I went to my local Nissan Dealer today to get the CVT fluid drained and replaced. The service person told me that unless I was experiencing some type of problem with it, Nissan does not recommend touching the transmission fluid at all. I was shocked, to say the least. I figured it would probably cost around $200 for the drain and refill. I know the fluid alone cost around $19 or so a quart, and would probably take between 5 and 6 quarts for a drain/refill. Has anyone else been told this by Nissan? My 09 Max has around 66K on it.

 

Thats interesting. Good to know, I am at about 52K. Does the published maintenance schedule say to do it?

 

You're supposed to do it every 45k for normal driving 30k for spirited or aggressive driving. That tech is a MORON. Its on the Nissan maintenance schedule lol

 

I did my own cvt fluid drain fill its about 5 quarts and easier than an oil change

 

Exactly, because the CVT doesn't require a so called "flush"
a drain and refill is all that's required.

 

Clearly waiting for obvious signs of problems is best rather than doing the so called "preventative maintenance" in the first place...
That tech sure knows what hes talking about...

 

I just went through the 2010 service manual and I didn't see that anywhere for schedule 1+2 maintenance. Its listed as "Inspect" throughout. Unless towing a trailer or driving rough or muddy roads.

For Premium maintenance its every 30K

Where did you see the 45K guideline?

 

The 30k is premium service 60k is standard service both are on their maintenance plan. 45k is a nice average....

 

I would not ignore this maintenance unless you want to test nissans 120k warranty on the cvt

 

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but CVT fluid change is only mentioned on the premium service schedule for both 2009 and 2010 manuals. For all other schedules, it is inspect.

If the service isn't called for on the maintenance schedule, Nissan would be hard pressed to use that as a cause for denial of warranty. I do agree though that a fluid change @ 60K would be smart preventative maintenance. However, it is NOT required unless inspection indicates it.

 

I understand, but telling other owners to not change their fluid out isn't the best idea. Its preventative maintenance because you are supposed to do it before there are negative signs. When I changed mine out for the first time around 40k it was black and the new fluid is a pale yellow. I advise people to change the fluid at these intervals just as you'd change your oil at the expected regular intervals. Buy the fluid yourself, I wrote the DIY here for changing CVT fluid its about 100 bucks and an hour of your time. I don't know any vehicle that you can avoid changing the fluids in, all fluids break down under heat and pressure.

 

I would listen to Ghozt, from what I remember when reading his DIY, it is very simple process. You will save money on it by doing it yourself and you know it was done correctly. My car is an 09 and i'm coming close to 33,000kms on mine.

Ghozt,
Now I also have a couple of questions.
1. would you recommend "additive" of sorts, something like zmax for the cvt ? I currently use it in my engine oil
2. What recommendation of CVT transmission fluid to use ? IE: buy it from the Nissan or is there a better aftermarket ?

 

This^^^. The manual as far as fluids, should be used as a general guideline. I wouldnt run an oil thats black and smells burnt, even though it states change at 5,000 miles. Theres many variables that would go into how long a fluid will last, that statement should be used as said guideline! Some last longer, some last less..

 

Everyone has an opinion on fluid change intervals. I changed my engine oil after my first 1000 miles. However the simple fact written by those who built the car is as follows.

For Schedule 1 and 2 CVT Maintenance.

Inspect the CVT fluid every 15K. Replace if needed. Replace @ 60k if pulling a trailer or driving rough or muddy roads. Period. That is sufficient to maintain your warranty.

If the fluid is in acceptable condition when inspected, it does not need to be changed.

FYI the 350Z's transmission is listed as maintenance free. No fluid changes needed.

.

 

LOL... When I bought this 2013, the sales guy told me the car does not require any transmission maintenance until 100K miles... I looked at him o_0 and said, transmission warranty ends at 105K... LOL... Thats a good money maker scheme.

Dude, its your car and your money. Do it before warranty ends.

 

105K? did you get an extended warranty?

 

That's fine, you are entitled to not maintaining your vehicle just as anyone else is. Please though, stop repeating your misinterpretation of the service maintenance guide as you are most likely going to mislead someone on this forum. When I said "test your warranty with the CVT" I didn't mean that Nissan will deny you, I simply meant that you'd more likely be having your CVT serviced because you didn't maintain it. Comparing this car to a 350z is pointless, the 350z does not have a CVT transmission. If you go to Nissan for all your visits and they tell you you're fine, then I'd get it in writing so if anything happens you can hold them responsible. Again, if you want to throw caution to the wind that is on you; but this is not recommended by anyone who actually knows how an engine works.

For anyone who wants a copy of the maintenance schedule here is a link - http://www.courtesyparts.com/pdf/200...ance_Guide.pdf

As mentioned it says to simply inspect many aspects of the car; the reason it says inspect is because most of these items depend on the driving habits of the driver of the car. So for example they can't flatly say change your CVT transmission fluid at 30k, because some people who leisurely drive can wait until 60k. Regardless; it never recommends to simply "skip" the CVT fluid change entirely. It says inspect it; and unless you're an experienced tech that can tell by visual inspection that your transmission fluid needs to be changed; I'd recommend changing out at the regular intervals recommended by Nissan. As would most intelligent Nissan techs. Only morons or scam artists who will benefit from future repairs will tell you that you can avoid regular maintenance.

Regarding what you can put IN the CVT, do not put anything but approved Nissan CVT transmission fluid. Here is my write-up for the DIY including links to the CVT fluid you can buy yourself. If you care at all about your car and the longevity of it; do your regular maintenance and don't listen to this ridiculous BS.

http://forums.maxima.org/7th-generat...rain-fill.html

 

yes. But I never trust the sales guys. I end up teaching them a few things about the car when I go for test drives.

