🔧 Kicks - CVT Transmission Fluid Change

This repair replaces the CVT transmission fluid in your Kicks to help protect the belt-and-pulley transmission from wear, overheating, shuddering, and delayed engagement. Your Kicks uses Nissan-spec CVT fluid, not regular automatic transmission fluid.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Use only Nissan NS-3 compatible CVT fluid. Regular ATF can damage the CVT.
• ⚠️ The CVT fluid level is temperature-sensitive. The final level check must be done with the fluid at the correct warm temperature range.
• ⚠️ Keep the vehicle level when draining and filling. A tilted vehicle can cause an incorrect fluid level.
• ⚠️ CVT fluid can be hot enough to burn skin. Wear gloves and safety glasses.
• ⚠️ Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Use jack stands or ramps.
• ⚠️ Do not disconnect the battery 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 (8-quart minimum)
• Ratchet handle 3/8-inch drive
• 10mm socket
• 19mm socket
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Plastic trim clip remover
• Long-neck transmission funnel
• Fluid measuring container with quart markings
• OBD2 scan tool with live data (specialty)
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Nissan NS-3 compatible CVT fluid - Qty: 4-5 quarts
• CVT drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1
• Under-cover push clips - Qty: As needed

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Kicks on a level surface and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels so the vehicle cannot roll.
• Drive the vehicle for 5-10 minutes if the transmission is cold. Warm fluid drains faster.
• Use an OBD2 scan tool with live data to monitor CVT fluid temperature. Live data means the tool shows sensor readings in real time.
• The fluid level check should be done with CVT fluid warm, typically around 95-113°F / 35-45°C.
• Measure the old fluid removed. Refill the same amount first, then adjust level if needed.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and Level the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack to raise the front of your Kicks at the proper front jacking point.
• Place jack stands under the approved support points.
• Keep the vehicle as level as possible. If needed, raise the rear too using the floor jack and support it with jack stands.
• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Level matters for fluid level.

Step 2: Remove the Lower Engine Cover

• Use a 10mm socket to remove the lower cover bolts.
• Use a plastic trim clip remover to remove any plastic push clips. A push clip is a reusable plastic fastener that holds splash shields in place.
• Lower the cover and set it aside.

Step 3: Locate the CVT Drain Plug

• Place a drain pan under the CVT transmission pan.
• Find the drain plug at the bottom of the transmission case/pan area.
• Clean around the plug with shop towels so dirt does not enter the transmission.

Step 4: Drain the Old CVT Fluid

• Use a 19mm socket and ratchet handle 3/8-inch drive to loosen the CVT drain plug.
• Remove the plug by hand while keeping the drain pan directly underneath.
• Let the fluid drain until it slows to a drip.
• Use a fluid measuring container with quart markings to measure exactly how much old fluid came out.
• Write the amount down.

Step 5: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug. A crush washer is a soft sealing washer that deforms once to prevent leaks.
• Install a new CVT drain plug crush washer.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first so it does not cross-thread.
• Use a torque wrench 3/8-inch drive with a 19mm socket and tighten the plug to Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Add New CVT Fluid

• Open the hood and locate the CVT dipstick/fill tube area near the transmission.
• If the tube has a locking cap, release it carefully by hand.
• Insert a long-neck transmission funnel into the fill tube.
• Add the same amount of Nissan NS-3 compatible CVT fluid that drained out, using the fluid measuring container with quart markings.
• Pour slowly to prevent spills and air pockets.

Step 7: Warm the Fluid and Circulate It

• Connect the OBD2 scan tool with live data to the diagnostic port under the driver side dash.
• Start the engine and keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal.
• Move the shifter slowly through P-R-N-D-L, pausing 3 seconds in each position.
• Return the shifter to P and leave the engine idling.
• Watch CVT fluid temperature on the OBD2 scan tool with live data.

Step 8: Check the CVT Fluid Level

• When the CVT fluid temperature is around 95-113°F / 35-45°C, keep the engine idling on level ground.
• Remove the dipstick or level indicator by hand.
• Wipe it clean with shop towels, reinstall it fully, then remove it again to check the level.
• The fluid should be within the warm/hot marked range on the indicator.
• If low, add fluid in small amounts using the long-neck transmission funnel.
• If overfilled, drain a small amount using the 19mm socket, ratchet handle 3/8-inch drive, and drain pan, then reinstall and torque the plug again to Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall the Lower Engine Cover

• Shut the engine off.
• Use shop towels to clean any spilled fluid around the drain plug and transmission case.
• Reinstall the lower cover using the original bolts and clips.
• Use a 10mm socket to snug the bolts. Do not overtighten small cover bolts.
• Install new under-cover push clips if any old clips broke.

Step 10: Lower the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack to slightly lift the vehicle off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower the vehicle slowly with the floor jack.
• Remove the wheel chocks.

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✅ After Repair

• Start your Kicks and check underneath for leaks near the CVT drain plug.
• Take a gentle 10-minute test drive. Avoid hard acceleration at first.
• Confirm smooth engagement from Park to Drive and Reverse.
• Recheck for leaks after the test drive.
• Dispose of used CVT fluid at a recycling center or auto parts store. Do not pour it on the ground or into drains.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $220-$380 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $70-$130 (parts only)

You Save: $150-$250 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.

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🎯 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.