2008 nissan altima cvt fluid change questions

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lisagrantb1

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2008 altima 150,000 miles the fluid has never been changed. I searched and couldnt find the answers so here goes.
besides the Nissan ns2 fluid what is compatible and recommended.
do i need to change the filter, the parts house list one that goes in line, it kinda looks like an inline fuel filter. I was planning on just sucking out the fluid through the fill pipe because there is no drain plug in the pan and not changing the filter, is this OK
 
Nothing wrong with siphoning from the dip stick, but I would double check online that it doesn't have an trans oil drain bolt. If it didn't then I would drain from it's cooler line to the radiator. It has to have that. Use any of the major brand's CVT fulid that says NS2 on the back. There's more CVT fluid choices at your auto parts store these days unlike a few years ago.

I have used Valvoline CVT in an 07 Murano and it had a drain bolt.
 
I have the same car has you... So here we go. USE ONLY the Nissan N-2 fluid. These other fluids that "claim" to be the equivalent are not a wise decision. The fact that your fluid lasted 150,000 miles speaks to how good this Nissan fluid is to begin with. If you take it to a dealership they can use the Consult scan to check for fluid degradation. I wouldn't be surprised if the fluid may well still be good. But I agree with you that changing it now is fine
smile.gif

There is a drain bolt.. But it will be rather hard to loosen. You also need a new gasket from Nissan to put on has well. You will only get out 4.5 qts if you empty to CVT case. Which is not all of the fluid. You can empty the case now and wait a couple of months and do it again. Or you can pull out the hose that connects to the radiator and drain that too. You will probably be best served to get a hose that fits over the radiator hose to keep from making a mess. To do all of the fluid you will need 9 qts. Again, USE only the Nissan N-2 fluid. This proves too that one doesn't have to change the CVT fluid every 60k miles... If you scan it with the Consult tool it lasts WAY longer than that. Nissan calls it a lifetime fluid.. It's not. Just dependant upon where you live and how one drives too. I know the Nissan fluid is not cheap... But it is worth it in the end.. Don't go cheap on this. Oil... Yeah you can get great sales on good oil cheap. This CVT fluid.. No.
smile.gif
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: 4wheeldog
I use this in my Subaru:

http://www.amazon.com/Valvoline-804751-6...nsmission+fluid

I have done 3 changes, and the trannie still works just like it ought to. It is Nissan compatible, according to Valvoline.


How did you change it in the Subaru? At how many miles and how many QTs each time?


Subaru gives you a drain plug. And a fill plug, but you have to have the fluid in a fairly narrow temp range to get the level correct.

I changed it at 60k miles, 75k and 90k. I plan to do a drain fill every 30k, from now on. I can get about 5.5 quart out, it is supposed to hold about 12 quarts.

Subaru originally claimed the fluid was a "Lifetime fill" and the trannie was a "Sealed unit'. Then, they started denying warranty claims when the fluid wasn't changed at 60k.

Maintenance schedule requires a check of "Fluid condition" at 60k. What does that even mean?
 
Originally Posted By: bbhero
I have the same car has you... So here we go. USE ONLY the Nissan N-2 fluid. These other fluids that "claim" to be the equivalent are not a wise decision. The fact that your fluid lasted 150,000 miles speaks to how good this Nissan fluid is to begin with. If you take it to a dealership they can use the Consult scan to check for fluid degradation. I wouldn't be surprised if the fluid may well still be good. But I agree with you that changing it now is fine
smile.gif

There is a drain bolt.. But it will be rather hard to loosen. You also need a new gasket from Nissan to put on has well. You will only get out 4.5 qts if you empty to CVT case. Which is not all of the fluid. You can empty the case now and wait a couple of months and do it again. Or you can pull out the hose that connects to the radiator and drain that too. You will probably be best served to get a hose that fits over the radiator hose to keep from making a mess. To do all of the fluid you will need 9 qts. Again, USE only the Nissan N-2 fluid. This proves too that one doesn't have to change the CVT fluid every 60k miles... If you scan it with the Consult tool it lasts WAY longer than that. Nissan calls it a lifetime fluid.. It's not. Just dependant upon where you live and how one drives too. I know the Nissan fluid is not cheap... But it is worth it in the end.. Don't go cheap on this. Oil... Yeah you can get great sales on good oil cheap. This CVT fluid.. No.
smile.gif



But what about contaminants from wear? Doesn't a CVT have them like a normal AT?
 
