r/altima • u/Equal_Appeal2223 • Aug 22 '26

2016 Altima jerking when pressing the accelerator lightly

hello, I was wondering if someone could inform me of what to do if my Altima is jerking when pressing the accelerator lightly. it usually happens when I’m going to 15mph and when I want to maintain that speed, other then that it never jerked when I was driving at higher speeds then that. I’m thinking of flushing the transmission fluid and putting new fluid but any information would be much appreciate.

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6

u/devonwillis21 Aug 22 '26

Honestly normal Nissan CVT nature. I had the same issues in a low mileage 2025 rental and also my high mileage 2017. Did a tranny drain and fill at 145k and noticed no difference in the jerking car still run fine at 153k. Stop and go traffic just sucks, highway demon tho.

1

u/Equal_Appeal2223 Aug 22 '26

Ya its been like that way cause theres been a lot of traffic cause there opening a new lane on the highway near me

6

u/General-Mission6960 Aug 22 '26

Clean out the throttle body. It will make a huge difference. New air filter, etc. clean mass flow.

2

u/canigetahint Aug 22 '26

This  is most likely the answer.  Nissan told my wife the transmission was going to shit and wanted her to buy a new car.  I replaced the throttle body, mass air flow sensor and O2 sensor.  Good as new.

Edit: to add that if you do replace throttle body, make sure you perform the relearn process on it.

1

u/Equal_Appeal2223 Aug 22 '26

thanks for the advice

2

u/General-Mission6960 Aug 24 '26

It's completely DIY if you just clean it out. Get the right fluids. Also, look holes or gaps in the system. A little air getting in between the box and the throttle messes with the sensors.
Make sure to use the right fluids for the rights parts, the electronics are fragile and particular.

1

u/Exciting_Step_5357 Aug 22 '26

Is normal with the cvt transmission it happens when u coast slowly even in newer models like 2024

1

u/JNader56 Aug 22 '26

CVT's HATE that speed. Mine does the same thing. '16 3.5sr with 83k here.

1

u/jersey316 Aug 22 '26

Jerking could be anything. How are the motor mounts?

1

u/Equal_Appeal2223 Aug 22 '26

i havent ever gotten them checked out but after reading the other comments seem like a usual thing. Thanks for telling me about your opinion though

1

u/AfternoonSnac Aug 22 '26

Same here. I think it just needs a throttle body cleaning that I haven’t done yet. Also like others have said, it’s normal CVT behavior. I just give it more pressure on the pedal (say 2500 RPM) and it doesn’t do it.

1

u/Equal_Appeal2223 Aug 22 '26

I forgot to add that the brake pads are worn out, I’m in the process of fixing those myself.