In this post, we are going to be looking at Nissan CVT fluid NS-2 alternatives. If you have a car with CVT transmission, more precisely, a Nissan or a model using Nissan as the OEM fluid, this article is particularly for you.
For all the complaints against CVT transmission vehicles and how they struggle in certain situations, there have been some improvements made to the overall CVT transmission system in most vehicles. This has made the prospect of owning a vehicle with CVT transmission more desirable.
There are currently several Nissan CVT Fluid NS-2 alternatives on the market that do as good or a better job than the Nissan CVT fluid. These include Amsoil, STP, Castrol, Valvoline, and Idemitsu.
There are many other brands on the market but the ones we mention here are better suited to act as replacements for Nissan CVT fluid based on their quality and other advantages. Let’s take a look at some of the issues that arise regarding changing CVT fluid.
OEM vs Aftermarket CVT Fluid
One of the biggest debates on forums, in particular, is about whether a factory is better than aftermarket CVT fluid. To give context to this argument, we will go back into history. As already mentioned, CVT transmissions didn’t have the best reputation in the beginning. This was due to the fact that they would struggle to move up a hill from a stationary position. It needed a bit of time to “warm-up” then it would go.
The performance was better when already in motion where it tended to go over without issues generally. A common problem with CVT transmission was that the belts or chains would wear out relatively quickly due to the movement they made while in operation. As they wore out, the transmission would lose power gradually.
It was later discovered that a simple and effective fix for this was CVT fluid. In the old days, there wasn’t an aftermarket CVT fluid option available. The first product on the market was actually developed to specifically solve CVT problems. Since then, there have been other manufacturers who have introduced CVT fluid to the market. This created another problem:
Dealer Warranty Voiding
When people realized the problem with CVT and started replacing it with aftermarket products, an issue arose with the warranty. If your vehicle was under warranty with Nissan CVT fluid, for example, the warranty would be voided if you used any other CVT fluid.
Even if the vehicle was outside its warranty period, dealers usually pushed people to use OEM CVT fluid. Unfortunately, these are nothing more than scare tactics as there are other products that do as good or a better job than factory CVT fluid.
The other issue with products like Nissan CVT fluid that dealers recommend is that they are far more expensive than other equally or more capable alternatives on the market.
Alternatives to Nissan CVT Fluid NS-2
Amsoil CVT Fluid
Amsoil is one of the best options available on the market. It is arguably the most used alternatives to Nissan’s CVT fluid. CVT transmission significantly improves when you use Amisoil’s NS-2 fluid.
The main reason for this is that it has better viscosity than most products on the market. In layman’s terms, this means that it is able to lubricate just as well at high temperatures of over 100 degrees Celsius whereas other products don’t do as good a job.
When lubrication is insufficient at high temperatures, it will lead to significant wear and tear to the transmission. That’s a major reason that Amsoil is one of the best out there. It was specifically formulated to fix the problem that was plaguing CVT systems.
Valvoline CVT Fluid
The next alternative CVT fluid is Valvoline. The CVT transmission fluid is made to work well with both belt and chain-driven CVT mechanisms. It is also formulated with superior quality synthetic base stocks and long-life viscosity modifiers.
Valvoline is one of the better-known and trusted brands on the market.
Castrol CVT Fluid
One of the things that people appreciate about CVT transmission is the fact that it offers a smooth changeover from one gear to another. As a matter of fact, you will not even notice the gear changes when driving a car with a CVT transmission.
Castrol CVT Fluid is one of the best products on the market that help to ensure that you enjoy a smooth ride for as long as possible. It offers enhanced friction durability meaning your transmission remains in top condition for longer.
Conclusion on substitute for Nissan CVT Fluid NS-2 Equivalent
There are other good alternatives to Nissan CVT NS-2 fluid but the ones we mentioned in this post are what we consider as the top 3. As a word of caution, please conduct some research on your specific vehicle to see if the product you choose is suited to it. Some CVT fluids will work great on specific makes and models but not so well on others. Make sure to get the CVT fluid that’s right for your particular needs.
Robert Anderson is a world class motorhead who rebuilt his first carb at age 10, his first engine at age 15, and completed his first full hotrod build when he was just 18! Previously, he has ran a part warehouse, delivered pizzas, and managed the service department for a $20 million/year revenue dealership. Robert knows cars like few others and he is passionate about sharing his knowledge.
