Nissan Pathfinder R51 is one of the most popular crossovers of the early 2000s, but its automatic transmission RE5R05A requires special attention. Many owners experience jerks, shift delays, or complete failure of the automatic transmission due to untimely oil changes. In this article we will look at how to properly maintain the box so that it lasts 200,000+ km without major repairs.

The manufacturer claims that the oil in the automatic transmission Pathfinder R51 filled for the entire service life, but in practice this is not the case. Already after 60,000–80,000 km the fluid loses its properties, and wear products of clutches and bearings clog the valve body. We will tell you in detail about partial and complete oil change, choosing original or analog oil, and also warn against typical mistakes that can ruin the box.

When to change automatic transmission oil Nissan Pathfinder R51?

Official regulations Nissan does not provide for changing the automatic transmission oil Pathfinder R51, but this does not mean that it should not be done. In real operating conditions (city traffic jams, towing a trailer, aggressive driving), the intervals are reduced by 2–3 times. Here are the key signs that it's time to change the oil:

  • 🔴 Jerks or jolts when changing gears (especially from 1st to 2nd).
  • 🔴 Delays during acceleration (the box “thinks” for 1–2 seconds before switching).
  • 🔴 Extraneous noise (humming, grinding) in neutral or when driving.
  • 🔴 Dark oil color (should be reddish, not black or brown).
  • 🔴 Burnt smell from oil (indicates overheating of the clutches).

Recommended replacement intervals:

Replacement type Interval (km) Operating conditions
Partial replacement 40 000–50 000 City, moderate load
Complete replacement 80 000–100 000 Aggressive driving, towing
Emergency replacement At the first sign of trouble Jerking, burnt oil, automatic transmission errors
⚠️ Attention: If found in oil metal particles or it smells like burning, partial replacement will not help - it is required complete flushing with tray disassembly and replacing the filter. Otherwise, the new clutches will quickly fail.
📊 How often do you change the automatic transmission oil?
  • Every 40,000 km
  • Every 60,000 km
  • Only when problems arise
  • Never changed
  • Another option

What kind of oil to fill in automatic transmission Nissan Pathfinder R51?

Box RE5R05A extremely sensitive to oil quality. The use of non-original or low-quality fluid leads to jamming of solenoids and accelerated wear of the torque converter. Official recommendations:

  • 🔧 Original oil: Nissan Matic S ATF (article KLE52-00004). Suitable for all operating conditions.
  • 🔧 Analogues:
    • Mobil ATF 3309 (complete analogue of the original).
    • Idemitsu ATF Type-M (Japanese quality, often used in services).
    • Ravenol ATF RE5F22A (European premium equivalent).
  • ❌ Prohibited: Dexron III/VI, Mercon V, universal ATF - they are not compatible with clutches Nissan!

Oil volume to change:

  • 🔄 Partial replacement: 4–5 liters (drain through the plug).
  • 🔄 Full replacement: 10–12 liters (with flushing).
⚠️ Attention: If you decide to save money and fill in cheap oil, be prepared for replacing solenoids after 20,000 km. Box RE5R05A extremely sensitive to viscosity and additives.
Can different oils be mixed?

Yes, but only in emergency cases (for example, a leak on the road). After this, be sure to perform a complete oil change with flushing. Mixing different brands or types (for example, Matic S and Dexron) causes the liquid to foam and lose its properties.

Tools and materials for oil change

To change the automatic transmission oil yourself Pathfinder R51 you will need:

Fresh oil (5–12 l depending on the type of replacement)|New automatic transmission filter (part number 31726-31X01)|Pan gasket (art. no. 31397-31X02)|10 and 14 mm wrench|24 mm socket for drain plug|Funnel with extension|Drain container (minimum 5 l)|Lint-free rag|Torque wrench (for tightening pan bolts)-->

Additional materials:

  • 🧰 Sealant: Loctite 574 or Permatex Ultra Black (if the gasket is not original).
  • 🧰 Cleaner: Liqui Moly Schnell-Reiniger for washing the pan.
  • 🧰 Gloves and glasses: oil is aggressive on the skin.

If you plan complete replacement, you will additionally need:

  • 🔧 Automatic transmission washer (can be rented at a car service station).
  • 🔧 New pan bolts (it is recommended to replace, as the old ones may be deformed).
💡

Before changing the oil, warm the box to operating temperature (60–70°C). To do this, it is enough to drive 10–15 km. Warm oil drains better and flushes out more deposits.

Step-by-step instructions: partial oil change

Partial replacement suitable for preventive maintenance and is performed without removing the pallet. It allows you to update ~40–50% of the oil in the system.

  1. Draining old oil:

    • ⚙️ Drive the car onto a pit or lift.
    • ⚙️ Unscrew drain plug (24 mm wrench) and drain the oil into a container.
    • ⚙️ Wait for complete drainage (5-10 minutes).

  2. Flushing the pan (optional):

    • ⚙️ Unscrew the pallet (14 bolts per 10 mm).
    • ⚙️ Clean the magnets and the bottom of the tray from metal shavings.
    • ⚙️ Replace the gasket or apply sealant.

  3. Filling with new oil:

    • ⚙️ Insert the funnel into filling hole (located next to the dipstick).
    • ⚙️ Fill in 4–4.5 liters new oil.
    • ⚙️ Check the level on the dipstick (should be between MIN And MAX on a heated box).

