- The filter sits between the pan and the pump: it protects the pump and valve body, and if it clogs or draws air past its seal, the pump runs short of fluid.
- There's no single mileage: Chrysler changes it with every fluid change on the 41TE, Ford allows reusing it if there's no contamination, and on units like the 6T40 or 6F35 it's internal and changed when they're repaired.
- A clogged or badly installed filter can cause delayed or no engagement (worse when cold), slipping and a whine that rises with rpm.
- A cracked filter isn't always the culprit: GM warns that on the 6L80 a damaged pump cracks it, and says to inspect the pump before replacing it.
- When changing it, remove the old seal, lubricate the new one, use the right version for your pan, remove all packaging and don't overfill.
The automatic transmission filter is one of the cheapest parts in the transmission, but the pump depends on it for clean fluid. Here's what it does, the types, when each carmaker says to change it, the symptoms of a clogged filter, how to change it without mistakes and which TSS filter your car takes, according to GM, Ford, Chrysler, Volkswagen, Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Allison manuals and bulletins.
What does the automatic transmission filter do?
On almost every automatic, the filter sits inside the pan, between the fluid and the pump: it traps particles before they reach the pump and valve body. It connects to the pump, case or valve body with a seal or O-ring. Because it's on the suction side, a clogged, cracked or badly sealed filter starves the pump, or makes it draw air. It can be felt media or a screen.
Types of transmission filter
| Type | What it is and which units use it |
|---|---|
| Pan filter (felt or screen) | The most common: inside the pan, with its pickup and seal. Used, for example, on the 4L60E, 41TE, 46RE, 4F27E, 09G and the 4-speed Versa and March. |
| External, cartridge or spin-on | Changed from outside. Used on the Allison 1000 and 2000 in heavy-duty Silverados, the DQ250 DSG, several Hondas and some Nissan CVTs. |
| In-line | Sits in the cooler return hose. Ford uses it as a kit with a bypass valve, Chrysler on the 45RFE and 545RFE, and Honda on some models. |
| Internal | Inside the transmission and only changed when it's taken apart: the 6T40 (Cruze, Trax), the 6F35 (Escape, Fusion), the 6T70, the Allison internal filter and some Hondas. |
| Solenoid screens | Small screens that protect the solenoids, as on the 6L80 and 6T40. |
The filter also changes with the transmission version: pan depth, pickup length and generation. Chrysler, for example, used a different filter on the 1997 Ram for the deep pan, which is 0.59 in deeper and has its part number stamped on it. And GEARS, the magazine of the ATRA shop association, documented a deep-pan filter installed in a standard pan that starved the pump. Always compare the new one with the old one. The internal filters on the 6T40 and 6F35 are covered in their guides.
When should the transmission filter be changed?
There's no single mileage: each carmaker asks for something different. These are examples from US service manuals and maintenance schedules, except where noted:
- Chrysler, on the 41TE: the filter is changed with every fluid change, and the pan magnet is cleaned.
- Ford, on the 4R70W and 6R80: the filter may be reused if there's no excessive contamination; if the transmission is repaired for a contamination-related failure, it gets a new filter and seal.
- Volkswagen, on the 09G: the filter is replaced if its seals are loose or faulty.
- GM, on 4L60E trucks: fluid and filter every 50,000 miles (80,000 km) in severe service (short trips, heavy traffic, towing or commercial use) and every 100,000 miles (160,000 km) in normal service.
- Allison, on the 1000 and 2000: the internal filter only at overhaul, and the external spin-on on its schedule.
- 6-speed DSG: fluid and filter every 40,000 miles in the US; SEAT Mexico's schedule calls for it every 60,000 km. See the DSG transmission.
- Nissan, on the 4-speed Versa, and Honda, on the 5-speed Accord: the fluid service is drain and refill, with no filter change.
What they all agree on: if the transmission was repaired after a failure with metal or friction debris, a new filter, and flushing or replacing the cooler. For your car, check its owner's manual or maintenance schedule.
