Nissan Repair: Transmission Filter, nissan maxima, haynes manual

Question
How do you change the transmission filter on a 1990 Nissan Maxima? How much transmission fluid will I need?

Answer
Jachin,

It takes about five quarts since you cannot drain the torque converter.  The transmission uses a screen and not a filter so you could just drain the fluid removing the bolt in the transmission pan and then reinstall it and fill it with four quarts and start the car.  Check the fluid and continue adding a pint at a time until the car is full.  Do not over fill or under fill.  If you are really wanting to change the screen you have to remove the pan.  A filter kit with a gasket costs around $30 bucks.  Remove the pan and then remove the bolts holding the filter screen to the valve body noting the location of the bolts since they are different lengths.  Get a Haynes Manual and it shows the torque specifications.  But, again, I would only do the fluid change since the filter is only a screen.