Need DIY Help - A/T Fluid Drain/Refill
1. Disconnect the ATF hose from the radiator cooler’s return side (driver’s side) and plug the hose.
2. Temporary connect a piece of 3/8” tubing to the radiator fitting and route it to a drain pan that allows you to visually monitor the ATF’s flow rate and color while adding ATF. Secure the tubing so it can’t whip out of the drain pan, otherwise things will get real messy.
3. Have the additional quarts of Nissan Matic J ATF ready for use. Be ready to move quickly!
4. Start the engine and with it idling pour in new fluid, while monitoring the flow rate and color of the fluid being pumped into the drain pan. When the color is about the same as the color of new fluid, the replacement is complete.
5. Shutoff the engine.
6. Replace the ATF return hose.
7. With the car on level ground, restart the engine and cycle the transmission from Drive to Reverse a few times.
8. Run engine at idle speed for 5 minutes.
9. Check the ATF level and add additional fluid if necessary.
10. Replace the cap/dipstick assembly and 10mm hold down bolt. Torque to specs.
Note: Getting a good level measurement is a little more difficult because the ATF expands as the temperature increases. With the engine idling in Park the level should be between the notches when cold. When hot -- at normal operating temperature -- it should be in the cross hatch area.
This seems like the best way to do it, So the Return line is the end of the system and the place to put more is the start?
Last edited by thescreensavers; Jan 5, 2010 at 09:27 PM.
I cannot imagine doing the "full" replacement at home. Trying to fill from the dipstick hole while the ATF is pouring out the cooler line seems perilous at best and a recipe for disaster.
Just drain/fill more often! Easy and safe.
Just drain/fill more often! Easy and safe.
I did a full flush at home. Its not that bad. You just need to have someone else there to watch the color of the fluid so that you can pour in fresh stuff.
You gotta watch those lines cuz the pressure coming out will make them want to fly and spill fluid all over the ground.
You gotta watch those lines cuz the pressure coming out will make them want to fly and spill fluid all over the ground.
... and someone to turn off the car in case something bad happens!!! 
I can just see someone with hose spraying everywhere, tranny running dry, spilling ATF onto the exhaust manifold rushing to replace fluid... 
I can just see someone with hose spraying everywhere, tranny running dry, spilling ATF onto the exhaust manifold rushing to replace fluid...
haha
ya, that was my concern at first. but the fluid probably comes out at 1/qt every 5 sec. I just had him watch the fluid coming out. I started the car, ran it for like 15 sec then stopped the car. replaced lost fluid. repeated process 3 or 4 times. Done.
ya, that was my concern at first. but the fluid probably comes out at 1/qt every 5 sec. I just had him watch the fluid coming out. I started the car, ran it for like 15 sec then stopped the car. replaced lost fluid. repeated process 3 or 4 times. Done.
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Joined: Mar 2011
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Thanks for your very prompt and informative reply. I can't believe you're not a moderator by now. 
For the second time, maintenance procedure vary from car to car, even if only slightly. Therefore I wanted an official write-up for the G35 by someone who knows about it. Please excuse my stupidity; I'm on the way to the dealership right now to pay 5x too much money so someone else can change my tranny fluid.
Anyway, from the service manual:
1. Warm up ATF.
2. Stop engine.
3. Loosen the level gauge bolt.
4. Drain ATF from drain hole and refill with new ATF. Always refill
same volume with drained ATF.
* To replace the ATF, pour in new ATF at the A/T fluid charging
pipe with the engine idling and at the same time drain the old
ATF from the radiator cooler hose return side.
* When the color of the ATF coming out is about the same as
the color of the new ATF, the replacement is complete. The
amount of new ATF to use should be 30 to 50% increase of
the stipulated amount.
Use only Genuine NISSAN Matic J ATF. Do not mix with other ATF.
* Use ATF other than Genuine NISSAN Matic J ATF will cause deterioration in driveability and A/
T durability, and may damage the A/T, which is not covered by the warranty. * When filling ATF, take care not to scatter heat generating parts such as exhaust.
* Do not reuse drain plug gasket.
5. Run engine at idle speed for 5 minutes.
6. Check A/T fluid level and condition. Refer to AT-12, "Checking A/T Fluid" . If ATF is still dirty, repeat step 2.
through 5.
