If I want to change out all the fluid in the Transmission myself, how do I drain the fluid that remains in the torque converter? All the instructions I have been able to read only tell you how to drain the transmission by removing the pan and cleaning or changing the filter/strainer, O-ring, and gasket which only changes out 3 to 6 quarts of fluid. Nissan tells me that most of the 15 to 16 quarts of fluid remain in the torque converter which they pump out. Is there a way for me to get it out other than paying Nissan to do it or is it best to just drain, clean and refill?

Yea, what I have done in the past is remove the trans fluid cooler return line going BACK to the trans. Start the car and let it run at idle ONLY. You will pump out 3 - 4 quarts. Shut the engine OFF. Leave the cooler line off. Add in the exact amount of fluid you just pumped out. I do this by using identical containers. Pump the old into one. Then add the new into the other container next to it until they are even. Then use this to fill the trans back up. Then start the car and let it IDLE until you have pumped the 3 - 4 quarts out again. Shut the engine OFF. Repeat this 3 to 4 times until you have replaced all the old fluid with new.

Don't for get to hook the cooler return line back up when done. It would also be a good idea to drop the pan and clean it and replace the screen if you really want to do it right.

Or, the really easy way is to just drain it with the pug, refill it, run it for a few minutes and repeat maybe 3 to 4 times till it looks nice and clean. No need to remove the return line. This is what I used to do on my '02 X and never even had a hint of problems with the trans.

Also, IIRC, the first gen X trans only hold about 9 - 10 quarts so not sure where you got the 16 quarts in the converter.

dezurtrat, Thanks for your quick answer on this info I asked for. That was exactly what I was looking for. It was Nissan's service department that told me it held 15 to 16 quarts.

You're welcome!

hey very helpful information! im gonna be doing my own tranny fluid exchange as well:D!