How frequently does my Nissan need to exchange the CVT fluid? The continuously variable gearbox fluid should be changed approximately every 30,000 miles, according to Chapman Nissan.
In This Article...
How frequently should the CVT transmission fluid in a Nissan Rogue be changed?
I need to spend $4000 on a CVT transmission rebuild for my Nissan Rogue, a reader writes. This automobile still has a $6000 balance. The mechanic claims that because I neglected to change the fluid, the transmission failed. How frequently should a CVT transmission have its oil changed?
Our response: Contrary to popular belief, CVT fluid needs to be changed much more frequently. The fluid replacement period for the majority of Nissan vehicles with CVT gearboxes is every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or two years (whichever comes first).
Nissan advises changing the fluid every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or two years for “heavy service operation” (whichever comes first). A severe service is one that generates extremely high operating temperatures. This can involve a lot of towing or heavy lugging, climbing hills, or working in extremely hot weather.
How Often Should CVT Fluid Be Changed? has a list of CVT fluid replacement schedules for additional auto manufacturers.
What occurs if CVT fluid is not changed?
When you change the fluid in a car, particles and debris are flushed away. These will continue to circulate in the transmission if you never empty the fluid. The transmission may not be harmed by them, but when the miles add up, they actually help the transmission shift correctly.
If you have an older vehicle that hasn’t had its transmission fluid changed as advised, you might want to give it another thought after the fluid gets old and the clutches start to wear out. It’s not a guarantee that changing it because it hasn’t been maintained, but it’s pretty typical that most shops will advise against it if it hasn’t been changed previously.
How long is the lifespan of a Nissan CVT transmission?
New vehicles with CVTs should operate dependably for up to 100,000 miles on the market today. Overall dependability for the majority of cars will be lower than what is anticipated with a typical automatic or manual transmission.
However, exemplary owner maintenance can extend this prediction. In fact, some owners can obtain up to 200,000 trouble-free miles with a CVT provided they adhere to the factory-specified service intervals, apply the advised lubricant(s), and drive sensibly.
How much does Nissan’s CVT fluid replacement cost?
Unbelievably, a stepless, continuously variable transmission (CVT) was envisaged by Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century. A Dutch manufacturer later mass produced an automobile with a CVT in the 1950s. what about right now? Should you choose a CVT vehicle? or maybe you’re asking “Do I own a CVT-equipped vehicle? Or perhaps you’re even curious, “A CVT is what?
A CVT is a gearbox that may steplessly transition among an infinite number of gear ratios within a range of maximum and minimum values, according to Wikipedia. Other mechanical transmissions, on the other hand, provide a fixed number of gear ratios. The ability of CVTs to improve engine efficiency throughout a variety of speeds results in better fuel economy, which is one of the factors that make them appealing to automakers.
First of all, there is no excuse for not purchasing a vehicle with a CVT, and owners of such vehicles need not fear. The CVT needs to be properly maintained, which is the most crucial item to remember.
Many automakers create vehicles with CVTs, but they never instruct the consumer on how to maintain the CVT. You may observe that a transmission fluid change or service is not mentioned in many manufacturers’ service recommendations. Even some manufacturers claim the fluid is a “enduring fluid. They are correct in that the transmission fails when the fluid fails. The “lifetime fluid lasts the life of the transmission which can be as short as 70,000 to 80,000 miles if it isn’t properly maintained for. Thankfully, this kind of failure is easily avoidable.
The CVT is an extremely precise piece of equipment with a sophisticated electronic valve body. Replacement can cost between $4,000 and $7,000, although the CVT’s lifespan can be significantly increased by changing the fluid every 40,000 to 50,000 miles. The cost of a quart of the transmission fluid used in a CVT ranges from $15 to $30. Four to five quarts can fit in the transmission. Between $70 and $110 can be spent on the labor to change the fluid. If you sum it all up, you can avert a significant issue for anywhere from $120 to $260! I think $260 is a lot better than $4000.
Do you know which vehicles feature a CVT? Here is a link to a list of vehicles with a CVT, which is quite a lengthy list, however I can’t guarantee its accuracy.
How is a Nissan CVT transmission maintained?
efficient CVT operation
- Input the throttle steadily.
- Do not let your foot rest on the brake pedal.
- Avoid driving erratically.
- Prepare for any overtakes.
- Neutralize whenever you can.
- When leaving the line, be gentle.
- Get to know your CVT and engine.
- care and maintenance.
Is the Nissan CVT transmission subject to a recall?
Nissan North America and customers of certain Nissan cars with faulty continuously variable gearboxes have achieved a class action settlement (CVTs).
