🔧 Altima - Manual Transmission Fluid Change

On your Altima’s manual transmission, a fluid change is a simple drain-and-refill service (no “flush”). Fresh fluid helps shift quality and protects the gears and bearings.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.0-2.0 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the car on jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Let the drivetrain cool; hot gear oil can burn skin.
• ⚠️ Keep the car level while filling, or the fluid level will be wrong.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves; gear oil smell is strong and hard to remove.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 6-quart)
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3" extension for 3/8" ratchet
• Metric hex bit socket set (includes 10mm)
• Torque wrench (10–80 ft-lbs range)
• Trim clip tool
• 10mm socket
• Funnel with hose
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop rags

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Manual transmission fluid (Nissan MTF 75W-85 GL-4 or equivalent) - Qty: 3 quarts
• Drain/fill plug crush washers (if equipped) - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Warm the transmission slightly with a 5–10 minute drive, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Lay out tools and position a drain pan under the transmission.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the front

• Use a floor jack to lift the front at the front center jacking point.
• Place jack stands under the left and right front pinch welds (or subframe points), then lower the car onto the stands.
• Give the car a gentle push to confirm it’s stable.

Step 2: Remove the lower splash shield (if equipped)

• Use a 10mm socket to remove the bolts.
• Use a trim clip tool to pop out any plastic clips (pry the center pin, then pull the clip).
• Set the shield and hardware aside.

Step 3: Locate the fill plug FIRST

• Find the fill plug on the side of the manual transmission case (it sits higher than the drain plug).
• Clean around the plug with brake cleaner spray and shop rags so dirt can’t fall inside.
• Loosen the fill plug before draining so you don’t get stuck with an empty transmission you can’t refill.
• If the plug has a square recess, use a 3/8" drive ratchet (and 3" extension if needed).
• If the plug has a hex (Allen) recess, use a 10mm hex bit socket with the 3/8" drive ratchet.

Step 4: Drain the old fluid

• Position the drain pan under the drain plug (bottom of the transmission case).
• Remove the drain plug using either the 3/8" drive ratchet (square recess type) or the 10mm hex bit socket (hex recess type).
• Let it drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5–10 minutes).
• Clean the drain plug with shop rags. If it has a magnet, wipe metal “fuzz” off the magnet (a light paste is normal).

Step 5: Reinstall the drain plug

• Install a new crush washer if your plugs use washers.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten the drain plug: Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Fill with new manual transmission fluid

• Insert a funnel with hose into the fill hole.
• Pour in manual transmission fluid (75W-85 GL-4) slowly.
• Correct level is when fluid just starts to seep out of the fill hole while the car is level.
• Let excess drip until it becomes an occasional drip.

Step 7: Reinstall the fill plug

• Install a new crush washer if equipped.
• Thread the fill plug in by hand.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten the fill plug: Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).
• Spray a little brake cleaner spray on the area and wipe clean with shop rags to help spot leaks later.

Step 8: Reinstall splash shield and lower the car

• Reinstall the splash shield using the trim clip tool and 10mm socket.
• Use the floor jack to lift slightly, remove jack stands, then lower the car.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and, with the clutch pressed, shift through all gears while parked (1st–Reverse) to circulate fluid.
• Take a short 5–10 minute drive and confirm smooth shifting.
• Park and check underneath for seepage around the fill/drain plugs.
• Dispose of used gear oil at an oil recycling location (many parts stores accept it).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $180-$320 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$90 (parts only)

You Save: $135-$230 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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