Transmission Fluid check?

[Melodymurano]

I'm new to Murano..Just purchased a 2003 93k miles version. Then all of a suddent I see all these CVT horror stories. When do I change the transmission fluid? I am not sure when the previous owner did it and don't have a nissan dealership in my area.I purchased the car and shipped it with me for my new job. If CVT had been on my rader, I would have asked the dealership to test it and tell me when to go for a fluid upgrade.

[njjoe]

The MO's CVT and it's fluid are unlike what you are used to.

The CVT has a single clutch that only engages a single time when the gear selector is moved to either D or R. This differs from a conventional automatic transmission that may have 6 or more clutches that engage/disengage whenever a gear-shift occurs. Each shift in an automatic transmission introduces microscopic particles into the transmission fluid. The MO's CVT does not have that problem.

Your MO's CVT fluid is designed as a long-life fluid that has no specified time or mileage-based change interval. Some members elect to change the fluid at 60,000 miles, especially when towing trailers, but it is not a requirement.

All evidence suggests the CVT fluid is good for several hundred thousand miles.

However, if you do elect to change the fluid please be aware that you can only use Nissan NS-2 CVT fluid.

-njjoe

[Melodymurano]

Thanks for the information. So since I purchased this at 93k miles and it is in perfect condition at the moment, when should I worry about transmission fluid change, and yes I will use only the Nissan NS-2. (no nissan dealership in this town for testing unfortunately).

[njjoe]

Originally Posted by Melodymurano

(no nissan dealership in this town for testing unfortunately).

I would not worry about that, because I would bet many Nissan dealers are not even aware the test exists and would simply say "change it".

Your MO's computer utilizes an algorithm called "CVT Fluid Deterioration Date" that, according to Nissan, let's you know when the CVT fluid needs to be changed. According to the Service Manual the fluid needs to be changed when the CVT Fluid Deterioration Date reaches the value-less number of 210,000.

When my MO was 4 years, 11 months old and had 46,699 miles on the odometer I had it checked by my dealer. The CVTF Deterioration Date was: 9255 , well short of the 210,000 that Nissan recommends as the change point.

More important than changing the CVT fluid is maintaining the proper level. The seals on the CVT have been known to leak. Periodically, it is good practice to check the underside of the CVT, particularly the axle output shafts for signs of seepage. I check the underside every time I change the oil.

By the way, your MO is still covered by the CVT's extended warranty, which is good for 10-years or 120,000-miles.

Enjoy the ride!

-njjoe

[nipsirc]

I have the "axle output shafts seepage" on my 2004 SL and that is not covered by the CVT's extended warranty - 10 years or 120,000-miles according to my f#$@%^g dealership. That seepage started a year ago and I only have 79,000 km mileage

[Melodymurano]

Great information to know njjoe. Much appreciated. Thanks.

[njjoe]

Originally Posted by nipsirc

I have the "axle output shafts seepage" on my 2004 SL and that is not covered by the CVT's extended warranty - 10 years or 120,000-miles according to my f#$@%^g dealership. That seepage started a year ago and I only have 79,000 km mileage

You know what is ironic? If you were not so diligent and did not discover the leaking seals the CVT would eventually fail internally and then you would be covered by the warranty. Sometimes it pays to be stupid.

-njjoe

[nipsirc]

Yep and since I reported it and it's on my Nissan's record now, then once it fails in the future, they won't cover it since I didn't have it repaired prior.

it's Damn if you do and damn if you don't . WTF !!!

[Melodymurano]

So since I now have my 03 Murano, (pretty car by the way), should I be waiting for the CVT to fail, what manufacturer creates such a half baked job? I have had a Toyota for a while now and no transmission problem and I have not given it 2 thoughts about failing. Are all the CVT failures just in the minority? I never heard of CVT failing so many people up until now.

[njjoe]

Originally Posted by Melodymurano

So since I now have my 03 Murano, (pretty car by the way), should I be waiting for the CVT to fail, what manufacturer creates such a half baked job? I have had a Toyota for a while now and no transmission problem and I have not given it 2 thoughts about failing. Are all the CVT failures just in the minority? I never heard of CVT failing so many people up until now.

I would not worry about it. All evidence suggests the CVT is no less reliable than any other automatic transmission.

An automatic transmission (and the CVT) is a complex piece of machinery. Like any machine they can fail. With your typical automatic transmission you can bring it to a transmission specialist who will repair or rebuild the unit at a fraction of the cost of a new unit. Unfortunately, that is not the case with the CVT. For whatever reason Nissan has elected to not allow their mechanics nor third party repair shops to repair the CVT. So if yours does fail out of warranty your only option is purchasing a new CVT from Nissan.

However, your MO is still covered by a 10-year/120,000-mile waranty. So hopefully by the time your MO is coming out of the warranty period Nissan will have released the CVT repair procedures and be selling replacement parts to third party repair centers.

-njjoe

[tjmatx]

In case it might make us CVT equipped vehicle owners feel better, I have had 2 Hondas that have had transmission failures. My 2000 Odyssey's transmission failed at about 105K miles and my 2003 Accord failed at 60K. My daughter still drives the Accord and I replaced the Odyssey with my Murano. If anybody in my family drives aggressively it would be me and I am about average in pushing the power train so I am confident they did not receive unusual treatment. BTW, I bought an extended warranty on the Murano because of this history of bad luck with transmissions.

Also, Consumer Reports rates the 2011 Murano a "best buy" and their published statistics show superior power train reliability. As I understand it, and I could have bad information here, the Murano CVT is made by JATCO; a Japanese automatic transmission manufacturer that makes transmissions for lots of cars, including some high-end European sports cars.

I hope this might set some minds slightly more at ease. I agree with njjoe, the Nissan CVT is no more or less reliable than any other transmission.

[Melodymurano]

Originally Posted by njjoe

I would not worry about it. All evidence suggests the CVT is no less reliable than any other automatic transmission.

An automatic transmission (and the CVT) is a complex piece of machinery. Like any machine they can fail. With your typical automatic transmission you can bring it to a transmission specialist who will repair or rebuild the unit at a fraction of the cost of a new unit. Unfortunately, that is not the case with the CVT. For whatever reason Nissan has elected to not allow their mechanics nor third party repair shops to repair the CVT. So if yours does fail out of warranty your only option is purchasing a new CVT from Nissan.

However, your MO is still covered by a 10-year/120,000-mile waranty. So hopefully by the time your MO is coming out of the warranty period Nissan will have released the CVT repair procedures and be selling replacement parts to third party repair centers.

-njjoe

U have been of great help njjoe - thanks.
If i ever have problems that is covered under warantee- what do I present to the nissan dealer if I find one in these parts of the world where I am currently living? Was the dealers supposed to give me warantee paper work? I don't remember seeing those, but I can ask the dealer to send them to me if it was not sent. Thanks

[njjoe]

Mm-

No paperwork is needed for the CVT's extended warranty. It is automatically transferred to each new owner.

In the unlikely event your CVT does fail during the warranty period you just have to contact Nissan and they will even pay for towing to the nearest authorized dealer.

Out of curiosity, where are you located? You make it sound very remote.

-njjoe

[nipsirc]

from the sound of it, she must be from either one of these remote places in the USA

- Point Barrow, Alaska
- Boise, Idaho
- Sumas, Washington
- Houlton, Maine
- Mount Evans, Colorado
- Gainsville, Florida
- Mesquite, Texas

to name a few.........

[Eric L.]

The most important thing is to make sure the CVT fluid never goes low - I suspect a ton of failures has to do with fluid starvation due to leaking seals.