Changing the oil in automatic transmission Nissan Pathfinder R51 with diesel engine 2.5 YD25DDTi - a procedure that many owners put off until the last minute. But in vain! Ignoring automatic transmission maintenance regulations leads to accelerated wear of clutches, clogged valve body and costly repairs. In this article we will look at how to properly change the oil in Automatic transmission RE5R05A (or JR507E, depending on the year of manufacture), what tools will be needed, and what to pay attention to so as not to damage the box.

Feature Pathfinder R51 — sensitivity of the automatic transmission to the quality of the oil and the frequency of its replacement. The manufacturer recommends updating the transmission fluid every 60–90 thousand km, but in Russian conditions (traffic jams, low temperatures, frequent towing), it is better to reduce the interval to 40–50 thousand km. At the same time a complete oil change using the draining method on SST equipment removes up to 95% of the old fluid, while partial draining and filling leaves up to 40% of waste in the torque converter.

What oil to fill in automatic transmission Pathfinder R51 2.5 diesel

The choice of oil is a critical moment. For Automatic transmission RE5R05A (installed on Pathfinder R51 until 2010) and JR507E (after 2010) officially recommended Nissan Matic Fluid S (article KE908-99932). However, there are nuances:

  • 🔹 Original vs analogues: Original oil Nissan Matic S expensive (from 1,200 rubles/liter), but guarantees compatibility. Alternatives - Idemitsu ATF Type-S or Ravenol ATF JWS 3309, which are certified according to the standard JASO 1A-LV.
  • 🔹 Oil volume: For partial replacement you will need 4–5 liters, for complete (with removing the pan and replacing the filter) - 8–9 liters.
  • 🔹 Viscosity and temperature properties: The oil must remain stable at -40°C (relevant for Siberia) and do not foam when +120°C.

Important: Pathfinder R51 with diesel 2.5 YD25 often used with a trailer or in 4WD, which increases the load on the automatic transmission. In such cases, it is better to use oil with improved anti-wear additives, for example, Liqui Moly Top Tec ATF 1200.

⚠️ Attention: Do not mix oils from different manufacturers! If you have previously filled Idemitsu, and now we decided to switch to Ravenol, do complete replacement with washing. Various additives may react and form a precipitate.

Tools and consumables for oil change

To change the automatic transmission oil yourself Nissan Pathfinder R51 you will need:

Name Quantity Note
Oil Nissan Matic S or equivalent 8–9 liters For a complete replacement
Automatic transmission filter 1 piece Article 31726-31X00 or 31726-31X01
Pan gasket 1 piece Article 31397-31X00 (rubber) or 31397-31X02 (metal)
Drain plug o-ring 1 piece Article 11026-01M02
Head for 10 mm and 14 mm — For unscrewing the pan and plug

Additionally you may find it useful:

  • 🔧 Torque wrench (plug tightening torque - 35–40 Nm).
  • 🔧 Funnel with extended spout for filling oil through the dipstick.
  • 🔧 Drain container (at least 5 liters).
  • 🔧 Lint-free cloth And solvent to clean the tray.
📊 What oil do you use in the Pathfinder R51 automatic transmission?
  • Original Nissan Matic S
  • Idemitsu ATF Type-S
  • Ravenol ATF JWS 3309
  • Liqui Moly Top Tec ATF 1200
  • Other

Step-by-step instructions for changing the oil

The process of changing the oil in an automatic transmission Pathfinder R51 can be divided into two stages: partial (drain-fill) and full (with flushing). Let's consider both options.

Partial replacement (drain-fill)

This method is suitable for scheduled maintenance and allows you to update 40–50% oil:

  1. Warm up the automatic transmission: Start the engine, let it run for 5–10 minutes, switching the selector through all modes (P → R → N → D → L). The oil temperature should be 50–60°C.
  2. Drain the old oil:
    • Place a container under the drain plug (it is located on the automatic transmission pan).
    • Unscrew the plug with the head on 14 mm.
    • Wait until it drains completely (about 3-4 liters).
  3. Fill with new oil:
    • Insert a funnel into the dipstick hole.
    • Fill the oil in small portions, checking the level on the dipstick.

Complete replacement (draining method)

For a complete replacement you will need special equipment (for example, device SCT Mannol or Launch X-431), but you can do without it:

Warm up the automatic transmission to operating temperature|Drain the maximum amount of oil through the plug|Remove the pan and replace the filter|Clean the pan magnets from metal shavings|Pour in new oil and drain-->

Algorithm of actions:

  1. Remove the pan:
    • Unscrew all pan bolts (head on 10 mm).
    • Carefully remove the tray - there will be about 1 liter of oil.
    • Clean the magnets from metal shavings (their presence is a sign of wear on the friction clutches).
  2. Replace the filter:
    • The filter is secured with 3 bolts. Remove it and install a new one.
    • Check the condition of the O-ring.
  3. Spilling oil:
    • Connect the hoses to the automatic transmission cooling radiator (input/output).
    • Start the engine and drain the old oil while adding new oil.
    • Repeat until clean oil comes out of the hose.
⚠️ Attention: When spilling, keep an eye on the oil level in the automatic transmission! Level drop below MIN on the dipstick will lead to oil starvation and damage to the pumps.
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If there is no flushing equipment, perform 2-3 partial replacement cycles at 500 km intervals. This will update up to 80% of the oil.

