CVT Preventative Maintenance
09-21-2015, 07:59 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Destin, FL
Posts: 267
CVT Preventative Maintenance
Hey guys im about 1500 miles away from my 15K shop visit that my nissan recommends and I was just wondering if there was anything you guys have done CVT wise in order to keep it trouble free as the miles accumulate. Thanks in advance!
09-22-2015, 04:07 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 614
Not yet. Over the years of car ownership Ive found 40K miles a good interval for transmission service. 50k is too long on this car, 60 is worse. I had some hiccups between 40-50k that were starting to annoy me. Harshness and other little oddities made me tell my service advisor I want cvt service early.
Last edited by Bificus99; 09-22-2015 at 04:08 AM. Reason: need more coffee
09-22-2015, 06:56 PM
#5
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Destin, FL
Posts: 267
Not yet. Over the years of car ownership Ive found 40K miles a good interval for transmission service. 50k is too long on this car, 60 is worse. I had some hiccups between 40-50k that were starting to annoy me. Harshness and other little oddities made me tell my service advisor I want cvt service early.
Awesome thanks a lot guys I really appreciate the advice seeing as I want to take care of this car the best I can.
09-26-2015, 04:22 AM
#6
Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 229
I'm at 82,XXX miles and taking mine to the dealer today for general maintenance for the first time since buying it new.(Typically have all my service done at a very reputable 3rd party shop) I was reviewing my manual and it NEVER says when to service the CVT or anything only to "inspect CVT fluid" I just find this really odd, does anyone know what "inspecting" the fluid constitutes?
09-26-2015, 05:18 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 614
I'm at 82,XXX miles and taking mine to the dealer today for general maintenance for the first time since buying it new.(Typically have all my service done at a very reputable 3rd party shop) I was reviewing my manual and it NEVER says when to service the CVT or anything only to "inspect CVT fluid" I just find this really odd, does anyone know what "inspecting" the fluid constitutes?
09-26-2015, 05:27 AM
#8
This is from the 2014 Nissan Service and Maintenance Guide:
For these vehicles with a CVT
transmission, cube, Murano, Altima,
Altima Coupe, Maxima,
Rogue, NV200, Sentra, Pathfinder
(except HEV), Quest and Versa,
replace the CVT fluid every
60,000 miles or request the dealer
to inspect the fluid deterioration
data using a CONSULT. If the deterioration
data is more than
210000, replace the CVT fluid.
For these vehicles with a CVT
transmission, cube, Murano, Altima,
Altima Coupe, Maxima,
Rogue, NV200, Sentra, Pathfinder
(except HEV), Quest and Versa,
replace the CVT fluid every
60,000 miles or request the dealer
to inspect the fluid deterioration
data using a CONSULT. If the deterioration
data is more than
210000, replace the CVT fluid.
09-26-2015, 05:55 AM
#9
Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 229
This is from the 2014 Nissan Service and Maintenance Guide:
For these vehicles with a CVT
transmission, cube, Murano, Altima,
Altima Coupe, Maxima,
Rogue, NV200, Sentra, Pathfinder
(except HEV), Quest and Versa,
replace the CVT fluid every
60,000 miles or request the dealer
to inspect the fluid deterioration
data using a CONSULT. If the deterioration
data is more than
210000, replace the CVT fluid.
For these vehicles with a CVT
transmission, cube, Murano, Altima,
Altima Coupe, Maxima,
Rogue, NV200, Sentra, Pathfinder
(except HEV), Quest and Versa,
replace the CVT fluid every
60,000 miles or request the dealer
to inspect the fluid deterioration
data using a CONSULT. If the deterioration
data is more than
210000, replace the CVT fluid.
Also, when you follow the service / mileage interval guide it never says replace. It only ever says inspect.
bificuss99 - I don't believe these transmissions have a dipstick. Do they?
09-26-2015, 03:02 PM
#10
Yes, they do have dipsticks. If I recall its just in front of the motor towards the right side and it has a funny looking safety/tamper cap on it. It's hard to miss
09-26-2015, 03:14 PM
#11
Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 229
So, my dealer recommended a power flush. Which I've read bad things about on here. I told them I was not interested in that, but if they would please inspect the fluid per the manuals recomendation and advise of its condition.