7. Install the removed A/T fluid level gauge in the A/T fluid charging pipe.
8. Tighten the level gauge bolt.
For the second time, maintenance procedure vary from car to car, even if only slightly. Therefore I wanted an official write-up for the G35 by someone who knows about it. Please excuse my stupidity; I'm on the way to the dealership right now to pay 5x too much money so someone else can change my tranny fluid.
Anyway, from the service manual:
1. Warm up ATF.
2. Stop engine.
3. Loosen the level gauge bolt.
4. Drain ATF from drain hole and refill with new ATF. Always refill
same volume with drained ATF.
* To replace the ATF, pour in new ATF at the A/T fluid charging
pipe with the engine idling and at the same time drain the old
ATF from the radiator cooler hose return side.
* When the color of the ATF coming out is about the same as
the color of the new ATF, the replacement is complete. The
amount of new ATF to use should be 30 to 50% increase of
the stipulated amount.
Use only Genuine NISSAN Matic J ATF. Do not mix with other ATF.
* Use ATF other than Genuine NISSAN Matic J ATF will cause deterioration in driveability and A/
T durability, and may damage the A/T, which is not covered by the warranty. * When filling ATF, take care not to scatter heat generating parts such as exhaust.
* Do not reuse drain plug gasket.
5. Run engine at idle speed for 5 minutes.
6. Check A/T fluid level and condition. Refer to AT-12, "Checking A/T Fluid" . If ATF is still dirty, repeat step 2.
through 5.
7. Install the removed A/T fluid level gauge in the A/T fluid charging pipe.
8. Tighten the level gauge bolt.
I have a 2004 Infiniti G35X. I want to do a transmission fluid flush. Is Matic S transmission fluid ok to use? My car specs say Matic J. Someone told me Matic S and Matic J are the same and are interchangable. Is this true?
Thanks
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
This was posted in another forum
The Tools & Supplies:
1. 14 quarts of Nissan Matic J Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) -- in the black bottle
The factory service manual states The amount of new transmission fluid to use should be 30 to
50% increase of the stipulated amount.
2. An ATF Fluid Level Gauge (Dipstick) 2003 Type 1 G35 Sedans do not come with one. This dipstick (Part # 31086-CD100) is available for around $10.00 - $15.00 from the better Infiniti dealers
3. A/T pan drain plug gasket – Can be reused in most cases
4. Tools - Ratchet set, wrenches, pliers, screw drivers and miscellaneous other hand tools
5. Drain pan, 3+ feet of 3/8” tubing, small funnel, rags and/or paper towels
The Factory Warnings:
1. Always use Nissan Matic J ATF). Don’t mix Nissan Matic J with other ATF.
2. Using automatic transmission fluid other than Genuine Nissan Matic J will cause deterioration in driveability and automatic transmission durability, and may damage the automatic transmission, which is not covered by the warranty.
The Specs:
1. A/T Fuid: Genuine Nissan Matic J ATF
2. A/T Fluid capacity: 10-7/8 US quarts (10.3 L, 9-1/8 lmp quarts)
3. A/T pan drain plug torque: 25 ft-lb (34 N•m, 3.5 kg-m,)
4. Cap/Level Gauge bolt torque: 45 in-lb (5.1 N•m, 0.52 kg-m,)
The Procedure:
I. Drain the ATF from the A/T Pan
1. Warm up A/T fluid (ATF) to normal operating temperature.
2. Stop the engine.
3. Remove the 10mm hold down bolt from the fluid charging pipe.
4. Remove the cap/dipstick assembly from the fluid charging pipe.
5. Remove the A/T pan’s drain plug and drain out the A/T fluid.
6. Replace the A/T pan’s drain plug (new gasket) and torque to specs.
7. Using a small funnel, refill the transmission with new A/T fluid. Refill with the same volume of fluid as drained--approximately 3.5 quarts.
II. Replace the Remaining A/T Fluid
1. Disconnect the ATF hose from the radiator cooler’s return side (driver’s side) and plug the hose.
2. Temporary connect a piece of 3/8” tubing to the radiator fitting and route it to a drain pan that allows you to visually monitor the ATF’s flow rate and color while adding ATF. Secure the tubing so it can’t whip out of the drain pan, otherwise things will get real messy.
