2016 Nissan Quest CVT drain and fill.

[PoMansVan]

I did another CVT fluid drain and fill on the van yesterday. Currently at ~52K miles. The last d/f was at 33K miles, just about a year ago and the drained fluid was very dark, almost black. I did two close succession d/f's then as we just bought the van as a previous rental.

Yesterday's drained fluid came out dark greenish, but not nearly as bad looking as a year ago. New Nissan NS-3 fluid is bright blue like windshield washer fluid.

I snapped a quick (horrible) pic of the cleanish white rag I used and a w/s washer fluid jug with the ~4qts that drained.

For those who own a Quest, Pathfinder or Murano, I wouldn't let it go more than 20-30K miles between CVT drain/fills. I just get the feeling I would have been lucky to make it to 100K miles had I left the factory juice in there. Drain/fills are easier than an engine oil change on these. The hardest part is getting the locking tab and O-ring to break free on the refill tube that resembles a dipstick tube.

I buy my Nissan NS-3 from eBay when I can get it for ~$10/qt shipped. Dealer cost is double that.

[mijclarke]

I'm planning on doing a drain and refill on my 2012 Quest with 59,000 miles on it. I bought 5 quarts of the NS-2 fluid online and was brainstorming the best way to fill it the right amount. Should I drain it hot and let the old fluid reach room temp, measure the volume and refill the same amount of my new room temp fluid? Assuming the factory filled the correct amount and the fluid didn't leak or evaporate after 59,000 miles, my plan should work. How much fluid would you expect to drain out? I'm assuming there are only minor differences between the 2012 and 2016 transmissions because it's the same generation but with different fluids I'm not sure how true that is.

[PoMansVan]

mijclarke, I would drain it cold, measure the amount that came out as best you can (use a clean, empty gallon jug) and refill with the same amount that came out. You cannot get it wrong this way.

After doing this, if you want to check level. Get the van up to normal operating temps, keep it idling on a level surface, crawl under and pull the level check plug. CVT fluid should just dribble/drip out at idle with the vehicle fully warmed up. No drip means it low. Pouring out means it's overfull.

[phmichel]

mijclarke, I would drain it cold, measure the amount that came out as best you can (use a clean, empty gallon jug) and refill with the same amount that came out. You cannot get it wrong this way.

After doing this, if you want to check level. Get the van up to normal operating temps, keep it idling on a level surface, crawl under and pull the level check plug. CVT fluid should just dribble/drip out at idle with the vehicle fully warmed up. No drip means it low. Pouring out means it's overfull.

PoMan - doesn't your CVT have a dipstick??

[PoMansVan]

It has what resembles a dipstick, but it's just a cap/plug over a the refill tube. They can be a real pain to remove the fist time. More info here: 2016-quest-preparing-for-cvt-fluid-drai ... 15055.html I did suggest something wrong above. You don't want the transmission HOT during a fluid level check. It needs to be just warm per the temp range in the linked thread.