Nissan Versa 1.8 Trans filter?

[wn1998]

My local trans shop told me over the phone that the Nissan versa's auto trans filter is too difficult to get to when doing a pan drop so all they could do was a pan drop and refill or a total fluid exchange.

The versa seems to have a drain plug for the trans as well. Should I worry about a pan drop with only 20k on the car and just do yearly transmission drain and fills for the life of the car?

 

[tinmanSC]

Generally a filter change is not needed this soon. The exception to this rule is if, say, you put something other than transmission fluid in your transmission, or something blew up. If you have a normally operating trans don't other changing the filter this side of 100K+ miles.

 

[wn1998]

I have been told, I should do a pan drop to clean out anything that may be in my trans from the break-in because we bought it new.

I am thinking of just doing yearly Amsoil ATF drain and fills is that overkill? Does anyone know if the Versa 1.8L auto trans filter is even serviceable? I know they make one but can't find out where it is located in the transmission.

 

[Jim Allen]

I disagree with tinman in general because a transmission generates the majority of it's lifetime of contaminants in the first 5000 miles. They are a combination of the "built-in" stuff from manufacturing and break in materials. The bigger chunks are in your filter now.

That said, Japanese automakers were among the first to get the built-in (manufacturing, called Type 1 contaminants) under control by instituting improved manufacturing procedures. With your Nissan, it may well be a "no worries" thing and tinman could be correct in this instance. I wouldn't presume the same thing with most American makes right now, though they are getting better.

My "gut" tells me that you would likely be OK with just a drain. If possible, you could also install an inline trans filter in the cooler line, such as the Magnefine. I have never looked at a Versa close up, so I don't know it's coller setup... but you might Google Magnefine for more specific info on your car.

 

[tinmanSC]

Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
I disagree with tinman in general because a transmission generates the majority of it's lifetime of contaminants in the first 5000 miles. They are a combination of the "built-in" stuff from manufacturing and break in materials. The bigger chunks are in your filter now.

That said, Japanese automakers were among the first to get the built-in (manufacturing, called Type 1 contaminants) under control by instituting improved manufacturing procedures. With your Nissan, it may well be a "no worries" thing and tinman could be correct in this instance. I wouldn't presume the same thing with most American makes right now, though they are getting better.

My "gut" tells me that you would likely be OK with just a drain. If possible, you could also install an inline trans filter in the cooler line, such as the Magnefine. I have never looked at a Versa close up, so I don't know it's coller setup... but you might Google Magnefine for more specific info on your car.


The Nissan Versa (and all Nissan car transmissions I think?) are use least 100K maintenance intervals. The "filter" is not really a filter at all. It's not at all like an engine oil filter; it's just a metal mesh screen thing, and it's pretty big. It takes A LOT of gunk to plug up one of those filters. It's similar to what Toyota and Hyundai use. Changing the filter is not really needed shy of 100K miles. You can check the service manual, but I'm pretty sure it'll back me up on this one. But you should at least clean out what you can in the pan if you do end up taking it off. Be sure to clean off the magnets (I think they are in the bottom of the pan in the Versa).

 

[Virtuoso]

Never have seen a trans filter plug and cause fluid starvation problems on any high milage vehicle I've owned. The fluid on the other hand, could be contaminated and worn out long before the filter would be a problem.

But every car is different.

 

[Jim Allen]

Originally Posted By: Virtuoso
Never have seen a trans filter plug and cause fluid starvation problems on any high milage vehicle I've owned. The fluid on the other hand, could be contaminated and worn out long before the filter would be a problem.

But every car is different.


I have, but it's rare and in the instances I saw, it was unclear if it was the chicken or the egg.

Some of the SAE papers on the subject do talk about flow restriction effecting trans performance... but like you said, each car is different.

If the versa has a screen, then I wouldn't bother but I would investigate an inline filter if you intend to put a lot of miles on the car or keep it for a long while.