Timely change of oil in the variator Nissan Murano Z51 is the only way to extend the life of an expensive control unit and mechanical part. Ignoring the regulations or using low-quality fluid inevitably leads to overheating, vibration and, ultimately, failure of the cones and belt. In this article we will analyze in detail how to correctly carry out this procedure yourself or what to check when contacting the service.
Why does the Nissan Murano Z51 CVT require regular oil changes?
CVT transmission Jatco JF011E (or CVT7) installed on Nissan Murano, works in extremely harsh conditions. The metal belt transmits torque by friction against the cones, which generates enormous amounts of heat. Special liquid Nissan CVT Fluid NS-2 performs not only the function of a lubricant, but also serves as a hydraulic agent that transmits pressure and a coolant.
Over time, under the influence of high temperatures and metal shavings, the properties of the liquid degrade. It loses its frictional properties, which can lead to belt slippage. If you notice that the car begins to “kick” when shifting or a hum appears, these are the first signs that the oil has lost its characteristics.
There are two main approaches to transmission maintenance: partial and complete replacement.
Partial replacement involves draining only the volume that is in the pan, without removing the valve body or flushing the entire system. This is a quick way to refresh the fluid, but it does not remove old oil from the radiator and heat exchanger.
A complete replacement requires the use of special equipment to pressure flush the system or a "replacement" method in several stages. This method is most effective for Nissan Murano Z51, as it allows you to renew up to 90-95% of all liquid in the system.
- 🛠️ Partial replacement: renews 30-40% of the oil, suitable for regular maintenance.
- ⚙️ Complete replacement: renews 85-90% of the oil, recommended after 100,000 km or in case of problems.
- 🚫 Flushing with aggressive chemicals: strictly prohibited for old CVTs.
Choosing the Right Transmission Fluid for the Murano Z51
One of the most critical mistakes made by owners is the use of universal oils or analogues that do not meet the manufacturer’s specifications. For Nissan Murano with a Z51 body produced before 2014-2015 (depending on the market), the manufacturer requires the use of exclusively original fluid Nissan CVT Fluid NS-2.
Liquid use NS-3 on early models, Z51 can cause a change in the coefficient of friction, which will disrupt the operation of the cones and cause vibrations. Later models can be adapted to NS-3, but double-checking by VIN is required. The liquid has a characteristic green color, which serves as an indicator of freshness.
There are many analogues on the market from third-party manufacturers that claim compatibility.
However, it is worth considering that a variator is a high-precision mechanism where tolerances are measured in microns. Cheap analogues often do not provide the required pressure and quickly oxidize.
If you want to save money, choose trusted brands such as Motion or Idemitsu, who are direct suppliers to the pipeline, but make sure they are original.
⚠️ Attention: Never mix NS-2 fluid with NS-3 or other types of CVT oils. This can lead to an irreversible change in viscosity and destruction of the friction elements inside the variator.
Volume of liquid in the system Nissan Murano Z51 is about 8-9 liters with a complete replacement. With a partial replacement, approximately 3-4 liters will spill out. Always buy extra liquid, as some may be lost when washing the filter.
Preparation for the procedure: tools and working conditions
Safe conditions must be ensured before starting work. The car must be parked on a flat surface, preferably on a lift or inspection hole. You will need a set of wrenches, hexagons, a funnel and, critically, a measuring stick or dipstick if the design provides one (in the Z51, the level is often checked through the inspection hole).
Do not forget to prepare a container for draining old oil with a volume of at least 10 liters. Old fluid has an unpleasant odor and can be contaminated with wear products, so you need to wear gloves and safety glasses when working. Also prepare a new coarse filter and pan gasket.
To access the drain plug and variator pan, it is often necessary to remove the engine protection or plastic shields.
Make sure you have access to the engine to check the oil level while running.
The ambient temperature should be comfortable so that the oil does not thicken too much or become too hot.
- 🔧 A set of socket heads and a ratchet (usually 10, 14, 17 mm).
- 🧴 New variator filter and pan gasket (original or high-quality analogue).
- 🌡️ Thermometer for measuring transmission fluid temperature.
Step-by-step instructions for a partial oil change
The replacement procedure begins with warming up the variator. Start the engine and let it idle, periodically moving the selector lever through all modes (P-R-N-D-L) with a delay of a few seconds. This is necessary to distribute the oil evenly and remove air bubbles.
Next, the car is installed on the lift. Locate the drain plug on the variator pan. Place the container and carefully unscrew the cap. Be careful, the oil may be very hot. Let all the liquid drain completely.
After draining, you must remove the variator pan.
Unscrew the fastening bolts around the perimeter, doing this crosswise to avoid distortion.
Remove the pan carefully as there may be oil left inside.
Remove the old coarse filter. Carefully inspect the magnets on the pan and filter. If there are a lot of metal shavings or “foil” on them, this is a bad sign indicating wear on the internal components.
☑️ Partial replacement tools
Clean the pan of old sealant and metal shavings with solvent. Install a new filter and a new gasket. Apply a thin layer of sealant to the pan joint if the manufacturer recommends it, but often a new gasket will work without it.
⚠️ Attention: If, when removing the pan, you find large metal pieces or black carbon deposits on the magnets, a simple oil change may not save the variator. In this case, a complete diagnosis and, possibly, a major overhaul are necessary.
Setting and checking the oil level
After installing the pan in place and tightening the bolts to the recommended torque (usually about 5-6 Nm, but it’s better to check with the manual), you can start filling in new oil. Use a funnel inserted into the hole in the filler plug located on the variator housing. Fill in approximately 3-4 liters of new fluid NS-2.
Start the engine and warm up the transmission to operating temperature.
Important: the oil level is checked strictly at a certain temperature, usually in the range 35-45°C or 50-55°C (depending on the year of manufacture).
For an accurate measurement, you must use a diagnostic scanner to read the temperature via the OBD-II connector.
While the engine is running, open the inspection hole (or unscrew the drain plug if it is used to control the level in your modification). The oil should flow out in a thin stream.
If there is no oil at all, add it until a trickle appears. If it leaks a lot, it means it was overfilled.
- By dipstick
- According to the control hole
- By diagnostic scanner
- I never check
Resetting variator adaptations after replacement
After changing the oil, the electronic control unit (ECU) of the variator needs to adapt to new operating conditions. The fluid has a different viscosity and frictional properties, so old adaptation values may cause jerking.
The procedure for resetting adaptations often requires professional diagnostic equipment. In some cases, it is possible to perform a “self-learning” driving procedure, but this is not always effective.
The most reliable way is to use a scanner to reset the clutch adaptation values.
After the reset, it is recommended to drive the car in a quiet mode, avoiding sudden accelerations.
Give the variator a few days to fully adapt to the new fluid.