CVT tranny...Do manufacturers have us...

[BMWTurboDzl]

Originally Posted by Char Baby
...all running scared(so to speak)?
When it comes to changing the CVT fluid(or any modern auto transmission such as Toyota 8spd) in terms of

*No dipstick
*Long fluid change procedure
*Needing the fluid at some specific temperature or, monitoring the transmission temp
*Drain & Refill has to be some kind of special procedure or you'll mess up the transmission

I have seen Youtube videos on changing the CVT fluid on Honda Accords & Civics and Nissan Altimas & Sentras, where the owner just does a Drain & Refill. Basicly put back new fluid in the amount of old fluid that was drained from the pan. The owners are maintaining their own transmission and have done these CVT drains on several occasions and claiming NO HARM DONE!

Does anyone have opinions and/or experience in any of these CVT transmission in terms of their own maintenance(Drain/Refill)?



No #1: The less frequently the owner opens up the transmission the less likely the owner will screw something up by either under/over filling or more importantly introducing dirt into the unit.

No #2: Cost: It's cheaper to design a unit w/out the dipstick because the unit can fit in more vehicles.

No #3: There's no data proving AT's will last longer with frequent changes. Sorry folks, it's just not there.

 

[KrisZ]

Common sense can still prevail. No need to be scared. An expensive tool that will show you the ATF temp. can be substituted by a cheap infrared thermometer. Just make sure to take a temp. reading in multiple locations around the transmission, not just the oil pan.
Another is using the ATF cooler lines, if accessible, to do a complete exchange fairly easily and quickly.

 

[Pelican]

Originally Posted by KrisZ
Another is using the ATF cooler lines, if accessible, to do a complete exchange fairly easily and quickly.


That's the best way for a complete exchange!

 

[chunt]

Changing the fluid on "most" later model Nissan's with no dip stick is fairly easy. The factory procedure is in the service manual available on NICOclub.com. Just use the dipstick tube to refill. Also I found measuring the temperature is easy using an app (CVTz50) that I downloaded from the Play Store and a ELM 327 adapter version 1.5 (versions 2.0 and above will not work). I have verified this procedure on a 2016 Alitma and my 2018 Rogue and Pathfinder. I could not find a way to add fluid on my granddaughter's Versa however.

 

[MRtv]

I have not found a way to add fluid to a Versa. It is so sealed up. Only a drain is possible from what I can see.

 

[KrisZ]

Here is Versa CVT fluid check. You can use the port to add the CVT fluid.

 

[MRtv]

Thanks KhrisZ for the share of where I can look. A question if you will. Can I use that spot to change the fluid myself? I am guessing yes but just making sure. I also hear about some computer check of the condition of the fluid. Is that really necessary? I figure dump fill, dump fill and I should be good.

 

[MRtv]

The wife just arrived home so I went out to check the Versa Note. I found the filler you pointed out. Now I am a pretty good sized guy and my hands and arms are pretty big. Wow that is one tight spot for me. It looks like I may have to loosen the coolant filler neck to make a little bit more room for myself to be able to reach down and access the tube. I am still going to have some scratches reaching down there though. I still think it may be doable though.

If this could be a dump fluid, and replace it I am game to do this job myself. Thanks again for the heads up where that cap was located. A trip to the dealer for some fluid is not a problem for me. Oh and I have had the fluid changed once by the dealer at around 30000 miles. 60000 is coming up soon so I will need the fluid done again. I know my manual says do it at 60000 but I am a stickler for doing transmission fluid more often. That hasn't let me down yet. Never had to replace a bad transmission yet. Knock on wood.

 

[JTK]

Wow that is awkward spot on the Versa. It's much easier on the V6 equipped Nissans.

MRtv, I've purchased all my Nissan NS-3 off eBay. It's half the cost of buying it from my dealer.

 

[Sayjac]

Quote
Wow that is awkward spot on the Versa.
I have read that like Versa the Sentra charging tube also in a difficult to access spot. The Rogue tube and cap in a better, more accessible location. I'm also thinking that a the Quest CVT drain plug and overflow plug easier to access because of higher profile vehicle. Unlike lower profile Nissans, where without a lift, keeping vehicle level and getting to plugs for service difficult.

Since subject of alternatives to an expensive scanner for CVT temp mentioned, I saw a youtube recently comparing alternative methods. In his example, all methods within ~3.5 degrees F. I found the results interesting.

 

[JTK]

For sure on the ground clearance thing Sayjack.

You don't need ramps, etc for the Quest, Pathfinder or Murano. You can easily reach the transmission pan

I need to do another spill and fill on my Quest soon.. It's got about 70K miles on it and has been probably 20K miles since the last d/f.