CVT fluid change 2020 KIA Forte EX

[Walter1982]

I need to drain/fill my IVT fluid. I have been reading about this for quite some time and I'm going on a 2,000 mile round-trip road trip and would like to have clean IVT fluid.

I know to order the KIA IVT fluid. I also need a new gasket for the drain plug.

I do not have a scan tool to confirm the accurate fluid temperature.

The service manual recommends using one.

The guys in the ForteForums group said I can use a laser thermometer and point it at the center of the oil pan, or perhaps the drain plug, to get an accurate temperature reading.

Is this true?

In regards to having a scan tool, do I need to "refresh" or make the IVT "relearn" adaptive values?

I've read that this resets the IVT computer to again learn how I drive?

Also, I heard from one mechanic a while ago that you need a scan tool to let the IVT know that it has clean fluid now.

Because apparently the "valves" or something work different when the fluid is dirty. By letting the IVT know the fluid is clean now, the valves will work in a tighter clearance?

I don't know.

I may have to go to a KIA dealership to confirm this.

 

[martinq]

I need to drain/fill my IVT fluid. I have been reading about this for quite some time and I'm going on a 2,000 mile round-trip road trip and would like to have clean IVT fluid.

I know to order the KIA IVT fluid. I also need a new gasket for the drain plug.

I do not have a scan tool to confirm the accurate fluid temperature.

The service manual recommends using one.


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The guys in the ForteForums group said I can use a laser thermometer and point it at the center of the oil pan, or perhaps the drain plug, to get an accurate temperature reading.

Is this true?

In regards to having a scan tool, do I need to "refresh" or make the IVT "relearn" adaptive values?

I've read that this resets the IVT computer to again learn how I drive?

Also, I heard from one mechanic a while ago that you need a scan tool to let the IVT know that it has clean fluid now.

Because apparently the "valves" or something work different when the fluid is dirty. By letting the IVT know the fluid is clean now, the valves will work in a tighter clearance?

I don't know.

I may have to go to a KIA dealership to confirm this.

Changing the fluid is not that complicated. The firmware in the controllers is adaptable to changes in fluid temperature and quality so I doubt that you need to reset anything but maybe it's similar to an engine oil change and resetting the oil monitor.

For fluid you can use Valvoline, Castrol or other similar compatible fluids and there might be a significant price difference. I used Valvoline MaxLife ATF in my Nissan (JATCO) CVT and it was 1/3 the price.

How much is the Kia fluid?

 

[martinq]

The most important thing regarding modern ATF & CVTF is that the fluid is clean and does not overheat. When doing a fluid change it's always best to remove the transmission pan if it has one so that it can be cleaned along with the magnets. The magnets do most of the cleaning and will loose effectiveness as they collect magnetic material from the fluid. Clean magnets = clean fluid = long life.

It's most important to keep the magnets clean during the first years of operation as that's when the most magnetic material is shedding (during break-in).

 

[nobb]

Modern transmissions are getting more complicated. The scan tool is used not only to read temperature, but sometimes to reset the CVT since the transmission adjusts itself overtime with wear. Anything with a clutch pack as well. Like on my 2024 Outlander, apparently just refilling the AWD coupling fluid, requires a scan tool to reset the wear counter.

This sucks because now you need an expensive bidirectional OBD tool with the right firmware to interface with the manufacturer specific protocols. This is how manufacturers get away with claiming their transmission and AWD systems are filled for life. The fluid is still breaking down and increasing wear, just that they rely on software to compensate.

 

[Walter1982]

Changing the fluid is not that complicated. The firmware in the controllers is adaptable to changes in fluid temperature and quality so I doubt that you need to reset anything but maybe it's similar to an engine oil change and resetting the oil monitor.

For fluid you can use Valvoline, Castrol or other similar compatible fluids and there might be a significant price difference. I used Valvoline MaxLife ATF in my Nissan (JATCO) CVT and it was 1/3 the price.

How much is the Kia fluid?

It is about $15 a quart. I'm OK paying for it, since I'll only be doing this every 40k to 60k miles. My car has had 2 ivt drain/fills so far, one at 65k miles, and another around 110k miles. This time I'm doing it myself. I really need this car to go at least 300k miles so I'm doing everything by the book, using Kia OEM fluid.

 

[martinq]

Reading your transmission temperature can be very inexpensive. I use a $5 app (CVTz50) to monitor my CVT functions and codes. The Veepeak VP11 bluetooth adapter was $20.

