Nissan Note - a compact hatchback that has gained popularity due to its efficiency and reliability. But even such machines have weak points, and one of them is automatic transmission (automatic transmission). The right choice and timely change of oil in the automatic transmission can extend the life of the transmission by 100,000+ km, and mistakes can send it for overhaul after 60,000. In this article we will look into what kind of oil to put in automatic transmission Nissan Note, how often to change it, and why “saving” on the service costs many times more.
Many owners Note (especially with motors HR15DE And HR16DE) experience jerks, delays when shifting gears, or error code P0730 (“Incorrect gear ratio”). In 80% of cases, it is not the oil itself that is to blame, but its incompatibility with clutch material or replacement interval exceeded. We analyzed data from service manuals Nissan, reviews from experts and results of laboratory tests of oils to give clear recommendations.
What kind of oil is poured into the automatic transmission? Nissan Note from the factory?
B Nissan Note of the first (E11, 2004–2012) and second (E12, 2012–2020) generations, two main automatic transmissions were installed:
- 🔧 RE0F10A (4-speed, for 1.4/1.6 engines) - used Nissan Matic Fluid D (article
KE908-99931). - 🔧 JF015E (CVT, for 1.2/1.5/1.6 engines) - requires Nissan CVT Fluid NS-2 (article
KE908-99945) or NS-3 (for models after 2016).
Important: NS-2 and NS-3 oils are not interchangeable! In CVTs JF015E after 2016 (for example, in Note E12 restyling) used NS-3 with improved antifriction additives. Fill NS-2 in such a box will lead to belt slippage and accelerated wear of cones.
How to check what kind of oil was filled from the factory? In the service book Nissan Note there should be a mark, but if there is none, look at the label under the hood or check the VIN compatibility table. For CVTs JF015E until 2016 only suitable NS-2, for newer ones - NS-3.
- RE0F10A (4-automatic transmission)
- JF015E (variator until 2016)
- JF015E (variator after 2016)
- I don't know
Original vs analogs: which is better for automatic transmission Nissan Note?
Original oils Nissan Matic D, NS-2 And NS-3 are produced by the company Idemitsu (Japan) according to specifications Nissan. Their main advantage is guaranteed compatibility with friction and seal materials. However, the price of the original is often inflated: for example, a liter NS-3 in dealerships it costs 1,200–1,500 rubles, while analogues cost 2–3 times cheaper.
Proven analogues for Nissan Note:
| Automatic transmission type | Original | Analogue | Article | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RE0F10A (4-automatic transmission) | Nissan Matic D | Idemitsu ATF Type-J | 30400-0022 |
Complete analogue, used in Toyota And Mazda |
| JF015E (variator until 2016) | Nissan NS-2 | Ravenol CVT Fluid J1D1606 | 4014835735247 |
The best choice in terms of price/quality ratio |
| JF015E (variator after 2016) | Nissan NS-3 | Motul Multi CVT | 106377 |
Suitable for NS-2 And NS-3, but requires more frequent replacement |
⚠️ Attention: Do not use generic ATF fluids (such as Dexron III or Mercon V)! They do not contain additives for working with variator chain and lead to its stretching. In 4-automatic transmission RE0F10A such oils cause torque converter slippage at high speeds.
If you buy an analogue, check for a certificate of conformity JASO 1A (for CVTs) or Nissan Matic-D (for 4-automatic transmission). Counterfeits are often sold in canisters without holograms or barcodes.
Frequency of automatic transmission oil changes Nissan Note: myths and reality
In the official manuals Nissan indicated that the oil is in the automatic transmission Note filled “for the entire service life”. This formulation is misleading: in practice oil service life is limited to 60,000–80,000 km, after which its degradation begins. Signs of “tired” oil:
- 🔥 Darkening of color (from red to brown/black).
- 💨 The smell of burning is evidence of overheating of the friction clutches.
- ⚙️ Jerks when switching (in a 4-automatic transmission) or “kicks” (in a variator).
- 📉 Pressure drop in the valve body (error code
P0841).
Recommended replacement intervals:
- 🚗 4-automatic (RE0F10A): every 60,000 km or once every 4 years.
- 🔄 CVT (JF015E): every 40,000–50,000 km (for NS-2) or 60,000 km (for NS-3).
⚠️ Attention: If you are exploiting Note in difficult conditions (frequent traffic jams, towing, off-road driving), reduce the interval by 30%. For example, for a variator with NS-2 replacement will be required after 30,000 km. Neglect of this rule leads to wear of shaft bearings And broken variator belt (repairs will cost 150,000–200,000 rubles).
What happens if you don’t change the oil in the variator?
When the replacement interval is exceeded, the oil loses viscosity and ceases to lubricate the variator chain. This leads to its stretching, slipping and, ultimately, to the destruction of the cones. Symptoms: vibrations at speeds of 40–60 km/h, drop in speed during acceleration, error P0776 (pressure solenoid malfunction).
Step-by-step instructions for changing automatic transmission oil Nissan Note
Changing the automatic transmission oil Note can be done in two ways:
- Partial replacement (30–40% volume) - suitable for prevention.
