| pbeinetti |
When should the CVT transmission oil be changed? The manual says at 30k miles for the most frequent service level, but either I'm blind or it doesn't show in the operating for normal driving.
Thanks,
Pete |
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| ekaxel |
Like the man said- whatever makes you happy. It is surely a synthetic based fluid, should last the life of the car in normal (not racing or towing) use.
I expect before most of us have to deal with changing it, the aftermarket (Amsoil, etc.) will save us. |
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| HuskyFan |
quote:
Originally posted by Cryogenix
I just did my 30K service at around 27k, and the Service Manager said the tranny fluid was good for 60k. However, I told him to change it anyway, because I drive in Ds most of the time, which I'm sure breaks down the fluid much sooner than those who drive conservatively.
Whatever makes you feel happy. Cost was about $80.
The cost to replace the CVT fluid has come down if $80 was the cost of the fluid and the labor. Previous posts suggested a much higher cost just for the transmission fluid. |
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| Eric L. |
quote:
Originally posted by HuskyFan
The cost to replace the CVT fluid has come down if $80 was the cost of the fluid and the labor. Previous posts suggested a much higher cost just for the transmission fluid.
It could have just been a drain and refill (in which case it would take 4-5 quarts) instead of the full 15 quart flush service the FSM recommends. When I asked my dealer service manager, he said they take a computer reading (see the other CVT fluid threads) and if the number is something like 250,000 or higher, the fluid needs to be replaced. He said even on a Murano with 60,000 miles, the number only came up like 2000 or 3000. I'm not sure what this number measures, even the dealer did not know (but its in the FSM).
I doubt we will ever see a suitable replacement aftermarket fluid for the CVT, since its a one of a kind transmission (no other car in the US uses it). A lot of new automatic transmissions come with proprietary fluids now - even the newer Nissans, which use a "Nissanmatic" type fluid (such as in the Maxima or 350Z).
On my old Maxima, I used Redline D4 ATF, and it was an excellent fluid, smoothed out the shifts quite a bit. |
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| SugarRushMurano |
quote:
Originally posted by Eric L.
I doubt we will ever see a suitable replacement aftermarket fluid for the CVT, since its a one of a kind transmission (no other car in the US uses it). A lot of new automatic transmissions come with proprietary fluids now - even the newer Nissans, which use a "Nissanmatic" type fluid (such as in the Maxima or 350Z).
I guess nissan will join their European breathrens (bmw/audi/Merz Benz) by coming out with nissan propietary transmission fluid. This is a way for NNA to earn extra $$$ from their owner so that they can charge $8/quart or more for the transmission fluid.
My previous Audi A4 has auto transmission fluid that cost around $12/quart. I sent my audi to an independent garage and still have to go to the stealership to buy the ATF. Let say you use another type of fluid from autozone; not the el-cheapo ATF but the high quality synthetic well known brand name. When your transmission is kapput (German: break down), the manufacturer will easily blame it on the wrong type of ATF you use in there and decline your powertrain warranty.
Nissan, welcome to the world where everything is about money! :4: |
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| MOCKBA |
My friend works as a Service Manager in the Nissan Dealership.
He told me that tranny service is REQUIRED at 30k miles and IF something will go wrong with tranny and they will not have the record it being serviced on time, Nissan has a right and most likely will void the warranty on tranny.
So i guess it is easier to do the service on time :) |
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| Gonzo |
| How can Nissan hold one to that given they don't mention an interval in the owners manual? |
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| MOCKBA |
quote:
Originally posted by Gonzo
How can Nissan hold one to that given they don't mention an interval in the owners manual?
I never looked myself, but i belived that they did. |
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| Gonzo |
I'll look again. Of course I looked in my owers manual .PDF so maybe its missing information. However if you goto to Nissan's site under their maintenance schedule they only cover the CVT change for PM. Nothing for the S1 or S2.
I've sumerized it here in this table: Schedule |
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| zebelkhan |
| What is PM, S1, S2? |
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| SugarRushMurano |
quote:
Originally posted by zebelkhan
What is PM, S1, S2?
PM = premimum maintenance plan
S1 = service schedule one (under the so called 'severe' driving condition like towing, stop and go, short distance driving of less than 10 minutes).
S2 = service schedule two (read: economy).
I always do the s1 plan on my murano. No point in doing the PM plan as it is just a bunch of 'inspect' this and that for twice the price of S1 :rolleyes: IMHO, the only difference the PM plan will make is at 30K service and 60K service.
