Is a Transmission Cooler Needed for Towing with a 2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 Liter And CVT Transmission

Question:

I was trying to determine if a transmission cooler was needed to tow a 400# motorcycle tent trailer with this car with a 2.5 Liter Engine. The use is very rare, perhaps 3-4 times per year, a few hundred miles per trip. Coastal California residence with mild climate. Thanks.

asked by: Jeff S

Expert Reply:

Installation of a Transmission cooler, like the Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler # D13503, to cool the constant variable transmission fluid in the transmission on your 2013 Nissan Altima would be a good choice if you will be towing with your vehicle and your vehicle has transmission fluid lines that run to an OEM cooler at the front of the vehicle. These lines could go to a tank mounted cooler in the radiator or to an external cooler in front of the radiator. If your transmission does not have an external fluid cooler then you would not be able to install a secondary cooler.

A transmission cooler will help prolong the life of the transmission and will not cause any damage, as long as it is properly installed inline on the transmission return line. Testing has shown that for every 20 degrees of cooling a transmissions life is extended by 50 percent.

One of my coworkers has a 2010 Altima on the lot so I went out and looked at the area in front of the radiator and A/C condenser and there is plenty of room for installation on a 3.5 liter engine equipped vehicle.

Before installation you will want to check the transmission lines on your Altima to make sure there are lines to the radiator or external cooler and that you have the correct fittings to complete the installation.

If your Altima is equipped with rubber transmission lines then you can remove the rubber line from the existing fitting at the OEM transmission cooler and install the hose from the aftermarket transmission cooler on that fitting. You will then use the Insta-Dapt fitting included with the cooler kit you selected to splice the other hose from the aftermarket cooler to the OEM rubber transmission return line.

If your vehicle is equipped with steel or aluminum transmission lines, you should measure the outside diameter of the OEM line on a straight portion of the tube. Once you know the diameter of the transmission line you can select the correct compression fittings, 2 are needed. We have 3 sizes of compression fittings, 1/2 inch, # D13033, 5/16 inch, # D13031 and 3/8 inch, # D13032 which is the most common transmission line size.