- Complete replacement (100% volume) - requires special equipment (pumping apparatus).
For independent partial replacement you will need:
- 🔧 10 mm wrench (for drain plug).
- 🛢️ 4–5 liters of oil (for a 4-automatic transmission) or 6–7 liters (for a variator).
- 🔨 New pallet gasket (item no.
31397-1XF0Afor RE0F10A or31397-31X02for JF015E). - 🧻 Rags, drainage container, funnel.
Procedure:
- Warm up the engine to operating temperature (60–70°C).
- Lift the car on a lift or drive it into a pit.
- Drain the oil through the plug (in the variator, also remove the pan and clean the magnets from chips).
- Replace the filter (in a 4-automatic transmission it is metal, in a variator it is paper, article number
31726-31X00). - Fill in new oil through the dipstick (in the variator - through the filler neck).
- Bleed the system: start the engine, switch the selector to all positions one by one, then check the level.
Start the engine and warm up to 60°C|Check the oil level (should be between the HOT marks)|Make sure there are no leaks|Test gear shifting while driving|Reset automatic transmission adaptations (if there are errors)-->
⚠️ Attention: In CVTs JF015E after oil change be sure to reset the adaptations via a diagnostic scanner (for example, Launch X431). Without this, the box will be “stupid” during acceleration for the first 100–200 km.
Common mistakes when changing oil and how to avoid them
Even experienced technicians make mistakes that reduce the life of the automatic transmission. Here are the most common:
- Overfilling or underfilling oil. In the variator JF015E Excess oil causes foaming and loss of pressure (symptom: jerking during acceleration). Underfilling accelerates pump wear. Optimal level - between marks
HOTon the dipstick at a temperature of 60–70°C. - Using the wrong oil. For example, fill Dexron VI instead of NS-2 causes swelling of the seals and leaks. Always check the compatibility chart.
- Late filter replacement. In CVTs Note the filter becomes clogged with chips after 40,000 km. If it is not changed, metal particles circulate through the system, accelerating wear on the cones.
- Neglecting to wash the pan. Up to 50 grams of metal shavings accumulate in the tray. If it is not removed, it will get into the valve body and clog the solenoids (error code
P0746).
The most dangerous mistake is mixing different types of oils (for example, NS-2 and NS-3). This leads to a chemical reaction, as a result of which the liquid loses its lubricating properties and forms a sediment that clogs the valve body channels.
How to avoid problems?
- 📋 Lead replacement log (date, mileage, oil type).
- 🔍 Before changing, check the oil for burning smell and the presence of chips (if there are a lot of chips, the box requires diagnostics).
- 🛠️ Use only original gaskets and filters (non-original ones often tan and leak oil).
Signs of automatic transmission malfunction Nissan Note and what to do
If, after changing the oil, problems with the automatic transmission do not disappear, the gearbox may already be worn out. Let's look at typical symptoms and their causes:
| Symptom | Probable Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Jerks when shifting (4-automatic transmission) | Worn clutches or solenoids | Diagnostics of the valve body, replacement of solenoids (part number 31440-31X00) |
| Vibration at speeds of 40–60 km/h (variator) | Chain stretch or cones worn | Replacing the chain and oil (if there are few chips) or major repairs |
The “Check” with a code lights up P0776 |
Pressure solenoid malfunction | Replacing the solenoid or valve body assembly |
| Gear slippage (variator) | Worn belt or low oil pressure | Checking the pump, replacing the belt (part number 31701-31X00) |
⚠️ Attention: If found in oil large metal particles (more than 1 mm), the box already requires overhaul. In this case, changing the oil will only briefly delay the inevitable - you will need to replace the cones, chain and, possibly, the valve body.
If your Nissan Note started to “kick” or “slip”, do not rush to change the oil. Check first oil level (often the problem is solved by topping up) and selector cable condition (it can stretch and cause unclear gear shifting).
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about automatic transmission oil Nissan Note
Can NS-2 and NS-3 be mixed?
No! These oils have different additive packages. Mixing leads to sedimentation and clogging of the hydraulic unit channels. If you need to add oil, use only the type that is already filled.
How much oil is needed for a complete change in the variator JF015E?
A complete replacement with flushing will require 9–10 liters NS-2 or NS-3. For partial replacement, 4–5 liters are sufficient.
How to check the oil level in an automatic transmission Nissan Note?
In a 4-automatic transmission, the level is checked with a dipstick when the box is warm (60–70°C). There is no dipstick in the variator - the level is controlled through the filler neck (oil should drip when overflowing).
What should you do if after changing the oil the gearbox starts to work worse?
The adaptations were probably not reset or low-quality oil was used. Try resetting adaptations through the scanner. If it doesn’t help, repeat the replacement and flushing.
What kind of oil to fill in automatic transmission Nissan Note 1.6 (HR16DE) 2015?
CVT JF015E this year requires Nissan CVT Fluid NS-2 (if the box is not upgraded) or NS-3 (if an updated version of the variator is installed). Check by VIN.