Transmission oil for Nissan Almera N16: selection, replacement and common mistakes

Nissan Almera N16 is a popular sedan that is still found on the roads due to its reliability and ease of maintenance. However, even such a time-tested car has weak points, one of which is the gearbox. Many owners are faced with problems related to incorrect choice or untimely change of gearbox oil.

In this article we will look at what oil to pour into the box. Almera N16, how often to change it, what mistakes car owners make when replacing it, and why ignoring this issue can lead to expensive repairs. We will also describe in detail the process of changing the oil yourself, so that you can save on service and be confident in the quality of the work performed.

What kind of oil should I fill in the Nissan Almera N16 gearbox?

Selecting gear oil Nissan Almera N16 depends on the type of gearbox and operating conditions. Cars of this generation (2000–2006) were equipped with two types of transmissions:

• 🔧 Manual transmission (MT) - model RS5F31A or RS5F32A (depending on year of manufacture and market).
• 🔄 Automatic transmission (AT) - model RE4F03B (4-speed).

For manual transmission the manufacturer recommends using grade oil API GL-4 with viscosity 75W-80 or 75W-90. Original oil from Nissan — KE908-99931 (synthetic, 75W-80). However, analogues from other brands are also suitable, for example:

• 🛢️ Mobil Mobilube 1 SHC 75W-90 — synthetics, excellent anti-wear properties.
• 🛢️ Castrol Syntrans Transaxle 75W-90 - Suitable for harsh operating conditions.
• 🛢️ Liqui Moly Hochleistungs-Getriebeoil 75W-90 - German quality, corrosion protection.

For automatic transmission fluid required ATF Type D or Nissan Matic D. Original liquid - KE908-99932. Analogues:

• 🛢️ Idemitsu ATF Type D — a complete analogue of the original, often used in Japanese automatic transmissions.
• 🛢️ Ravenol ATF D-II - German fluid with improved friction properties.
• 🛢️ Aisin ATF AFW+ - Suitable for most automatic transmissions Nissan And Toyota.

⚠️ Attention: Do not use in automatic transmission under any circumstances. Almera N16 liquid class Dexron II/III or ATF+4 - this will lead to slipping of the clutches and premature wear of the box.

Oil volume in the Nissan Almera N16 gearbox

Transmission oil volume Almera N16 depends on the type of transmission:

Gearbox type	Oil volume (l)	Notes
Mechanical (manual transmission)	2.8–3.0	Depends on the year of manufacture. In boxes RS5F32A volume can reach 3.2 liters.
Automatic (automatic transmission)	7.0–7.5	A complete replacement requires 7.5 liters, a partial replacement requires 3.5–4.0 liters.

When partial replacement It takes about 3.5–4 liters of oil in the automatic transmission (draining through the plug). However for complete replacement (with washing or replacing the filter) up to 7.5 liters will be required. In a manual transmission, the oil is changed completely, so buy at least 3 liters.

It is important to consider that when changing the oil in mechanical box Some of the old fluid (about 100–200 ml) remains in the pan and on the gears. Therefore, after replacing, check the level after 100–200 km and top up if necessary.

When to change the oil in the Nissan Almera N16 gearbox?

Manufacturer Nissan states that the oil in manual transmission Almera N16 does not require replacement throughout the entire service life of the vehicle. However, this statement is only true for ideal operating conditions, which do not exist in reality. In practice, the oil in a manual transmission should be changed:

• ⏳Every 60–80 thousand km mileage or once every 4–5 years (whichever comes first).
• 🏗️ After repairing the box or replacing the seals.
• 🔧 When there is noise, difficult gear shifting or leaks.

For automatic transmission the rules are stricter:

• ⏳ Partial replacement — every 40–50 thousand km.
• 🔄 Complete replacement (with removing the pan and replacing the filter) - every 80–100 thousand km.
• 🚨 If there are jerks, delays when switching or loss of power, immediately check the condition of the oil.

