CVT Fluid Change Questions

[DG65]

We own an '06 AWD Murano that we purchased with 47k miles - it now has 60k.

The owners manual recommends a CVT fluid change at 60k so I called the dealer and they tell me. "No, not until a light on the dash comes on which should be well over 100k miles."

What?

So I go to the Nissan web site which also recommends a fluid change at 60k so I call the customer service 800# thinking I may actually get a hold of somebody who knows. Uh, no. They tell me to go with what my dealer says. Well, until I tell them Nissan Corporate says 60k and then they ask if I pressed the issue with the dealer. So, no help there.

I call my independent transmission shop, whom I've trusted for nearly 20 years, and are also friends of the family, and their info is telling them 60k, also. I'm guessing it simply recommends what Nissan recommends. I don't believe in running tanny fluid to the end of its serviceable life and want to get fresh fluid in it.

Here's my questions...

1) I'm told there's a plug in the pan and no serviceable filter to change thus not requiring pan removal. Is this correct?
2) How many quarts of this liquid gold do I need to complete this change?
3) Is Nissan the only place to buy this stuff at $27 per quart?
4) Anything else I should know before doing this myself?

and...

5) Are Nissan owners really not changing their CVT fluid?

Thanks.

[SteveTheTech]

Hi there,

The 2006 CVTs really do not do well with improper fluid changes.
I remember I was with Nissan when the first Murano came out and I saw one of the first CVTs come in that was flushed at Jiffy Lube, with regular atf. That was before the extended warranty on it.

If anything I would suggest a drain and fill. It will not get everything but it should be enough. However since it is an expensive part I would highly suggest having a dealer perform some type of service. Not only will they have to warranty the fix but it will be on their records that it was performed at an approved facility.

[Buckshot]

There is a count in the trans control unit that they say should be looked at per Nissan training but 60k is great use only Nissan VCR fluid and I think it will take about 5 qt

[DG65]

We have a SnapOn MODIS at work, should this access the diagnostics and get this mystery reading only the dealer can access?

[Buckshot]

I am not sure if Midas will our not will not hurt to try

[DG65]

MODIS not Midas. Similar to the ODB II.

[SteveTheTech]

MODIS not Midas. Similar to the ODB II.

I lol'd and no one else thought that was funny....ahh that is a true sign you are a geek.

I really do not know what year the degradation count became available over standard or even Modis communication protocols. Many devices do not communicate well over Nissans LAN, I would assume is any device were to be able to get into that data it would be that one.

Here is the 07 manual excerpt (about 45 minutes later)

“CVTF DETERIORATION DATE”
More than 210000:
It is necessary to change CVT fluid.
Less than 210000:
It is not necessary to change CVT fluid.

in the CVT section it is page 59 (for 07).

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/murano/2007 ... no/cvt.pdf

There is a count in the trans control unit that they say should be looked at per Nissan training but 60k is great use only Nissan VCR fluid and I think it will take about 5 qt

I had a whole thing about checking the rate adding to the reason to take it to the dealer written but I could not for the life of me find where in the owners manual, or service manual mentioned specifics in any of the headlines. It is in the work support section if you have access to sub-system work support features...than yes you should have access to it but there are no generic scan tool directions so I am not very confident.

[DG65]

Ok, I see proper fluid change is more involved than simply draining and filling. If I felt I could trust my Nissan dealer to follow "all" the steps I would have no problem taking it there but I used to work the dealership scene and I know some mechanics are fantastic and some will cut every corner they can to bonus. I guess that's something I'm going to have to get a grip with and either trust them or not trust them and have them do it, anyway! Thank you Steve.

[SteveTheTech]

If I felt I could trust my Nissan dealer to follow "all" the steps I would have no problem taking it there but I used to work the dealership scene and I know some mechanics are fantastic and some will cut every corner they can to bonus.

Please do not settle. You should be able to feel completely comfortable with whomever you turn your keys over to. I have many clients who started out in the same shoes, trust is a hard thing to earn and many dealers do not do it correctly, you need to get to know the people you are turning your car over to. It is a business but not all of the people are crooks, but a few bad apples spoil it for the bunch most of the time.

[Buckshot]

There are alot of good mechanics out there!and yes there some that cuts corners but as Steve said trust your mechanic.if you lived around hear I would help you out

[DG65]

Thanks for the offer, Buckshot.
I agree with both of you, it's important that folks get to know their mechanics and, yes, there are good ones out there. About 15 years ago I worked as a mechanic for 2 different dealerships and I believe I've see the best and worst of what there is out there. I would take my car to 75% of the guys I used to work with. In fact, I'm still in touch with many of them - it's just that none of them have contacts at Nissan!