Nissan CVT Fluid NS 2, NS 3 Equivalent

Are there any good Nissan NS-2/NS-3 alternatives out there?

Yes, you’d find a decent number of good fluids to replace the proprietary NS-2, NS-3 CVT fluids from many famous oil manufacturers. They are Valvoline, Idemitsu, Castrol, etc.

However, will these alternatives work well with your Nissan CVT transmission systems? Read on as I will analyze them, and then you can easily choose the best-suited fluid for your vehicle.

Let’s dive in!

Nissan CVT Fluid NS-2 Alternative

Note: When you want to replace your transmission fluid with a new type, make sure you flush out the old lubricant in your system and fill it with new oil. The old fluid can contaminate with the new one, leading to further damage to your transmission system.

Idemitsu CVT Type N

The Idemitsu CVT Type N fluid is an ideal alternative to the OEM NS-2 fluid for CVT engines. It is precisely made to feature frictional characteristics that guarantee superior anti-shudder performance in CVTs. 

More so, this fluid provides outstanding deposit control and includes special proprietary additives that protect metal surfaces. The lubricant is formulated with advanced anti-wear technology to provide optimal protection to belts and pulleys and excellent viscosity control.

You can safely use this fluid on vehicles where NS-2 is specified as the engine fluid. This includes JATCO CVTs, older Isuzu, and Suzuki vehicles. However, using this fluid can void your vehicle’s warranty because Nissan strongly recommends its proprietary CVT fluid – NS-2. 

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Valvoline CVT Full Synthetic Fluid

This fluid is a good NS-2  and NS-3 equivalent option for belt- and chain-driven CVT engines. It is formulated with full-synthetic, premium base oils to protect against wear and offer shearer stability.

The Valvoline CVT fluid provides outstanding metal-to-metal protection and anti-shudder performance. It is designed to provide maximum protection at high temperatures and flows well at low temperatures. You’d get this fluid at a lower price than OEM CVT fluids.

More than that, you can use this fluid on Audi, Volkswagen, Ford, Subaru, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, BMW Mini Cooper, Hyundai, and Kia vehicles where NS-2 or NS-3 is specified. And as Valvoline claims, the product doesn’t void any new vehicle’s warranty. This is a big plus for Valvoline, but I actually don’t know how they can do that.

Bear in mind that this product is not for those who can’t stand strong smells. Its odor is so unpleasant that you need to wear a mask during the maintenance procedure.  After applying this fluid to your engine,  you need ample ventilation for the smell to go.

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Nissan CVT Fluid NS-3 Alternative

There are a few reliable NS-3 fluid alternatives out there in many stores. However, these two mentioned below are the top choices that work on most vehicles where NS-3 is specified.

Idemitsu CVTF Type N3

The Idemitsu CVTF Type N3 fluid is an ideal alternative lubricant for Nissan/Infiniti CVTs with NS-3 specifications. It is formulated with Alkyl ester carboxylic acid and petroleum-based oil for the best stable performance on CVTs. This lubricant is made with a newly developed low-viscosity oil to improve fuel economy and reduce CVT friction by up to 40%. 

It also helps maintain smooth torque transfer and outstanding stability for a wide lockup range for quick CVT shift ratios. 

Idemitsu CVTF Type N3 provides sufficient hydraulic pressure to maintain lateral pressure within the belts for shifting diameter. All around, this lubricant is a perfect alternative for using OEM NS-3 fluid on your Nissan CVT vehicles.

However, as with other Idemitsu CVT fluids, using this lubricant can void the warranty on your new car.

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Castrol – 15B652-6PK Transmax CVT Transmission Fluid

When looking for a universal lubricant, you can use as a perfect replacement for the OEM NS-3 fluid specified for your vehicle, the Castrol – 15B652-6PK CVT fluid is a good choice. Castrol guarantees enhanced friction durability, wear & tear protection, and prevents belt or chain spillage. 

More so, this fluid is suitable for use on Toyota and Mazda CVTs with NS-3 specifications. The additives used in making this fluid offer reliable metal-to-metal protection for longer transmission life. 

Furthermore, the Castrol Transmax CVT is equipped with advanced Smooth Drive Technology. It is also formulated with a premium full-synthetic base oil, making it perfect for most CVT engines. 

As I know, nobody has had issues with this fluid so far. This is why Castrol does have its fans across many online forums. However, the lubricant is not suitable for all ns-3 vehicles out there. If you own a 2001-2007 Honda Model Fit/Jazz equipped with Starting Clutch, it is not for you. 

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What Is The Difference Between Nissan NS2 And NS3?

The NS-2 and NS-3 CVT fluids are special fluids made for Nissan’s CVT engines. They are formulated with specific additives to achieve the perfect viscosity required for the seamless operation of Nissan CVT engines. 

So, what is the difference between them?

Older Nissan vehicles like the 2007 – 2012 Nissan Altima models use the NS-2 fluid, while newer models like the 2013 – to date Nissan Altima models use the NS-3 fluid. These new vehicles use NS-3 because they come with redesigned CVT engines.

Is NS3 Backwards Compatible?

No, Nissan says that NS-3 CVT fluid is not backward compatible with NS-2. As I said before, NS-2 and NS-3 are designed for different models.

OEM Vs Aftermarket CVT Fluid

To know more about this debate, let’s analyze the most common problem of CVT transmissions. As you know, a typical issue with CVT transmissions is that: the belts and chains could wear out quickly. This is because of the movement they create while operating. As a result, your transmission would get weaken gradually.

Then CVT fluid was designed to fix the problems. At first, there were no aftermarket options available. Only Nissan CVT fluid was produced to address the issue. After that, other oil manufacturers have offered equivalent fluids.

However, OEM products are usually costlier than aftermarket counterparts. This is the main reason why some people look for suitable alternatives. More so, some alternative products can offer virtually the same benefits as their high-end OEM counterparts. 

However, you should use only OEM products for your vehicle when it’s still under warranty. Some manufacturers will void your vehicle’s warranty coverage if you use non-OEM products.

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Final Thought

These alternatives are the best options that I could find. They all come at lower prices compared to OEM Nissan CVT fluid. However, each product has its pros and cons, so you have to be wise to pick the right item for your vehicle.

If you ask me which is the ideal alternative to NS2 and NS3 fluids, I would choose the Idemitsu:

• The Idemitsu Type N is a safe substitute for NS 2 CVT fluid
  

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• The Idemitsu Type N3 is a perfect option if you want to find a cheaper and effective equivalent option for Nissan NS3 fluid.

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Remember that DO NOT mix any different transmission fluids. When you decide to switch the oil brand, please make sure to clean the system before you add any new lubricant!