Oil filter for continuously variable transmission

A method for repairing a transmission, said method comprising:

• providing a transmission having
• a transmission housing having an interior wall defining a substantially cylindrical cavity and a fluid outlet, said cavity having a top portion and a bottom portion, said cavity being configured to receive an oil filter, said fluid outlet being disposed at said bottom portion of said cavity to provide a passage through which oil exits said cavity,
• a cover removably attached to said transmission housing over said top portion of said cavity, said cover defining a fluid inlet through which oil enters said top portion of said cavity, said transmission having a minimum fluid pressure requirement at said fluid output that increases with time;
• a first filter removably disposed in said cavity, said filter having a filter medium, a bottom portion, and a top portion, said top portion of said first filter and said wall of said cylindrical cavity defining therebetween a first fluid passage between said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet, said first fluid passage having a first cross-sectional area, such that said first filter provides a first initial output pressure at said fluid outlet when said first filter is in an uncontaminated state;
• providing a second filter having a filter medium, a bottom portion, and a top portion, said bottom portion of said second filter including a bottom structure adapted to mate with said bottom portion of said cavity, said top portion of said second filter having a diameter less than the diameter of said top portion of said first filter;
• removing said cover from said housing;
• removing said first filter from said cavity;
• installing said second filter in said cavity, said top portion of said second filter and said wall of said cylindrical cavity defining therebetween a second fluid passage between said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet, said second fluid passage having a second cross-sectional area greater than said first cross-sectional area, whereby said second filter provides a second initial output pressure at said fluid outlet when said second filter is in an uncontaminated state, said second initial output pressure being greater than said first initial output pressure so that said second filter has a greater life expectancy than said first filter;
• and
• reattaching said cover to said transmission housing over said cavity.