2013-2018 Nissan Altima CVT Fluid & Filter Replacement

What's up everybody!

This is a DIY how-to on replacing the CVT Fluid as per the Nissan FSM outlines, and replacing the 2 transmission filters on a 2013-2018 5th gen. Nissan Altima. Sorry it got a bit long, just wanted to be as thorough as possible. This is a follow-up to my original CVT fluid replacement video:

Torque Specs included.

*DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a Master Tech, just a long time wrencher.

Nissan Altima Factory Service Manual (TM):

*Check out my How-To on getting 5th Gen. Altima on jackstands:

Car in video is a 2014 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL.

[truckingwitbenni]

Nice video man thanks
My son has a 2013 Altima with about 160k miles I’m not sure if this service has ever been done it would be my first time doing it…do you think it’s safe to change the fluid out? I’m a little iffy about it from scrolling through the comments

[roblockhart]

This was probably the best car repair tutorial I've ever watched on YT. And I've watched a lot. No assumptions made or steps skipped -- clear, concise, well shot. Subbed!

[ATX]

Wow! Seriously, just wow. I’m a self-professed car repair video addict and this might be the best I’ve seen. I have the same car and have done my own CVT fluid change…and it was nothing like this. A million thanks, I leaned a ton.

[LoganAddisMusic]

Drain plug - 19mm
Pan Bolts - 10mm
Filter Housing - 10mm + wobbler extension
Air intake tubing - 10mm
Strainer filter bolts - 10mm
Overflow bolt - 14mm

Nissan filter part number = 31726-28X0A
Filter Seal O-Ring = 31526-3VX0A
Trans Pan filter strainer = 31728-1XF03
Drain plug crush washer = 11026-JA00A
Overflow Drain O-Ring = 31526-3VX0B

Torque specs:
Filter Housing bolts = Wrist tight
Strainer filter bolts = 70 in/lbs
Pan bolts = 70 in/lbs
Overflow bolt 89 in/lbs
Drain Plug + crush washer = 25 ft/lbs

[prc.affliction]

My Nissan Technician told me when the warranty expired do the change ever 100k miles. As of right now I have 291k miles on my 2013 Nissan Altima and I've have change the fluid as follow. 291K so far with no issue on The CVT transmission and motor. I do my own work since warranty expired

Amazing video sir
Well done.

[trajekzoe]

I changed my cvt FLUID & FILTER and it was worth it. I would not just change the fluid because when you take the transmission pan off. The magnets inside catch a lot of gunky metal that are on them. (150k plus cars that hasn’t had a fluid change EVER disregard this message) the problem is the longer those metals sit they become part of the fluid with excessive heat cycles, flushing the Fluid OR changing the Filters won’t get all those gunky metals out running throughout your trans.

The reason I did this service was because I was experiencing slips and stutter & short pause delay shifting into Reverse.
I found out the reason it slips and stutters FOR ME is only when I’m accelerating at low RPM the torque converter starts to LOCK UP.

All Issues resolved after this service 😎( Minor slips when Foot On gas pedal entering a light throttle)

[NoName-gvnm]

This is the only YouTube video that shows how to do this service properly. Everyone else I see doing this is spreading misinformation. I'll never do this myself because I'm lazy, but thanks for showing this to the world... I do a drain and refill every 3 years or 30k miles at my local dealership. Runs about 260 bucks.

[overdalimit]

DUDE!!! ABSOLUTELY the most informative tutorial I've seen in a while. Do you realize you've done a better job than if the dealer had shown us? OUTSTANDING!!! EXCELLENT!!! You, my friend are on point!!! Thank You for taking the time to provide this much needed information. SUBSCRIBING!!!

[sylvainlemire]

The best video on the Nissan CVT transmission maintenance I saw, dude you made a nice job fully professional, no weird music clear view clear explanations all the torque specifications, I was able to hear you talk clearly . WOW !!! Thanks a lot man for sharing your knowledges with us, keep up the good work . ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[shultzy]

I just hit 65k on my Nissan and am going to be changing the CVT fluid. I appreciate the video. I have watched several before I came across this one. I can say that yours is the most informative.

[USAiling]

Explained, performed waaaay better than nissan dealer mechanics. great work.

[alfanhadi]

This is the gold standard when it comes to nissan cvt fluid change. I deliberately took my 2015 xtrail/rogue to an authorized nissan service in jakarta and they skipped alot of steps as recommended in the service manual. They drained n filled the fluid twice. It took 7 litres of ns3. Didnt even touched the overfilled plug. Didnt check the oil temp. Just ran through the gears a couple of times n they were done. The car was about 100k kilometers. Two thumbs up for this great diy video

[williamcahoon]

The referenced Service Manual fluid fill amount reads --"Fill approximately 3 liter (2-5/8 imp qt) of the CVT fluid." The manual does not include US qt. One imperial quart is more than one US quart.
3 liters = 101.44 US fluid oz = 3 US qt + 6 US fluid oz - (Rounded UP the 0.44 oz). So far there are 4.3K posts and this may have already been noted.

I will add that this video rates as THE Best of how a video can be presented. Very good detailed video with clear documented instructions and parts ID with Chapters listed for searching segments. Thank you BeeCee Built.

[mustafaalameen]

man ! the clarity the clear voice the explanation of every detail and the camera < this has to be one of the best tutorials I have seen on youtube < thank you man

[BgAp]

The 2016 Nissan Altima transmission strainer is different for anyone who has one. The part number for it is 31728-28X0A. Every other part fits the bill. Thanks for the video!

[carljenkins]

This is definitely the best video on the Altima CVT fluid change. I wondered how to get fluid in it, there has to be a better way then that little rinky dink dipstick hole. LOL. Now I know the proper way. We purchased the car new now we have 65k on it. No issues. Great video thanks again.

[samuelmatthews]

Thanks for a great, comprehensive video tutorial. The Nissan instructions say to refill with 2 5/8 imperial quarts (3 liters). Note that imperial (British) quarts are a little more than a liter, whereas US quarts are slightly less than a liter each. So if refilling with US quarts, you would need a little over 3 quarts with each refill.

[michaelconway]

Excuse my cynicism, but I doubt one in a hundred dealership techs would go through this procedure. If they do it would Costco a small fortune in fluid, parts and labor. That being said, thanks for laying out the whole procedure so thoroughly.

[tomph]

Awesome video. Nissan repeatedly told me I don't have to change the filter, just do a "flush" and they NEVER told me about the cartridge filter. They only referred to the metal pickup in the pan.
I have since gone to Nissan and told them I want the cartridge filter changed (I even had the part number thanks to you) and the mechanic afterwards said to me "nobody ever changes those but it's a good idea yours was dirty"

For some reason the sales team doesn't inform customers however the mechanics know that this should be done.

Great video! Thank you 👍👍👍👍

[josesant]

Some people find this video longer but only that how want to save money and have interested on it can find the all information does really need to the job, thank you share