres, I didn't flush it and not all of the oil drains out.

 

You'll need a small hand pump like this SMOTIVEPRO 1 Liter Multi-Purpose Oil Pump, Hand Fluid Transfer Pump for Engine Oil, Transmission, Brake Fluid, and Gearbox Oil, Precision Fluid Dispensing in Tight Spaces : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

Edited Monday at 18:58 by Keith D

[Engin]

On 08/12/2025 at 18:49, Keith D said:

I changed my auto oil last year on 33k miles and I'll do it again at 60k and 90k whenever I get there.  I also dropped the pan, fitted a new filter, and cleaned the magnets.

 

It's an easy job, takes about an hour or so.

 

Personally I've never held with the idea autos are filled for life, I've drained too many high milers down the years and seen the black sludge. JMO.

 

A box of 10 litres of Motul S ATF cost me £142.89, the filter and sump gasket was £22.64. 

 

It took about 7 litres, I didn't flush it and not all of the oil drains out.

 

You'll need a small hand pump like this SMOTIVEPRO 1 Liter Multi-Purpose Oil Pump, Hand Fluid Transfer Pump for Engine Oil, Transmission, Brake Fluid, and Gearbox Oil, Precision Fluid Dispensing in Tight Spaces : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

 

So fluid for life is not actually fluid for life? I am really lost. I just want to keep my car in the best condition and can't decide if I need to change or not. I don't feel anything wrong with the car, but wouldn't mind paying a couple hundred if it is going to save me from a couple thousand in the future

[Keith D]

Fluid for life is a marketing thing.  Oil degrades slowly over time from heat, contamination, and additive breakdown... that's just fact.  There is no oil that Nissan could put in at the factory that wouldn't degrade.  With fresh oil you'll have optimum wear protection, heat management and crisper shifting.  Ultimately the box will last longer.

 

Do you need to panic to change it now?  No, do it at the next service or when time/money allows.

 

Could you run an auto box without ever changing the oil?  Yes, probably.

 

A lot will come down to what is your intention for the car?  Are you intending to keep it?  Or just run it for a bit and sell it?

 

Edited 12 hours ago by Keith D

[Engin]

I want to keep this car until the day I die, it’s basically my life mission now.

 

I’ve started making a list of everything I need to take care of. I’ll be buying all the parts over the next few months and fitting/replacing them at a friend’s garage. I’m planning to change the gearbox oil as well.

 

One question though, you mentioned that you used Motul S ATF, but I couldn’t find that product. There’s a Motul Multi ATF available, do you think that would work or should I do more research?

[Keith D]

Motul multi ATF is fine, it meets Nissan S spec

 

Demon tweaks have it on offer  Buy Motul Multi ATF Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid / Power Steering Fluid | Demon Tweeks

Edited 7 hours ago by Keith D