This apparently is part of their standard multi point inspection; and it revealed the fluid was not in need of exchange. I'm at 82,XXX miles.
This apparently is part of their standard multi point inspection; and it revealed the fluid was not in need of exchange. I'm at 82,XXX miles.
09-26-2015, 04:36 PM
#12
The computer is calibrated in such that fluid will be bad after 100k, after which your transmission will eat itself, based purely on evidence from other vehicles and manufacturers.
There is no magic fluid, and parts wear. For at least 20 years, a trans flush has been recommended at 30k. I am going to stick with what is known to work, especially on a transmission that is still relatively in its infancy.
There is no magic fluid, and parts wear. For at least 20 years, a trans flush has been recommended at 30k. I am going to stick with what is known to work, especially on a transmission that is still relatively in its infancy.
09-27-2015, 04:37 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 1,802
I personally have only drained and filled every 60k and then flushed and replaced the filter at 270k. (Most Nissan techs will swear there is not a cvt filter and hence won't change it.) it is located by the front left tire and looks like a type of fuel filter.
If I knew then what I know now, in addition to the drain and fill I would replace the $12filter at the same time.
BUT, I do highway driving 98% of the time. Stop and go metropolitan driving is one of the hardest things on our cvts as they can't cool as effectively stopped in traffic and hence the cvt fluid deteriorates quicker.
The manual recommends 60k intervals for a drain and fill but it doesn't know your driving habits. YOU are the only one to determine that, albeit guided by a lot of sage advice on this forum.
Some will change every 30k, others at 80k and some have never done it. While I do not favor the hands off approach, the key is knowing your driving style, formulating a maintenance plan and stay on target. Everything will eventually break, but with consistent maintenance, it can be a long time coming.
303,000 miles on my 09 and still climbing!
If I knew then what I know now, in addition to the drain and fill I would replace the $12filter at the same time.
BUT, I do highway driving 98% of the time. Stop and go metropolitan driving is one of the hardest things on our cvts as they can't cool as effectively stopped in traffic and hence the cvt fluid deteriorates quicker.
The manual recommends 60k intervals for a drain and fill but it doesn't know your driving habits. YOU are the only one to determine that, albeit guided by a lot of sage advice on this forum.
Some will change every 30k, others at 80k and some have never done it. While I do not favor the hands off approach, the key is knowing your driving style, formulating a maintenance plan and stay on target. Everything will eventually break, but with consistent maintenance, it can be a long time coming.
303,000 miles on my 09 and still climbing!
09-27-2015, 07:42 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 614
So, my dealer recommended a power flush. Which I've read bad things about on here. I told them I was not interested in that, but if they would please inspect the fluid per the manuals recomendation and advise of its condition.
This apparently is part of their standard multi point inspection; and it revealed the fluid was not in need of exchange. I'm at 82,XXX miles.
This apparently is part of their standard multi point inspection; and it revealed the fluid was not in need of exchange. I'm at 82,XXX miles.
09-27-2015, 08:45 PM
#16
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Destin, FL
Posts: 267
Originally Posted by LtLeary
I personally have only drained and filled every 60k and then flushed and replaced the filter at 270k. (Most Nissan techs will swear there is not a cvt filter and hence won't change it.) it is located by the front left tire and looks like a type of fuel filter.
If I knew then what I know now, in addition to the drain and fill I would replace the $12filter at the same time.
BUT, I do highway driving 98% of the time. Stop and go metropolitan driving is one of the hardest things on our cvts as they can't cool as effectively stopped in traffic and hence the cvt fluid deteriorates quicker.
The manual recommends 60k intervals for a drain and fill but it doesn't know your driving habits. YOU are the only one to determine that, albeit guided by a lot of sage advice on this forum.
Some will change every 30k, others at 80k and some have never done it. While I do not favor the hands off approach, the key is knowing your driving style, formulating a maintenance plan and stay on target. Everything will eventually break, but with consistent maintenance, it can be a long time coming.
303,000 miles on my 09 and still climbing!
If I knew then what I know now, in addition to the drain and fill I would replace the $12filter at the same time.
BUT, I do highway driving 98% of the time. Stop and go metropolitan driving is one of the hardest things on our cvts as they can't cool as effectively stopped in traffic and hence the cvt fluid deteriorates quicker.
