How do you check the transmission fluid on a nissan altima

Actually, the first question is “Do I need to change my transmission fluid at all?”  For the answer, consult your Nissan Owner’s Manual. Unless there’s a leak or a problem, some newer transmissions are designed to never need a fluid change.

But let’s say your car does need a transmission fluid flush as part of preventive maintenance.  The top reason to change it is to keep your transmission operating at its best. Like any other fluid such as engine oil, transmission fluid becomes less effective over time. Stop-and-go driving, towing or other high-stress conditions can shorten its life even further. Unlike other fluids, however, transmission fluid doesn’t just lubricate the transmission parts, it also acts as hydraulic fluid, helping keep the transmission cooler and helping with shifts.

In a practical sense, the most important reason to perform preventive maintenance on your transmission comes down to dollars and cents: getting a transmission fluid flush might cost you a few hundred dollars, but a new transmission will cost thousands.

  1. Home
  2. Nissan
  3. Altima 2009
  4. Transmission Fluid / Check Fluid Level

1. Getting Started - Prepare for the repair

2. Open the Hood - How to pop the hood and prop it open

3. Remove Dipstick - Access point for transmission fluid

4. Check Level - Insert dipstick and pull it out to determine level

5. Add Fluid - Determine correct fluid type and add fluid

6. Replace Dipstick - Put the dipstick / cap back in place

7. More Info. - Additional information on checking trans. fluid levels

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How do you check the transmission fluid on a nissan altima
 
How do you check the transmission fluid on a nissan altima

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The engine in your 2009 Nissan Altima should be running when you perform a transmission fluid level check, otherwise it will be inaccurate. The video above shows where the transmission fluid dipstick is located in your Altima and how to check the transmission fluid level. If the transmission fluid level in your Altima is low, you need to add transmission fluid through the dipstick tube. When adding transmission fluid to your Altima, be sure to add it slowly as it will fill up quickly and is difficult to remove excess fluid if you overfill.

If you are having problems with the transmission in your Altima, such as clunky shifting or hesitation, check the fluid level first - it is amazing how many drivers pay thousands of dollars for transmission work when a half quart of transmission fluid would have fixed the problem.

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How do you check the transmission fluid on a nissan altima

Hans Angermeier is an ASE certified Maintenance and Light Repair Technician and has produced over 100,000 videos showing drivers how to fix things on their cars. He has broad expertise on basic repair procedures covering the majority of cars on the road. Over the past 10 years, Hans has been focused on building CarCareKiosk, which is visited by millions of drivers each month.

How do you check the transmission fluid on a nissan altima

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How do you check the transmission fluid on a Nissan?

Turn on the engine to warm up your vehicle for a few minutes, and then put your car in park. Open up the hood and locate the transmission fluid dipstick. If you're having trouble finding it, consult your owner's manual. Once you find the dipstick, remove it and touch the fluid to get a look at it.

What happens when transmission fluid is low Nissan Altima?

When your transmission fluid is running low, you can experience a delay or hesitation when shifting to drive or reverse because the fluid pressure simply isn't strong enough. The gear will eventually change. It may just take a few seconds or so.

Do you check transmission fluid while the car is running?

Transmission fluid expands in heat and in order to receive accurate results, it must be under normal operating conditions. If the fluid is checked when the engine is cold, you may get false results indicating the fluid is low. Allow the engine to continue running while you check the level.