johnbigonion

I need to replace the oil in my trans, living in Hawaii is pricey so I wanted to do it myself. The dealer wants 300 just to change the oil or a service. Will the warranty be voided if I change the oil with there $27 a quart oil?

ThinBlue82

iTrader: (1)

No, you will be fine so long as you use the appropriate Nissan CVT fluid for your car. It's simply a drain and fill. No need to flush the CVT

johnbigonion

Thank you

cali760

how often should this be done? is there any tips / pointers to ask or look for when taking to dealer to get done? is there a better oil?

Ghozt

Yup. Several of us are running the Amsoil synthetic CVT fluid now. Reviews are in the FB groups only it looks like. Their products include a "warranty lock guarantee" meaning if Nissan tries to deny you coverage simply call the number on their site and they'll go to bat for you. Magnuson Moss Warranty Act FTW.

http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produc...?code=CVTQT-EA

Thanhkiem

Good stuff! Does Canadian tire have it?

cali760

ty ghozt good stuff right there!

Ghozt

Not sure about who stocks it; I just ordered right on their site.

If you're going from stock fluid to this new fluid, you need 10.8 quarts for a full change out. After that you just need 5 quarts roughly for your drain/fill every 30-45k just like the OEM fluid intervals and quantity.

Ross2893

Would the 2.5 gallon package be enough?

Ghozt

2.5 gallons is 10 quarts, get one of those + 1 additional quart.

Also for those of you interested in taking it a step further, in the UAE the Maxima comes with a large stock transmission cooler that mounts right in the driver side brake duct area behind the bumper cover. For around 400 something you can buy the full kit including brackets and hoses, here is the part number for the main transmission cooler which is what I have installed, and a picture of it.

http://www.nissanpartszone.com/parts...606-ja00a.html

Ross2893

Okay thank you. Are you now running too tranny coolers though??

Shipwreck

Awesome! Thanks for the link for the transmission cooler! Is this connected in-line with the stock cooler in the radiator? I'm really interested in doing this project. It's hot over here!

2011maximapa

That link on the trannny cooler is an interesting idea especially since I run the car pretty hard most every time I drive it.

Gfporter1015

What's the name of the Facebook group?

Ghozt

Yeah its in-line after the OEM cooler that is built into the radiator. So yeah you run two technically, but this OEM one is small and also has a warming element (you don't ever want it too cool the fluid has to have the right viscosity) so the aftermarket cooler helps tremendously with managing CVT temps. If you've ever limped the trans (limits you at 4000 rpms until it cools down) this is for you.

FB group link is on 7thgenmaxima.com

PetitFrereMaxima

iTrader: (2)

Thats some interesting stuff.

VVhite-0ut

I'm curious, is this cooler still the best way to go? Best bang for our buck? Or is there perhaps something else more up to date or even aftermarket anybody knows is better?

TIA

http://www.nissanpartsdeal.com/parts...606-ja00a.html

NCSUpilot

What is the process to get all the fluid out and switched over? I assume this is different than the standard drain/fill? Like you said, I only get about 4.5 in a drain/fill.

ThinBlue82

iTrader: (1)

Shops use a machine which sucks all of the fluid out of the cvt. Not sure how to do it all at once at home. If you're going to continue using Nissans fluid them you'll just have to do several drain/fills to get the remaining fluid out. I did this with my accord. Do a drain/fill then drive it for a few days then do another drain/fill and so on until the fluid looks clean. It's actually kinda a pain but worth it I suppose.

dexcool

If i drain and fill the 4-5 quarts can i remove NS-2 and add AMSOIL?? Any details are greatly appreciated...

ThinBlue82

iTrader: (1)

I doubt it's safe to mix the two. I'd advise against it.

dexcool

Thx TB82... just wondering...

NCSUpilot

I wonder if you used something like this you could get it all out via the dipstick.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...d+extractor.do

1ironboy1

wassup guys.
want to be ready for my first oil change i got a 14 max with 1,000 miles on it.
can the nissan dealer i purchased it from provide me with this AMSOIL oil. or should i get it online and go to a mom and pops and get it done? whats safer?

Richard66

This thread is talking CVT (Transmission) oil change, I believe you are talking engine oil change with only 1000 miles on it, or you are planning a CVT oil change really early in you cars life.

1ironboy1

yea sorry lol engine oil is what i meant.

Richard66

Your car is under warranty so the safest way is having the dealership do all your scheduled maintenance, even if it may cost a little more. This way the dealership will have a complete maintanence history of you car where a mom and pop would probably not. As far as I know dealerships do not use Amsoil so you will have to buy it and have them install if they agree to.

1ironboy1

thanks for the feedback.
what type of oil they use?

Richard66

I can only guess that they buy in bulk to get a better value and dealerships use a variety of different manufactures. My dealership used Castrol Synthetic blend for my car every 5000 miles. I would be surprised if there was a dealership out there that used full synthetic for routine oil changes. I could be wrong though.

dmcmahan12

Bump. I just had the CVT fluid changed in my 2012 Max with 52,200 miles on it at the dealership. Price was $169.95 labor and fluid. Had them hold a sample of the old fluid and it looked almost black with a little burnt smell to it. Should have taken a picture. I can say it does feel like it is smoother feeling but who knows. I am happy and feel the price was not too bad. Good day all.

mikekay

Not hijacking here just furthur developing the thread:


Whats a good way to know what CVT fluid was used? Can you tell? What if mixed?

How dirty calls for the drain and fill?

I would like to do this on my new maxima but not sure what previously was used.

dmcmahan12

Not sure how to tell what fluid was used. The fluid from Nissan has a green tint to it. They recommend changing it at 30,000 but I waited until now. I am sure some other people will step in and comment also. What year is your car and how many miles do you have on it?

mikekay

It's a 2012/87000kms -- not sure if the previous owner did stuff to it but by doing some searching around these forums the required is right around that mark. I'll try and pump out a sample and post it here.

Lemonhawk

Where does it recommend changing at 30K? I don't thing there is any Nissan recommendation to change the trans fluid at that short of interval.

Daaavid

True, but Nissan also holds the idea that the transmission fluid is a lifetime fluid (i.e. to be changed at 100,000 miles). It is the benefit of the doubt to change the fluid at 30K or 60K intervals. With the CVT being a sensitive transmission to wear-and-tear, changing the fluids can help alleviate that.

dmcmahan12

I meant to say my dealership I take my car to recommended changing the fluid at 30K. Have a nice day.

CorollaULEV

So the technical answer is that Nissan CVT equipped vehicles have a "CVT deterioration" built into them. Nissan can plug into the car, check the "deterioration date", but it probably isn't correct. These transmissions need to be treated like any other - 30,000mi fluid changes. Nissan can say what they want and lead you to believe that you can use the original fluid until....whenever. Realistically, just do yourself a favor and change the fluid on a 30K interval and you will be fine.

innerlight

You said several of you are running the Amsoil CVT oil. Can you tell me how long? Any issues? I have not seen a lot of positive feedback about Amsoil CVT in Nissans. I would like to use it. Is it OK?

LtLeary

You will find it listed as the "premium upgrade" every 30k regardless of if you are running schedule 1 or schedule 2 on the scheduled maintenance "book" that is separate from the owner's manual. Otherwise, as others have noted, it is only an "inspection."

I do a drain and fill every 60k and replace the inline filter. Seems to work for my driving style as I just went over 310,000 miles last week in my 09.

bluefish7

Yes I am also interested, I'm at 67,000 miles on my 2009 and never done anything with the CVT so will get some fluid and the in-line filter, from what I gather a R&R should suffice.