The manual recommends 60k intervals for a drain and fill but it doesn't know your driving habits. YOU are the only one to determine that, albeit guided by a lot of sage advice on this forum.
Some will change every 30k, others at 80k and some have never done it. While I do not favor the hands off approach, the key is knowing your driving style, formulating a maintenance plan and stay on target. Everything will eventually break, but with consistent maintenance, it can be a long time coming.
303,000 miles on my 09 and still climbing!
09-28-2015, 12:12 PM
#17
09-28-2015, 01:55 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 1,802
Pn is 31726 from courtesy parts.com or just at your local Nissan dealer. I think it was about $12 at the parts counter but they swore there was no such thing until they looked it up by pn. It is listed as a transmission oil filter.
12-03-2015, 08:34 AM
#21
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 1
I have a newly purchased 2012 Maxima with 75K+ don't know history so I want to do a Transmission fluid change. I plan on using the $20/ quart from the dealer OE fluid and doing it myself. The question is the dealer said they get the fluid to the correct temperature and fill til it drips from the fill tube. Anyone heard of this? I was planning on replacing the same amount I took out.
12-03-2015, 09:46 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,648
Warm up the cvt by driving it around for 20-30 minutes. Put it in park and run the gear shift through all it's gears. Turn off the engine. Remove the cvt dipstick. Remove drain plug to cvt, (oil will be hot) and let it drain into a container that you can measure the volume, usually around 4.5 qts. will come out. This will be a lot easier if you can get the front of your car up on ramps. Let it drain for 15 minutes. Put back in the drain plug. Pour back in the same measured volume of new cvt oil through the cvt dip stick hole, using a funnel. The oil does not need to be heated up. Put the dip stick back in and start the car running the cvt through all it's gears. Make sure the oil level is where it is supposed to be on the dip stick. There are a number of threads on this site that members have posted doing the drain and fill method.
01-11-2016, 12:50 PM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 432
I just did my drain and fill Sunday. Drained out just under 4 1/2 quarts.
I only have 34k on my 2009 Maxima. It' took about 15-20 min to do. Real simple. My Cvt oil was alittle dark. Not too bad.
After I replaced with new, took it for a spin and it does feel smoother. It's well worth doing !
I only have 34k on my 2009 Maxima. It' took about 15-20 min to do. Real simple. My Cvt oil was alittle dark. Not too bad.
After I replaced with new, took it for a spin and it does feel smoother. It's well worth doing !
01-12-2016, 05:09 AM
#24
Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 229
I'm now at 88k miles and just had my transmission flushed for the first time. The car is "shifting" much smoother now. I hadn't really realized just how clunky the team my has become when going from cruising to coasting to accelerating to coasting etc... But it now drives noticeably better and I didn't realize it wasn't driving good. So, I would recommend sticking with around 60k mile services.
01-14-2016, 06:20 AM
#25
Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 168
So, my dealer recommended a power flush. Which I've read bad things about on here. I told them I was not interested in that, but if they would please inspect the fluid per the manuals recomendation and advise of its condition.
This apparently is part of their standard multi point inspection; and it revealed the fluid was not in need of exchange. I'm at 82,XXX miles.
This apparently is part of their standard multi point inspection; and it revealed the fluid was not in need of exchange. I'm at 82,XXX miles.
01-26-2016, 07:36 AM
#26
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 28
01-26-2016, 11:20 AM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 1,802
02-07-2016, 05:24 PM
#30
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 28
I must be the exception but after the filter and fluid change I dropped in 4.5 quarts and went for a drive, still not reading on the dipstick so put in about half another quart and just barely getting anything on the stick. Will get another quart tomorrow but has anyone else done this change and needed 6 quarts to replenish?
02-08-2016, 05:33 AM
#31
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 80
I must be the exception but after the filter and fluid change I dropped in 4.5 quarts and went for a drive, still not reading on the dipstick so put in about half another quart and just barely getting anything on the stick. Will get another quart tomorrow but has anyone else done this change and needed 6 quarts to replenish?
I didn't do a filter change and was right at 4.5 qts, are you sure your were full before you started?
02-08-2016, 06:44 AM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 511
I must be the exception but after the filter and fluid change I dropped in 4.5 quarts and went for a drive, still not reading on the dipstick so put in about half another quart and just barely getting anything on the stick. Will get another quart tomorrow but has anyone else done this change and needed 6 quarts to replenish?
the only guess is you were low before you started.
