Changing the oil in a Nissan Note automatic transmission: complete instructions with photos and videos

Nissan Note with automatic transmission - one of the most popular compact vans on the secondary market due to its reliability and efficiency. However, even the most resilient Automatic transmission Jatco JF015E/JF016E (installed on Note E11/E12) requires regular maintenance. Changing the oil in the transmission is a critically important procedure that many owners ignore until jerking, kicking or complete transmission failure occurs.

In this article you will find step-by-step instructions for changing the oil in a Nissan Note automatic transmission (including partial and complete replacement), recommendations for choosing oil, fluid compatibility table, as well as unique data on typical errors that lead to failure of the box after improper maintenance. We will analyze the features of the boxes JF015E (until 2012) and JF016E (after 2012), since their design and oil volume are different.

What kind of oil to pour into a Nissan Note automatic transmission: official recommendations and analogues

Manufacturer Nissan strictly regulates the use only original ATF Matic Fluid S (article KE908-99932) for boxes JF015E/JF016E. This oil is designed specifically for CVTs and classic automatic transmissions. Jatco taking into account their design features. However, there are high-quality analogues on the market that can be used without risk to the box.

Important: fill in cheap universal ATF (for example, Dexron III or VI) strictly prohibited! These oils are not compatible with clutches JF015E/JF016E and lead to clutch slipping, overheating and accelerated wear of the solenoids. Below is a table of proven analogues of the original oil:

Manufacturer	Oil name	Article	Volume (l)	Notes
Nissan	Matic Fluid S	KE908-99932	1 / 4	Original, best choice
Idemitsu	ATF Type M	30050036-775	1 / 4	Complete analogue, used on the conveyor
Ravenol	ATF J1 Fluid	4014835734526	1	High temperature stability
Mobil	ATF 3309	152646	1	Suitable for partial replacement
ZIC	ATF Multi Vehicle	162627	1 / 4	Budget option, but requires frequent replacement

⚠️ Attention: If your Nissan Note is used in difficult conditions (frequent traffic jams, towing, aggressive driving style), use only original oil Matic Fluid S. Analogues may not provide sufficient protection of clutches at high temperatures.

For a complete oil change JF015E will be required 7.2–7.5 liters, in JF016E — 6.8–7.0 liters. With a partial replacement (draining through the plug), ~3.5–4.0 liters are consumed.

Frequency of oil changes in Nissan Note automatic transmission: when to change?

Official regulations Nissan says that the oil is in the automatic transmission Note does not require replacement throughout the life of the vehicle. However, this statement is only true for “ideal” operating conditions, which do not exist in reality. In practice, ignoring oil changes leads to:

• 🔥 Overheating of the box due to the loss of heat-conducting properties by the oil (after 60–80 thousand km).
• ⚙️ Worn solenoids and clogging of the valve body with wear products (metal shavings, friction dust).
• 🚗 Jerks and kicks when changing gears (especially when cold).
• 💥 Breakdown of the planetary mechanism with a mileage of over 150 thousand km.

Recommended oil change intervals depending on operating conditions:

• 🌆 City mode (traffic jams, frequent stops): every 40–50 thousand km.
• 🛣️ Mixed mode (city + highway): every 60–70 thousand km.
• ❄️ Extreme conditions (frost below -30°C, towing): every 30–40 thousand km.

⚠️ Attention: If you purchased Nissan Note with mileage and don’t know whether the automatic transmission oil has been changed, be sure to perform diagnostics. Signs of "tired" oil:

• Color - dark brown or black (fresh oil - red/pink).
• Burning smell (indicates overheating of clutches).
• Presence of metal shavings on the tray magnet.

In such cases it may be necessary washing the box special composition (for example, Liqui Moly ATF Reiniger).

Tools and materials for changing the oil in a Nissan Note automatic transmission

To change the automatic transmission oil yourself Nissan Note you will need the following set of tools and consumables:

Fresh ATF Matic Fluid S (7-8 liters for a complete change)|New automatic transmission filter (part number 31397-3MX0A for JF015E/JF016E)|Pan O-ring (31398-3MX0A)|10 mm square wrench for drain plug|10 mm socket and bolt extension sump|Torque wrench (tightening torque of the sump - 8–10 Nm)|Funnel with extension for filling oil|Container for draining waste (minimum 5 liters)|Linth-free rags and gloves|Scanner for resetting adaptations (for example, Launch X431 or ELM327 with Nissan DataScan program)-->

⚠️ Attention: Automatic transmission filter in Nissan Note - disposable! His definitely needs to be changed at every complete oil change. Some “garage” services offer to simply rinse the old filter - this gross mistake, which leads to clogging of the valve body and failure of the box.

Also note drain plug o-ring (article 11026-01M02). They often forget to replace it, which leads to oil leaks. It costs a penny, but eliminating the consequences of a leak will cost many times more.

