Automatic transmission oil for Nissan Terrano: how to select and replace without errors

Automatic transmission Nissan Terrano (especially in bodies R51 And R20) requires special attention to the quality of the transmission fluid. Incorrect choice of oil or untimely replacement can lead to slipping, jerking when switching and even valve body failure. In this article we will look at what kind of oil to fill in an automatic transmission. Terrano, how often to change it and what mistakes owners make during maintenance.

The manufacturer recommends using original Nissan Matic S oil or Matic J depending on the year of manufacture and type of box. However, there are high-quality analogues on the market from Idemitsu, Ravenol And Liqui Moly, which are not inferior in characteristics. The main thing is to avoid universal liquids like Dexron IIIwhich are not suitable for Jatco- boxes installed on Terrano.

If you notice that the automatic transmission has started difficult to switch to cold or appeared burnt smell - these are the first signs that the oil has lost its properties. Next, we'll tell you how to diagnose the problem and what to do to avoid costly repairs.

What kind of oil is poured into the Nissan Terrano automatic transmission from the factory?

The manufacturer fills the machines Nissan Terrano transmission fluid Nissan Matic S (for models before 2010) or Matic J (for newer versions). These oils are designed specifically for boxes Jatco (in particular, RE5R05A And RE0F10A), which were installed on Terrano R51 And R20.

The main differences between original oils:

• 🔹 Matic S - liquid red, suitable for automatic transmissions with an old-style torque converter. Has high thermal-oxidative stability.
• 🔹 Matic J — green tint, used in modern electronically controlled boxes. Has improved anti-friction properties.
• 🔹 Matic D - less common, intended for CVTs CVT (not relevant for Terrano).

Important: In a Nissan Terrano automatic transmission, you cannot mix Matic S and Matic J - this will lead to foaming of the oil and failure of the solenoids. If you are not sure what kind of liquid is filled, it is better to carry out a complete replacement with flushing.

Analogues of the original oil: what can be filled

Original liquids Nissan are expensive (from 1,200 rubles/liter), so many owners are looking for analogues. Main rule: analogue must comply with JWS 3309 specification (for Matic S) or JWS 3324 (for Matic J).

Proven analogues:

Manufacturer	Liquid name	Specification	Approximate price (liter)
Idemitsu	ATF Type J	JWS 3324	900–1,100 rub.
Ravenol	ATF J Fluid	JWS 3324	850–1,000 rub.
Liqui Moly	Top Tec ATF 1800	JWS 3309	1,000–1,200 rub.
Motul	Multi ATF	JWS 3309	1,100–1,300 rub.

⚠️ Attention: Some sellers position Toyota Type T-IV or Honda DW-1 as analogues for Nissan. This is a mistake! These fluids have a different additive package and may cause clutch slippage in boxes Jatco.

When to change the oil in a Terrano automatic transmission: regulations and signs of wear

Official regulations Nissan says that the oil is in the automatic transmission Terrano does not require replacement throughout the entire service life. However, this is only true for “ideal” operating conditions: moderate climate, smooth roads, no towing. In reality, the liquid loses its properties after 60–80 thousand km.

Signs that it's time to change the oil:

• 🚗 Jerks when switching (especially when cold).
• 🔥 Burnt smell from under the hood after a long drive.
• 🛢️ Dark oil color (should be red/green, but not black).
• ⚠️ "Check AT" lights up on the dashboard.
• 🔄 Slow response to switch modes (P-R-N-D).

If at least one of these symptoms appears, you cannot delay replacement. In advanced cases, worn oil leads to:

• 🔧 Contamination of the valve body (cleaning cost - from 15,000 rubles).
• 🔄 Wear of friction discs (automatic transmission repair will cost 50,000+ rubles).
• 🚫 Box lock in emergency mode.

Step-by-step instructions for changing the oil in a Nissan Terrano automatic transmission

You can replace it yourself if you have one. pit or lift. You will need:

• 🔧 Set of sockets and wrench 10 mm.
• 🛢️ New oil (8–10 liters for a complete change, 4–5 liters for a partial change).
• 🔄 New automatic transmission filter (article no. 31726-31X00 or 31726-31X01).
• 🧰 Sealant for pallet (for example, Loctite 574).
• 🧹 Rags, drainage container (minimum 5 l).

Procedure:

1. Warm up the engine to operating temperature (60–70°C) so that the oil becomes less viscous.

2. Lift the car on a lift or drive it into a pit. Remove the crankcase protection (if equipped).

3. Unscrew the drain plug on the automatic transmission pan (the key is on 10 mm) and drain the old oil. Wait until the maximum amount has drained (10–15 minutes).

4. Remove the pan, clean it of old sealant and metal shavings. Replace the filter (it is secured with 3 bolts).

5. Reinstall the pan after applying new sealant. Tighten the bolts in a crisscross pattern.

6. Fill in new oil through the dipstick (or filler neck if there is no dipstick). For a partial replacement, 4–5 liters are enough, for a complete replacement you will need high pressure apparatus (difficult to do on your own).

7. Start the engine, alternately switch all automatic transmission modes (P-R-N-D) with a delay of 5 seconds. Check the oil level and add if necessary.