Look around to make sure you dont have a leak too.
02-13-2016, 05:06 AM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 1,802
I must be the exception but after the filter and fluid change I dropped in 4.5 quarts and went for a drive, still not reading on the dipstick so put in about half another quart and just barely getting anything on the stick. Will get another quart tomorrow but has anyone else done this change and needed 6 quarts to replenish?
02-13-2016, 03:51 PM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Dallas
Posts: 441
not yet. Over the years of car ownership ive found 40k miles a good interval for transmission service. 50k is too long on this car, 60 is worse. I had some hiccups between 40-50k that were starting to annoy me. Harshness and other little oddities made me tell my service advisor i want cvt service early.
02-13-2016, 07:32 PM
#35
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 46
I have a 2014 Maxima with 11K miles, and I have no idea what to do with the CVT. I took it to the dealer for the first time last week, and they recommended oil change & tire rotation/balance. I'm assuming they would say something about the CVT when the time comes or do I need to know at what mileage I need to ask?
02-13-2016, 08:52 PM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,648
I have a 2014 Maxima with 11K miles, and I have no idea what to do with the CVT. I took it to the dealer for the first time last week, and they recommended oil change & tire rotation/balance. I'm assuming they would say something about the CVT when the time comes or do I need to know at what mileage I need to ask?
02-14-2016, 08:21 PM
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Dallas
Posts: 441
If you go with the dealership they will make you go broke but at least your car is safely worked on. On the other hand I had no idea how do an oil change when I got my 12'. Thanks to research and members on here I was able to do my CVT myself.
10-22-2018, 01:34 AM
#38
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 5
I did mine at 65000 I did a lot of highway driving but I live in Texas where the heat is insane. I felt a noticeable difference when I left the dealership. I figure when it comes to things like this I let them handle it.
10-22-2018, 10:54 AM
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,648
I have a good relationship with my service department so they only charged me $30 labor + cost of fluid since the car was already on the rack getting the engine oil changed. Considering all the time and work involved doing this myself it was $30 well spent.
11-07-2018, 02:48 PM
#40
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 2
I personally have only drained and filled every 60k and then flushed and replaced the filter at 270k. (Most Nissan techs will swear there is not a cvt filter and hence won't change it.) it is located by the front left tire and looks like a type of fuel filter.
If I knew then what I know now, in addition to the drain and fill I would replace the $12filter at the same time.
BUT, I do highway driving 98% of the time. Stop and go metropolitan driving is one of the hardest things on our cvts as they can't cool as effectively stopped in traffic and hence the cvt fluid deteriorates quicker.
The manual recommends 60k intervals for a drain and fill but it doesn't know your driving habits. YOU are the only one to determine that, albeit guided by a lot of sage advice on this forum.
Some will change every 30k, others at 80k and some have never done it. While I do not favor the hands off approach, the key is knowing your driving style, formulating a maintenance plan and stay on target. Everything will eventually break, but with consistent maintenance, it can be a long time coming.
303,000 miles on my 09 and still climbing!
If I knew then what I know now, in addition to the drain and fill I would replace the $12filter at the same time.
BUT, I do highway driving 98% of the time. Stop and go metropolitan driving is one of the hardest things on our cvts as they can't cool as effectively stopped in traffic and hence the cvt fluid deteriorates quicker.
The manual recommends 60k intervals for a drain and fill but it doesn't know your driving habits. YOU are the only one to determine that, albeit guided by a lot of sage advice on this forum.
Some will change every 30k, others at 80k and some have never done it. While I do not favor the hands off approach, the key is knowing your driving style, formulating a maintenance plan and stay on target. Everything will eventually break, but with consistent maintenance, it can be a long time coming.
303,000 miles on my 09 and still climbing!
goddamn it 300k new record. Ima to follow that type of guide and do my tranny between 30-60. Lol every 45k! And oil change every 6k miles I’m gettin up there now!! Almost 120k and Nissan already replaces my transmission . I can’t messed up no more cheap gas and do my maintenance on time!!!
and I need tips for tune up?
beside oil and filter
like spark plug??
nissan already change me 1500 for a speed sensor module making the transmission slip .