Recommended Transmission Cooler For a 2012 Nissan Altima With CVT Transmission

Updated 09/08/2021 | Published 09/07/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets - Class III - Efficient

(874)

$96.46

Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets - Class IV - Efficient

(874)

$114.41

Question:

I have been looking at your 8000 series 13503 and 13504 coolers. I own a 2012 Nissan Altima with a CVT and live in Florida which in summer gets over 95 degrees. Which of the two would you recommend? Is the 13504 too big for my car? Or will a stacked plate cooler be more efficient under such extreme heat? Also I have read that in warm weather you can bypass the radiator transmission cooler and hook it up strait to the aftermarket one. Thank you in advance

asked by: Phil

Expert Reply:

For your 2012 Nissan Altima I recommend the Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler # D13503. The larger Derale # D13504 is designed for trucks that will frequently tow large trailers.

I would recommend not bypassing the radiator portion of the transmission cooler as this will help to lower the fluid temperature before entering the Derale Air cooler. This is important when you get stuck in traffic as you will not have as much air moving across your Derale cooler and it will help keep the temps cooler.

Also in the cooler months the radiator cooler will actually warm the fluid to let the transmission operate smoother. Much like the engine your transmission likes to be at a certain temperature to operate at it's optimum level.

expert reply by: Bud M