For those who plan to perform complete oil change with flushing, you will additionally need:

• 🔧 Adapter for automatic transmission flushing (For example, Liqui Moly ATF-Spülgerät).
• 🧴 Automatic transmission cleaner (1 liter, for example, Wynn’s TransClean).
• 🔌 Compressor or pump for pumping oil through the radiator.

Why can't you use high pressure washing?

Flushing the automatic transmission under high pressure (as in some services) can knock dirt out of the valve body and clog the solenoids. B JF015E/JF016E this often results in an error P0730 (incorrect operation of the box) and the need for its complete repair.

Step-by-step instructions: how to change the oil in a Nissan Note automatic transmission

The process of changing the oil in an automatic transmission Nissan Note can be divided into two options: partial replacement (drain through the plug) and complete replacement (with removing the pan and replacing the filter). Below are detailed instructions for each method.

Option 1: Partial oil change (3.5–4 liters)

This method is suitable for regular maintenance and involves draining only part of the oil (about 40% of the total volume). It is impossible to completely renew the oil in this way, but its condition will improve.

1. Warm up the box. Drive 10–15 km or let the engine run for 10 minutes with the selector switching through all modes (P → R → N → D → L). This is necessary so that the oil becomes less viscous and drains better.

2. Raise the car. Use a lift, trestle or jack with stops. Make sure the car is level - this is critical for correctly measuring the oil level.

3. Drain the old oil. Place a container under the drain plug (it is located on the automatic transmission tray), unscrew it with a 10 mm square wrench. Be careful - the oil will be hot!

4. Screw the plug with a new gasket. Tightening torque - 35–40 Nm. Do not overtighten to avoid stripping the threads.

5. Fill with new oil. Use a funnel with an extension. Oil is poured through level tube chip (located next to the battery, under the plastic cover). Fill in exactly as much as you drained (usually 3.5–4 liters).

6. Check the level. Start the engine, warm up the box (switch the selector through all modes), then check the level at the control hole. The oil should drip in a thin stream at a temperature 50–60°C.

Option 2: Complete oil change (7–8 liters)

Complete replacement implies removing the pan, replacing the filter and washing the box. This method is recommended for mileage over 100 thousand km or if the oil is heavily contaminated.

1. Drain the oil through the plug (as in partial replacement).

2. Remove the pan. Unscrew all the bolts (~20 of them) with a 10 mm socket. Be careful - ~1 liter of oil will remain in the pan. Clean the tray and magnets from shavings.

3. Replace the filter. It is attached with 3 bolts. Install a new filter (part number 31397-3MX0A) and the pan sealing ring.

4. Reinstall the pan. Tighten the bolts crosswise to torque 8–10 Nmso as not to deform the gasket.

5. Rinse the box. To do this:

   • Fill in 3–4 liters of new oil.
   • Disconnect the return hose from the automatic transmission radiator and direct it into a container.
   • Start the engine and drain the oil until it is clean (~2-3 volumes will be required).

Fill with new oil. Total volume for JF015E — 7.5 l, for JF016E — 7.0 l. Check the level using the method described above.

Reset adaptations. Use a scanner (eg Launch X431) to reset errors and box adaptations. This is necessary for the automatic transmission to “get used” to the new oil.

⚠️ Attention: After a complete oil change, in the first 100–200 km you may experience slight jerks when changing gears. This is normal - the box “learns” to work with the new fluid. If the jerking continues longer, check the oil level or reset the adaptations again.

Typical mistakes when changing the oil in a Nissan Note automatic transmission

Even experienced technicians make mistakes when servicing automatic transmissions. Nissan Note, which subsequently cost expensive repairs. Here are the most common of them:

• 🔧 Using the wrong oil. Fill Dexron VI or universal ATF instead Matic Fluid S leads to clutch slippage and error P0730.
• 🧲 Ignoring magnets in the tray. If you do not clear the magnets of metal shavings, they will fall back into the box and accelerate the wear of the planetary mechanism.
• 🔩 Re-tightening the pallet bolts. This deforms the gasket and leads to oil leaks. Tightening torque - strictly 8–10 Nm!
• 🌡️ Incorrect level check. The level must be measured at oil temperature 50–60°C, and not when cold. Otherwise, you risk overfilling or underfilling.
• 🔄 No reset of adaptations. After changing the oil, the box must “relearn”. Without resetting adaptations, jerks and delays when switching are possible.

Another critical error - washing the box with kerosene or diesel fuel. This destroys oil seals and seals, and also washes away the protective film from parts. For flushing, use only specialized compounds, for example:

• Liqui Moly ATF Reiniger (article 1998).
• Wynn’s TransClean (article 76500).

⚠️ Attention: If after changing the oil there are knocking or vibration in the box, stop using it immediately! This may indicate incorrect assembly of the pallet (ingress of foreign objects) or airing of the torque converter. In such cases, diagnostics at a service station is required.

How to check the oil level in a Nissan Note automatic transmission

Checking the oil level in the automatic transmission Nissan Note different from the traditional dipstick method. These boxes use control tube, and the procedure requires accuracy.