According to this post you can use the Car Scanner app to check it.
https://www.seltosforum.com/threads...n-fluid-change.1811/?post_id=14869#post-14869

 

[Walter1982]

The most important thing regarding modern ATF & CVTF is that the fluid is clean and does not overheat. When doing a fluid change it's always best to remove the transmission pan if it has one so that it can be cleaned along with the magnets. The magnets do most of the cleaning and will loose effectiveness as they collect magnetic material from the fluid. Clean magnets = clean fluid = long life.

It's most important to keep the magnets clean during the first years of operation as that's when the most magnetic material is shedding (during break-in).

I've been reading about this quite a bit. My Car has had 2 ivt drain/fills so far. However the service manual is not specific enough. I cannot find torque specs or tightening sequence for the ivt oil pan, so I'm not sure how to proceed. If I can find this information for a Hyundai elantra I may use those specs.

I would love to clean out the magnets at the very least. The ivt has 2 filters, a wide strainer filter in the oil pan, and a pressure cylindrical filter on the side. It's challenging finding manufacturer information on this service. I'm not sure if I should replace those 2 filters as well. I don't see why not, though. I imagine the filters aren't too dirty since I've had 2 drain/fills already.

 

[Walter1982]

Modern transmissions are getting more complicated. The scan tool is used not only to read temperature, but sometimes to reset the CVT since the transmission adjusts itself overtime with wear. Anything with a clutch pack as well. Like on my 2024 Outlander, apparently just refilling the AWD coupling fluid, requires a scan tool to reset the wear counter.

This sucks because now you need an expensive bidirectional OBD tool with the right firmware to interface with the manufacturer specific protocols. This is how manufacturers get away with claiming their transmission and AWD systems are filled for life. The fluid is still breaking down and increasing wear, just that they rely on software to compensate.

Yes, I found a YouTube channel where they work on cvt/ivt and the scanner they use is $550. I've never owned a scanner so I'm not experienced. I only have a cheap Amazon OBD scanner just for reading codes. I've read that if I disconnect the battery negative terminal for 30 minutes it resets the adaptive learning on the ivt.

 

[martinq]

I've been reading about this quite a bit. My Car has had 2 ivt drain/fills so far. However the service manual is not specific enough. I cannot find torque specs or tightening sequence for the ivt oil pan, so I'm not sure how to proceed. If I can find this information for a Hyundai elantra I may use those specs.

I would love to clean out the magnets at the very least. The ivt has 2 filters, a wide strainer filter in the oil pan, and a pressure cylindrical filter on the side. It's challenging finding manufacturer information on this service. I'm not sure if I should replace those 2 filters as well. I don't see why not, though. I imagine the filters aren't too dirty since I've had 2 drain/fills already.

I would not worry about changing the filters. Getting the fluid and magnets clean will be very helpful. If there's room, and it makes sense, you can add more magnets while you're in there.

Bolt torque should be fairly straight forward, you just need to know the size, thread and grade of the fasteners.

 

[CleanSump]

Bolt torque should be fairly straight forward, you just need to know the size, thread and grade of the fasteners.

That won't work for transmissionmission pan bolts. Torque value from the generic charts will be too high and squish the gasket causing leaks. Need to find the correct value for the transmission in the car.

 

[Walter1982]

That won't work for transmissionmission pan bolts. Torque value from the generic charts will be too high and squish the gasket causing leaks. Need to find the correct value for the transmission in the car.

I was worried about that. I will try the dealership, hopefully they have answers.

 

[CleanSump]

I was worried about that. I will try the dealership, hopefully they have answers.

Honestly I googled for you, but didn't get anything documented. Just forum guys saying they think this or that and an AI summary. Hopefully the dealer will have it. It has to be in a transmission manual the dealer should have access to.

 

[Walter1982]

Reading your transmission temperature can be very inexpensive. I use a $5 app (CVTz50) to monitor my CVT functions and codes. The Veepeak VP11 bluetooth adapter was $20.

According to this post you can use the Car Scanner app to check it.
https://www.seltosforum.com/threads...n-fluid-change.1811/?post_id=14869#post-14869

that's amazing! I didn't know stuff like this existed. I've been reading the amazon reviews and many people have a positive experience.

That would be amazing if I could read my IVT temperature for less than $25. I've been anxious about doing it without an accurate temperature read.

I also didn't know the KIA Seltos has the identical engine and IVT that my 2020 Kia Forte has. Which means torque specs and whatnot should be the same.

