| gquiring |
My local mechanic called saying I should change my CVT fluid. My '06 has 47k miles. I am not one to follow the maintenance guide and usually just change the oil every 7k miles.
My issue is the cost. He is talking $22 per ? and it needs 11 of them. Plus a $99 flush charge. That seems very pricey for a car with only 47k miles on it.
What is the realistic time that I should change the fluid? Also is the ENEOS product worth considering to save some bucks.
http://www.eneos.us/products.php?pk=8 |
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| njjoe |
gquiring-
Your local mechanic is simply looking to make some money by performing unnecessary maintenence.
The maintenence schedule for the CVT is not mileage-dependent. In order to determine if the CVT fluid needs to be changed your mechanic would need to use Nissan's Consult-II diagnostic tool to access the engine management computer to look up the "CVT Fluid Deterioration Date". If the value is greater than 210,000 then the fluid needs to be changed. The "210,000" is a unit-less number that is calculated by a Nissan-designed algorythm. I am sure it is based on hours, miles, load, temperatures, etc. It is probably similar to oil change monitors found on many newer cars.
All indications are that the CVT fluid is good for at least 150,000 miles. There is no need to replace your fluid after only 47,000 miles, unless you are continuusly towing a 3,500 pound trailer up Pikes Peak.
Now there are people out there who will claim they change their CVT fluid every 25,000 miles because they do not trust Nissan or simply do not understand the logic behind the "CVT Deterioration Date" calculation. That's fine, but that doesn't change the fact that Nissan does not require that the CVT fluid be changed at 50,000 or even 100,000 miles of normal use.
There has been no proof, one way or the other, that the ENEOS fluid is compatible with the MO's CVT. I would avoid it, but since you do not need a CVT fluid change there is no reason to even consider it.
-njjoe |
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| gquiring |
Thanks NJJoe, I had a feeling it was on the overkill side. I usually trade my cars in when they get around 65k-75k on them so it's something I should hopefully never need to do.
Exit 120 neighbor!! |
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| njjoe |
quote:
Originally posted by gquiring
Thanks NJJoe, I had a feeling it was on the overkill side. I usually trade my cars in when they get around 65k-75k on them so it's something I should hopefully never need to do.
Exit 120 neighbor!!
You are welcome.... from exit 88!
-njjoe |
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| Jim C |
| Just to add to what NJJoe said, I took my 2004 Murano SE AWD to the dealer a few weeks ago. Its got 47K on the odo and I tow nearly every weekend in the warmer months. Dealer inspected and said, "nope, doesn't need to be changed." He explained it was a long-life tranny fluid so no surprise that it was still fine. |
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| BikerJohn |
Perfect timing....
I just drained and "refreshed" my CVT fluid today. I didn't perform the complete flush but just drained the CVT fluid pan. I figured that anything is better than nothing for how I use the MO.
My MO has 144,000 km (roughly 90k miles) and I do tow regularly(almost every other day).
The fluid was dirty(I will post a photo later of old and new) and it took about 7 quarts($19.95/Qt US$ at a Nissan dealership).
I do feel better myself after seeing the difference between the old and new fluid for my use.
However; like njjoe says - there really isn't a need to change it out unless you tax your CVT and is checked with the Consult-II and never use anything but Nissan's CVT NS-2 fluid. |
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| BikerJohn |
Here's the photo showing the old fluid (left) and the new fluid (right). The new fluid has a tint of green to it.
If you do decide to do your own drain and fill; have an oil pan of at least 7 quart capacity. It really comes out fast too so have some rag on hand. |
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| Muranator |
| I'm surprised at the colors of the two...my CVT fluid was purple (unless it wasn't CVT fluid). After about 50K miles on my '03 I had it in for regular dealer service and they indicated that I had a problem with CV joint or something and needed to repair/replace it...indicating it was a known issue in the vehicle. After I left dealership I visited my parents briefly and headed home. I got a call later from my dad indicating he had a puddle of purple fluid on his driveway and I checked under the car the next morning and there was quite a pool of purple fluid that looked like a low viscosity oily substance. Needless to say I had them flatbed the Mo to the dealership who replaced the CVT fluid and had resolved the leak. Did you use Nissan OEM CVT fluid? Just curious. |
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| BikerJohn |
quote:
Originally posted by Muranator
Did you use Nissan OEM CVT fluid? Just curious.
Yes; I used the NS-2 CVT Nissan fluid. The old fluid did have a purple tint to it although it kind of hard to tell from the photo.
The new fluid definately had a greenish tint.
I really don't know how much you can tell by the "look" of the colour of the fluid to know how much life it had left in it. That's why Nissan uses the Consult-II to see how much stress the CVT is put through.
I wonder if you need to "reset" the readings of the Consult-II after a CVT fluid change or if the CVT system is smart enough to "analize" the fluid's life??? |
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| njjoe |
quote:
Originally posted by BikerJohn
I wonder if you need to "reset" the readings of the Consult-II after a CVT fluid change or if the CVT system is smart enough to "analize" the fluid's life???
BJ-
According to the Service Manual you need to delete the CVT Deterioration Date using the Consult-II tool after changing the fluid.
-njjoe |
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| BikerJohn |
Joe;
I'd like to grant you the title of "CIO" if I may.
Cheif Information Officer:D
We are not worthy; we are not worthy..........:6: :6: :6: |
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| Eric L. |
| Thats also the color of my CVT fluid when I change it. Its dark like motor oil when it comes out, but the new stuff is a translucent green. I don't care what people say, if its dark, some oxidation has taken place, so I do not mind spending $100 to do a drain and refill every so often. |
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| BikerJohn |
quote:
Originally posted by Eric L.
Thats also the color of my CVT fluid when I change it. Its dark like motor oil when it comes out, but the new stuff is a translucent green. I don't care what people say, if its dark, some oxidation has taken place, so I do not mind spending $100 to do a drain and refill every so often.
I agree; I don't mind doing the work and paying the extra to do it. I know it has made me feel a little better knowing that it is done since I do stress the MO a little more since it's a work vehicle for me. |
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