Symptoms of a clogged transmission filter
| Symptom | What it may be and what to check |
|---|---|
| No drive in D or R, or delayed engagement, especially when cold | A cracked, clogged or badly seated filter, a damaged seal or the wrong version. Also low fluid or the pump. |
| Slipping | A cracked filter, but GM warns that on the 6L80 that can come from a damaged pump; and worn clutches aren't fixed by a filter. |
| A whine that rises in pitch with rpm | Per GEARS, a clogged filter or one drawing air past its seal. |
| A gurgle or chirp at cold start | A restricted in-line or external filter, as Honda documented on the 2012 to 2014 Acura TL in the US. |
| Low pressure or gear ratio codes | A cracked or clogged filter, or the pump losing prime after a service. |
| Delayed engagement after sitting for hours | On the 45RFE and 545RFE, Chrysler linked it to the cooler return filter. |
| A leak at the external filter | A twisted or unlubricated O-ring, as GM documented on its CVT. |
A cracked filter isn't always the culprit
On the 6L80 and 6L90, GM explains that a damaged pump can send a pressure spike down the filter neck on a cold start and crack the filter or split its seam. GM is clear: the filter isn't defective and it isn't a filter quality issue; don't replace it without inspecting the pump. The same goes for a transmission slipping on worn clutches: a new filter won't fix it.
How to change the transmission filter without mistakes
- Remove the old seal: GM warns that on the 4L60E it can stay stuck in the pump, and Ford that it can stay in the valve body bore. On the 6L80, GM requires a new seal every time the filter comes off.
- Lubricate the new seal or O-rings with transmission fluid: GM, Ford and Volkswagen call for it, and GM warns that a dry O-ring can roll.
- Seat the filter fully: in the US, Ford linked an improperly seated filter to pressure drops and a transmission that wouldn't engage.
- Use the right version for your pan and pickup.
- Remove all the packaging from the new filter: GM found shrink-wrap from aftermarket spin-on filters plugging valve body holes on Allison units.
- On an in-line filter, follow the arrow: Ford warns that installing it backwards damages the transmission.
- Gasket or sealant per the carmaker: Ford allows reusing the pan gasket if it isn't damaged, and some pans, like the Focus's, use a bead of sealant instead of a gasket. More on gaskets in TSS Rojo vs Dorado overhaul kits.
- Tighten the pan bolts in a crisscross pattern to the manual's torque, and clean the magnets.
- Refill with the fluid the carmaker specifies and check the level at the temperature it calls for. Don't overfill: Honda warns the car may creep in N or shift poorly, Volkswagen that too much fluid impairs the transmission, and GM that it can spill onto hot parts.
What the filter and magnet tell you
GM says to cut the old filter open to find the cause of a failure: friction material, bronze slivers that point to worn bushings, or steel particles. Toyota reads the magnets this way: steel, which sticks to the magnet, comes from bearings, gears and steel plates; brass, which doesn't, from bushings. And GM notes that fine metallic dust on the magnet is normal, but chips aren't. We cover it in depth in burnt transmission fluid, metal or water, and why the cooler must be flushed after a failure in the transmission cooler.
Which TSS filter does your car take?
