Transfer case oil for Nissan Murano Z50: a complete guide

Nissan Murano Z50 is a crossover that has gained popularity due to its reliability and comfort, but even it has components that require regular maintenance. One of these is transfer case, which experiences increased loads under the conditions of Russian roads and climate. Many owners Murano are faced with the question: what kind of oil to fill, how often to change it, and is it possible to save money on analogues without risking the transmission?

In this article we will look not only oils recommended by the manufacturer, but also the nuances of their selection for different operating conditions. You'll find out why use of cheap universal oils in the transfer case Murano Z50 can lead to differential jamming after 30-40 thousand km, how to properly check the oil level without a special tool, and what symptoms indicate the need for urgent replacement. We will also give step-by-step instructions with photos and videos so that you can do the work yourself without overpaying for services.

Why change the oil in the transfer case? Nissan Murano Z50?

Transfer case in Murano Z50 (2009–2014) works in close cooperation with automatic transmission and front/rear differentials. Its main task is to distribute torque between the axles, and in mode 4WD Lock — locking the center differential. The oil here performs several functions at once:

• 🔧 Lubrication gears and bearings, preventing their wear.
• 🔥 Heat dissipation — during long-term off-road driving, the temperature in the transfer case can reach 120°C.
• 🧲 Corrosion protection internal parts, especially important for regions with salty roads.
• 🚗 Ensuring smooth operation couplings for connecting the rear axle (in models with a system All Mode 4x4-i).

Over time, the oil loses its properties: it oxidizes, becomes saturated with metal shavings and wear products. This leads to:

• ⚠️ Increased backlash in gears and bearings.
• ⚠️ Difficulty turning on modes 4WD or Lock.
• ⚠️ Overheating transfer case, which can lead to failure of the clutch or differential.

⚠️ Attention: If you ignore changing the oil, after 80–100 thousand km you may need expensive repairs to the transfer case (from 50 thousand rubles). Owners who often drive in snow or mud are especially at risk - in such conditions the oil ages 2 times faster.

The manufacturer recommends changing the oil in the transfer case Murano Z50 every 60 thousand km, but in Russian realities it is better to reduce this interval to 40–50 thousand km. If you operate the car in difficult conditions (towing, off-road, frequent trips over short distances), then replacement may be required after 30 thousand km.

What kind of oil should I put in the transfer case? Nissan Murano Z50?

Official manual Nissan prescribes the use of oil Nissan Differential Oil Hypoid Gear Oil LS 80W-90 (article KE908-99931). This is a semi-synthetic oil with a package of additives optimized for use with hypoid gears and couplings. However, in practice, owners often choose analogues that are not inferior in quality, but are cheaper.

Basic requirements for transfer case oil Murano Z50:

• 📋 Viscosity grade: 80W-90 or 75W-90 (for cold regions).
• 🔬 Specification: API GL-5 or GL-5 LS (Low Slip - for limited slippage).
• 🔧 Compatibility with couplings All Mode 4x4-i (if they are included in your configuration).

Manufacturer	Article	Type	Volume, l	Notes
Nissan	KE908-99931	Semi-synthetics	1	Original, optimal for warranty service
Mobil	153658 (Mobilube LS 80W-90)	Mineralka	1	Budget option, suitable for moderate climates
Castrol	15447D (Syntrax Limited Slip 75W-90)	Synthetics	1	The best choice for frosts below -30°C
Liqui Moly	10531 (Hypoid-Getriebeoil TDL 80W-90)	Semi-synthetics	1	High anti-scuff properties, recommended for off-road use
Motul	105777 (Gear 300 75W-90)	Synthetics	1	For extreme loads, compatible with All Mode 4x4-i

If you live in a region with cold winters (below -25°C), give preference to synthetic oils with a viscosity 75W-90. They ensure easier rotation of gears when cold and reduce clutch wear. Suitable for warm climates or moderate winters 80W-90.

⚠️ Attention: Never use oils with specifications GL-4 or universal transmission fluids (for example, ATF). They do not contain the necessary additives for hypoid gears and can cause gear scuffing after 10–15 thousand km.

Oil volume in transfer case Nissan Murano Z50 and replacement tools

To the transfer case Murano Z50 (regardless of drive type - 4WD or AWD) is poured 0.9–1.0 liters of oil. However, a complete replacement with flushing may require up to 1.2 liters, since some of the old oil remains in the channels and on the walls of the housing.

To work you will need:

• 🔧 24mm wrench (for drain plug).
• 🔧 10 mm wrench (for filler plug).
• 🛢️ Oil syringe (with flexible tube).
• 🧻 Rags and gloves (oil has an aggressive effect on the skin).
• 🔧 Torque wrench (to tighten the plugs with the correct torque).
• 🧲 Magnet (to collect metal shavings from the bottom of the tray).
• 🚗 Jack or lift (to access the distribution box).

If you plan to wash the distributor, additionally prepare:

• 🧴 Transmission cleaner (For example, Liqui Moly Getriebe-Reiniger).
• 🛢️ 2–3 liters of fresh oil for washing.

Warm up the car (drive 5–10 km) - warm oil drains faster |

Place the machine on a level surface (use wheel chocks)|

Prepare a container for draining (volume of at least 1.5 l)|

Check for new sealing rings for the plugs (part no. 11026-01M02)-->

Step-by-step instructions for changing the oil in the transfer case

You can change the oil yourself in 1–1.5 hours. The main thing is to be consistent and take your time. Below are instructions taking into account the nuances Murano Z50.

Step 1. Drain the old oil

1. Lift the car on a lift or drive it onto an overpass. If using a jack, support the rear axle with safety stands.
2. Clean the drain plug (located at the bottom of the transfer case) with a wire brush and wipe with a rag.
3. Place the container for drainage and unscrew the plug with a key to 24 mm. Be careful - the oil may be hot!
4. Wait until it drains completely (10–15 minutes). If the oil is dark with metal particles, the transfer case requires flushing.