After replacement:

  • 🔹 Start the engine and let it idle for 2-3 minutes.
  • 🔹 Switch all automatic transmission modes one by one (P-R-N-D) with a delay of 5 seconds.
  • 🔹 Check the oil level again and add if necessary.
⚠️ Attention: If after replacement the box starts kick or skidYou may have overfilled the oil. Level up MAX leads to foaming and loss of pressure in the valve body.
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A partial oil change does not remove deposits from the torque converter and solenoids. To completely clean the system, you need hardware flushing or multiple partial replacement (3–4 times at intervals of 500 km).

Complete automatic transmission oil change: when is it needed and how to do it

A complete oil change is required in the following cases:

  • 🛑 The oil is black or smells like burning.
  • 🛑 Box kicks, slips or does not change gears.
  • 🛑 After purchasing a used car (service history unknown).
  • 🛑 After automatic transmission repair (replacement of clutches, solenoids).

For complete replacement use high pressure apparatus, which replaces old oil with new one. Algorithm of actions:

  1. Connecting the device:

    • ⚙️ Connect the hoses to the connections automatic transmission radiator.
    • ⚙️ Pour 12–15 liters of new oil into the device.

  2. Flushing the system:

    • ⚙️ Start the engine and turn on the device.
    • ⚙️ Monitor the color of the drained oil (it should become light).

  3. Replacing the filter and gaskets:

    • ⚙️ Remove the pan and replace automatic transmission filter.
    • ⚙️ Clean the magnets and install a new gasket.

  4. Final check:

    • ⚙️ Add oil to the level and check the operation of the box.

Critically important: after a complete oil change, avoid sudden acceleration and towing for the first 500 km. The new oil will flush out deposits that can clog the solenoids.

Typical mistakes when changing automatic transmission oil Pathfinder R51

Even experienced car owners make mistakes that lead to box breakage. Here are the most common:

  • ❌ Incorrect oil level:
    • 🔸 Low level → oil starvation, gear wear.
    • 🔸 High level → foaming, loss of pressure.
  • ❌ Using non-original oil: Dexron or Mercon are not compatible with RE5R05A.
  • ❌ Ignore filter: The old filter becomes clogged and does not allow oil to pass through.
  • ❌ Unwashed tray: Metal shavings continue to circulate.
  • ❌ Rough ride after replacement: The new oil flushes out deposits that can clog the ducts.

How to avoid problems:

  • ✅ Check the oil level on a warm box (temperature 60–70°C).
  • ✅ Use only Nissan Matic S or certified analogues.
  • ✅ Change the filter and pan gasket every time.
  • ✅ After replacement, drive 500 km in gentle mode.
What should you do if after changing the oil the gearbox starts to work worse?

If jerks or delays occur, it is possible:

1) Incorrect oil level (check dipstick).

2) The solenoids are clogged (needs to be flushed or replaced).

3) Poor quality oil was used (needs to be replaced again).

In 90% of cases, the problem is solved by adjusting the level or re-flushing.

Cost of changing automatic transmission oil Nissan Pathfinder R51

Price depends on replacement type and region. Average prices for 2026:

Type of work Cost (RUB) Time (hours)
Partial change (oil + filter) 3 500–5 000 1–1.5
Complete replacement (hardware) 8 000–12 000 2–3
Oil change + pan flushing 6 000–9 000 1.5–2
Automatic transmission diagnostics (in case of malfunctions) 1 500–3 000 0.5–1

You can save money by purchasing oil and consumables yourself. For example, the original filter 31726-31X01 costs ~1,200 rubles, and the analogue from JS Asakashi — ~800 rub. The main thing is not to save on quality of oil, since automatic transmission repair will cost 50,000–150,000 rub.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to fill Dexron III instead of Nissan Matic S?

No! Dexron III has a different viscosity and an additive package that is not compatible with clutches RE5R05A. This will lead to clutch slippage and rapid wear of the box. Use only Nissan Matic S or certified analogues (Mobil ATF 3309, Idemitsu Type-M).

How much oil should I fill during a complete change?

For a complete replacement with flushing, you will need 10–12 liters oils The exact volume depends on the method:

  • 🔹 Hardware replacement: 12 l (all old oil is displaced).
  • 🔹 Manual multiple replacement: 8–10 l (3–4 drain-fill cycles).

Do I need to change the filter during a partial oil change?

Yes, filter necessarily change even with partial replacement. The old filter becomes clogged with wear products and does not allow oil to pass through completely, which leads to oil starvation and accelerated gear wear. Article number of the original filter: 31726-31X01.

What happens if you don’t change the automatic transmission oil?

The consequences depend on the mileage:

  • 🔸 60,000–100,000 km: jerking, shift delays, friction wear.
  • 🔸 100,000–150,000 km: failure of solenoids, leakage of seals.
  • 🔸 150,000+ km: torque converter failure or the box as a whole (repair ~100,000 rubles).

Is it possible to change the oil yourself without a pit?

Technically possible, but extremely inconvenient. Alternative options:

  • 🔹Use jack (raise the front part and place the stops).
  • 🔹 Drain the oil through radiator hose (less effective).
  • 🔹 Contact a service with a lift (the best option).

Without a pit, it is difficult to control the oil level and the cleanliness of the pan.