6Mt Transmission Fluid - Question About Motul

[itpesaf]

Hey guys

Got the trans fluid changed yesterday and got Motul HD 80w90 gl4/5 mineral gearbox oil put in - and the shifts don't seem right now. It was just this morning when the car was cold - it seemed a little difficult to get into 2nd, or to downshift.

Has anyone else used this oil? and what are your opinions on it?

If not what oils are you guys using?

The mechanic said my car is in very good condition - no issues with the clutch, and the little he drove the gearbox was fine. The oils coming out were fine also.

Cheers

edit: I read on 350z-tech that you should use gearbox oils that are specifically rated at gl4, not both gl4 and gl5? Could this be the issue?

Edited May 31, 2012 by itpesaf

[itpesaf]

ps what rpms do you guys find the shifts smoothest at?

[Nightcrawler]

As I understand it, NEVER, EVER use non-Nissan gearbox or diff oils .... they are very sensitive/temperamental beasts, and everything I have read says do not use anything but oem Nissam oil.

[sonicii]

I have never really understood how they can do a GL4/5 oil. GL4 and GL5 are different oils for different applications. GL5 is an EP Hypoid oil suitable for the high pressure 'sliding' of the pinion gear in most differentials, it is made to remain in place and provide a 'barrier' even under extreme pressures.

However, this function is bad for a transmission where a GL4 oil is required, it can hinder the synchro operation an cause difficult gear changes. I have also heard of GL5 oil damaging bearings in transmissions which specify GL4 oil, due to the same function.

[Seano350GT]

from 1st to 2nd it's a bit knotchy for me, i shift at around 2-2.5k rpm. 2nd to 3rd i go up to 4k pm because of the sound it makes at around that point which i love aha. but down shifting i usually rev match.

[itpesaf]

Hey Andrew - the guys at jap motorsport told me that the motul HD they put in my car is the same as the factory nissan mt?

sonicii - do you think I should get a gl4 specific oil to put in?

and is 80w90 the correct specification for our gearboxes?

[Nightcrawler]

Nah I don't believe that for a second mate. And the evidence is that your gearbox is now not behaving. Go ask Willall Racing (who make and sell their own oils for R35GTRs around the world) if the Motul oil that JMS put in your car is the same as factory. I am willing to bet serious coin it is not.

[sonicii]

Hey Andrew - the guys at jap motorsport told me that the motul HD they put in my car is the same as the factory nissan mt?

I highly doubt that, especially considering it isn't one of the oil weights that Nissan recommend.

Personally I would be getting the OEM Nissan oil, or buying a qualtiy oil GL4 oil that matches the below specs.

From the G35 FSM -

Genuine NISSAN Manual Transmission Fluid

(MTF) HQ Multi 75W-85 or API GL-4, Viscosity

SAE 75W-85 or 75W-90

Edited June 1, 2012 by sonicii

[interfooler]

Agree with Andrew here - NEVER EVER use anything else BUT Nissan OEM transmission fluid. Forget about what mechanics at other shops tell you.

When I first bought my V35 6mt, the gear change wasn't smooth, 1st to 2nd was a bit notchy. Dropped my car off at Nissan for gearbox oil change, specified to the mechanics it's a 6 SPEED MANUAL, the SAME one as the 350Z. After the oil change, it's been driving like a dream.

[itpesaf]

Ok thanks heaps for the help guys

I called up JMS and told them my car specifically needs 75w85 API gl4 oil and he is going to try chase some up and hopefully I can get it put in my car today.

I could feel the difference straight away after I drove out of the garage, and with them telling me my car is in tip top shape I got a little suspicious when the gear changing was notchy and difficult this morning.

[itpesaf]

Alrighty, so I'm getting the Nissan MT API gl4 75w85 oil put in today took a few phone calls but organised it in the end so I'm happy. I will report back if I can feel a difference (hopefully I can).

