Nissan CVT Fluid: NS-2 or NS-3?
Nissan CVTs use one of two fluids: NS-3 on most 2013 and newer models, NS-2 on the generation before it, and they are not interchangeable. Getting that one detail right, along with the matching filter and gasket, is what a CVT service comes down to. Parts for Nissans sells both fluids by the quart and packaged into model-specific service kits.
Which CVT Fluid Does Your Nissan Take?
The short answer: NS-3 for most 2013 and newer Nissan CVTs, NS-2 for the earlier generation. The kits on this site follow that split exactly. The 2013-2018 Altima kit is built around 6 quarts of NS-3 (999PK-CV0NS3), while the 2007-2012 Altima kit and the 2010-2014 Maxima kit use NS-2 (999PK-CV0NS2). If you are unsure which generation your transmission belongs to, enter your VIN rather than guessing from the model year alone, because overlap years exist.
Why the Two Are Not Interchangeable
A continuously variable transmission runs a steel belt against pulleys, and the fluid is what lets that contact transmit torque without slipping or welding itself together. Its friction behavior is engineered for a specific transmission generation. Fill an NS-3 transmission with NS-2 and you change the friction characteristics the control unit was calibrated around. The symptoms show up as shudder, slipping and heat, and on a CVT those are expensive symptoms. This is also why generic "universal CVT fluid" is a poor trade for a transmission that costs several thousand dollars to replace.
Fluid Alone or the Full Kit
Both work, depending on the job. A drain and fill needs fluid and a drain plug gasket. A service with the filter also needs the CVT filter, the pan gasket and the filter housing seal, which is what the transmission service kits bundle together by model. Buying the pieces separately is where most mistakes happen, usually the wrong filter for the year. NS-3 fluid by the quart is there when you only need to top up or you already have the hard parts.
Nissan's Other Transmission Fluids
Not every Nissan has a CVT. Conventional automatics use the Matic family, and those letters matter just as much: Matic D, Matic J, Matic K, Matic P, Matic R and Matic-S each belong to specific transmissions and years. Manual gearboxes and transfer cases have their own gear oils, like the 75W-80 MT-XZ gearbox oil. All of them live in the fluids and chemicals section, listed by the exact specification.
FAQs
What CVT fluid does a Nissan Altima take?
2013-2018 Altimas take NS-3 CVT fluid, and 2007-2012 Altimas take NS-2. The service kits for each year range are built around the correct one.
Can I use NS-3 instead of NS-2?
No. The two fluids have different friction properties matched to different transmission generations, and substituting one can cause shudder, slipping and heat damage.
How many quarts does a CVT service take?
The Altima and Maxima kits are built around 6 quarts, which covers a drain and fill. A complete fluid exchange takes more, so follow the service procedure for your model.
Is Matic fluid the same as CVT fluid?
No. Matic D, J, K, P, R and S are for conventional automatic transmissions. CVTs use NS-2 or NS-3, and the two families are not substitutes for each other.
How do I confirm which fluid my transmission needs?
Enter your VIN in the search bar, or add your vehicle to My Garage. The VIN identifies the exact transmission, which model year alone does not always do.