Sales guy owned a 2008 altima coupe and only worked at the dealer for 6 months. So I know his knowledge about Maximas were limited to magazines and brochures... lol

 

True but you don't have to trust the sales guy. You can try trusting the other people who've owned the car longer and know more about it; who also have nothing to gain from steering you in either direction. Like I said to the guy arguing, he's entitled to skip routine maintenance (or not skip it as he is convincing himself) but there is a reason the inspection is at every 30k for "premium service". Try telling me that my CVT was better off with black transmission fluid.

For a little info; when transmission fluids (and other fluids) are heated up; they break down. Most transmission fluids in, say, automatic transmissions can operate without breaking down for up to 100,000 miles in some instances; however - if the temperature starts going above 175+ you will see the lifetime of the fluid plummet. Aggressive driving very easily raises the operating temperature of this; and with every 20 degrees hotter your trans fluid is you are cutting it's life in HALF. (don't believe me? go Google transmission fluid and learn more)

So yeah, if you drive like a grandma your transmission fluid will last quite a while. Check your transmission dipstick often; black or brown transmission fluid is NO BUENO - end of story.

Now, if you bought the Maxima because it's a 4 door car with a 290 HP engine that you plan on using; I'd definitely change your transmission fluid between 30-60k depending on driving style.

 

This is the part where you say "I was wrong about it being in the Nissan maintenance schedule but do it anyway if you drive it like you stole it."

 

Hahahhaha

Awesome comeback guy. Good luck with your car.

The idiocy on the forum grows with every day.

 

Well we finally we agree on something

 

This....when I was test driving my '12 maxima, i was asking about the sport model with the sport tuned suspension. He proceeded to tell me that the sport model has a sport tuned transmission, not a sport tuned suspension. No matter what I said, he remained adamant about it. It wasn't until i showed it to him in a brochure that he even doubted himself.

The sales guy didnt even know the options on the car, let alone the maintenance of it.

 

Look at is a cheap insurance, 100/200 bucks to maintain the longevity of your tranny. I would rather do that than go through the hassle that you may have to go to as result of not.....

 

Am reposting this from last April:

"Had the opportunity to stop by the dealership today, and spoke to the service manager. He informed me that they actually check the condition of the CVT fluid using the Consult computer, like they do all other diagnosis through the OBD port. Apparently the sensing mechanism is built into the transmission - and wired through the car's computer.

The computer gives a reading of the condition of the fluid, and if it's above a certain level, the fluid must be changed. He indicated that they haven't tested one yet that had a reading high enough to mandate drain and fill, but several owners had opted to D/F at 100K for peace of mind."

 

After doing a drain & refill on my wifes SUV tranny, there was a lot more tranny oil than what was in the oil pan. I had to disconnect one of the oil lines to have the torque conveter send out the remaining fluid. Took about 14qts of fluid to refill.
Its seems that the CVT fluid that is drained from the oil pan is only a portion of the oil. According to the service manual it's 10.2 quarts. So draining from the pan is only getting half the oil, I suspect the other half is still in the torque converter. In the end, your mixing old fluid with new fluid doing just a pan drain.

Applied model
VQ35DE
2WD
CVT model RE0F09B
CVT assembly Model code number 1XE2A
Transmission gear ratio
D range Variable
Reverse 1.766
Final drive 5.173
Recommended fluid Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2*1
Fluid capacity liter (US qt, Imp qt) 10.2 (10-6/8, 9)*2
CAUTION:
• Use only Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2. Never mix with other fluid.
• Using CVT fluid other than Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2 will deteriorate in driveability and CVT durability, and may damage
the CVT, which is not covered by the NISSAN new vehicle limited warranty.

 

Correct the drain fill is only 5 quarts, it isn't recommended by Nissan to drain all of it out at once which can have some of the same negative effects that a transmission flush has (which is a big no no)

But all in all do whatever you'd like. I'm over arguing trying to help people take care of their cars, gonna sit back and watch a CVT or two blow up.

 

Lol!!

Well, Dan help me out. Would the CVT Fluid cause my car to make a whining noise..? If so..would Good Year be able to replenish my CVT Fluid..or do I have to go to a Nissan dealership?

 

This thread is hilarious, not changing the CVT fluid, BMW did that years ago, said the trans had lifetime fluid and did not need servicing, eventually the shops got filled with BMW that had transmission that where failing, now they say change the fluid between 30-60 and no later then 90k.

It always makes me laugh to see people get 3k oil changes, but leave all other fluids untouched

 

“CVTF DETERIORATION DATE”
More than 210000 : It is necessary to change CVT fluid.
Less than 210000 : It is not necessary to change CVT fluid.

This is straight from the factory service manual for the 2009 Nissan Maxima.

Premium maintenace is a 30,000mi replacement schedule for CVT fluid. Schedule 1 and 2 only recommend inspection.

The problem I see here: Nissan's fantastic job at miscommunication.

My personal experience. Changed fluid at ~45,000mi. Fluid did not look or smell burnt. It was clear and very light tan colored. New fluid is a very pale green. Fluid sent for analysis, which indicated it was time to change it. It was beginning to become acidic, however wear metals were well within range for circumstances (factory fill fluid). I can link the report if anyone requests.

Word to the wise...just suck it up and change the fluid. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of repairing...or however that little cliche goes.

Late,
Trav