If the car is used in difficult conditions (frequent traffic jams, towing a trailer, off-road driving), replacement intervals should be reduced by 20–30%. Also pay attention to the color and smell of the oil: if it is darkened, has a burnt smell, or metal particles are visible in it, an urgent replacement is required.

Step-by-step instructions for changing the oil in a Nissan Almera N16 manual transmission

Changing the oil in manual transmission Almera N16 - a procedure that can be performed independently with a minimal set of tools. You will need:

• 🔧 24 mm wrench (for drain plug).
• 🔧 10 mm wrench (to unscrew the protection, if any).
• 🛢️ New oil (3 liters).
• 🧻 Rags, container for draining (at least 4 l).
• 🔩 A syringe or funnel with a flexible tube for pouring.

Replacement process:

1. Warm up the car (drive 5–10 km) so that the oil becomes more fluid.
2. Drive the car onto a pit or overpass. If there is no protection, unscrew it.
3. Locate the drain plug on the gearbox (it is located at the bottom, closer to the back of the box).
4. Place the container and unscrew the cap with a 24 mm wrench. Be careful - the oil will be hot!
5. Wait until it drains completely (10–15 minutes).
6. Wipe the plug and thread, then tighten it back (tightening torque: 35–40 Nm).
7. Locate the filler hole (it is located on the side of the transmission, closer to the front of the car, under the air duct).
8. Using a syringe or funnel, add new oil until it begins to flow out of the filler hole.
9. Tighten the filler plug (tightening torque: 25–30 Nm).
10. Wipe away any stains and check the level after 100 km.

Warm up the car|Prepare tools and container for draining|Find drain and filler plugs|Buy extra oil (3+ liters)|Check the tightening torque of the plugs-->

⚠️ Attention: If you find metal shavings or large particles when draining the oil, this may indicate wear on the synchronizers or bearings. In this case, it is recommended to contact a specialist to diagnose the transmission.

Step-by-step instructions for changing the oil in an automatic transmission Nissan Almera N16

Changing the oil in automatic transmission Almera N16 more difficult than in mechanics and requires more accuracy. You will need:

• 🔧 19 mm wrench (for drain plug).
• 🔧 10 mm wrench (for removing the pallet).
• 🛢️ New oil (7-8 liters for a complete change).
• 🧻 New automatic transmission filter (article no. 31397-31X01 or analogues).
• 🧽 Sealant for the pallet (for example, Loctite 574).
• 🧻 Rags, container for draining (at least 5 l).

Process partial replacement (without removing the pan):

1. Warm up the automatic transmission (drive 10–15 km).
2. Drive the car onto a pit or lift.
3. Unscrew the drain plug (19 mm wrench) and drain the oil (~3.5 l will flow out).
4. Screw the plug back (tightening torque: 35–40 Nm).
5. Unscrew the filler plug (located on top, under the hood, next to the battery).
6. Using a funnel, fill in new oil in the same volume as drained.
7. Start the engine, alternately switch all automatic transmission modes (P-R-N-D-2-L), holding each for 5-10 seconds.
8. Check the oil level on the dipstick (should be between the marks HOT).

For complete replacement additionally:

1. Remove the automatic transmission pan (unscrew the bolts with a 10 mm wrench).
2. Drain the remaining oil and clean the pan of dirt and metal shavings.
3. Replace the automatic transmission filter.
4. Install the pan on the new sealant, tighten the bolts crosswise (tightening torque - 10–12 Nm).
5. Fill in new oil through the filler hole (7–7.5 liters will be required).
6. Warm up the automatic transmission and check the level again.

What happens if you pour oil into an automatic transmission?

Excess oil in the automatic transmission leads to foaming of the fluid, which disrupts the operation of the torque converter and solenoids. This can cause jerks when switching, overheating of the gearbox and accelerated wear of the clutches. If the level is exceeded, drain the excess through the drain plug.

