Change and Check CVT Fluid RE0F11A

Last updated: May 18, 2026

The Nissan Note E12 (2013–2017) with the RE0F11A Continuously Variable Transmission (Jatco JF015E) shares its CVT hardware with the Nissan Pulsar of the same era — a small, belt-and-pulley CVT designed for sub-1.5L engine applications. The fluid is critical to long CVT life: at every 60,000 km service interval, the drain-and-refill procedure below replaces about 40% of the fluid volume, enough to keep the variator pulleys lubricated and the line pressure within spec.

Before You Start

• Work on a flat, level surface with the parking brake applied. Even a small slope skews the overflow-tube level check.
• Use only Nissan-approved CVT fluid NS-3 or a properly-rated equivalent (Idemitsu CVTF, Aisin AFW+ CVT, ACDelco CVT). Conventional ATF will damage the variator within weeks.
• A diagnostic scanner that reads transmission temperature is the best tool for the level check. An infrared thermometer aimed at the CVT pan is a workable alternative.
• Always fit new sealing washers on the drain plug and overflow tube — they’re cheap and a re-used washer is the commonest cause of post-service leaks.

Tools and Supplies

• Socket set covering the drain-plug size (typically 19 or 24 mm, varies by production date).
• Torque wrench reading to 30 Nm.
• Drain pan (5 L+ capacity).
• Hand pump or funnel with a long hose to refill via the filler port.
• Jack, axle stands, wheel chocks.
• 4 L of NS-3 CVT fluid (3 L for the drain-refill, 1 L spare for the level check).
• Two new sealing washers (drain plug + overflow tube).
• Scanner or IR thermometer.
• Nitrile gloves and shop towels.

Draining and Refilling the CVT

1. Drive the car for 5–10 minutes to bring the fluid up to working temperature, then park on a level surface.
2. Raise the vehicle securely with a jack and axle stands. Chock the rear wheels.
3. Slide the drain pan under the transmission.
4. Remove the CVT drain plug and allow the old fluid to drain completely. Wait until it slows to a slow drip — typically 5–10 minutes.
5. Inside the drain opening, you’ll see the overflow tube projecting inward. Remove the overflow tube (typically a small hex socket on the inner shoulder). Letting any residual fluid in the lower sump drain through the wider opening.
6. Using a hand pump or funnel-with-hose, refill the CVT through the upper filler port with approximately 3.0 litres of fresh NS-3 fluid.
7. Reinstall the overflow tube with a new sealing washer.
8. Reinstall the drain plug with a new sealing washer. Torque to 23 Nm.
9. Lower the vehicle to the ground.

Fluid Circulation

1. Start the engine and hold the brake pedal firmly down.
2. Move the shift lever slowly through every position from P to L (P → R → N → D → L), pausing for about 5 seconds in each position so the fluid can circulate through the valve body and torque converter.
3. Return the lever to P and let the engine idle.
4. Monitor the CVT fluid temperature. The target window for the level check is 35–45 °C. Below this the fluid hasn’t expanded enough and you’ll over-fill; above it and you’ll under-fill.
5. Once temperature is in the window, stop the engine.

Checking the Fluid Level

1. Raise the vehicle again on stands.
2. Position the drain pan under the transmission.
3. Remove the drain plug (leave the overflow tube in place — it’s the level reference).
4. Add about 0.5 litres of fresh CVT fluid via the filler port.
5. Watch the drain opening — when fluid begins to trickle steadily from the overflow tube, the level is correct.
6. Reinstall the drain plug with a fresh sealing washer. Torque to 23 Nm.
7. Lower the vehicle and switch the engine off.

Torque Specification

• CVT drain plug: 23 Nm (replace sealing washer)

Troubleshooting

• Drain plug seized. Soak with penetrating fluid (PB Blaster, WD-40 Specialist) and use a breaker bar — never an impact gun on this plug, the head is shallow and can shear off. If the head does shear, the sump has to come off, doubling the job.
• No fluid drips from the overflow during level check. The fluid is below the overflow level (or too cold). Add more fluid in 200 ml increments and recheck. If you’ve added the spare litre and still nothing drips, recheck the fluid temperature — it may have dropped below 35 °C during the check.
• Fluid steady-stream from overflow without adding any. Overfilled — let fluid drain until it slows to a steady drip, then reinstall the plug. Excess fluid in a CVT causes foaming and pressure-control problems.
• Harsh shifting or judder after service. Usually wrong fluid grade or contaminated old fluid retained. Do a second drain-and-refill 100 km later — the second cycle removes most of the remaining contamination.
• Fluid smells burnt when drained. The CVT has been overheated previously. A fluid change helps but won’t reverse internal damage; budget for transmission replacement if harsh shifting develops in the next 10,000 km.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nissan says the CVT fluid is “fill for life.” Is the 60,000 km interval real?

Officially no, practically yes. “Fill for life” is a marketing position based on the lifetime warranty period, not on a study of actual fluid degradation. Owner experience across the Note, Pulsar, Juke and others on the same RE0F11A unit strongly correlates regular fluid changes (every 60,000 km) with extended CVT life. The dealer service department knows this even if the maintenance schedule doesn’t say so.

Why is the drain-plug torque different on the Note (23 Nm) vs the Pulsar (34 Nm)?

Same RE0F11A transmission, slightly different sump pan design between Note and Pulsar applications — and the specification sheets reflect that. Use the torque value in the procedure you’re following for your specific vehicle; don’t carry over a value from a related model.

How many drain-and-refills does it take to fully replace the fluid?

Three back-to-back drain-and-refills, spaced about 1,000 km apart with normal driving between, will replace roughly 90% of the fluid volume — close to what a dealer’s fluid exchanger does in one session. The advantage of the staged DIY approach: lower cost and no specialist equipment needed.

Is the Note’s CVT the same as the e-Power Note CVT?

No — the e-Power version (2017+ Japan-market and later European launches) uses a fixed-ratio reducer rather than a CVT. The procedure here applies only to the conventional-petrol Note E12 (2013–2017). e-Power maintenance is different and is not covered by this guide.

Will an OBD-II scanner read the CVT fluid temperature on the Note?

Yes — a Nissan-aware scanner (Autel, Foxwell NT530 with Nissan license, Launch X431) will read CVT-fluid temperature live. Generic OBD-II dongles often don’t expose this PID because it’s manufacturer-specific. If your scanner doesn’t show it, fall back to an IR thermometer pointed at the CVT pan.