Gonzo is right, S1 and S2 do not recommmend CVT fluid change at 30K. |
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| bruno |
I asked the Service Manager yesterday about recommended interval for CVT fluid change. His answer: 'the fluid is tested by us, and when it reaches around 250,000 on the analyzer, its time to change. Most of the older Muranos we see are around 6,000 or 7,000. A good thing, since it is about $700CAN for the service'
Silly me, I forgot to ask him when the fluid is 'analyzed'. |
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| Tyler_Canada |
quote:
Originally posted by bruno
I asked the Service Manager yesterday about recommended interval for CVT fluid change. His answer: 'the fluid is tested by us, and when it reaches around 250,000 on the analyzer, its time to change. Most of the older Muranos we see are around 6,000 or 7,000. A good thing, since it is about $700CAN for the service'
Silly me, I forgot to ask him when the fluid is 'analyzed'.
I paid less than $300 for the service, which was a change, not a flush. I'm going with a 45,000 mile interval. |
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| bruno |
| Tyler, why did you change CVT fluid? |
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| Eric L. |
quote:
Originally posted by bruno
Tyler, why did you change CVT fluid?
Probably the same reason people change oil before Nissan's required 7500 mile interval. ;) |
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| bruno |
Could be Erick, but I'm curious as to what was the reason to spend the money. My tires are 50% worn out, but I'm not replacing them just yet.........
I can't find a specific interval in the manual, and Nissan service told me what I quoted verbatim above. Oddly, there does not seem to be a recommendation. |
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| bruno |
| BTW, Nissan recommends 6,000 km/3,750 miles oil changes for my Murano..... |
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| Eric L. |
quote:
Originally posted by bruno
BTW, Nissan recommends 6,000 km/3,750 miles oil changes for my Murano.....
3750 miles is the "severe" duty interval. 7500 is the "normal" interval (which doesn't apply to anyone except those who drive freeway all the time).
Most people here who replace their CVT fluid earlier do so because the CVT is new technology and the thinking is that frequent maintenance will stave an expensive failure in the future. I'm rolling up on 30,000 miles and am really debating whether to have my CVT serviced just for peace of mind. |
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| bruno |
Yep, I'm down with the 'earlier' change intervals.
But earlier than.....what?????? |
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| Tyler_Canada |
| I changed it because I drive my Murano pretty much as hard as possible. I'm constantly flooring it, and instead of letting the engine go to redline, I hold it on the torque peaks to get even better acceleration. I "downshift" before stopping almost all the time. Those types of activities are bound to shorten the life of the CVT, and I want to maximize the life I get from it. Peace of mind. Kind of like how I use synthetic oil and change it every 3750 miles. |
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| Gonzo |
I finally checked my CVT level. I have 23000 Miles. I was surprsed. The fluid was right at the half mark and it was clear... very clear. I used a white paper towel to try the dip stick and you could barely see any fluid on the towel.
I was planning on chaning it at 30,000 miles but if it looks like this again at 30,000 I might extended it. |
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| pb1963 |
| I talked to a service guy at a local Nissan dealer here in Phoenix and he said 60,000. I was going to change it at 30,000 but he said thats what they recommend. From the way he talked, they could even go longer. I need to check the fluid though. Nissans service recommendations is confusing. Maybe I'm just a little slow:confused: |
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| Gonzo |
quote:
Originally posted by bruno
Could be Erick, but I'm curious as to what was the reason to spend the money. My tires are 50% worn out, but I'm not replacing them just yet.........
The are consequences for each... driving with 50% affects handling/wet tracktion.... is it OK.... your call. Driving with dirty fluid effects long term on mechanical parts.... is it OK... your call.
Its just too much of an unknown with fluids and long term effects. To most tires are straight forward. I most people, their thought is: " I can see the wear and I am willing to take the consequences."
I am surprised that Nissan isn't VERY clear, crystal clear about the CVT fuild change time frame. Strange isn't it... new technology you would think they would have something. The manual is very vague about that. |
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| bruno |
thanks Tyler, that makes sense.
Not only is the manual vague, the service guys don't seem to know either. |
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| gumba |
murano 2003 se , 94.000km changed, cvt fluid. rear def, transfer case fluid,alternator recall(new alternator),synthetic oil, price 478.00
cvl fluid level looks low will call dealer |
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| Gonzo |
| Be sure to check level while engine is running. |
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