Start the engine and warm up to 60°C|Check the oil level with a dipstick (should be between MIN and MAX)|Make sure there are no leaks from under the pan|Test the gear shift while driving-->

⚠️ Attention: If after changing the oil the automatic transmission starts twitch or not switchMost likely, the wrong analogue was used or the oil was not warmed up to operating temperature before checking the level. In this case you need urgently drain the fluid and flush the system.

Partial vs complete replacement: which is better for Terrano

Owners Nissan Terrano There is often a debate about which method of changing automatic transmission oil is more effective. Let's look at the pros and cons of each:

Replacement type	Pros	Cons	Cost (on your own)
Partial	✅ Fast (30–40 minutes) ✅ Cheaper (4–5 l of oil)	❌ Only 40–50% of the fluid is replaced ❌ Old oil is mixed with new	2,500–3,500 rub.
Full	✅ 90–95% oil change ✅ Removing deposits from the hydraulic unit	❌ Requires special equipment ❌ Longer (1.5–2 hours)	5,000–7,000 rub.

Partial replacement can be done every 30,000 km as prevention. It is recommended to carry out complete once every 90,000 km or when buying a used car (it is unknown what the previous owner filled in).

If automatic transmission already has problems (jerks, kicks), a partial replacement can aggravate the situation: the new oil will mix with the old oil, which contains wear products, and clog the solenoids. In such cases only complete replacement with flushing.

What happens if you never change the automatic transmission oil?

Without changing the oil in the Nissan Terrano automatic transmission, after 120–150 thousand km, active wear of the clutches and bearings will begin. The first symptoms are slippage during acceleration and shift delays. This is followed by destruction of the hydraulic unit (repair cost - from 30,000 rubles) and, in the worst case, jamming of the planetary gear. Restoring such a gearbox will cost 80,000–120,000 rubles, which is comparable to the cost of a contract automatic transmission.

Top 5 mistakes when changing oil in a Terrano automatic transmission

Even experienced car owners make mistakes that lead to automatic transmission breakdown. Here are the most common:

1. Using the wrong oil. For example, fill Dexron VI instead of Matic J leads to clutch slippage and overheating of the box.

2. Incorrect oil level. How underfilling (air in the torque converter), and overflow (foams during operation) are equally harmful.

3. Ignoring filter replacement. The old filter becomes clogged with wear products and does not allow enough oil to pass through, which leads to oil starvation.

4. Washing the box with kerosene or gasoline. These fluids destroy seals and seals. For rinsing, use only special compounds (For example, Wynn’s ATF Flush).

5. Changing the oil without resetting adaptations. After changing the automatic transmission fluid, you need to "train" new properties of the oil. To do this, you need to reset adaptations via Consult III or similar scanner.

⚠️ Attention: If after changing the oil the automatic transmission starts kicking or not shifting above 3rd gear, this is a sign that the control unit was not reset. In this case, you need to go for diagnostics, otherwise the box will go into emergency mode.

How much oil is needed to change a Nissan Terrano automatic transmission?

The volume of oil depends on the type of replacement and the model of the box:

• 🔄 Partial replacement: 4–5 liters (only the oil is drained from the pan).
• 🔄 Full replacement (hardware): 8–10 liters (including rinsing).
• 🔄 Replacement with dismantling of the valve body: up to 12 liters (full drain + flushing of all channels).

For boxes RE5R05A (installed on Terrano R51 until 2010) total oil volume - 9.5 liters. For RE0F10A (late models) - 8.2 liters.

⚠️ Attention: When buying oil, always take extra. For example, for a partial replacement, buy 6 liters: 5 liters will be used for replacement, and 1 liter will remain for topping up when checking the level.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about automatic transmission oil in Nissan Terrano

Can Nissan Matic S and Matic J be mixed?

No, you absolutely cannot mix these oils. They have different compositions of additives, and when mixed, foam is formed, which disrupts the operation of the automatic transmission hydraulic system. If you don't know what kind of oil is in, make a complete change.

How to check the oil level in a Terrano automatic transmission without a dipstick?

On some models Terrano the dipstick is missing. In this case, the level is checked through the control hole on the pan (you need to unscrew the plug with a key 10 mm). The oil should drip in a thin stream at operating temperature (60–70°C). If it doesn’t drip, add more, if it pours a lot, drain off the excess.

What should you do if, after changing the oil, the automatic transmission begins to twitch?

The reasons may be the following:

1. Incorrect oil (for example, poured Dexron instead of Matic J).
2. The control unit adaptation has not been reset (a scanner is needed Consult III).
3. Air got into the box (insufficient oil or poor pumping).
4. The filter is clogged (if it was not replaced when changing the oil).

Solution: Drain the oil, flush the system and refill with the correct fluid. If the problem remains, go for diagnostics.

What kind of oil should I fill in the Terrano 2.0 diesel automatic transmission?

For diesel versions Nissan Terrano (for example, with an engine M9R) the same oil is used as for gasoline - Nissan Matic J (if box RE0F10A) or Matic S (for RE5R05A). The type of fuel does not affect the choice of ATF fluid.

Is it necessary to flush the automatic transmission when changing the oil?

Flushing is required in the following cases:

• The oil is black or has a burnt smell.
• Metal particles were found in the pan.
• The box already had problems (jerks, kicks).
• It is unknown what kind of oil the previous owner used.

For washing, use special compounds (for example, Wynn’s ATF Flush) or method double replacement (drain and refill twice with an interval of 500 km).