Should the Transmission Filter Be Replaced?
2 Answers
The transmission filter should be replaced, typically along with the transmission fluid, every two years or approximately every 40,000 to 60,000 kilometers. However, it depends on the situation. Most filters are made of filter paper, which can accumulate a lot of impurities over time and thus require replacement. Some models use metal filters with a fine wire mesh as the filtering layer. These can be cleaned and reused when changing the transmission fluid, eliminating the need for replacement. In certain models, removing the oil pan is necessary when draining the transmission fluid, allowing access to the filter inside. Over time, friction between metal components in the transmission generates fine debris, and the transmission fluid can become contaminated. The transmission filter intercepts and filters these impurities, preventing potential transmission failures.
Last time when my Nissan hit 70,000 km, the acceleration felt jerky. The transmission specialist counted on his fingers explaining: the factory manual states the filter should be replaced at 60,000 km—it's essentially the kidney of the transmission. He said the filter was already clogged with sludge and metal shavings, causing minor gearshift jolts at best, or at worst, like the Touareg he repaired last week that seized up completely, costing 8,000 RMB to fix. Replacing the filter with fresh fluid now costs just over 1,000 RMB, and when we dropped the oil pan, we found two magnets covered in iron filings. Tell me, shouldn’t it be replaced? Especially for cars often driven in urban areas—stop-and-go traffic is the hardest on transmissions.
