well... the cvt tranny is guaranteed until 120k... my advice is if you see no leaks on the floor or no leaks coming from the cvt itself no reason to do it



Sent from my Autoguide iPad app

 

I'd have the dealer do it if it's never been done.

 

This has been an ongoing debate since 2003.

Nissan claims the CVT fluid is a special long-life formulation that has no set replacement interval under normal use. Nissan utilizes an algorithm in the engine's computer to calculate the replacement interval - it is called the CVTF Deterioration Date. When this unit-less number reaches 210,000 it is time to replace the fluid.

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. Assuming it is a linear progression the CVT fluid will outlive me.

Some people elect to treat the CVT like a conventional automatic transmission and use similar replacement intervals - 60,000 miles. There is nothing wrong with that. That's like changing your engine oil at 3000 miles - it is overkill and wasteful, but it will not adversely affect the longevity of the MO.

Me? I am putting my faith in the CVT Deterioration Date algorithm.

-njjoe

 

how did you get the cvt deterioration date? that can only be done by the dealer?



Sent from my Autoguide iPad app

 

Oh I wasn't aware of that. I'd leave it alone then. I would only have changed it to keep the warranty good but if there's no change interval, I'd leave it. Good info.

 

Same question here too. My MO is about to turn over 104K miles and I'm itching to do all fluids across the whole vehicle; i.e. coolant, power steering, brakes, differentials, etc.

 

My advice: if you want to keep the 120K mile warranty in place, read the service directions in the manual and adhere to them.

 

120K warranty on what? Are you referring to the CVT? Thought that one expired at 10yr/110k.

 

I wonder if the transmissions start crapping out on the 2011 - 2012 models if Nissan is going to extend the warranty on them, as well?

 

I was told that anything from 06 on is pretty solid and the 2nd gen Mo has a redesigned CVT that is supposedly better.

 

When I mentioned in another thread that the first generation CVTs were mostly lemons more specifically 2003 Muranos, I was told that I was wrong. Good to know that the 2nd generation CVTs are much better.

 

In my current and previous experiences with Audis and VWs, the OEM always indicates that their transmission fluids are lifetime and do not need to be changed or flushed. If you ask the VW/Audi guys, despite what the factory says, we all still change the fluid and filter at regular intervals. I've had a number of Audis and have adhered to this practice.

Although I'm not that familiar with Muranos (yet!), I don't see an issue replacing the fluid every 60,000 miles (100,000 km) or so. What is the concensus here?

 

Nissan's official take is that the fluid never needs to be changed, just checked periodically. I believe under extreme conditions, a fluid change is recommended at 60k miles.

I'm a maintenance nut so I do my own drain and refills. With the drain and refill, the transmission takes between 5-6 quarts of fluid. Nissan NS2 fluid costs about $15 a quart if you order it online.

 

I had mine (2006) flushed and changed at 105,000 miles since I was also getting spark plugs changed.

 

I'm thinking of doing this exact same thing on my 04 SE (now at 97K) when the plugs become due for a change next year. I may just ask for a deterioration date check in lieu of a change, however.

Can you tell us if you had a dealer do the plugs and fluid for you, and (approx.) how much it cost? Thanks.

 

I had a dealer do both. I had bought spark plugs, before I knew you had to remove intake manifold to replace them. It was about $150 for replacing plugs and $350 for fluid change. I had a $100 off coupon, so it was about $400.

 

Thanks, Old. Wow, that's less than I was expecting. I thought I've heard stories of dealers charging $400-$500 just for plugs (not unbelievable since plugs and the gasket would be close to $100, and 3 hours labor at $100/hour doesn't sound crazy, even at a dealer). So maybe I'll be in for a pleasant surprise if plugs are under $400! In my younger days I would have done this myself in a heartbeat. But now, pulling most of the top of the engine off to change the plugs just doesn't look appealing to me. Good thing it gets done only once/100K.

And, the way my wife and I have driven our Mo the past 7 years, I highly doubt we'll need a CVT fluid change at only 100K.

 

I do not plan on ever flushing out my tranny fluid completely. I only plan on a refill whenever it gets low - using only the recommended brand only.

 

Without a leak (in which case you would need to get the leak fixed) I don't believe the CVT fluid would ever get low. But I only have 100K on mine - maybe those with way more miles have seen fluid loss without a leak.

 

What is the color of your CVT fluid? Mine has turned light brown. I have 130k miles on mine. I am worried there maybe a transfer case fluid leak into the CVT.