Hello i have a 2001 manual maxima and i just did a clutch replacement and i have to put some transmission fluid but i wonder if i can use automatic transmission fluid?

 

That's a big NO.

GL-4 only.

 

Many cars from the factory use ATF in a manual, and many use ATF, especially in cold weather applications, but I wouldn't recommend the use long term.

 

I wouldn't put anything in there but GL-4 MTF. Not even for a minute. The syncros are designed to need a specific amount of lubrication AND friction to function properly.

 

Back in '88 when I purchased our TII new, it was a bear shifting when cold (GL4) so Mazda, corp, used ATF in the cold weather areas, no problems. Traded it in on a new '89 TII, nothing but RedLine. Just an FYI-still have the car.

 

Cst in the 7s isn't good when we're using redline in the 14s (at 100C)...

Other transmissions probably call for oils of 8.x cst, so ATF being much thinner when cold would be a match for cold climate viscosity wise. But, that's still absurd. I would just use 0w/5w30/40.

 

I agree. In fact, in the '89, both the trans and diff fluids were changed to RedLine at 3k miles.