Auto Transmission oil change

[drjpb]

I have a 2003 Pathfinder with low miles. I am coming up on its first transmission oil change. I wanted to save some money. Some shops say it needs a flush and some say no. Any thoughts? Does the pan need to be dropped to change a filter or screen? Is this something that needs to be done in a shop? Thanks

[tech22]

Since this is the first trans flush by all means take it to the dealership and not a trans shop.Nissans use a different fluid that might get cross contaminated with another fluid if you elect to use a mom/pop/trans shop.This is not something you can do at home unless you own a transflush machine.There are no filters in the trans however there is a magnet located in the bottom of the trans pan.By removing the pan alone you will only dump appox. 3 to 4 qts. the intire system holds appox.14 most of which is held in the torque converter. Hope this helped you out.

[jdpromm]

This is a little after the fact, unless the AT on the 2003 is significantly different from that on the 2001 there is a filter in the transmission that should be changed. The transmission pan must be removed to access it.This filter is available through most Auto parts stores and again unless somthing significant has changed on the 2003 AT then dextronIII ATF can be used. Transmission flushing is most often not nessecary and most shops do not have the correct equipment to do a true transmission "flush".

[xterramexico05]

i replaced the oem fluid at 68k since i put so many miles but it was simply removing the plug and draining. at 102,000 my fluid color was cooking oil color and was told to remove and flush. i searched on line to the many ways back yard mechanics perform this flush without the machine. i drained and filled, then disconected the bottom hose that went to the bottom of the radiator.... and started the engine so that the old tranny fluid was pumped out into my container.... aprox 6 to 8 seconds, then stopped. then put a quart of tranny fluid and repeated untill i had red fluid coming out of that line. it was not difficult. but make sure you have a long hose so that you dont make a mess under the truck.

[momud]

what's low miles?

if you have never doen anything like this, i wouldn't do it on the first try right now. maybe after your warranty expires.