Mechanic Topped Off CVT with Regular Transmission Fluid

[KtG]

That blows my mind. jiffy lube has paid to install no less than 3 CVTs they put ATF in, and the local ford dealer bought another. Near-instant problems in all 4 cases, like within a week. Some techs seem to be incompetent. There are at least 2 stickers saying NS2 only, plus the fluid has an odd color. Should be a big clue.

[turbizzy]

I completely agree. They make the dipstick hard to remove with a lock for a reason.

And yeah... i can't believe it either. How this things lasted this long is a mystery to me too (knocking on wood).

[nitely]

CVTs with only NS2 fluid have been know to fail also--reported here years back. And a members have experimented/tried using a completely different fluid couple of years back and have run several thousands of miles without any damage. Don't know how he is fairing right now but it sounded promising. Big factor is the CVT extended warranty coverage is whats keeping everyone in line using the NS2. And the price of it is what drives people to look for an equivalent. Which will eventually come out hopefully.

Early in the MOs life I seem to recall that even a nissan tech had accidentally added the wrong fluid inside the CVT--reported by a member. Its a common recourse for old pros to put equivalents but unless you have worked on all trannys and engines you will never know everything unless you do your due diligence. But mostly you dont have time for that and so the mistakes happens again and again--till they learn anyways. Yeah, and they are pros...they don't need to read those sticker signs..

[turbizzy]

I think HVT uses redline CVT fluid instead of the nissan.