---
title: "Nissan Sentra Transmission Fluid & Coolant"
description: "How the Nissan Sentra fluids specification changed from 2012 to 2025, compared generation by generation. Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the Nissan Sentra takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: CVT: Genuine Nissan CVT Fluid NS-3 ONLY. No normal-service change interval; severe service calls for replacement every 60,000 mi (or when dealer CONSULT deterioration data exceeds 210,000).. Coolant: Pre-diluted Nissan Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue), ~7.1 L (1-7/8 gal) with reservoir. First change 105,000 mi/84 months, then every 75,000 mi/60 months.."
url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/fluids"
updated: "2026-08-20"
---

# Nissan Sentra Fluid Types and Capacities

The specification is not the same across every year we cover, the table below shows exactly where it changes.

## Has the Nissan Sentra fluids specification changed by year?

| Model years | Transmission | Coolant | Brake |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [2020-2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2020-2025/fluids) | CVT: Genuine Nissan CVT Fluid NS-3 ONLY. No normal-service change interval; severe service calls for replacement every 60,000 mi (or when dealer CONSULT deterioration data exceeds 210,000). | Pre-diluted Nissan Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue), ~7.1 L (1-7/8 gal) with reservoir. First change 105,000 mi/84 months, then every 75,000 mi/60 months. | Genuine Nissan Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT 3, factory schedule replaces it every 20,000 mi / 24 months |
| [2013-2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2013-2019/fluids) | CVT: Genuine Nissan CVT Fluid NS-3 ONLY (do not use NS-2 or generic ATF. CVT damage is excluded from warranty). 6MT: Nissan MTF TL/JR Type 75W-80 (API GL-4+). | Pre-diluted Nissan Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue). MRA8DE: 6.6 L (1-3/4 gal); MR16DDT: 8.7 L (CVT) / 8.5 L (6MT). First change 105,000 mi/84 months, then every 75,000 mi/60 months. | Genuine Nissan Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT 3 (Nissan's guide replaces it roughly every 20,000-30,000 mi / 2 years) |
| [2012](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2012/fluids) | CVT: Genuine Nissan CVT Fluid NS-2 ONLY. NS-3 or other ATF will damage this earlier CVT and void coverage. 6MT (2.0): Nissan gear oil ETL 8997B 75W-80 (GL-4); 6MT (Spec V): Nissan MTF HQ Multi 75W-85 (GL-4). | Pre-diluted Nissan Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue). MR20DE: ~7.0 L (7.4 qt); QR25DE: 7.1 L (CVT) / 6.9 L (M/T). First change 105,000 mi/84 months, then every 75,000 mi/60 months. | Genuine Nissan Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT 3 (clutch shares the reservoir on 6MT cars) |

## Full specifications by generation

The fluids on a Nissan Sentra is set by its generation, not its model year, so each generation has one page carrying the complete figures, part numbers and fitment notes for every year it covers.

- [2020-2025 Nissan Sentra Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2020-2025/fluids)
- [2013-2019 Nissan Sentra Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2013-2019/fluids)
- [2012 Nissan Sentra Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2012/fluids)

## Nissan Sentra fluids: common questions

### What transmission fluid does a Nissan Sentra take?

CVT: Genuine Nissan CVT Fluid NS-3 ONLY. No normal-service change interval; severe service calls for replacement every 60,000 mi (or when dealer CONSULT deterioration data exceeds 210,000).. 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 Nissan Sentra use?

Pre-diluted Nissan Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue), ~7.1 L (1-7/8 gal) with reservoir. First change 105,000 mi/84 months, then every 75,000 mi/60 months..

### What brake fluid does a Nissan Sentra take?

Genuine Nissan Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT 3, factory schedule replaces it every 20,000 mi / 24 months.

## Sources

- [2021 Nissan Sentra Owner's Manual (capacities, NS-3, bulbs, schedule, CR2032, tires)](https://www.nissan-techinfo.com/refgh0v/og/sentra/2021-Nissan-Sentra.pdf)
- [NHTSA recall 23V-581, tie rod assembly, 2020-2022 Sentra](https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/NISSAN/SENTRA/recalls)
- [NHTSA recalls, 2024/2025 Sentra (driveshaft 24V-304, 26V-410)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2024/NISSAN/SENTRA/recalls)
- [AMSOIL lookup, 2020 Sentra 2.0L MR20DD (0W-20, drain plug 22-29 ft-lb)](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2020/nissan-datsun/sentra/2-0l-4-cyl-engine-code-mr20dd-b/)
- [KBB / Car and Driver, 2020 Sentra specs (149 hp, 3,047 lb curb weight)](https://www.caranddriver.com/nissan/sentra/specs/2020/nissan_sentra_nissan-sentra_2020)
- [Go-Parts, 2020-2025 Sentra rear brakes (260mm discs SV/SR, drums S)](https://www.go-parts.com/garage/brakes-rear-nissan-sentra-2020-2025)
- [Nissan parts, 15208-65F0E oil filter](https://parts.nissanusa.com/parts/nissan-oil-filter-1520865f0e)
- [fueleconomy.gov, 2021 Sentra EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2021_Nissan_Sentra.shtml)

## Find your exact Sentra

- [2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2025)
- [2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2024)
- [2023](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2023)
- [2022](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2022)
- [2021](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2021)
- [2020](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2020)
- [2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2019)
- [2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2018)
- [2017](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2017)
- [2016](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2016)
- [2015](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2015)
- [2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2014)
- [2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2013)
- [2012](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2012)

More Nissan Sentra guides:

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

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