tech, Nissan Altima CVT replacement

[Takotruckin]

Everything I've read suggests a reman from Nissan is the only way to go.

Pretty much. Reputable builders won’t rebuild them because they know they are hard to get right.

We won’t replace them at my shop, Nissan only gives us a 12 month parts only warranty on the trans. We tell people to go have it replaced at the dealer for a few bucks more and a WAY better warranty.

 

[AKnate]

Awesome info thank you.

I wondered how many hours it paid. That tells me a ton. I found a video that shows it can be done without a lift, but looks like there is a ton of stuff in the way.

I agree, any one of those SUVs or anything used we buy, but if she loves it, at least that would be worth fixing.

She bought this altima, brand new. Kind of a rash decision because one of the kids needed a car and she was commuting 90 miles a day the MPG is awesome. Never thought we would keep it this long but it has always been good enough because now she works from home.

So maybe now she will be honest about whether she really likes it or not.

Awesome mileage from an Altman? Al tim a (Eh fuck, stupid phone keeps changing it!) 3.5L?

 

[Tiha]

Awesome mileage

It is a 2.5 and yes last road trip it averaged 42mpg. It is pretty cozy when just the two of us. But start adding kids and we usually take something else.

I don't ever drive it around town or check it in town, So no idea how low it goes.

Wife decided she wants to look around for another used vehicle for a month or two before deciding.

So this thing is pushed off to the side and it will wait.

We have decided on two courses.
If she can't find anything she falls in love with we will buy a Nissan reman put it in the car and keep it.

If she wants to buy something else we will throw a used one in for $1600 range and sell it. There are a few listed on car-part.com close to me with 70k or less miles.

 

[AKnate]

It is a 2.5 and yes last road trip it averaged 42mpg. It is pretty cozy when just the two of us. But start adding kids and we usually take something else.

I don't ever drive it around town or check it in town, So no idea how low it goes.

Wife decided she wants to look around for another used vehicle for a month or two before deciding.

So this thing is pushed off to the side and it will wait.

We have decided on two courses.
If she can't find anything she falls in love with we will buy a Nissan reman put it in the car and keep it.

If she wants to buy something else we will throw a used one in for $1600 range and sell it. There are a few listed on car-part.com close to me with 70k or less miles.

I get 22-23 mpg highway
in my 3.5L

 

[Tiha]

Oil Question.

I read a lot about "ONLY USE NISSAQN NS-3" cvt fluid.

Does anyone believe it really matters?

I am probably going to use this stuff.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/idemitsu-lubricants/engines---transmissions/transmission---transaxle/transmission-parts/transmission-fluid---vehicle-specific/3db5c75d447e/idemitsu-lubricants-transmission-fluid-n3/idm0/n3/v/a/136911/automotive-car-2016-nissan-altima?q=transmission+fluid+-+vehicle+specific&pos=0

It is about half the price of Nissan. Still meets the NS-3 standards.

Just curious what peoples opinions are. I try to use oil that meets specs but never cared if it was OEM or not.

Update, wrapping up this job. It actually wasn't too bad. I had the trans ready to come out before I realized the subframe had to come down. The trans would not clear it.

Sub frame is easy, only thing attached to it is the sway bar and rack and pinion, which I just unbolted and let hang.

After getting the subrame out there is a ton of room to reach everything. If I had done that first it would have cut my removal time in half or more.

Since the removal went so well we ended up getting a used transmission. has 61k miles on it. Got the matching TCM from the wrecked car as well so we don't have to take it to Nissan and have it programmed.

Plan is to sell or trade it in a couple months, before winter.

I am just about ready to fill it. Not sure if I will finish tonight, or next week.

Another thing that made us choose the used trans over new reman, the car has 147k miles on it. I thought it was way less than that.
Looking online you just don't see high mileage 2.5 altimas in that year range so made me question if the engine would last another 50k or 100k. I kind of doubt it.
The highest mileage car I have seen was 220k. Then just a couple in the 160-170k range. Just not many of them out there which seemed odd.
You can buy 200K+ fords and chevys all day long.

 

[skyhiranger]

Oil Question.

I read a lot about "ONLY USE NISSAQN NS-3" cvt fluid.

Does anyone believe it really matters?

