Diff and MT fluid recommendations?

[Mugzilla]

So, my 2024 has 6700 miles on it.

I have a new-in-box Nissan rear LSD differential. Zero miles.

My manual transmission has 6700 miles on it.

It appears Nissan uses $#!+ fluids. I (hopefully) still have access to my lift in the coming weeks.

What DIFFERENTIAL fluid should I fill my NIB diff with to break in the LSD? It will have the Z1 performance diff cover on it.

What TRANNY fluid should I put in my manual transmission?

 

[RobotAZ]

The trans says you can only temporarily use non-Nissan. That’s pretty rare to tell customers. I’d take it seriously, although the guys at HPL can probably talk sense if you want it. They literally know more than anyone about anything related to lube.

https://www.hplubricants.com/

Tranny on top in the photo. Diff at the bottom.

 

[Mugzilla]

LOL. I LITERALLTY screenshotted the same thing:

I found Red Line MT-85 as a GL-4, and their Hypoid LSD fluid at 75w-90, GL-5.

F it; I'm using Red Line. Every video I see of people changing their stock Nissan MT fluid it looks like black water pouring out.

The brand loyalist in me WANTED to use Mobil 1, but their MT fluid is GL-5, which, in theory, could eff up brass.

 

[RobotAZ]

I use Redline if I can, but I am cautious with the API spec. I used Redline MT-LV and whatever the diff called for in my GR-86 that I just traded away. I use it when I can. It’s very good stuff. Their non-API engine oil is Group V turbine lube, and amazing. Just don’t use it in a car that the oil never gets truly hot or it’ll hold water. It’s absorbs it but will get rid of it at normal temps. But granny going half a mile down the road and hour later half a mile back, you can get rust eventually.

 

[dogunbound]

I honestly can't see why all of a sudden Nissan made a transmission that somehow requires their oil and only their oil... I don't think it really matters tbh. Manual transmissions are stupid simple, so you probably could get away with throwing motor oil in the damn thing (maybe not for super long, but you probably could).

 

[5thZ]

Thanks for asking the important questions, @Mugzilla! I too will be adding a LSD and swapping out fluids on my MT (prior to track events, but after break-in period...still have only 23 miles on the car).

 

[NocturnalEmber]

I found it odd that the manual specifies only genuine brand nissan fluid. Granted this could easily approach the slippery slope of fluid debates (and we all know how those can be), but it really makes me wonder what the significance is.

To be honest, I'm actually questioning the suitability *OF* the Nissan oem fluid. The car has noticeably rougher shifting from 1-2 and 2-3 when cold or slightly warm. Only after driving the car for 30+ minutes do I notice the shifting start to not give audible feedback (not grinding) when going into those above mentioned gates.

My deductive reasoning says I should try some XT-M5-QS. I've had very good luck with that stuff on rwd gearboxes from the 2000's era, and being that nissan likely has carried over a lot of parts from the previous gen transmission, I'm sure it would likely provide some benefit.

The only thing stopping me is the potential warranty issue if I were to have one. I might pull the trigger and try it anyway.

 

[5thZ]

I found it odd that the manual specifies only genuine brand nissan fluid. Granted this could easily approach the slippery slope of fluid debates (and we all know how those can be), but it really makes me wonder what the significance is.

To be honest, I'm actually questioning the suitability *OF* the Nissan oem fluid. The car has noticeably rougher shifting from 1-2 and 2-3 when cold or slightly warm. Only after driving the car for 30+ minutes do I notice the shifting start to not give audible feedback (not grinding) when going into those above mentioned gates.

My deductive reasoning says I should try some XT-M5-QS. I've had very good luck with that stuff on rwd gearboxes from the 2000's era, and being that nissan likely has carried over a lot of parts from the previous gen transmission, I'm sure it would likely provide some benefit.

The only thing stopping me is the potential warranty issue if I were to have one. I might pull the trigger and try it anyway.

If something happens and you're worried about a warranty claim being denied I would consider doing a drain and refill with Nissan OEM before you go to the dealership

 

[NocturnalEmber]

If something happens and you're worried about a warranty claim being denied I would consider doing a drain and refill with Nissan OEM before you go to the dealership

I wouldn't anticipate anything happening necessarily. I'm sure if these transmissions had issues we would have heard about it in the past decade or so, being how Nissan loves to re use parts (which in situations like this are likely a benefit if I had to guess.)

My only concern would be them doing a visual inspection and noticing the different color of the fluid even if I were to change it. If memory serves, the unicorn fluid has a blue hue to it.

I think I'm going to price some out and see if its worth it, though. The shifting isn't a functional issue as much as an annoying one at 'cold' temps, maybe I'll have some luck with it.