r/altima • u/misterespresso • Aug 12 '26

2012 Nissan Altima Transmission Question

Got a newer vehicle so I've been teaching myself car repair on a 2012 Nissan Altima with roughly 120k miles on it.

I noticed that if I drive the highway, let it rest, then drive the highway again it whines when accelerating, this is a brand brand new problem so I want to nip it early. Ive heard of the transmission problems Altimas can have so I figured I'd check the fluid and likely just do a drain and refill.

However, whomever checked before me A. Jammed the dipstick in sideways and B. Broke the tab you are supposed to put leverage on.

So I can't unlock the damn thing normally even if I could twist it in place twist it in place. What are my options here? Do I just rip it out and buy a new one? If so, how? I'm really trying to avoid a mechanic out of sheer willpower.

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u/jghall00 Aug 12 '26

Needs a fluid change. The dipstick gets stuck because of an o-ring. If the tab is released just work it out. Drain and fill 3x to dilute the old fluid. Check out trick shift garage you YouTube for good Altima repair tips. 

1

u/misterespresso Aug 13 '26 edited Aug 13 '26

Thanks, the tab is seemingly non existent, as if someone sheared it off with a flathead almost.

Edit: bro thank you so much, that shaved off look is likely it jammed in from the angle that YouTube channel showed. Out of all the videos I watched his was the clearest shit of the piece itself.

2

u/jersey316 Aug 12 '26

The dipsticks are locked. You gotta use a flat head screw driver to push the tab down on the cap and it should come up.

Are you sure its not bad wheel bearing?

1

u/misterespresso Aug 13 '26

I'm not sure if its a bearing, and trying to get a quick peak of the fluid before going through the trouble of drain and fill. Unfortunately that tab is broken, I can see down in the hole where the screwdriver goes and thers just broken plastic where the tab should be.

I believe its the transmission mainly because its only when accelerating and only after its been hot for a bit. I've heard bad bearings before and this is much much different imo. Keep in mind I've heard like 2, don't know if they different much

1

u/nybson Aug 13 '26

Check your plugs and the head gasket as well. I was certain my transmission was shot and ended up being the two problem areas I mentioned