I am probably going to use this stuff.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/idemitsu-lubricants/engines---transmissions/transmission---transaxle/transmission-parts/transmission-fluid---vehicle-specific/3db5c75d447e/idemitsu-lubricants-transmission-fluid-n3/idm0/n3/v/a/136911/automotive-car-2016-nissan-altima?q=transmission+fluid+-+vehicle+specific&pos=0

It is about half the price of Nissan. Still meets the NS-3 standards.

Just curious what peoples opinions are. I try to use oil that meets specs but never cared if it was OEM or not.

Good question. I would expect it would be the typical..."all come from the same place, just put in a different bottle with a different label" answer. But who knows.
I really need to change the CVT fluid in my wife's Rogue and have been debating on whether I really need to spend $20+ a quart on the "Nissan" fluid, or if any other fluid that meets "specs" is good enough.

 

[Tiha]

I really need to change the CVT fluid in my wife's Rogue and have been debating on whether I really need to spend $20+ a quart on the "Nissan" fluid, or if any other fluid that meets "specs" is good enough.

Not sure I even checked last time I changed it, but actually reading fluid specs this morning, seems like most only meet the NS-2 standard.

Had to do some digging to find this stuff. I think Valvoline has one as well that meets the NS-3 spec. But none available locally.

I like that this stuff talks specifically about Jatco trans.

 

[Lilyota]

Look for a wrecked one.


They totaled my daughter's car and it wasn't terrible.

I was a bit surprised.

Same car.

Apparently body repairs are expensive on those.

 

[DRTDEVL]

Everything I've read suggests a reman from Nissan is the only way to go.

Why? They couldn't build them right in the first place.

Pretty much. Reputable builders won’t rebuild them because they know they are hard to get right.

We won’t replace them at my shop, Nissan only gives us a 12 month parts only warranty on the trans. We tell people to go have it replaced at the dealer for a few bucks more and a WAY better warranty.

See above. They didn't do it right, either.

Apparently body repairs are expensive on those.

Or the value of them plummeted because the transmission was on its way out the day it left the assembly line?

 

[Ummduh]

Why? They couldn't build them right in the first place.

See above. They didn't do it right, either.

Or the value of them plummeted because the transmission was on its way out the day it left the assembly line?

Apparently rebuilding them are more difficult than just building them in the first place?

I don't know. I've had 2 Nissan CVT and I haven't had an issue with either. 100k on #1 and traded in, 25k on #2 and so far so good.

Like I said, "from what I've read".

 

[Tiha]

Apparently rebuilding them are more difficult than just building them in the first place?

I am not sure. I know they extended warranty because of cvt problems, there is also talk of a class action lawsuit. But who knows.

I could only find 2 places in the entire country that build and sell reman CVTs to the general public.

They were about $1000 less than nissan with the same warranty. Or you could purchase extra warranty.

It is apparently a very specific process and market. I can't imagine there is much reusable in there besides the case when they go.

 

[45acp]

Another thing that made us choose the used trans over new reman, the car has 147k miles on it. I thought it was way less than that.
Looking online you just don't see high mileage 2.5 altimas in that year range so made me question if the engine would last another 50k or 100k. I kind of doubt it.
The highest mileage car I have seen was 220k. Then just a couple in the 160-170k range. Just not many of them out there which seemed odd.
You can buy 200K+ fords and chevys all day long.

It's the same thing as the 1st-2nd gen. Explorer back in the day, the fix costs half or more than it's worth, and it gets scrapped. Before cash-4-clunkers, I couldn't count how many spotless explorers I saw in the salvage yards.

91% of all Altimas are owned by middle class young white chicks with illegitimate kids raised by memaw and papaw, and the car has been slightly wrecked at least 3 times. They also have a low resale value even mint. So the barely used car is worth maybe $7k if perfect, and it's got $4k worth of body damage, chopped belts showing on the tires, and now needs a $5k transmission. Of course it's totalled. Nobody is running these 300k miles + because most of the original owners are dumb sluts with tax refund money.

I dunno about the 4 banger, but the 3.5 will last forever(ish) with oil changes.

 

[skyhiranger]

Not sure I even checked last time I changed it, but actually reading fluid specs this morning, seems like most only meet the NS-2 standard.

Had to do some digging to find this stuff. I think Valvoline has one as well that meets the NS-3 spec. But none available locally.

I like that this stuff talks specifically about Jatco trans.

Here is what I found for some NS-3 substitute fluid...

