🔧 Altima - CVT Transmission Fluid Drain & Refill

On your Altima (CVT automatic), the fluid is critical for belt-and-pulley operation and cooling. A simple drain-and-refill replaces a portion of the fluid (not all of it), which is the safest DIY method versus a power flush.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3.0 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support the car on jack stands, not just a jack.
• ⚠️ CVT fluid level is temperature-sensitive; use a scan tool to monitor CVT fluid temperature or you can over/under-fill.
• ⚠️ Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses; hot fluid can burn.
• ⚠️ Keep dirt out of the fill port; even small contamination can damage a CVT.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this service.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (10-quart minimum)
• 10mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 ft-lb range)
• Trim clip removal tool
• Funnel with hose
• Fluid transfer pump (specialty)
• OBD2 scan tool with CVT fluid temperature PID (specialty)
• Shop rags
• Brake cleaner spray

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Nissan CVT fluid (NS-3) - Qty: 6 quarts
• CVT drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1
• CVT overflow/level plug washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Warm the CVT with a 10–15 minute drive so the fluid drains more completely.
• Lift the front with a floor jack and set the car on jack stands at equal height so the car stays level.
• “Transfer pump” means a hand pump that pushes fluid into the fill port.
• You must watch CVT fluid temperature on a scan tool.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the lower splash shield (if equipped)

• Use a 10mm socket and trim clip removal tool to remove the fasteners and lower the splash shield.
• Set fasteners aside so nothing gets lost.

Step 2: Identify the CVT drain plug and overflow/level plug

• Place a drain pan (10-quart minimum) under the transmission.
• Use a shop rag and brake cleaner spray to clean around the plugs before opening anything.
• Cleaning first helps keep dirt out of the CVT.

Step 3: Drain the old CVT fluid

• Carefully remove the CVT drain plug using a 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Let the fluid drain until it becomes a slow drip.
• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug and install the new one.

Step 4: Reinstall the drain plug

• Install the drain plug by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Tighten with a 3/8" drive torque wrench: Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Add new NS-3 CVT fluid (initial fill)

• Remove the CVT fill plug using a 3/8" drive ratchet (access varies by layout; it’s typically on the transmission case).
• Use a fluid transfer pump (specialty) or funnel with hose to add Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid.
• Add approximately the same amount you drained (most drain-and-fills are about 4–5 quarts).
• Reinstall the fill plug snugly with a 3/8" drive ratchet for now.

Step 6: Circulate fluid and warm to the correct temperature

• Start the engine and keep your foot on the brake.
• Move the shifter slowly through P-R-N-D-L, pausing 3 seconds in each position, then return to P.
• Connect the OBD2 scan tool with CVT fluid temperature PID (specialty) and monitor CVT fluid temperature.
• Bring CVT fluid temperature to 35–45°C (95–113°F) before final leveling.
• Temperature is the “ruler” for CVT fluid level.

Step 7: Set the final CVT fluid level using the overflow/level plug

• With the engine idling and CVT fluid temp at 35–45°C (95–113°F), remove the overflow/level plug using a 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Correct level behavior is a thin stream that becomes a steady drip.
• If no fluid comes out, add NS-3 through the fill port using the fluid transfer pump (specialty) until fluid begins to dribble from the overflow/level opening.
• Reinstall the overflow/level plug and tighten with a 3/8" drive torque wrench: Torque to 7.8 Nm (69 in-lbs).
• Now torque the fill plug with a 3/8" drive torque wrench: Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall the splash shield

• Reinstall the shield using the 10mm socket and trim clip removal tool.
• Make sure all clips/bolts are secure and nothing is hanging down.

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine running, look underneath for leaks at the drain plug, fill plug, and overflow/level plug.
• Take a 10–15 minute test drive. Verify smooth takeoff and no slipping or surging.
• Park on a level surface and recheck for leaks again.
• If it whines or flares, re-check the level procedure.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $70-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $110-$380 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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