gmoliver

My son is new to DIY and on his 1999 Altima sedan took the trans plug out instead of the oil plug.
How much trans fluid needs replacement? Two quarts goes up to the bottom of the first hole on the stick. Does it need more? He drove it around and it shifted fine. It is 50 degrees outside so while the engine warmed up not sure the trans was fully warm after a short drive.
Thanks

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luxuryrules

Silly thought, but how about just taking the old stuff and emptying it into an empty half gallon container of milk? Count how many, work the math, and put in what came out.

I've done this every time I change ATF, because usually the fluid capacity spec assumes more actually drains than really does.

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08 Altima 2.5 CVT

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gmoliver

Thanks for the thought which is very astute. I was hoping to do a similar operation but the drain pan had motor oil in it an thus the trans fluid became contaminated and what came out could not be accurately measured. My son is somewhat of a novice so he is learning. He now lives in Houston so we communicate via cell phone.

I found a copy of his vehicle's owners manual on line. I got the page that gives the specific instructions on how to measure the trans fluid. The trans dipstick has a "hot" section with a range that looks to be about 3/8's of an inch long. The owners manual said to get the fluid warmed up as outlined and then measure with the level at or into the "hot" zone on the stick. Should it be in the middle or at the top of the dipstick hot zone? Any suggestion? My feeling is that it should be at the top of the zone and then you know you have it truly full.
Thanks,
Glenn

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patmans13

should be a total of 3.5-3.7 quarts total
sorry for your sons mishap, but its good he is doing things himself
stick should read halfway up the hot side

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-Patrick
2009 Altima 3.5 SE - stock DD
1991 240sx built, turbo, MONEY PIT - track car

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gmoliver

Patrick, thanks for your help. It looks like the replacement fluid amount was just about what you advised. I will tell Scott that the stick should be halfway up the hot side. That was my feeling but wanted to confirm it.
My son is a good kid and is learning but we all learn by making mistakes. Just glad it was a minor error.
Thanks again.

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patmans13

You're welcome sir. Anytime you have any questions you can PM me personally if you deem it necessary, if I dont have the answers I can ask one of my techs (I work at a Nissan dealer).
Good day

__________________
-Patrick
2009 Altima 3.5 SE - stock DD
1991 240sx built, turbo, MONEY PIT - track car

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