I have a 2004 Altima 2.5 S with the automatic transmission. I recently just hit 89,000 miles. I never serviced the transmission since it was optional and the car always shifted great. Now since I am approaching the 90,000 mile mark, I wanted to service the car to get ready for the next few years, including a coolant flush if necessary. I see it as I have 3 options:

#1 - Nissan recommends the drain and refill at 90,000 miles and were going to charge about $250 for it here in NY. I was reading that is just like an oil change, except I would have to repeat it every couple hundred miles. I was thinking just change it 3 times, once every 2 or 3 weeks. That means 8 quarts times 3, which is 24 bottles of the Nissan transmission fluid. The fluid alone would cost me about $300, but I would be following Nissan recommendations. The dealer also told me there was no transmission fluid filter.

#2 - I called Aamco and they said to drop the pan, change the gasket, drain the fluid, clean the filter, and put new fluid for about $300. The guy said all I do are transmissions and even the Nissans have filters inside the transmission.

#3 - My mechanic I always goes to has a Nissan Titan. I was strongly considering letting him do a transmission flush. He said with his Titan, he did a complete flush with his machine with Nissan transmission fluid. He said you can do a drain and refill, but the old fluid is still there. (Which is why I do the drain and refill 3 times). The flush was about $140 but doesnt include the fluid which is 9 or 10 quarts of Nissan fluid. Total cost for the job is about $275.


I think I just blew a strut on these great roads so I am strongly thinking about leaving the car with my mechanic and having him flush the transmission with Nissan fluid and change my strut. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Strongly leaning towards the flush..Mechanic says the flush uses 18 quarts and leaves about 9 in the transmission. 125 for the flush and about 200 for the Nissan Matic D fluid. I was very close to doing the drain and refill..Any comments?