# Checking Transmission fluid level on 2012 Nissan Sentra

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/checking-transmission-fluid-level-on-2012-nissan-sentra/184580>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** nissan, sentra\
**Created:** [June 9, 2022, 9:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/checking-transmission-fluid-level-on-2012-nissan-sentra/184580 "2022-06-09T21:11:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 8\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Jack-Dak87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jack-Dak87](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jack-Dak87)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 9:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/checking-transmission-fluid-level-on-2012-nissan-sentra/184580/1 "2022-06-09T21:11:34Z")

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I am a bit confused about the markings on the dipstick used to check the ATF level on a friend’s 2012 Nissan Sentra. A photo of the dipstick can be viewed at the link below. I believe the standard is to use the notches when checking cold, and use the crosshatch when checking hot. What throws me off is the the word \>HOT\< stamped higher up the dipstick. At first I thought maybe it meant to use the space in between the two arrows to check the level when it is hot. Nothing is stamped on the other side. After searching Google images I would expect to see the word COLD stamped on the other side. He bought the car used and it does not have a user manual.

This came up in an attempt to diagnose a warbling/chirping kind of sound when accelerating. It a is very soft sound, no metallic clicking or rattling, no loss of power and no DTC.

> **[ATF dipstick.jpg](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ub_P5eAH-Pw9b6cAH6GbLBNJzYGvj2YY/view?usp=sharing)**
>
> Google Drive file.

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**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 9:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/checking-transmission-fluid-level-on-2012-nissan-sentra/184580/2 "2022-06-09T21:16:01Z")

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The HOT is there to tell you to test it hot, not cold. The level should be in the crosshatched space.

Owners manuals are available from Nissan for free as a PDF download.

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**Author:** ![It\_s-Me](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/it_s-me/32/12660_2.png) [@It\_s-Me](https://community.cartalk.com/u/It_s-Me)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 9:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/checking-transmission-fluid-level-on-2012-nissan-sentra/184580/3 "2022-06-09T21:31:57Z")

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No where in the owners manual does it mention how to check the transmission fluid level.

All it mentions is

When checking or replacement of CVT fluid is  
required, we recommend your NISSAN dealer for  
servicing.

> **[2012-Nissan-Sentra.pdf](https://www.nissan-techinfo.com/refgh0v/og/sentra/2012-Nissan-Sentra.pdf)**
>
> 2.61 MB

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 9:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/checking-transmission-fluid-level-on-2012-nissan-sentra/184580/4 "2022-06-09T21:32:01Z")

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[![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/0/5/05add7a319a183915c944bf4b81ef694da19bf37.jpeg "How to service the auto transmission on a Nissan Sentra 2007 to 2012") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XOSyKD9_pc)

Tester

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jack-Dak87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jack-Dak87](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jack-Dak87)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2022, 10:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/checking-transmission-fluid-level-on-2012-nissan-sentra/184580/5 "2022-06-14T22:01:41Z")

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Thanks all for the help with reading this dipstick. I managed to help him with the loss of power he was experiencing by changing the air filter, cleaning the MAF sensor and resetting the computer. The car runs strong like before, but there is still the low, barely audible warbly noise when accelerating. I don’t have the catalogue of noises in my head that full-time mechanic might, so I don’t have a clue what it might be. At present it does not seem to be a driveability issue, just a barely audible warbly sound on acceleration.

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**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2022, 10:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/checking-transmission-fluid-level-on-2012-nissan-sentra/184580/6 "2022-06-14T22:06:05Z")

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> [@Jack-Dak87](#):
>
> warbling/chirping kind of sound

it might be coming from the serpentine belt, tensioner or idler pulley.

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**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2022, 10:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/checking-transmission-fluid-level-on-2012-nissan-sentra/184580/7 "2022-06-14T22:30:20Z")

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Measure fluid removed. Put back same amount.

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**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2022, 1:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/checking-transmission-fluid-level-on-2012-nissan-sentra/184580/8 "2022-06-15T01:08:12Z")

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Yeah very confusing. Best to stop by the dealer. I would have said the two arrows on either side of hot would be the hot level and the cross hatch the cold level, but then like the head gasket why wouldn’t they have cold stamped.