1. Warm up the box. Drive 10–15 km or let the engine run for 10 minutes, switching all selector modes.

2. Place the car on a level surface. A tilt of even 2-3 degrees will distort the readings.

3. Unscrew the control plug. It is located on the automatic transmission pan next to the drain plug (it differs in size). Place the container and a little oil should flow out.

4. Assess the condition of the oil.

   • 🟢 Norm: the oil drips in a thin stream, the color is red/pink, without a burning smell.
   • 🟡 Requires replacement: The oil is dark, with small particles, a faint burning smell.
   • 🔴 Critical condition: The oil is black, with metal shavings, a strong burning smell.

Add oil if necessary. If the oil does not flow out or drips weakly, add 100–200 ml through the filler neck and repeat the check.

⚠️ Attention: In boxes JF015E/JF016E no dipstick — the level is checked only through the control plug! Do not attempt to measure the level by eye or with improvised devices.

If oil overflowed, it must be drained to the normal level. Excess oil leads to foaming, which interferes with the operation of the valve body and can cause automatic transmission emergency mode (the “skull” on the dashboard lights up).

The cost of changing the oil in a Nissan Note automatic transmission in 2026

Automatic transmission oil change price Nissan Note depends on the method (partial or full), region and level of service. Below are the average prices in Russia for 2026:

Type of work	Cost (RUB)	Time (hour)	Notes
Partial replacement (3.5–4 l)	2 500 – 4 000	0.5–1	No flushing, just draining through the plug
Full replacement (7–8 l)	5 000 – 8 000	2–3	With pan removal and filter replacement
Automatic transmission flushing	3 000 – 5 000	1–1.5	In addition to full replacement
Automatic transmission diagnostics	1 500 – 2 500	0.5–1	Scanner, error checking
Resetting adaptations	1 000 – 2 000	0.3	Mandatory after a complete replacement

Cost of consumables (for 2026):

• 🛢️ Oil Nissan Matic Fluid S (4 l) — RUB 3,200–3,800
• 🧻 Automatic transmission filter — RUB 1,200–1,800
• 🔧 Pan gasket - 500–800 rub.
• 🔩 Drain plug gasket - 100–200 rub.

⚠️ Attention: Some services offer an “express oil change” under pressure for 1,500–2,000 rubles. Refuse this service! In boxes JF015E/JF016E This method often leads to clogging of the valve body wear products, since not all deposits are washed out of the channels.

If you plan to replace it yourself, the total cost of consumables (including complete replacement) will be 6,000–8,000 rub.. This is cheaper than the service, but requires skills and tools.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about changing the oil in a Nissan Note automatic transmission

Is it possible to mix different oils in a Nissan Note automatic transmission?

No, mix oils from different manufacturers or types (for example, Matic Fluid S And Dexron VI) is strictly prohibited. This will lead to loss of lubricating properties and can cause clutch slippage. If you need to add oil, use just the same brand and type, which is already filled into the box.

What happens if you don’t change the oil in your Nissan Note automatic transmission?

If you ignore an oil change after 100–120 thousand km, the following problems will begin to appear:

• 🔥 Box overheating due to loss of thermal conductivity by the oil.
• ⚙️ Solenoid wear and clogging of the valve body with wear products.
• 🚗 Jerks and kicks when changing gears.
• 💥 Breakdown of the planetary mechanism (repairs will cost 50,000–80,000 rubles).

In critical cases, the box goes into emergency mode (the “skull” on the panel is lit), and it can only be overhauled.

How often do you need to change the automatic transmission filter in a Nissan Note?

Automatic transmission filter in Nissan Note - disposable and subject to replacement every time you change the oil completely (every 60–80 thousand km). Some technicians suggest simply rinsing the old filter, but this unacceptable, since its paper element becomes clogged with microparticles that are not visible to the naked eye.

Is it possible to drive with oil leaks from the automatic transmission?

No! Even small oil leaks from the automatic transmission Nissan Note lead to gradual decrease in level, which is fraught with:

• 🔥 Overheating of the box (oil circulates insufficiently).
• ⚙️ Wear of gears and bearings due to insufficient lubrication.
• 💥 Failure of the torque converter (repairs will cost 20,000–30,000 rubles).

If you notice any leaks, check immediately:

• Integrity of the pallet gasket.
• Condition of the drain plug O-ring.
• Drive seal tightness.

Do I need to reset adaptations after changing the oil?

Yes, necessarily! After changing the automatic transmission oil Nissan Note the control unit must “relearn” how to work with the new fluid. If you do not reset adaptations, the following are possible:

• 🔄 Jerks when shifting gears (especially from 1st to 2nd).
• ⏱️ Switching delays (the box “thinks” longer than usual).
• 🚗 Incorrect kickdown operation (when you press the gas sharply).

Resetting adaptations can be done using a diagnostic scanner (for example, Launch X431 or Nissan DataScan).