How to Change CVT Transmission Fluid on a 2018 Nissan Altima (NS-3 Drain & Fill)
Step-by-step CVT fluid service with required tools, NS-3 fluid specs, safety tips, and temperature-based level setting
How to Change CVT Transmission Fluid on a 2018 Nissan Altima (NS-3 Drain & Fill)
Step-by-step CVT fluid service with required tools, NS-3 fluid specs, safety tips, and temperature-based level setting
š§ Altima - CVT Transmission Fluid Change
Your Altima uses a CVT (continuously variable transmission), and the fluid level is set at a specific temperatureānot by a dipstick. To give you the correct, trim-accurate procedure (including the right fluid amount and torque specs), I need two quick details first.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.0-2.5 hours
ā ļø Safety & Precautions
- ā ļø Work on level ground; support the car with jack stands, not the jack.
- ā ļø CVT fluid level is temperature-sensitive; setting it wrong can cause slipping or damage.
- ā ļø Exhaust and CVT case can be very hot; wear gloves and safety glasses.
- ā ļø Keep dirt out of the fill areaāCVTs are sensitive to contamination.
- ā ļø Battery disconnect is typically not required for this service.
š§ Required Tools
You'll need the following tools for this repair:
- Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
- Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
- Wheel chocks
- Safety glasses
- Nitrile gloves
- Drain pan (8-quart minimum)
- Metric socket set (8mm-19mm)
- 3/8" drive ratchet
- Torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range)
- Flat trim tool
- Fluid transfer pump (specialty)
- OBD2 scan tool with CVT fluid temp data (specialty)
- Infrared thermometer (optional)
- Shop rags
- Brake cleaner spray
š© Required Parts
HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:
- CVT fluid (Nissan NS-3 specification) - Qty: TBD
- CVT drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1
- CVT fill plug sealing washer - Qty: TBD
- CVT pan gasket - Qty: 1 (only if pan is removed)
- CVT strainer/filter - Qty: 1 (only if pan is removed)
š Before You Begin
- Park your Altima on a flat, level surface and set the parking brake.
- Chock the rear wheels using wheel chocks.
- Raise the front and support with jack stands at the proper lift points.
- Wipe around the CVT fill area with shop rags and brake cleaner spray.
- Have your temperature method ready: OBD2 scan tool with CVT fluid temp data (specialty) is best; an infrared thermometer may not be accurate enough for level-setting.
- Please answer these 2 questions so I can give the exact steps + torque specs:
- Are you doing a simple drain-and-fill, or are you also dropping the pan and replacing the strainer/filter?
- Do you have an OBD2 scan tool that can display CVT fluid temperature?
šØ Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps in order:
Step 1: Pause here so we do it correctly
- Reply with your answers to the two questions in the Before You Begin section.
- Once I have that, Iāll provide the exact Altima CVT procedure including: correct plug locations for your setup, fluid temperature target, fill/overflow method, and Torque to XX Nm (YY ft-lbs) for each fastener.
ā After Repair
- After the correct procedure is completed, youāll recheck for leaks, verify the final level at the specified CVT temperature, and road-test for smooth operation.
- If any warning lights appear, youāll scan with the OBD2 scan tool and recheck the fluid level/temperature process.
š° DIY vs Shop Cost
Shop Cost: $200-$450 (parts + labor)
DIY Cost: $70-$180 (parts only)
You Save: $130-$270 by doing it yourself!
Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-2.0 hours.
šÆ Ready to get started?
HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.
