How to Change Automatic Transmission Fluid in a Nissan Maxima

Change the automatic transmission fluid every 30,000 miles if you drive the Maxima under severe conditions. Otherwise, you can change the fluid less often. You should change the automatic transmission fluid if you recently purchased a new Maxima or don't know when the fluid was changed last. The following covers Nissan Maxima models from 1992 through 1998.
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
Ramps or a floor jack
Jack stands
Drain pan
Copper gasket (if needed)
Torque wrench
Funnel
New transmission fluid
Socket wrench
Solvent
New filter assembly
New fluid pan gasket
New self sealing retaining bolts
Change the Transmission Fluid Only
1

Raise the car with ramps or a floor jack and safely support it with jack stands. Place a large fluid drain pan beneath the transmission.
2

Remove the drain plug by pushing it in while unscrewing it with your hand. Wait for the fluid to finish draining from the transmission.
3

Reinstall the drain plug. If the transmission is a Re4f04 model, replace the copper gasket as well. Using a torque wrench, tighten the drain plug to 22 to 29 foot pounds.
4

Lower the Maxima to the ground. Using a funnel placed in the transmission filler tube, add Dexron III or the Genuine Nissan ATF specified for your vehicle. Alternate adding small amounts of new transmission fluid and checking the fluid level until the fluid level reaches the "MAX" mark on the dipstick.
Replace the Transmission Fluid and the Fluid Filter Re4f04 Models
1

Complete Steps 1 and 2 from Section 1. Remove the fluid pan retaining bolts with a socket wrench and take the pan off the transmission.
2

Clean the fluid pan with a safe solvent and set it aside to air dry. Throw away the old pan gasket.
3

Remove the filter mounting bolts, remove the filter and any seals or gaskets and install a new filter. Make sure you replace any new gaskets or seals onto the filter. Secure the filter by tightening the retaining bolts to 6.5 to 6.9 foot pounds with a torque wrench.
4

Position a new gasket on the fluid pan and install the pan onto the transmission. You must use new bolts for this, because they're self sealing bolts. Tighten the bolts to 6.5 to 6.9 foot pounds. Finish the procedure by completing Step 3 from Section 1.