Should I change my original Transmission fluid with 203k?

[kylebach14]

05 3.5 altima 5 speed auto. It has the original transmission fluid, my mom never changed it. I was wondering if I should change it with 203k on it or just let it die? It still shifts fine and all, but I have to make this car last a couple more years until I get out of school (poor college student). The car is highway miles if that makes a difference.

[AZhitman]

Absolutely.

Some will say that changing the fluid on a high-mileage trans will create leaks - not true. If anything, the fluid in there now has lost any semblance of lubricity, and it's really not doing you any favors.

Make sure you clean the drain plug well, and use a good quality fluid (preferably the Nissan-recommended fill).

I'd be curious to see what it looks like - Make sure you take some pics!

[kylebach14]

Do I have a transmission filter? Or is it drain and fill.

[AZhitman]

Should have a filter. That'll require dropping the pan (which isn't hard), and might not be a bad idea, depending on your level of comfort with such things.

We can definitely walk you through it - make sure you check out the factory manual at www.nissanservicemanual.com