Some of the synthetic-based alternatives to Nissan CVT Fluid NS-3 include Castrol Transmax CVT, Valvoline CVT Fluid, and Amalie CVT Fluid. All of these options are formulated with high-quality synthetic base oils and advanced additives designed to provide superior protection and performance. They are also formulated to meet or exceed the performance requirements set by Nissan for the original CVT fluid.


I have also read Eneos makes some NS-3 CVT fluid as well...supposed to be really good fluid, from what I have read.
Supposedly, Idemitsu is who makes the CVT fluid for Nissan. So you can buy the Idemitsu labeled fluid for less than the Nissan labeled.

 

[arse_sidewards]

91% of all Altimas are owned by middle class young white chicks with illegitimate kids raised by memaw and papaw, and the car has been slightly wrecked at least 3 times. They also have a low resale value even mint. So the barely used car is worth maybe $7k if perfect, and it's got $4k worth of body damage, chopped belts showing on the tires, and now needs a $5k transmission. Of course it's totalled. Nobody is running these 300k miles + because most of the original owners are dumb sluts with tax refund money.

I dunno about the 4 banger, but the 3.5 will last forever(ish) with oil changes.

Cut those value numbers in half at least.

But you hit the nail right on the head. It just isn't "worth" fixing if anything goes wrong at high mileage.

I also see a decent number of middle aged black women driving them too. Not hoodrat trash. Like "I want an appliance car" types.

 

[45acp]

Cut those value numbers in half at least.

But you hit the nail right on the head. It just isn't "worth" fixing if anything goes wrong at high mileage.

I also see a decent number of middle aged black women driving them too. Not hoodrat trash. Like "I want an appliance car" types.

I'm just being honest.

Wife had a 2010 Maxima. We both loved that car. Loved it. Fuel mileage sucked for a V6 car, otherwise we both miss it. Sold it to her cousin at 110k miles because babies, rear facing car seats, and we're not 5 foot tall. Cousin currently has 300k on it and still on the 2nd trans. Everything else is perfect. 2nd trans hit around 150k IIRC.

 

[DRTDEVL]

91% of all Altimas are owned by middle class young white chicks with illegitimate kids raised by memaw and papaw, and the car has been slightly wrecked at least 3 times.

You nailed it. My little half-sister had an Altima when she first got out on her own. My dad and his wife were the day care for the kids, she had 2 illegitimate ones by two different suckers by the time she was 19. And yes, it had a bit of minor body damage on all sides.

 

[Lilyota]

Why? They couldn't build them right in the first place.

See above. They didn't do it right, either.

Or the value of them plummeted because the transmission was on its way out the day it left the assembly line?

You seem to have a real issue with the auto trans community

 

[DRTDEVL]

You seem to have a real issue with the auto trans community

Only the C(is)V type

 

[Tiha]

91% of all Altimas are owned by middle class young white chicks with illegitimate kids raised by memaw and papaw, and the car has been slightly wrecked at least 3 times. They also have a low resale value even mint. So the barely used car is worth maybe $7k if perfect, and it's got $4k worth of body damage, chopped belts showing on the tires, and now needs a $5k transmission. Of course it's totalled. Nobody is running these 300k miles + because most of the original owners are dumb sluts with tax refund money.

LMAO That is Awesome! I never paid attention, not an altima fan but will start watching now. I bet your right.

And yes I think your numbers are high. I don't think I could sell this thing for $5k with new trans and it is pretty mint.

For the most part it is a cheap car. Tires are cheap, brakes are cheap, oil changes are cheap. No idea what body parts cost.

 

[DMG]

It’s 50% what .45 said and 50% youngish black guys with the donut spare on weaving in and out of traffic.

 

[Tiha]

Supposedly, Idemitsu is who makes the CVT fluid for Nissan. So you can buy the Idemitsu labeled fluid for less than the Nissan labeled.

I picked up 8 quarts of this today.

 

[Tiha]

It’s 50% what .45 said and 50% youngish black guys with the donut spare on weaving in and out of traffic.

Those are probably the baby daddies before they disappear.

 

[DT75FLH]

We had a 2016 altima..wife liked it..I'm not a fan of cvt...

Ran it to 130k miles, all hwy and I had dealer swap Trans fluid at 30, 60, 90, 120k Miles for warranty and piece of mind...,we were going to trade it and my son wanted it...told him to get ext warranty...he did

Trans went out at 140k miles. ....at least it only cost him 100.....but cost 2k for ext warranty

 

[dave_dj1]

Came to say "pick your battles"
It may behoove you to have the dealer do it. They cover the warranty and the risk.
I see now you are going to table it for a bit, good luck finding something she likes. Have you /her looked at Jeep Cherokee?

