Changing fluids

[Mag]

I just bought a 2002 spec v, and I want to change all the fluids that need changing.

Basically, I need to change transmission, brake, and power steering fluids.

My question is what are the right fluids that my car needs? I have searched the forum, but the posts are kinda old. I don't know if there has been new fluids lol so I wanted to start a new thread.

For transmission, do I need a mix of redline?

what do I need for the brake and steering?

Do the transmission, brake, and steering use the same fluid?

Please be specific about your answers because I do not know any jargon. If you could give me details information about any products please.

[Jeff Kleb]

I assume that a SPEC-V has a 6-speed manual transmission.......so check with a local gearhead or auto repair shop. My GXE with a 5-speed manual takes a very thick gear oil (75w90 or something like that) - but NOT ATF. The rear pages of your owner's guide might list the specific type as well.

Brake fluid? Hmmm.....DOT 3 or DOT 4, perhaps? I think your clutch fluid might be DOT 3 as well; but I am not sure. My Sentra has a 'wet' clutch, so yours probably does as well.

As for power steering, I used pinkish stuff (looked like ATF) that I purchased at AutoZone. It was listed in their computer as applicable to my Sentra and it works fine. I did a gradual "flush" of my power steering system by siphoning out the reservoir (then adding new fluid) two or three times over the course of a week.

Good luck with your car!!

[i68k]

Originally Posted by Mag

I just bought a 2002 spec v, and I want to change all the fluids that need changing.
Basically, I need to change transmission, brake, and power steering fluids.
My question is what are the right fluids that my car needs? I have searched the forum, but the posts are kinda old. I don't know if there has been new fluids lol so I wanted to start a new thread.

what do I need for the brake and steering?

For transmission, do I need a mix of redline?
Do the transmission, brake, and steering use the same fluid?

Please be specific about your answers because I do not know any jargon. If you could give me details information about any products please.

there's also oil, coolant, and clutch fluid to change sometime,
for brake and steering you can use normal fluid, if you change brake fluid upgrade to dot4 fluid if youd like.

the gear oil (not tranny fluid!!!) thats goes into the transmission should be GL-4, which is sometimes hard to find. Do not use GL-5, only gl-4, has to do with softer metals being in the transmission and having our synchros wear away prematurely. the 2 gear oils i hear the most are synchromesh and lightweight shockproof that are safe for your transmission. remember if you do this yourself, fluid level is more important than amount of fluid.

[Mag]

Originally Posted by i68k

there's also oil, coolant, and clutch fluid to change sometime,
for brake and steering you can use normal fluid, if you change brake fluid upgrade to dot4 fluid if youd like.

the gear oil (not tranny fluid!!!) thats goes into the transmission should be GL-4, which is sometimes hard to find. Do not use GL-5, only gl-4, has to do with softer metals being in the transmission and having our synchros wear away prematurely. the 2 gear oils i hear the most are synchromesh and lightweight shockproof that are safe for your transmission. remember if you do this yourself, fluid level is more important than amount of fluid.

OMG! There is gear oil needed changing? Where is it located? I only knew I needed to change the tranny fluid =[

I have read people used redline mt90 mixed with some mtl for their transmission.

[i68k]

there is no 'tranny fluid' in manual transmission, dont confuse this with automatic tranny fluid

you put 'gear oil' into the transmission using the fill and drain bolts, there is no dipstick.

the lightweight shockproof is made by redline, im not sure if its newer formula or how its different then mt90, maybe you could search that

[Mag]

Originally Posted by i68k

there is no 'tranny fluid' in manual transmission, dont confuse this with automatic tranny fluid

you put 'gear oil' into the transmission using the fill and drain bolts, there is no dipstick.

the lightweight shockproof is made by redline, im not sure if its newer formula or how its different then mt90, maybe you could search that

I'm confused

Are tranny fluid and gear oil the same thing? When I change the gear oil or tranny fluid, my car should shift better right? I'm buying 3 quarts of mt 90 from Amazon.

The problem I have right now is when I shift, it is not smooth, I can feel some metal grinding. What do I need to do?

Do I need to change clutch fluid, gear oil, or tranny fluid?

DO I put MT90 into clutch fluid reservoir as well?

I know these questions are kinda dumb, but help me please

[i68k]

Originally Posted by i68k

there is no 'tranny fluid' in manual transmission

clutch fluid is for the hydraulics in your clutch, its not cable driven, do not put oil in your clutch fluid

if your gears are grinding you may need to bleed the clutch and make sure all your shift linkages are tight. changing the gear oil will help only if its internal to the tranny.

[Mag]

Originally Posted by i68k

clutch fluid is for the hydraulics in your clutch, its not cable driven, do not put oil in your clutch fluid

if your gears are grinding you may need to bleed the clutch and make sure all your shift linkages are tight. changing the gear oil will help only if its internal to the tranny.

I believe I can't bleed the clutch myself.

So then mt 90 is the right "gear oil" for my spec, right?

Basically brake and clutch fluid can be the same (dot 4) right?

I have researched the forum, but I can't understand which is which.

So excuse my ignorance, it's my first car.

[i68k]

it is nice to have a friend when bleeding the clutch

gear oil for tranny - mt90, syncromesh, or lightweight shockproof, you use the fill and drain holes on the tranny

brake/clutch fluid - dot3 or dot4 fluid, if you havent changed yet, its prob still dot3

[mtsixspeed]

I just replaced the clutch fluid in my '02 Spec V. I don't know how you could do it without one other person in the driver seat working the clutch pedal. It's just like changing the brake fluid in that you need a second person to work the brake pedal. Bleeding the clutch hydraulic system is the same process, only you're not replacing all of the clutch fluid. Use dot 3 brake fluid for the brake and the clutch hydraulic systems.
As far as fluid for a manual transmission on these cars, the confusion comes from the fact that they actually use gear oil instead of "transmission fluid". Being a front-wheel drive car, you should think of your transmission as also being a differential, which is the reason it's technically referred to as a transaxle. I bought a few quarts of 75w-85 gear oil right from the Nissan dealer because of the uncertainty about the GL-4/GL-5 concern. The funny thing is that Nissan labels it "Manual transmission fluid," adding to the confusion.

[scottybones]

Read your manual and don't take bad advice! Manual in a GXE takes 75-85 which is actually a really thin gear oil, and the only place I was able to find it was the dealership. I made the mistake of throwing a heavier gear oil in my Celica and it started shifting hard and grinding gears.
Brake and clutch is DOT3 and if you are going to swap, make sure that you replace the fluid completely. Mixing different kinds of Brake fluids is hazardous for the master cylinder.
If you purchase a brake bleeding kit like the Mighty Vac MV8000 that I used, you can do it by yourself. I used it to bleed the clutch and brakes on my ZZR1200 and now I'm going to tackle the Sentra. The fsm says that you can't use a vacuum to bleed the clutch, but since it's only changing and not actually bleeding air, I don't see a problem with it.