Typical mistakes when changing oil in a Nissan Almera N16 gearbox

Even experienced car owners sometimes make mistakes when changing gearbox oil, which can lead to serious consequences. Let's look at the most common ones:

• 🔧 Wrong choice of oil - using a liquid of the wrong class (for example, GL-5 instead of GL-4 for manual transmission or Dexron instead of ATF Type D for automatic transmission). This leads to accelerated wear of synchronizers or clutches.
• 🧴 Underfilling or overfilling of oil — in a manual transmission, underfilling leads to oil starvation and noise, and in an automatic transmission, overfilling causes foaming and loss of pressure.
• 🛠️ Ignoring replacement of the filter in the automatic transmission — when completely changing the oil, the filter must be changed, otherwise dirt from it will quickly contaminate the new fluid.
• 🔩 Incorrect plug tightening torque — weak tightening leads to leaks, and excessive tightening leads to thread breakage.
• 🚗 Changing the oil on a cold gearbox - in this case, the old oil is not completely drained, and some of the contaminants remain inside.

Another common mistake is use of flushing fluids for automatic transmission. In boxes Almera N16 this can lead to clogging of the solenoids and valve body. If the oil is very dirty, it is better to double replacement at intervals of 500–1000 km.

⚠️ Attention: If, after changing the oil, jerking occurs in the automatic transmission or the box stops shifting gears, stop immediately and check the fluid level. It is possible that an air lock formed during filling or the oil does not meet the requirements.

Signs that the oil in the Nissan Almera N16 gearbox needs to be changed urgently

If you are not sure when the transmission oil was last changed, pay attention to the following signs:

• 🔊 Extraneous noise — a hum, grinding or howling when driving (especially noticeable in neutral gear in a manual transmission).
• ⚙️ Difficulty shifting gears — tight gear shift in a manual transmission or jerking when shifting into an automatic transmission.
• 💨 Burnt smell - indicates overheating of the oil and wear of the clutches (especially important for automatic transmissions).
• 🩸 Black oil color - Fresh oil has a reddish or amber tint, while old oil turns dark brown or black.
• 💧 Oil leaks — marks under the car or oil smudges on the gearbox housing.

If you notice any of these signs, don't put off changing your oil. In the case of automatic transmission, delay can result in repairing solenoids or replacing friction discs, which will cost several times more than timely fluid replacement.

To diagnose the condition of the oil in an automatic transmission, you can use a simple test: drop a little fluid from the dipstick onto a white paper napkin. If a drop:

• 🟢 Transparent or slightly yellowish - the oil is in good condition.
• 🟠 Dark brown - requires replacement.
• ⚫ Black with splashes - critical condition, urgent replacement and diagnostics of the gearbox is required.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about gearbox oil Nissan Almera N16

Is it possible to use GL-5 oil instead of GL-4 in the Almera N16 manual transmission?

No, this is not recommended. Oils GL-5 contain more sulfur-phosphorus additives, which have an aggressive effect on synchronizers made of non-ferrous metals. For Almera N16 suitable only GL-4.

How often should you check the oil level in an automatic transmission?

The oil level in the automatic transmission should be checked every 10–15 thousand km, as well as when signs of malfunction appear (jerking, slipping). The check is carried out on a warm box, with the engine running and the selector position in the P.

What to do if a hum appears in the manual transmission after changing the oil?

If a hum appears immediately after replacement, there are two possible reasons: 1) oil of the wrong viscosity was used (for example, 80W-90 instead of 75W-80), which impairs lubrication when cold; 2) the bearings in the box were already worn out, and changing the oil temporarily “washed” them, increasing the noise. In the first case, the oil needs to be changed, in the second, you need to prepare for gearbox repair.

Is it possible to mix different oils in an automatic transmission?

It is not recommended to mix oils in automatic transmissions, especially if they are of different classes (for example, ATF Type D And Dexron III). As a last resort, if topping up is required, use oil of the same manufacturer and class. After this, it is advisable to carry out a complete replacement as soon as possible.

Is it necessary to flush the gearbox when changing the oil?

For manual transmission No flushing is required - just drain the old oil and add new oil. For automatic transmission Flushing is also not recommended, as it can damage the solenoids. Do instead double replacement: drain the oil, fill in new oil, drive 500–1000 km, then repeat the procedure.