Honda CVT level - how is it so simple?

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ProchargedCamry

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I drive an older Toyota automatic. The transmissions are extremely sensitive to fluid viscosity and level. If you are off by a few fluid ounces you can definitely feel it in the shifts. The process for fluid leveling is extremely precise. You have to check the temperature of the ATF, level it on the dipstick.
Then you clean the MAF, reset idle, reset TCM memory. It's very involved and a headache. I trust no one else with the job.

Comparatively, Honda CVT/Auto fluid leveling seems very straightforward and imprecise.
It's almost like you're filling gear oil. You just let the fans come on twice and drain the overfill? What the hell? You don't even check the temperature of the CVT fluid? How is this accurate?
 
ProchargedCamry said:
Comparatively, Honda CVT/Auto fluid leveling seems very straightforward and imprecise.
It's almost like you're filling gear oil. You just let the fans come on twice and drain the overfill? What the hell? You don't even check the temperature of the CVT fluid? How is this accurate?
Click to expand...
They're still finicky, but not as finicky. I usually test drive until warm, allow to idle until fans come on, then perform level check.
Idling until the fans come on will not always get the AT fluid to the correct temp.

Honda has had issues with AT fluid level, take a look at the TSB I posted here:
The Critic

Thread 'Honda 6AT Fluid Level Caution'

Honda's older 6-speed automatic transmissions have a dipstick. Easy enough, right? Not quite...

A recent TSB, #23-073, states that overfilling the unit will increase fluid foaming and contribute to a known fluid overheating issue.

https://www.piloteers.org/attachments/a23-073-pdf.171724/

1710141794694.webp


Here is where things get interesting:

Honda specs a 3.3 quart capacity for a drain and refill. If you drain the trans on a level surface and refill with this amount of fluid, the fluid level may not even register on the dipstick if the transmission fluid is cool. The marks on the...
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Last edited:
Also, some have commented that the volume of fluid drained from honda CVT's is greater than what they had to put back in, suggesting that the factory overfills them and it aperantly does not cause any problems.

So the bottom line may be that the acceptable range of fluid level is fairly wide with Honda CVT's.
 
Their 10-speed AT is the same (simple) process or similar. I think you only need to shift through the gears for 1-2 minutes. Ford's 6F35 transmission (extremely common transmission used in many different models of vehicles) was the same but their setup wasn't as easy (go figure).
 
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ProchargedCamry said:
I drive an older Toyota automatic. The transmissions are extremely sensitive to fluid viscosity and level. If you are off by a few fluid ounces you can definitely feel it in the shifts. The process for fluid leveling is extremely precise. You have to check the temperature of the ATF, level it on the dipstick.
Then you clean the MAF, reset idle, reset TCM memory. It's very involved and a headache. I trust no one else with the job.

Comparatively, Honda CVT/Auto fluid leveling seems very straightforward and imprecise.
It's almost like you're filling gear oil. You just let the fans come on twice and drain the overfill? What the hell? You don't even check the temperature of the CVT fluid? How is this accurate?
Click to expand...
Honda makes it very easy to change the CVT fluid. I think that some make changing fluid harder than what it is like having the level just perfect like to the exact ounce....Some take things to the extreme when there is no reason to do so....
 
Hall said:
Their 10-speed AT is the same (simple) process or similar. I think you only need to shift through the gears for 1-2 minutes. Ford's 6F35 transmission (extremely common transmission used in many different models of vehicles) was the same but their setup wasn't as easy (go figure).
Click to expand...
On the CVT you also go through the gears also..
 
The Critic said:
They're still finicky, but not as finicky. I usually test drive until warm, allow to idle until fans come on, then perform level check.
Idling until the fans come on will not always get the AT fluid to the correct temp.

Honda has had issues with AT fluid level, take a look at the TSB I posted here:
The Critic

Thread 'Honda 6AT Fluid Level Caution'

Honda's older 6-speed automatic transmissions have a dipstick. Easy enough, right? Not quite...

A recent TSB, #23-073, states that overfilling the unit will increase fluid foaming and contribute to a known fluid overheating issue.

https://www.piloteers.org/attachments/a23-073-pdf.171724/

1710141794694.webp


Here is where things get interesting:

Honda specs a 3.3 quart capacity for a drain and refill. If you drain the trans on a level surface and refill with this amount of fluid, the fluid level may not even register on the dipstick if the transmission fluid is cool. The marks on the...
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  • Helpful
  • Wow
Click to expand...
CVTs don't have a dipstick. Just an overfill check hole.
 
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hrv said:
Honda makes it very easy to change the CVT fluid. I think that some make changing fluid harder than what it is like having the level just perfect like to the exact ounce....Some take things to the extreme when there is no reason to do so....
Click to expand...
I promise you, when I add some ATF to my Toyota Auto, a few mL the shifts improve if it was low. I am traumatized by my experience lol.
 
IDK the answer but I'm extremely happy that unlike no dipstick Nissan, Honda has made DIY CVT fluid d&f very easy to follow and accomplish. Found a very comprehensive youtube with Honda specs, diagrams and procedures to follow. One would assume Honda has tested it before putting out diagrams and procedures to follow. 'I' would be included in the "one".
 
Sayjac said:
IDK the answer but I'm extremely happy that unlike no dipstick Nissan, Honda has made DIY CVT fluid d&f very easy to follow and accomplish. Found a very comprehensive youtube with Honda specs, diagrams and procedures to follow. One would assume Honda has tested it before putting out diagrams and procedures to follow. 'I' would be included in the "one".
Click to expand...
So you've never had a problem with overheating, strange transmission behavior after fluid D&F with your Honda I'm assuming?
No jerking when putting it in D or R?
 
ProchargedCamry said:
So you've never had a problem with overheating, strange transmission behavior after fluid D&F with your Honda I'm assuming?
No jerking when putting it in D or R?
Click to expand...
None at all for my 21 HRV cvt and three other hondas in the past....
 
hrv said:
None at all for my 21 HRV cvt and three other hondas in the past....
Click to expand...
Do you monitor the fluid temperature at all?
Or just follow the procedure of going through the gears, waiting for the fans to turn on twice and then pulling the check bolt?
 
ProchargedCamry said:
Do you monitor the fluid temperature at all?
Or just follow the procedure of going through the gears, waiting for the fans to turn on twice and then pulling the check bolt?
Click to expand...
All I do is go threw the gears...let it idle for a minute ot two...turn it off...take out the check plug and either add or let excess out..it is very simple and no need to over think this... It is a very easy job....
 
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