These are the TSS filters for the most common automatics in Mexico, per our guides to each transmission. Several units have versions by pan, pickup or generation, so always compare the new filter with yours before ordering:
| Vehicle | TSS filter |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado, Cheyenne, Tahoe and Suburban with the 4L60E | standard pan or deep pan; Colorado: 77710K |
| Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban with the 6L80 | 6L80 filter; GM requires a new seal every time |
| Chevrolet Cruze, Trax, Malibu and Equinox (6T40 and 6T45) | internal, changed when the transmission is repaired: 1st generation, 2nd or 3rd |
| Chevrolet Venture, Uplander and Impala (4T65E) | 4T65E filter |
| Chevrolet Aveo 2008 to 2018 (AW81-40LE) | 57710N or 94710V: compare the pickup with yours |
| Chevrolet Optra (ZF 4HP16) | 4HP16 filter |
| Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 with the Allison 1000 | internal (when repaired): 37710 or 37710A from 2010; external spin-on: 37712 |
| Ford Focus 2000 to 2011, Mazda3 through 2013, Mazda5 and Mazda6 (4F27E, FN4A-EL and FS5A-EL) | 5/8" pickup or 1-3/8" pickup: compare the pickup height |
| Ford Lobo / F-150 1997 to 2003 and Grand Marquis (4R70W) | filter with tube |
| Ford Lobo / F-150 and Expedition with the 6R80 | 1.5" pickup or 1" pickup: compare the pickup |
| Ford Explorer and Ranger with the 5R55E | 2WD or 4WD; Explorer with the 5R55W: 56710K |
| Ford Escape and Fusion (6F35) | internal, changed when the transmission is repaired: 2009 to 2012 or 2013 on |
| Chrysler Voyager, Town & Country through 2007, PT Cruiser and Stratus (41TE), and 4-speed Journey, Avenger and Chrysler 200 (40TES) | 41TE filter |
| Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan 2008 on, and 6-speed Journey, Avenger and Chrysler 200 (62TE) | 62TE filter |
| Ram 1997 to 2001, Durango 5.9 and Grand Cherokee 4.0 (46RE and A518) | felt or bronze; with the deep pan, 12776F |
| Ram, Durango and Grand Cherokee with the 45RFE or 545RFE | 2WD or 4WD; cooler return filter: 44711 |
| Nissan Sentra 2007 to 2012, X-Trail 2008 to 2014, Jeep Compass and Patriot (JF011E CVT) | internal and external cartridge, on units that have it |
| Nissan Sentra 2013 to 2019 and Note (JF015E CVT) | internal and external |
| Nissan Versa 2012 to 2019 and March (4-speed) | JF414E filter |
| Nissan Tsuru and Sentra 2001 to 2006 | RE4F03A filter |
| Volkswagen Jetta A4, Golf A4 and New Beetle 2.0 (01M) | 01M filter |
| Volkswagen Bora 2.5, Jetta 2.5 2011 to 2018, Beetle 2.5 and Passat (09G) | 09G filter or the kit with gasket; compare the VW number |
| VW GTI, GLI and others with the DQ250 DSG | external cartridge, the maintenance one, and internal |
| Toyota Corolla 2009 to 2013 and Yaris 2006 to 2013 (U340E and U341E) | filter with gasket |
| Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio 2018 on (A6GF1) | 142710B or 142710E: compare the number |
| Honda Accord 2.4 2008 to 2012 and CR-V 2007 to 2014 | internal filter; units with an external cartridge: 88710J |
| Renault and Peugeot with the DP0 or AL4, and Nissan Platina | DP0 filter |
The PowerShift in the Focus, Fiesta and EcoSport is a dry dual-clutch unit and has no fluid filter like these, and there's no TSS filter in this list for the CVT in the 2020-and-later Versa and the Kicks.
TSS filters
TSS has nearly 300 filters for automatics, CVTs and DSGs, plus overhaul kits and rebuild parts. Confirm the model, year and transmission before ordering.
TSS is an aftermarket brand with OEM-comparable quality and quality control on every product. It's sold through our authorized distributors: in Mexico, the full TSS catalog is at Transmisiones Veinte 07, and in the United States at Sun Transmissions.
Filtro Plástico Carter Profundo 4L60E 4L65E | GM Chevy Tahoe Silverado
Filtro 6.3" Altura Total, 1.30" Altura del Espaciador GM 6L50 6L80 6L90
Filtro 1ra Gen 2008/13 Requiere Desarme Total 6T40 6T45
Filtro Alto Toma 1-3/8 Ford Mazda 4Vel 4F27E FN4A-EL, Ford 5Vel FNR5
Filtro Transmisión Automática 09G | TF-60SN | VW Jetta Golf
Filtro de Transmisión Automática A604 | 41TE 41AE | Chrysler Dodge
FILTRO JF414E
FILTRO Interno JF015E RE0F11A