---
title: "2012 Nissan Altima Transmission Fluid & Coolant"
description: "Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2012 Nissan Altima takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: Nissan NS-2 CVT fluid ONLY (RE0F10A on 2.5, RE0F09B on 3.5). Drain & fill takes ~3.5-4 qt. NS-3 is for 2013+ CVTs. Do not mix generations of fluid.. Coolant: Nissan Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (green, or blue 999MP-L25500P pre-mixed as service fill); ~8 qt (2.5L). First change 105k mi/84 months, then every 75k mi/60 months.."
url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/fluids"
updated: "2026-08-20"
---

# 2012 Nissan Altima Fluid Types and Capacities

Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2012 Nissan Altima takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: Nissan NS-2 CVT fluid ONLY (RE0F10A on 2.5, RE0F09B on 3.5). Drain & fill takes ~3.5-4 qt. NS-3 is for 2013+ CVTs. Do not mix generations of fluid.. Coolant: Nissan Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (green, or blue 999MP-L25500P pre-mixed as service fill); ~8 qt (2.5L). First change 105k mi/84 months, then every 75k mi/60 months..

## 2012 Nissan Altima fluid guide (Check your manual)

| System | Fluid type & capacity |
| --- | --- |
| Coolant | Nissan Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (green, or blue 999MP-L25500P pre-mixed as service fill); ~8 qt (2.5L). First change 105k mi/84 months, then every 75k mi/60 months. |
| Transmission | Nissan NS-2 CVT fluid ONLY (RE0F10A on 2.5, RE0F09B on 3.5). Drain & fill takes ~3.5-4 qt. NS-3 is for 2013+ CVTs. Do not mix generations of fluid. |
| Brake fluid | DOT 3 brake fluid |
| Power steering | Nissan PSF or DEXRON VI equivalent (hydraulic power steering on this generation) |

Note: Plain washer fluid; no special spec

## Which Nissan Altima model years does this cover?

These fluids specifications apply to every Nissan Altima built from 2012 through 2012, the L32 (4th generation, final year), mid-size sedan (coupe continued separately through 2013). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years.

- [2012 Altima](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012)

## What changed during the 2012 Nissan Altima

| Years | What changed |
| --- | --- |
| 2012 | Final year of the L32 sedan (2007-2012 design); the all-new L33 replaced it for 2013. The two-door Altima coupe continued on this platform through 2013. |

## 2012 Nissan Altima fluids: common questions

### What transmission fluid does a 2012 Nissan Altima take?

Nissan NS-2 CVT fluid ONLY (RE0F10A on 2.5, RE0F09B on 3.5). Drain & fill takes ~3.5-4 qt. NS-3 is for 2013+ CVTs. Do not mix generations of fluid.. Transmission fluid specifications are not interchangeable. Friction modifiers differ between them, and the wrong fluid causes shudder long before it causes failure.

### What coolant does a 2012 Nissan Altima use?

Nissan Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (green, or blue 999MP-L25500P pre-mixed as service fill); ~8 qt (2.5L). First change 105k mi/84 months, then every 75k mi/60 months..

### What brake fluid does a 2012 Nissan Altima take?

DOT 3 brake fluid.

## Sources

- [NHTSA recalls by vehicle, 2012 Nissan Altima (11V-371, 12V-055, 12V-494)](https://api.nhtsa.gov/recalls/recallsByVehicle?make=nissan&model=altima&modelYear=2012)
- [Nissan parts catalog, 15208-9E01A oil filter fitment 1998-2012 Altima](https://parts.nissanusa.com/parts/nissan-oil-filter-152089e01a)
- [TirePressure.org, 2012 Nissan Altima placard pressures](https://tirepressure.org/nissan/altima/2012)
- [HID Nation, 2012 Nissan Altima bulb sizes](https://www.hidnation.com/pages/2012-nissan-altima)
- [fueleconomy.gov, 2012 Nissan Altima EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2012_Nissan_Altima.shtml)
- [Nissan Altima Forum, 2012 vs 2013 oil viscosity (5W-30 vs 0W-20)](https://www.altimaforums.net/threads/2013-altima-0w20-or-5w30.7380/)

## Other Nissan Altima generations

- [2019-2025 Nissan Altima fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2019-2025/fluids)
- [2013-2018 Nissan Altima fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/fluids)

Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/fluids).

## More for the 2012 Nissan Altima

- [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/oil)
- [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/battery)
- [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/tires)
- [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/wipers)
- [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/filters)
- [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/bulbs)
- [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/service-schedule)
- [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/common-problems)
- [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/oil-reset)
- [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/key-fob-battery)
- [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/specs)

Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.