 

[crispins]

It's the same thing as the 1st-2nd gen. Explorer back in the day, the fix costs half or more than it's worth, and it gets scrapped. Before cash-4-clunkers, I couldn't count how many spotless explorers I saw in the salvage yards.

91% of all Altimas are owned by middle class young white chicks with illegitimate kids raised by memaw and papaw, and the car has been slightly wrecked at least 3 times. They also have a low resale value even mint. So the barely used car is worth maybe $7k if perfect, and it's got $4k worth of body damage, chopped belts showing on the tires, and now needs a $5k transmission. Of course it's totalled. Nobody is running these 300k miles + because most of the original owners are dumb sluts with tax refund money.

I dunno about the 4 banger, but the 3.5 will last forever(ish) with oil changes.

this might be the most accurate thing I have ever read on any forum.

 

[45acp]

this might be the most accurate thing I have ever read on any forum.

I can go to the popular dive bar here, looks like a shit hole but very trendy place, packed every fri-sat night. 70 vehicles in the parking lot, minimum 40 of them will be Altimas, all of them wrecked. Kids at grandma's this weekend. And maybe Monday. Cause they'll be at Anytime Fitness trying to work off that hangover and start the week off right. Maybe go get the kids Tuesday. For a little while anyway.

 

[87manche]

Those are probably the baby daddies before they disappear.

Riding their babies momma's car.

 

[arse_sidewards]

I'm just being honest.

Wife had a 2010 Maxima. We both loved that car. Loved it. Fuel mileage sucked for a V6 car, otherwise we both miss it. Sold it to her cousin at 110k miles because babies, rear facing car seats, and we're not 5 foot tall. Cousin currently has 300k on it and still on the 2nd trans. Everything else is perfect. 2nd trans hit around 150k IIRC.

Mom had an '09 Altima. Made a bearing whine when you flog it on the highway ever since ~80k. No idea what the current milage is but it's well over 100k. Other than crash damage repairs it's just gotten scheduled fluids, brakes and one pair of rear wheel bearings. Uncle croaked and sister is getting that car so I guess it made it.

Pretty good car for the price.

 

[ESC]

lol everyones assessment of the typical Altima driver is pretty much spot on for my area too. But I would expand the clientele to more of a general hood-rat, gonna get mine, broke-ass kind of person.
However, I'm.a mid-50s family guy and I'm on my 2nd Alitma. I basically treat them like appliances. First one I bought brand new off the truck in 2001. I did regular maintenance on it like oil, brakes, struts, belts and shit but never once had any mechanical failure on it. I traded it in on a brand new 2014 Altima when it hit about 320k miles. The Ac finally gave out and the tires were shot but other than that everything worked including the factory clutch lol.
The 2014 is around 190k now and it has the CVT so I'm just expecting it to shit the bed any day now. It doesn't show any signs of failure so I'll ttkeep going with it. It got stuck in a hail storm about 5 years ago so every panel resembles a golf ball now but fuck it, it gets me to work and back.

 

[Tiha]

The 2014 is around 190k now and it has the CVT so I'm just expecting it to shit the bed any day now. It doesn't show any signs of failure so I'll ttkeep going with it. It got stuck in a hail storm about 5 years ago so every panel resembles a golf ball now but fuck it, it gets me to work and back.

And honestly you may never have a problem with it. Of course I am reading the internet about them and nobdoy gets online to say, Hey I got this POS and it has been trouble free for 250k miles. Celebrate with me my friends. LOL

Only hear the worst of the worst.

I will say that my wife had no idea the car was driving funny when this all started at 98k. I was driving it, felt surging, or slight jerking under light throttle or light acceleration. Googled it and learned about Judder.

Even after having it fixed and it acted up again my wife did not notice.

So maybe the problem was there at 60k miles. I have no idea. I just found out too late to get it replaced under warranty, at least that is how I feel about it.

On the flip side, the higher mileage altimas I do come across online I expect at least a couple of them to say new transmission, or transmission replaced at xxx miles, and nothing, don't find that advertised anywhere. From what I know about them I would certainly include that in an add.

So it is probably just luck of the draw.