According to the most recent case, the Japanese carmaker purposely sold cars with faulty CVT transmissions. Nissan entered into a deal to address some accusations of defective transmissions in which it agreed to pay approximately $277 million. The 2022 Nissan CVT settlement covers the following Nissan models:
- Nissan Pathfinder, 2015–2018
- Nissan Rogue, 2014–2018
- Infiniti QX60, 2015–2018
In the most recent class action case against Nissan that was settled, it was claimed that a number of the automaker’s vehicles had defective CVTs. According to a number of drivers, their vehicles’ transmission and other lemon problems started in as low as 20,000 miles.
Three distinct class action lawsuits were resolved with Nissan North America in 2020. Similar allegations, namely that the manufacturer knowingly sold automobiles with defective CVT transmission systems, served as the basis for these lawsuits.
All three of the earlier claims, which involved the following Nissan vehicles, resulted in class action settlements.
- Altima, Nissan, 2013–2016
- Nissan Juke, 2013–2017
- Versa 2012–2017 Nissan
- Sentra, Nissan, 2013–2017
- Nissan Versa Note, 2014–2017
How do you check the fluid level in a Nissan CVT?
To clean the dipstick, use a rag. Re-insert the dipstick into the fluid cavity after that. Removing it once more, check the level. You’ll need to add more transmission fluid if it’s below the “Full” marking.
Does the fluid in CVT transmissions expire?
A non-used or non-opened lubricant, engine oil, ATF, transmission fluid, grease, gear oil, transfer case fluid, coolant, or antifreeze product currently has no expiration date, according to well-known oil specialists and lubrication laboratory tests.
why it’s never a good idea to replace transmission fluid?
I’m a car fanatic, so I prefer to maintain my vehicle. This involves routinely changing fluids including transmission, brake, radiator, and engine oil. However, mechanics frequently advise against changing the transmission oil if the automobile is running smoothly.
My response is that, of course, the automobile is in good operating order because I change the fluids frequently. I joined online forums to talk about this and additional people advised me not to bother changing the transmission fluid. I don’t get this at all.
Then one day I saw this YouTube video that did a great job of explaining it:
What does he suggest then? This taught me how important it is to change the transmission fluid on a regular basis. However, you are best off just leaving it alone if your car has a large mileage (think 94k miles or 150,000 km) and is still using factory-filled gearbox oil.
Cleansing abilities are good in recently used transmission fluid. This may wash the clutch pack’s varnish away, resulting in clutch slippage. While using a machine to flush the gearbox can harm deteriorated seals, which can lead to leakage and hydraulic issues.
Don’t flush the system, although you might take a chance with the transmission oil change. If no issues arise following an oil change, then congrats on extending the lifespan of your transmission. However, if the transmission oil of an engine with a high mileage is changed, a lot can go wrong. Here’s why:
Because automatic transmissions have many cracks, transmission oil must be extremely thin to maneuver through them. The older the oil, the thicker and less slick it becomes. The clutch may occasionally function well because of the additional friction caused by the old oil. The clutch may start to slip or the car may refuse to shift out of gear when new transmission fluid is introduced to a worn-out transmission.
If you went ahead and added fresh oil, but your clutch is now slipping. What are your options here? To prevent clutch slippage, you could try applying a transmission additive. Lucas transmission fix additive is well regarded among mechanics.
However, it’s recommended to change the transmission oil every 50,000 miles or such (80,000 km). If you do this on a regular basis, you won’t have to worry about problems when changing the transmission oil in the future.
Nowadays, a lot of cars come with lifetime transmission fluid, which, according to the manufacturer, never needs to be changed. However, if you do plan to keep the automobile for a long time, it may not be your best option. Typically, automakers take these actions to demonstrate how minimal maintenance their vehicles are and to comply with environmental regulations.
Should transmission fluid be changed after 100,000 miles?
Does the transmission fluid need to be changed? Yes is the clear-cut response. However, before this needs to be done, service intervals for new vehicles might be over 100,000 miles.
How much does a CVT transmission service cost?
A CVT transmission typically costs between $3500 and $8000 to repair. The cost of a CVT varies depending on the type and model of the car; Subaru CVTs are more expensive than Nissan and Honda CVTs. If a CVT needs repair, it will cost extra.
Is CVT better than automatic transmission?
A particular kind of automatic transmission is the continuously variable transmission. A CVT, in contrast to a conventional automatic transmission with its few set gear ratios, has an infinite range of engine speed adjustment.
How long do CVT transmissions last?
The CVT is made to last the entire life of the car. The Toyota Prius is one of the CVT vehicles with the longest production runs. Many owners discover that they survive far longer than 300,000 miles.
Why is CVT not liked?
Many factors contribute to some drivers’ dislike of CVTs. A CVT is an automatic transmission, yet some drivers prefer a manual. Others don’t like the smoother feeling a CVT delivers and miss the traditional shifting feels.