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  #1  
Old 12-28-2013, 11:55 AM
ricklea1953 ricklea1953 is offline
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Default Altima cvt fluid change - dealer said no

I took my 2007 Altima to the dealer this morning for my 5000 mile synthetic oil change.

I asked them to change the cvt fluid and they said no. They said the scan tool would tell them when to change the fluid and the scan tool said my car was not ready. I had already bought the Nissan cvt fluid and had it on hand.

Your thoughts please. I don't think any transmission lubricant is designed to last for 104000 miles. This must be a simple procedure which involves draining the cvt fluid from the pan and pouring new fluid in.

Am I missing something? $100 worth of cvt fluid is a lot cheaper than a $3000
transmission.
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  #2  
Old 12-28-2013, 01:31 PM
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bennyb53 bennyb53 is offline
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Check Owner's Manual first but I think every 30k miles is a good change interval. Since you already have the fluid take your car to an independent shop or oil change shop and pay them the labor.
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  #3  
Old 12-28-2013, 08:29 PM
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Owner's manual doesn't list a service interval for the fluid. Keep in mind a CVT is different from a conventional AT. There are no clutch discs to leave debris in the fluid and even with conventional transmissions, most modern units use synthetic ATF and it is rare to see a service interval recommendation other than "inspect fluid" every 15000 miles. Some like to replace their CVT fluid at 60000 miles, regardless. If you have the 9B unit, the fluid is drained at the cooler hose while idling as fluid is added through the charging tube, simultaneously. The 10B unit has a drain plug on the oil pan, so it's drain and fill. It's best to take a 10 min. drive before replacing the fluid on either unit.
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Old 12-29-2013, 04:41 AM
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Nissan claims the fluid will last until the computer says it needs to be changed. I have seen some pretty nasty fluid come out at 60k miles. I change the fluid in my vehicles at 60k.
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  #5  
Old 12-29-2013, 10:51 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mpe235 View Post
Nissan claims the fluid will last until the computer says it needs to be changed.
MPE235 - So then, is there a sensor that detects viscousity, fluid degradation, load factor, miles driven, etc, and computer makes calculation and decides fluid to be changed or not.
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  #6  
Old 12-29-2013, 11:34 AM
ricklea1953 ricklea1953 is offline
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Thank you all. I was thinking the way most of you replied. I have the fluid and the car has a drain plug. 100,000 on any fluid is beyond my imagination.
I am going to change it now and go to about a 30000 mile interval. That transmission has got to be very expensive to replace.

Thanks
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  #7  
Old 12-30-2013, 03:49 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bennyb53 View Post
MPE235 - So then, is there a sensor that detects viscousity, fluid degradation, load factor, miles driven, etc, and computer makes calculation and decides fluid to be changed or not.
From what I have been told by the instructors at Nissan training is it is calculated by computer programming only based on time and temperature of the fluid.
Vehicle manufacturers are trying to show a low cost of ownership by extending out the reccomended maintenance intervals. GM did it for years with dexcool. I have seen way too many of those cars with coolant leaks or sludge as a result. A lot of cars now have sensors to tell you when to change the oil. Ask any GM or Mercedes technician how that is working. Mercedes techs were tearing down complete engines to remove the sludge because the sensor never said to change the oil. I have talked to GM techs and they are seeing the same thing.
Will CVT fluid last longer than 60,000 miles, maybe, but based on what I've seen I am not taking that chance. Also something to keep in mind is if your car is 2011 or newer the CVT warranty expires at 60,000 miles. If it has an issue after that it will cost a few thousand dollars to replace it.
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  #8  
Old 12-30-2013, 06:24 PM
ricklea1953 ricklea1953 is offline
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Thanks again to all of you for your advise.

I am 60 years old and have been around cars, drag cars and boats all my life.

A few observations;
My cvt fluid will be changed this weekend and every 60,000 miles thereafter.
I have a drain plug (No need to pull the pan) and a dipstick. I paid about $100
for genuine Nissan cvt fluid versus $3000 for a new transmission.

Coolant changes are needed every two years, regardless of the fluid you are using.

Don't buy into brake fluid or steering fluid flushes. Those services are easy money for the dealership and they will try to sell them often. Those components don't fail because of fluid.

Lastly, use synthetic oil but don't stretch it. 15000 miles for engine oil is unheard of. I use Mobil 1 and change at 5000 miles. I also use Mobil 1 oil filters but wix and k&n filters are right up there, as far as I am concerned.
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  #9  
Old 12-30-2013, 11:34 PM
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I thought you are the right resource to ask the question. I figured you go through some factory training at least once a year and bulletins and alerts in between that are only available to dealerships.

Nissan engineers must be feeling confident that they resolved the kinks or bugs if you will in previous affected models with CVTs that they are no longer offering the extended warranty. That's a good thing.

Happy New Year to you all.
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  #10  
Old 12-31-2013, 03:53 PM
ricklea1953 ricklea1953 is offline
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Good input. I started this post and will now bow out. Thanks to all for your input. Common sense will prevail. I think it is cheaper in the long run. Like the old ad, you can pay me now or pay a lot later. I think that was Purolator oil filters.

Happy New Year
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  #11  
Old 07-13-2014, 06:51 PM
Soapmyster Soapmyster is offline
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these intervals are weird now.
I change my fluids when I feel they need to be done.
Gms Dexcool, 10 year 100k really messed up alot.
I saw so many cadillacs hitting 100k and having cavitation, pulled headbolts, headgaskets, etc...
I personally would not let my trans fluid go for 100k miles. New fluid is cheaper than repairing the trans.
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