3. Have the additional quarts of Nissan Matic J ATF ready for use. Be ready to move quickly!
4. Start the engine and with it idling pour in new fluid, while monitoring the flow rate and color of the fluid being pumped into the drain pan. When the color is about the same as the color of new fluid, the replacement is complete.
5. Shutoff the engine.
6. Replace the ATF return hose.
7. With the car on level ground, restart the engine and cycle the transmission from Drive to Reverse a few times.
8. Run engine at idle speed for 5 minutes.
9. Check the ATF level and add additional fluid if necessary.
10. Replace the cap/dipstick assembly and 10mm hold down bolt. Torque to specs.
Note: Getting a good level measurement is a little more difficult because the ATF expands as the temperature increases. With the engine idling in Park the level should be between the notches when cold. When hot -- at normal operating temperature -- it should be in the cross hatch area.
The Tools & Supplies:
1. 14 quarts of Nissan Matic J Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) -- in the black bottle
The factory service manual states The amount of new transmission fluid to use should be 30 to
50% increase of the stipulated amount.
2. An ATF Fluid Level Gauge (Dipstick) 2003 Type 1 G35 Sedans do not come with one. This dipstick (Part # 31086-CD100) is available for around $10.00 - $15.00 from the better Infiniti dealers
3. A/T pan drain plug gasket – Can be reused in most cases
4. Tools - Ratchet set, wrenches, pliers, screw drivers and miscellaneous other hand tools
5. Drain pan, 3+ feet of 3/8” tubing, small funnel, rags and/or paper towels
The Factory Warnings:
1. Always use Nissan Matic J ATF). Don’t mix Nissan Matic J with other ATF.
2. Using automatic transmission fluid other than Genuine Nissan Matic J will cause deterioration in driveability and automatic transmission durability, and may damage the automatic transmission, which is not covered by the warranty.
The Specs:
1. A/T Fuid: Genuine Nissan Matic J ATF
2. A/T Fluid capacity: 10-7/8 US quarts (10.3 L, 9-1/8 lmp quarts)
3. A/T pan drain plug torque: 25 ft-lb (34 N•m, 3.5 kg-m,)
4. Cap/Level Gauge bolt torque: 45 in-lb (5.1 N•m, 0.52 kg-m,)
The Procedure:
I. Drain the ATF from the A/T Pan
1. Warm up A/T fluid (ATF) to normal operating temperature.
2. Stop the engine.
3. Remove the 10mm hold down bolt from the fluid charging pipe.
4. Remove the cap/dipstick assembly from the fluid charging pipe.
5. Remove the A/T pan’s drain plug and drain out the A/T fluid.
6. Replace the A/T pan’s drain plug (new gasket) and torque to specs.
7. Using a small funnel, refill the transmission with new A/T fluid. Refill with the same volume of fluid as drained--approximately 3.5 quarts.
II. Replace the Remaining A/T Fluid
1. Disconnect the ATF hose from the radiator cooler’s return side (driver’s side) and plug the hose.
2. Temporary connect a piece of 3/8” tubing to the radiator fitting and route it to a drain pan that allows you to visually monitor the ATF’s flow rate and color while adding ATF. Secure the tubing so it can’t whip out of the drain pan, otherwise things will get real messy.
3. Have the additional quarts of Nissan Matic J ATF ready for use. Be ready to move quickly!
4. Start the engine and with it idling pour in new fluid, while monitoring the flow rate and color of the fluid being pumped into the drain pan. When the color is about the same as the color of new fluid, the replacement is complete.
5. Shutoff the engine.
6. Replace the ATF return hose.
7. With the car on level ground, restart the engine and cycle the transmission from Drive to Reverse a few times.
8. Run engine at idle speed for 5 minutes.
9. Check the ATF level and add additional fluid if necessary.
10. Replace the cap/dipstick assembly and 10mm hold down bolt. Torque to specs.
Note: Getting a good level measurement is a little more difficult because the ATF expands as the temperature increases. With the engine idling in Park the level should be between the notches when cold. When hot -- at normal operating temperature -- it should be in the cross hatch area.
What should the level read on the dipstick. I have a 2004 G35X. Between the notches says hot and after comes the cross hatch section. What level should it be at Cold, and what level should it be when the car is idling at normal operating temperature? Thank you
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