Step 2: Flushing (optional)

• Tighten the drain plug (tightening torque - 35–40 Nm).
• Fill through the filler hole 1 liter of flushing fluid.
• Connect the front axle (turn on 4WD Lock) and drive 5–10 km at low speed.
• Drain the flush and repeat the procedure with clean oil.

Step 3. Filling with new oil

1. Make sure that the drain plug is screwed in and unscrew the filler (the key is on 10 mm).
2. Use a syringe to fill 0.9–1.0 l oil until it begins to flow out of the hole.
3. Tighten the filler plug (torque - 25–30 Nm).
4. Wipe the transfer case with a rag and check for any leaks.

Step 4. Check the level

To make sure the oil level is correct:

1. Drive 1–2 km so that the oil is distributed throughout the transfer case.
2. Place the car on a level surface.
3. Unscrew the filler plug: if the oil starts to flow out, the level is correct. If not, add more.

What to do if the oil does not drain?

If the oil does not flow out after unscrewing the plug, there are two possible reasons:

1. **Drain hole is clogged** - clean it with wire or compressed air.

2. **The oil has thickened** (for example, after a long stay in the cold). In this case, warm up the transfer case by driving 10–15 km and try again.

After changing the oil, it is recommended to reset the transfer case adaptations (if your Murano equipped with a system All Mode 4x4-i). To do this:

1. Включите зажигание (не запуская двигатель).
2. Нажмите педаль тормоза и удерживайте её.
3. Переключите селектор раздатки в положение "4WD Lock" и удерживайте 10 секунд.
4. Верните селектор в "2WD" и выключите зажигание.

Typical mistakes when changing the oil in the transfer case

Even experienced car owners sometimes make mistakes that can lead to serious damage. Here are the most common:

• 🔧 Using the wrong oil (For example, GL-4 instead of GL-5). This leads to accelerated wear of the gears and clutch.
• 🛢️ Underfilling or overfilling of oil. Underfilling causes oil starvation, and overfilling causes increased pressure and leaks through the seals.
• 🔩 Incorrect plug tightening torque. Tightening too loose leads to leaks, and tightening too tightly leads to thread breakage.
• 🧹 Ignoring metal shavings. If there are a lot of chips on the drain plug magnet, the transfer case needs to be disassembled and the bearings checked.
• 🚗 Changing the oil to cold. In this case, the old oil is not completely drained, and some of the contaminants remain inside.

⚠️ Attention: If after changing the oil there is hum or vibration when driving in 4WD, this may indicate incompatibility of the oil with the clutch All Mode 4x4-i. In this case, immediately drain the oil and refill with original oil. Nissan Differential Oil LS 80W-90.

Another common mistake is using sealant on plug threads. In the distribution box Murano Z50 The plugs have conical threads, which are themselves sealed. Sealant can get inside and clog the oil passages.

Signs that the oil in the transfer case needs to be changed urgently

If you haven't been keeping up with your replacement intervals, look out for the following symptoms:

• 🔊 Hum or howl from the transfer case when driving, especially in mode 4WD.
• 🔄 Difficulty turning on modes 4WD Lock or AWD.
• 💨 Burning smell from the transfer case after a long trip.
• 🛑 Vibration or jerking when accelerating or braking.
• 🩹 Oil leaks on the transfer case body (most often near the drain plug).

If you notice any of these signs, check your oil:

1. Unscrew the filler plug and assess the condition of the oil:
   • ✅ Norm: transparent, light brown, no burning odor.
   • ⚠️ Needs replacement: dark, with metal particles, burning smell.
   • ❌ Critical condition: black, thick, with large pieces of chips.

Check the drain plug magnet - if a lot of chips have accumulated on it, the transfer case needs diagnostics.

If the oil is in critical condition, do not limit yourself to replacement - contact the service to check the bearings and gears. In advanced cases, it may be necessary to replace the entire mechanism (the cost of a new one is from 80 thousand rubles).

Frequently asked questions about oil in the transfer case Nissan Murano Z50

Is it possible to mix different oils in the distributor?

Mix oils not recommended, especially if they are from different manufacturers or have a different base (mineral water + synthetics). As a last resort, if you need to top up, use oil of the same brand and specification (GL-5 LS 80W-90). After this, perform a complete replacement as soon as possible.

What happens if you don’t change the oil in the transfer case?

If you ignore replacement, the oil loses its lubricating properties, which leads to:

• Accelerated wear of gears and bearings.
• Clutch jamming All Mode 4x4-i (if it is included in your configuration).
• Overheating of the transfer case and failure of the seals.

In the worst case, the transfer case assembly will need to be replaced (from 80 thousand rubles).

How often should you check the oil level in the transfer case?

Check the oil level every 10–15 thousand km, as well as before long trips or after off-road driving. To check:

1. Place the car on a level surface.
2. Unscrew the filler plug - the oil should be level with the bottom edge of the hole.

Can I use axle oil instead of transfer case oil?

Theoretically it is possible if the oil meets the specification GL-5 LS 80W-90. However, the original oil Nissan contains additives optimized to work with the coupling All Mode 4x4-i. If your Murano equipped with this system, it is better not to experiment.

Do I need to flush the transfer case when changing the oil?

Flushing is required if:

• The oil is heavily contaminated or has a burning smell.
• You switch to another manufacturer or type of oil (for example, from mineral water to synthetic).
• The car was used in difficult conditions (off-road, towing).

For washing, use special compounds (for example, Liqui Moly Getriebe-Reiniger) or fresh oil.