 

[CleanSump]

On our BMWs and Mercedes I was using a candy thermometer into the drain hole. I got fancy and bought a $30 infrared thermometer. I found it more convenient than my scanners and laptop connected by a cable when doing dirty work under the car. I guess if you have bluetooth the phone is convenient.

 

[Walter1982]

This is one of the better videos I found on doing a CVT drain n fill. I won't have a the scan tool to reset adaptive values but I read that if you unhook the battery for over 30 minutes that also resets the adaptive values on the IVT.

So as your transmission fluid degrades, its viscosity and flow characteristics change. The transmission computer compensates for that over time by changing line pressure and shift timing. When changing the fluid, it’s always a good idea to reset those characteristics so the transmission can relearn from scratch with fresh fluid. It’s not 100% necessary but it can help improve shift quality and feel!

 

[martinq]

This is one of the better videos I found on doing a CVT drain n fill. I won't have a the scan tool to reset adaptive values but I read that if you unhook the battery for over 30 minutes that also resets the adaptive values on the IVT.

So as your transmission fluid degrades, its viscosity and flow characteristics change. The transmission computer compensates for that over time by changing line pressure and shift timing. When changing the fluid, it’s always a good idea to reset those characteristics so the transmission can relearn from scratch with fresh fluid. It’s not 100% necessary but it can help improve shift quality and feel!

I've done several pan-drop fluid changes on a few different Nissan (JATCO) CVTs and there's no need to do any reset's or programming. There IS a "deterioration value" that can be reset (I use the $5 CVTz50 app) but that value is just a counter that starts once the fluid has reached 90C or above.

Do the Hundai / Kia CVTs actually require a reset per the service manual / TSB?

 

[Walter1982]

I've done several pan-drop fluid changes on a few different Nissan (JATCO) CVTs and there's no need to do any reset's or programming. There IS a "deterioration value" that can be reset (I use the $5 CVTz50 app) but that value is just a counter that starts once the fluid has reached 90C or above.

Do the Hundai / Kia CVTs actually require a reset per the service manual / TSB?

when my neighbor did a IVT drain/fill for me 1.5 years ago, he said his scan tool offered the option to reset adaptive values for my Kia, which he did. I need to go to the dealership and confirm, but you know how it is with dealerships. I thought the deterioration value is the adaptive learning reset? Or is the adaptive learning how the IVT learns to shift as you drive?

I believe the deterioration reset is to let the IVT know that there is now clean/cleaner fluid?

 

[Walter1982]

Reading your transmission temperature can be very inexpensive. I use a $5 app (CVTz50) to monitor my CVT functions and codes. The Veepeak VP11 bluetooth adapter was $20.

According to this post you can use the Car Scanner app to check it.
https://www.seltosforum.com/threads...n-fluid-change.1811/?post_id=14869#post-14869

do you know if this app let's you reset adaptive learning values or deterioration values ?

 

[martinq]

when my neighbor did a IVT drain/fill for me 1.5 years ago, he said his scan tool offered the option to reset adaptive values for my Kia, which he did. I need to go to the dealership and confirm, but you know how it is with dealerships. I thought the deterioration value is the adaptive learning reset? Or is the adaptive learning how the IVT learns to shift as you drive?

I believe the deterioration reset is to let the IVT know that there is now clean/cleaner fluid?

In my experience with Nissan JATCO, the deterioration value is just an indicator of how long the CVT has operated with "hot" fluid. It's nothing close the OCI (engine Oil Change Indicator) codes used in modern ECU systems. It's like a trip-meter and I'll reset it before a long trip or maybe when I do a fluid change. In the CVTs that I have serviced there's nothing else that needs to be done but these are all from 2009-2015 era.

You should really try to find service manual info and TSBs from Kia / Hundai so you have an idea.

If it was mine, and I could not fine more information, I would change the fluid, clean the magnets and carry on. If you want to KNOW how the CVT is doing then do a batch of fluid analysis after you've completed 3-5 drain & fills and follow their lead.

 

[martinq]

do you know if this app let's you reset adaptive learning values or deterioration values ?

There are a set of values stored on a module on the valve body in the CVT. These values can be cleared and then will be read / programmed when the system is re-started. I did that a few times when I was swapping TCUs but I never noticed a difference.

In our car (Nissan Cube) I've used three different TCUs with two different CVTs. It's all plug-&-play as far as code goes, wish it was so easy on the mechanical side. The most important thing is having the firmware up to date and keeping the fluid & magnets clean.