I had the dealer do it on my '07 at ridiculous cost.

We now have a '12 model I bought new with about 32k on the clock, and since I'm anal about maintenance, etc., has anyone done their own fluid exchange? I keep readin git's not like a flush where you pump the trans fluid through, but instead it's a drain / refill. If so, that sounds very simple. So who has done it - is it really so easy? If I can do this myself in the driveway, then my big expense is just buying the Nissan fluid....

You can certainly just drain and refill a CVT like anything else. It is easy.
That's what I would do at your mileage.

Yes, but is that a partial or full fluid exchange?

with most autos when you do a drain/refill, you're only replacing about 1/3 of the fluid.

Yes, that's true.
You have very low miles so I wouldn't recommend a full exchange.
It really doesn't need anything at your miles but you seem to want to do something.

recommended service interval is 30k

Looking at the maintenance chart I see only inspection of the fluid, no scheduled replacement unless you are towing or driving on rough roads and the like.
The dealer can readout a "deterioration" value number, but transmissions never seem to reach the number at which the fluid is supposed to be changed, no matter how long they have been in use.
Beyond using some messy home method of doing an exchange, you will have to rely on someone with the apparatus.
For sure, the fluid will be pricey.

Just have the dealer check your CVT fluid using the consult at 60k miles, to determine if a drain/fill is necessary. Changing the CVT fluid at 30k miles is pointless unless you've been doing a lot of towing with your Murano.

Have not been able to find dealer who will perform this "official" Consult II fluid reading for me. They just want to sell me a costly change every 30k

Check CVT Fluid Deterioration Date using Nissan Consult-II
“CVTF DETERIORATION DATE”
More than 210000:
It is necessary to change CVT fluid.
Less than 210000:
It is not necessary to change CVT fluid.


At 60k I went to the parts dept of a good local dealer to purchase fresh fluid for a DIY change, and the parts guy thought I was crazy. At $25 per quart, he really didn't want to sell it to me -- He even checked with the shop and the TECHNICIANS said not needed before 100k typically. He also said, when they do a "routine" they don't flush the CVT body, they just drain about half from the pan and re-fill about 6 qt fresh (total system holds bout 12qt). You can check general fluid condition for clarity and burnt smell in the normal "dipstick" fashion.

Hi, gang -- New guy here with a question. Our '04 has about 153K on the original CVT. We haven't done a fluid exchange, for no particular reason. The fluid seems okay, but the dealer is recommending that we do this next time in. Is it a true flush with high pressure, or just a drain-n-fill? And if everything's okay with the tranny, should we bother before 210K?

Thanks!