# What type automatic transmission fluod to use

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-type-automatic-transmission-fluod-to-use/55304>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** nissan, altima\
**Created:** [September 19, 2010, 1:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-type-automatic-transmission-fluod-to-use/55304 "2010-09-19T01:43:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Silverback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5e9695/32.png) [@Silverback](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Silverback)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2010, 1:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-type-automatic-transmission-fluod-to-use/55304/1 "2010-09-19T01:43:40Z")

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My daughter purchased a 2000 Nissan Altima a few months ago with a 2.4L 4 cylinder, automatic trans. I believe it has 130,000 miles. I am going to change the automatic transmission fluid and filter but don’t know what type to use. The Autozone repair guide website does not give a fluid type recomendation. There was no owners manual that came with the car. Anybody know what type to use?  
  
 Also, does the 2.4L have a timing belt or chain?  
  
 Thanks in advance

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**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2010, 2:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-type-automatic-transmission-fluod-to-use/55304/2 "2010-09-19T02:01:07Z")

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Check the dipstick. They usually put the recommended fluid type on the dipstick.

This engine uses a timing chain.

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**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2010, 11:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-type-automatic-transmission-fluod-to-use/55304/3 "2010-09-19T11:39:08Z")

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The type of fluid is also listed in the owners manual. If you don’t have one get one.

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**Author:** ![mleich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@mleich](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mleich)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2010, 12:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-type-automatic-transmission-fluod-to-use/55304/4 "2010-09-19T12:00:02Z")

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Buy a Haynes or Chilton manual at any auto parts store (Advance, PepBoys, etc). This will have all the information that you need. If you don’t have an extra $25 burning a hole in your pocket, some libraries have them also. I have seen them on sale at discount stores (Ollie’s in my area) for around $10.

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**Author:** ![orangevega](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9fc29f/32.png) [@orangevega](https://community.cartalk.com/u/orangevega)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2010, 1:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-type-automatic-transmission-fluod-to-use/55304/5 "2010-09-19T13:53:13Z")

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Here’s a link to download the manual

[http://www.nissanextendedwarranty.com/owners-manual/nissan/2000-Nissan-Altima.pdf](http://www.nissanextendedwarranty.com/owners-manual/nissan/2000-Nissan-Altima.pdf)

The manual states Dexron III for the ATF fluid.

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**Author:** ![Silverback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5e9695/32.png) [@Silverback](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Silverback)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2010, 5:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-type-automatic-transmission-fluod-to-use/55304/6 "2010-09-19T17:16:20Z")

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Thanks everybody for your replies. looks like DexronIII is it. I have found the Haynes manual useless in some situations on my cars in the past. Might get the more costly service manual instead. Thanks again.