Toyota CVT full service, fluid pics @23k miles

[KrisZ]

The fluid looked pretty good, but it had a lot of fine metal particles, a lot more than I've seen so far in any ATF I've serviced.
Magnets didn't look too bad, however there was a lot of small particles floating in the fluid. Judging by the color it is likely a soft metal and non ferrous, but I did not test it with a magnet.
My drain pan has a lot of scratches from years of use and they caught the fine particles very nicely, sort of like a gold plate.

After the pan drop and filter change, I pumped the rest of the fluid via the return cooler line to get rid of as much of the old fluid as I could.
The last picture shows which line to use if anyone is interested.

 

[supton]

Nice. I chickened out and elected to not do a pan drop on mine. I'd get more fluid out if I did but didn't want to deal with the gasket. But mine didn't seem to have any color shift, even at 50k, so...? nothing like what looked like chocolate coming out of one car (140k on original fluid).

 

[Furious]

With CVT's you will see more metal than a non CVT transmission especially on the first service, and then not saying in your case but in other cases people tend to use the incorrect fluid or go for universal CVT fluids and I often don't see it end well in the long run.

 

[97prizm]

With CVT's you will see more metal than a non CVT transmission especially on the first service, and then not saying in your case but in other cases people tend to use the incorrect fluid or go for universal CVT fluids and I often don't see it end well in the long run.

Do cvts have a filter like torque converter automatic transmissions?

 

[KrisZ]

Do cvts have a filter like torque converter automatic transmissions?

Mine has a filter, as you can see it’s not made to catch the fine particles.

 

[Furious]

Do cvts have a filter like torque converter automatic transmissions?

Some do some don't have filters, some are "non-serviceable" filters.

 

[JTK]

Do cvts have a filter like torque converter automatic transmissions?

CVTs have have torque converters just like conventional ATs.

 

[KrisZ]

Nice. I chickened out and elected to not do a pan drop on mine. I'd get more fluid out if I did but didn't want to deal with the gasket. But mine didn't seem to have any color shift, even at 50k, so...? nothing like what looked like chocolate coming out of one car (140k on original fluid).

The gasket is a non issue, at least on mine as it is metal and coated with something. It was easy to remove and probably can be reused, but I elected to install a new one. Because it’s fairly stiff, it was very easy to get lined up and stay in place.

 

[CharBaby]

Is it a CVT or a step shift auto?…6spd auto?

 

[GSCJR]

Do cvts have a filter like torque converter automatic transmissions?

Yes, CVT have pan filters just like step shift transmissions and some also have an additional fluid cooler filter.

 

[KrisZ]

Is it a CVT or a step shift auto?…6spd auto?

CVT with no fake shifts. I does have fake shifts on the manual mode though.

 

[bbhero]

CVT with no fake shifts. I does have fake shifts on the manual mode though.

I will say Kris that on my Nissan Altima 3.5 with the CVT I could go down a mountain in manual mode and hardly ever have to use the brakes. It was just like driving a regular stick shift manual in that way. I was very impressed by that in my Nissan Altima VQ.

 

[CharBaby]

CVT with no fake shifts. I does have fake shifts on the manual mode though.

Right, sorry! I missed that in your title, that it is a CVT.

 

[CharBaby]

I will say Kris that on my Nissan Altima 3.5 with the CVT I could go down a mountain in manual mode and hardly ever have to use the brakes. It was just like driving a regular stick shift manual in that way. I was very impressed by that in my Nissan Altima VQ.

My Altima 2.5 w/CVT would also do this!
Mine was a great CVT because it worked as designed and didn't give me any problems.
However if it did had issues, I'd probably write them off.

 

[benjamming]

Got a pic of the old filter apart?
What filter did you use in replacement? Pic of box/filter?

 

[KrisZ]

Got a pic of the old filter apart?
What filter did you use in replacement? Pic of box/filter?

No pics, but here are the part numbers. I bought the filter and the gasket from an online Toyota dealer.

Oil Strainer Assembly Part Number: 35330-28020
Transaxle Oil Pan Gasket Part Number: 35168-28020

 

[We're Metals]

I did my first CVT Fluid change at 75,000 miles and it looked cleaner than yours. There were a lot less particles and better color. Maxlife went in.

Looks like your early change was good for your application.