CVT Maintenance question?

[RogueGuy45]

Sorry if this has been posted before guys-I did scan page #1 on the forum but did not see this.

I believe the factory calls for CVT fluid change at 60,000 miles. The dealership says 30,000 miles. I'm sitting at around 25,000 miles now on my '09 Rogue.

I've always kind of "split the difference" between the factory recommendation and the Dealership's profit motivated over-kill on regular maintenance. So my plan is to have it done at 50,000 miles. Seems like a nice number and can easily be remembered (50K, 100K, 150K ect).

What do you guys/gals think? I do not pull a trailer and the car is used all in town and on the freeway-absolutely no off road or trail (I'm hot a hunter or fisherman).

I also try to drive as economically as possible, try to keep the rpm's under 3000 and have enjoyed great gas milage because of it.

[Pescakl1]

Are you sure it is a change at 60,000 miles?
Is it not only an inspection?
CVT fluid is supposed to be lifetime, so it is good to check it from time to time and change it when it is due.
Dealer has a tool to analyze the CVT fluid and tell you how much life is left in it.

[kerrton]

Pescakl is right, there is no scheduled CVT fluid replacement according to the manufacturer's maintenance schedule. If your dealer recommended a change interval that was their recommendation only.

I'd recommend following the factory/manufacturer's schedule which has visual check intervals and periodically you can have the fluid analyzed by request from the dealer - they will used the Consult diagnostic tool to read the remaining fluid life calculated by your vehicles computer. Your vehicle monitors many parameters while you drive that impact the wear of the CVT trans and the fluid, and it calculates the remaining life of the fluid. We have reports of CVT fluid lasting in excess of 200,000 km, most likely under easy highway miles but unless you tow a lot and run your car hard your fluid should be no where near ready for replacement at 50,000 miles.

I'm like you and don't like to push the limits when it comes to preventative maintenance, I think it's good practice to change fluids a little early just to be on the safe side rather than risk being a little too late. However, with CVT fluid having such a long life, and considering that the fluid is extremely expensive (the flush job in total can run you around $300ish), I recommend having the fluid condition tested by the dealer and have them give you a detailed report of the results from their CONSULTII diagnostic. They should be able to tell you an estimate of remaining service life, and from that you can gauge how long you've got until you need to change the fluid. I'd guess that you'll easily get 100,000 miles before even thinking about changing the fluid and probably much more.

Also, if you look in the glossary there is a how-to on checking the CVT fluid itself, you can make sure the level is where it should be and see how the fluid looks and smells, if you are so inclined.

[RogueGuy45]

OK, great info guys-thanks.

[philbert1998]

According to my manual the cvt fluid is to be GHANGED at 60k miles.2008 Rogue

[dickpribyl]

On 2011, it is inspection at 30K miles/ 24 mos, 75K/60 mos, and again at 90K/ 72 mos with a note to change if you are pulling a trailer, or want to provide "premium upgrade service." Then its back to inspection at 105K/ 84 mos and 120 K / 96 mos.

[kerrton]

According to my manual the cvt fluid is to be GHANGED at 60k miles.2008 Rogue

I think you are mistaken, my guess is that you're looking at a maintenance schedule that your dealer may have provided?

The factory Nissan manufacturer's maintenance schedule does NOT specify CVT fluid change intervals (not in 2008 anyway, if this has changed with current model years I am not aware), only inspection intervals are specified as dpribyl stated which should include checking the fluid life calculated in the vehicle computer with the dealer CONSULTII diagnostic tool.

CVT Fluid change is not programmable maintenance, it is based on the results of "inspection" i.e. the results of calculation of the fluid life by onboard computer. Through anecdotal evidence we are seeing that this fluid lasts a very long time, over 200,000 km in most cases.

[philbert1998]

I'm looking at the "Service & Maintence Guide" now.It has three schedules to go by;Premium,Schedule 1,Schedule 2.I didn't notice that before.I think that is why there is some confusion about the maintence of the Rogue.The Premium schedule has most fluids changed at 60,000 miles as well as many other items that are not touched in Schedule 1 where many are just checked.