Checking the oil level and diagnostics after replacement

After changing the oil you must:

  1. Check level:
    • Start the engine, warm up the automatic transmission until 50–60°C.
    • Switch the selector through all modes, holding each mode for 3–5 seconds.
    • Place the machine on a flat surface, remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.
    • Insert the dipstick back in, then pull it out again and check the level. It should be between the marks HOT MIN And HOT MAX.
  2. Assess the condition of the oil:
    • Fresh oil is transparent, reddish in color.
    • If the oil is dark with a burning smell, the automatic transmission already has problems (worn clutches or overheating).
    • The presence of metal shavings on the tray magnets is a signal for diagnostics.

It is also recommended to reset the automatic transmission adaptations after changing the oil. To do this:

1. Отключите клемму аккумулятора на 10 минут.

2. Подключите обратно и заведите двигатель.


3. Дайте поработать на холостых 2–3 минуты.


4. Проедьте 5–10 км в щадящем режиме (без резких ускорений).

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If after changing the oil there are jerks or delays when switching, most likely the oil level was exceeded or low-quality oil was used. The procedure must be repeated.

Frequent mistakes when changing the oil in the Pathfinder R51 automatic transmission

Even experienced car owners make mistakes that can damage the automatic transmission. Here are the most common:

  • 🚫 Incorrect oil level:
    • Exceeding the level leads to foaming of the oil and loss of pressure.
    • Underfilling causes oil starvation and accelerated wear.
  • 🚫 Using incompatible oil:
    • Oils with markings Dexron III or ATF+4 not suitable for RE5R05A!
    • Only JASO 1A-LV or Nissan Matic S.
  • 🚫 Ignoring filter replacement:
    • The old filter becomes clogged with wear products and stops passing oil.
    • This leads to increased pressure and damage to the valve body.
  • 🚫 Uncleaned pan:
    • Metal shavings on the magnets are a sign of wear. If it is not removed, it will continue to circulate in the automatic transmission.

Another common mistake is Changing the oil without warming up the automatic transmission. Cold oil is not completely drained, and up to 20% of the waste remains in the system. Also, owners often forget to replace drain plug o-ring, which leads to leaks.

What happens if you fill it with Dexron instead of Matic S?

Series oils Dexron have a different additive package and viscosity characteristics. B RE5R05A this will result in:

- Accelerated wear of valve body solenoids.

- Problems with gear shifting (jerks, delays).

- Overheating of the automatic transmission due to insufficient heat transfer.

In the worst case, you will need to replace the valve body or the entire box.

When an unscheduled oil change is required

In addition to the scheduled interval, the oil in the automatic transmission Pathfinder R51 must be changed ahead of schedule in the following cases:

  • 🔴 The appearance of jerks or jolts when changing gears.
  • 🔴 Burning smell from oil (a sign of overheating of the clutches).
  • 🔴 Dark oil color (should be red-amber).
  • 🔴 Extraneous noise (hum, grinding) when the automatic transmission is running.
  • 🔴 Oil leak (check the seals and pan).

If you notice any of these symptoms, don't put off changing the oil. In some cases (for example, severe overheating) it may be necessary flushing the valve body or replacing solenoids. Diagnostics is best done using a scanner (for example, Launch X431), which will show errors in the automatic transmission (codes P0730, P0740, P0776 etc.).

The cost of changing the oil at a service center vs doing it yourself

Prices for changing automatic transmission oil Nissan Pathfinder R51 vary by region and method:

Service Cost in service (₽) On your own (₽)
Partial replacement (drain-fill) 2 500–4 000 1,500–2,500 (cost of oil)
Complete replacement (flushing) 5 000–8 000 3,000–5,000 (oil + filter)
Replacing the filter and pan gasket 1 500–2 500 500–1,000 (spare parts)
Automatic transmission diagnostics (scanner) 1 000–2 000 —

Replacing it yourself is cheaper, but requires time and care. If you are not confident in your skills, it is better to contact the service. This is especially true complete replacementwhere it is important to control oil pressure and temperature.

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Saving on oil or filter will result in expensive repairs. It’s cheaper to pay once for high-quality consumables than to later change the valve body for 50,000+ rubles.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about changing the oil in the Pathfinder R51 automatic transmission

Can I use ATF+4 oil instead of Nissan Matic S?

No! ATF+4 (for example, from Mopar) designed for boxes Chrysler and is not compatible with RE5R05A. It has a different viscosity and additive package, which will lead to incorrect operation of the solenoids and accelerated wear.

How much oil should I fill during a complete change?

For Automatic transmission RE5R05A total oil volume - 8.5 liters. However, when pouring, it takes about 10–12 liters, since some of the oil remains in the torque converter and lines.

How often do you need to change the automatic transmission filter?

It is recommended to change the filter every 2 oil changes (that is, once every 80–100 thousand km). However, if the oil is heavily contaminated or there are a lot of chips in the pan, the filter is replaced at every oil change.

What should you do if, after changing the oil, the automatic transmission starts to jerk?

Probable reasons:

  • The oil level is too high (excess must be drained).
  • Poor quality or incompatible oil was used (replacement required).
  • The automatic transmission adaptations have not been reset (you need to disconnect the battery for 10 minutes).
  • Clogged filter (if it has not been changed).

Is it possible to mix oils from different manufacturers?

Mix oils not recommended, but in emergency cases (for example, topping up on the road), you can use oil with similar specifications (JASO 1A-LV). After this, it is advisable to carry out a complete replacement as soon as possible.