[jbenj]

same goes for auto transmission fluid, better to use Nissan?

[interfooler]

^ Yes

[iamhe77]

same goes for auto transmission fluid, better to use Nissan?

5-speed auto?

Nissan matic J or matic S (Matic S was the replacement for Matic J).

Otherwise a quality transmission fluid that is compatible with Matic J or S. I personally used Nulon's 100% synthetic transmission fluid for 140,000kms in my Stagea.

My trans was still operating perfectly after 230,000kms.

Just make sure you get a transmission cooler on it!

[itpesaf]

Has anyone used the nulon mt gearbox additives on their v35? I've heard it greatly reduces gearbox notchiness and wear... Kinda sounds too good to be true for a ~$12 bottle

[jbenj]

Ah cool, is the installation hard, to install the tranny cooler?

[Daleo]

5-speed auto?

Nissan matic J or matic S (Matic S was the replacement for Matic J).

Otherwise a quality transmission fluid that is compatible with Matic J or S. I personally used Nulon's 100% synthetic transmission fluid for 140,000kms in my Stagea.

My trans was still operating perfectly after 230,000kms.

Just make sure you get a transmission cooler on it!

As Cam says, the Nulon is fine, but I found 2 x 5lt bottles of Nissan Matic J was actually cheaper than 3 x 4lt bottles of Nulon, or even 2 x 4lt + 2 x 1lt.

You need around 9lt for a full flush so you'll also have a little left for top ups later. I'd do the sums first, but frankly a small difference in price wouldn't be enough for me to go away from the OEM..

[iamhe77]

Ah cool, is the installation hard, to install the tranny cooler?

Being that there are a huge variety of transmission coolers, install is a custom job but not what you'd call difficult.

A couple of heavy steel brackets, spring washers, nuts and bolts from Bunnings and you can make it up pretty easily.

As Cam says, the Nulon is fine, but I found 2 x 5lt bottles of Nissan Matic J was actually cheaper than 3 x 4lt bottles of Nulon, or even 2 x 4lt + 2 x 1lt.

You need around 9lt for a full flush so you'll also have a little left for top ups later. I'd do the sums first, but frankly a small difference in price wouldn't be enough for me to go away from the OEM..

I won't disagree with you Dale. I went the Nulon because it is actually a very good synthetic (as opposed to their "synthetic" engine oils) fluid whereas the Matic J is a semi synthetic with additives. Nissan Australia also use an additional additive satchel with all RE5's sold here to reduce wear (all RE5's use Matic J) and can be requested when having the trans serviced by a decent Nissan dealership.

IMO they should just put the Matic S in there and be done with it

[sonicii]

Has anyone used the nulon mt gearbox additives on their v35? I've heard it greatly reduces gearbox notchiness and wear... Kinda sounds too good to be true for a ~$12 bottle

I would steer clear of 'customer' additives for any oil.. gear oil, engine oil, transmission fluid, etc.. Stick with a good quality oil on it's own.

The fact nulon promote these things is the main reason I don't trust their oils.

Edited June 1, 2012 by sonicii

[Daleo]

Being that there are a huge variety of transmission coolers, install is a custom job but not what you'd call difficult.

A couple of heavy steel brackets, spring washers, nuts and bolts from Bunnings and you can make it up pretty easily.

I won't disagree with you Dale. I went the Nulon because it is actually a very good synthetic (as opposed to their "synthetic" engine oils) fluid whereas the Matic J is a semi synthetic with additives. Nissan Australia also use an additional additive satchel with all RE5's sold here to reduce wear (all RE5's use Matic J) and can be requested when having the trans serviced by a decent Nissan dealership.

IMO they should just put the Matic S in there and be done with it

Last time I asked Nissan about the availablity of Matic S; the service manager denied it's existence, I actually had to show him a picture on my phone. He had no idea, so how many other service depts don't know?

I'd be using it if they'd stock it; but who knows when that will be...