Originally Posted By: 4wheeldog
Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: 4wheeldog
I use this in my Subaru:

http://www.amazon.com/Valvoline-804751-6...nsmission+fluid

I have done 3 changes, and the trannie still works just like it ought to. It is Nissan compatible, according to Valvoline.




How did you change it in the Subaru? At how many miles and how many QTs each time?


Subaru gives you a drain plug. And a fill plug, but you have to have the fluid in a fairly narrow temp range to get the level correct.

I changed it at 60k miles, 75k and 90k. I plan to do a drain fill every 30k, from now on. I can get about 5.5 quart out, it is supposed to hold about 12 quarts.

Subaru originally claimed the fluid was a "Lifetime fill" and the trannie was a "Sealed unit'. Then, they started denying warranty claims when the fluid wasn't changed at 60k.

Maintenance schedule requires a check of "Fluid condition" at 60k. What does that even mean?


How do you get it to temp when the new CVT fluid will be at room temp when adding it?
 
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Subaru likely uses a scan tool just like Nissan to scan the fluid for degradation... If the number is over say X then you have to change it...I bet that Subaru is having CVT problems like Nissan and fluid changes are an attempt to keep problems to a minimum. Which does make sense.
 
Again... It is scanned for degradation.... Using the Consult scan tool.. The fact that this car has made it 150,000 miles with no problems speaks to the fact IT doesn't HAVE to be changed every xx amount of miles.... Should it be changed?? Yes. But if the CVT has no mechanical problems early on.. Then it can go a looonnng time before needing to be changed. I've read on the Nissan and Infiniti site some people have gone over 150,000 miles with zero problems.. And fluid scans did say the same thing...
 
Originally Posted By: bbhero
Subaru likely uses a scan tool just like Nissan to scan the fluid for degradation... If the number is over say X then you have to change it...I bet that Subaru is having CVT problems like Nissan and fluid changes are an attempt to keep problems to a minimum. Which does make sense.


When you say "scan tool" do you mean part of what they hook to the OBDII connector or a tool which takes a sample of the CVT fluid and analyses it?
 
Yes sir
smile.gif


You are spot on. I understand that it is bit wonky.. But it is what they use to check it with. Think if it like a OLM.. Now, I DONT believe it's the best idea in town to run a fluid to its exhaustive end.. But this fluid can last quite a long time. My car has 115k miles. Been great so far. Now I am going to do a drain and fill in the CVT case coming up. I don't want to wait until 150k miles. Because I do like a little cushion
smile.gif
 
Originally Posted By: 4wheeldog
I use this in my Subaru:

http://www.amazon.com/Valvoline-804751-6...nsmission+fluid

I have done 3 changes, and the trannie still works just like it ought to. It is Nissan compatible, according to Valvoline.

I have talked to a Subaru Service manager that I do trust. He advised against changing CVT fluid. He indicated they have seen very few problems in their CVTs in very high mileage vehicles 160K (that have never done a change). He indicated that they go through a protracted procedure to change.

I am only mentioning this here bc I have a friend that has a CVT Outback. I wanted to give her some advice.

Not saying you are wrong changing though.
 
Hey Al, I am not saying your friend is wrong but what rationale is used for never changing the CVT fluid in the high mileage Subaru?? I am hypothesizing it could be due to new fluid being so low in friction coefficient that it can lead to slippage.
 
Originally Posted By: bbhero
Hey Al, I am not saying your friend is wrong but what rationale is used for never changing the CVT fluid in the high mileage Subaru?? I am hypothesizing it could be due to new fluid being so low in friction coefficient that it can lead to slippage.

I think after thinking about it...and based on other posts.

I am starting to see no problem if you can just drain it and fill it with the exact amount bc you let the vehicle cool and fill it with the same amount.
 
Maintain it.

Plenty of CVTF's available now.

JATCO CVTF fluid countdown timer is a useless joke.

CVT's can last long if not abused. Many still die an early death. Just look at Nissan's history of failures and extended warranties. Only you can do is either take care of it, or not. Your choice.

The thought that new correct spec fluid will cause a transmission to slip is internet makebelievebull.
 
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