2013–2018 Nissan Altima

2013-2018 Nissan Altima — Transmission Fluid Change

🔧🔧🔧 Advanced 1.5-2 hours $97 DIY

Save $203 by doing it yourself! Shop cost: $300

Quick answer: Transmission Fluid Change on a 2013–2018 Nissan Altima is rated Advanced and takes about 1.5-2 hours. You'll need 8 tools for this job, and parts cost about $97. This guide walks you through the full job step by step, including the mistakes to avoid.

Quick Video Tutorial

Parts You Need

Total Cost

$97.00

Part Name	Part Number	Price	Buy
6 quarts NS-3 CVT Fluid	999MP-NS300P	$97.00	Amazon
CVT drain plug washer (new, never reuse the old one)	11026-JA00A	—	Amazon
Overflow plug O-ring (new, never reuse the old one)	—	—	Amazon

About prices: shown prices are typical retail averages and change frequently; cheaper alternatives may be available. Confirm the current price before buying.

💡 Pro tip: Order all parts at once to save on shipping

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps carefully

Warm up and park level

Drive the car until the CVT fluid is warm, then park on a flat, level surface, set the parking brake, and chock the wheels. The final level check is temperature-sensitive, so do this job on level ground, not on a slope. This guide covers the 2.5L (RE0F10D/JF016E, 7.8 qt total) and 3.5L (RE0F10E/H, 8.6 qt total) CVTs; both take Nissan NS-3 fluid only.

Lift the car level and secure it

Raise the car with a jack and support it level on jack stands. Never work under a car held up by a jack alone. Remove the underbody splash shield or access panel as needed to reach the CVT pan on the underside.

Drain the CVT fluid and measure it

Place a drain pan under the CVT pan, remove the overflow plug (14mm), then remove the drain plug and let the fluid drain completely. Measure exactly how much came out in a graduated container; a drain-and-fill typically yields around 6 quarts, and you will refill that same amount. Inspect the fluid: dark brown or burnt-smelling fluid, or metal debris, means the transmission needs diagnosis, not just fresh fluid.

🔧 Mechanic's note — Ray Delgado

I always pour the old fluid into a clean, marked jug before I touch a new bottle, because guessing the refill on one of these CVTs is how you end up overfilled and chasing shift complaints.

Refit the drain plug with a new washer

Fit a new copper drain-plug washer (Nissan 11026-JA00A) and reinstall the drain plug. Published torque figures for this plug conflict (25 ft-lb in an FSM-outline walkthrough versus 33 ft-lb in a generic Nissan CVT listing), so this guide withholds the figure rather than guessing: tighten it firmly and evenly, do not overtighten and crush the washer, and confirm the factory figure in the service manual for your model year if you use a torque wrench.

Refill with NS-3 fluid only

Pour the same measured amount of Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid (part number 999MP-NS300P) back in through the fill/dipstick tube, or through the overflow hole with a charging adapter. Use NS-3 only: NS-2 and automatic transmission fluid will damage this CVT. Do not overfill.

Circulate the fluid through every gear

Start the engine, keep your foot firmly on the brake, and shift slowly through every selector position from P to DS (or L), holding each position for about 5 seconds, then return to Park. This circulates fresh fluid through the valve body and torque converter.

Set the level at the correct temperature

With the engine idling and the CVT fluid temperature at 35-45 C (95-113 F), verified with a scan tool that reads transmission temperature, remove the overflow plug. A slow, steady drip means the level is correct. If nothing comes out, add fluid in small amounts until it drips. Reinstall the overflow plug with a new O-ring; the factory manual warns never to reuse the O-ring.

🔧 Mechanic's note — Ray Delgado

I have watched guys check this level cold and swear it was right, then the car came back shifting odd once the fluid warmed up, so I never skip the scan-tool temperature reading on this job.

Reset the fluid deterioration data if your tool allows

The factory procedure ends by erasing the CVT fluid deterioration data with a dealer-level scan tool (CONSULT, Data Monitor, Transmission, Conform CVTF Deteriortn, Erase). Most DIY scanners cannot do this; skipping it does not stop the car from driving, but note it.

Lower, test drive, and recheck for leaks

Lower the car, refit the splash shield, and test drive gently, watching for leaks at the drain and overflow plugs. Recheck the level procedure if shifting feels off. A drain-and-fill will not fix a worn CVT: if judder, hesitation, or codes P17F0/P17F1 persist, that is the territory of Nissan TSB NTB16-110P and a dealer diagnosis, not another fluid change.

🔧 Mechanic's note — Ray Delgado

I always take the first test drive around the block and then look under the car again, because a slow seep at the overflow plug shows up better after the fluid has warmed and circulated.

All Done!

Test your repair before closing everything up. If something doesn't work right, double-check your steps.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using NS-2 or universal ATF instead of NS-3.
• Reusing the drain-plug washer or the overflow-plug O-ring; both are single-use seals and reused ones leak.
• Guessing the refill amount instead of measuring what drained out.
• Skipping the temperature-based overflow level check and overfilling or underfilling.
• Power-flushing a high-mileage, already-juddering CVT instead of a gentle drain-and-fill; a flush can dislodge debris in a worn unit.
• Expecting a fluid change to cure judder or P17F0/P17F1 from a worn belt or valve body; that needs diagnosis under TSB NTB16-110P.

Tools You'll Need

Jack and jack stands Drain pan Graduated measuring container Socket set (14mm socket for the overflow plug) Ratchet Long-neck funnel or fluid pump/charging adapter OBD2 scanner with live transmission temperature readout Gloves and eye protection Rags

⚠️ Safety First!

• Support the car level on jack stands; never work under a car held up by a jack alone.
• CVT fluid is hot after driving; wear gloves and eye protection and let the pan cool enough to work safely.
• Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only. NS-2 or regular automatic transmission fluid will damage this CVT.
• Set the fluid level only with the engine idling and fluid at 35-45 C (95-113 F); checking it cold or with the engine off gives a wrong level.
• Dispose of used CVT fluid at a recycling center; never pour it down a drain.