Is CVT Whining Speed-Specific?

[Z Car Barbie]

Last week, I got a Krom with 49K miles on the OD (it was a gift, so sight-unseen) and immediately noticed a whining noise at low speeds - not at high speeds (but, of course, I was a bit pre-occupied with the stereo system ). I did, however, feel an occasional vibration with the cruise control set at 70 mph and an occasional slight loss of power upon acceleration on the interstate during my 9-hour trip back home with the new SUV. I was concerned about the whining noise, so I did some research and now understand it has a CVT and that proper flushing and the correct fluid is critical on that type of transmission. My Krom is currently under an extended warranty, which I'm in the process of transferring, and I'm also awaiting the maintenance records. So, my questions are:

1. Is the whining speed-specific in order to diagnose a potential problem with the CVT?
2. Should I be concerned at this point - as in, will it harm the transmission to continue driving it if the fluid hasn't been changed or it has the incorrect fluid?

[Z Car Barbie]

UPDATE: I just spoke with the previous owner and found out the transmission whining existed when the car was purchased last year at 36k miles. I then spoke with her service technician, who told me the transmission fluid was not changed. Then I called my local Nissan dealership and was told my transmission shouldn't be whining even at 50k miles, it shouldn't need to be flushed yet, and that I should bring it in to have it checked. So, I scheduled an appointment to find out what's going on.

[kilogram]

50k is getting near time to flush, so plan on paying for it. CVT flush runs between $400 and $500 depending on the dealer. I think mine was $403.

If it's been driven hard, it will need flushes at shorter intervals. Warranty won't cover that. Mine was due largely to the fact that I live in CO and do a lot of mountain driving.

[Z Car Barbie]

Yes, I realize that is regular maintenance but whining at 36k miles is why the dealership wants to look at it. Why would it cost that much for a flush and fill? Looks like I might have to bat some eyelashes.

[kilogram]

It's just the way it is with these CVTs, especially with expensive fluid. When it comes to this stuff, I firmly believe that if you have boobs, use them. I should have sent my wife in to get mine changed. They may have charged me more for trying to show em mine...

Thing is, if it's been whining since 36k and you're nearly at 50k now, they might be hesitant to cover anything having been driven on bad fluid for so long. They probably should have covered a flush at 36k, but by now it's been neglected so they're kind of off the hook. It's worth trying though.

[Z Car Barbie]

OMG, you are too funny! Thanks, Kilo! I'll see what I can do at the dealership.

[darylzero]

Barbie, just remember you have a 10yr/120,000 mile warranty on that transmission. So if they find anything wrong with it they will replace it for free.
http://www.nissanassist.com/vehicles.php?menu=5

It's costs a lot because each quart of trans oil costs around $20.
7.5l (7.9qt) for FWD
8.6l (9.1qt) for AWD models.

The only way to check if the cvt fluid is still good is by using the Nissan Consult program, which only dealers have. Since you are going to have to pay the ~$100 or whatever diagnostic fee I would just drain or flush it now.

[ImStricken06]

PS: the whine has been discussed in great detail here. whining and whistle noises are normal for ALL cvt's. its just the nature of the beast. so is slight judders, as the metal belt/chain can reflex

[Z Car Barbie]

Barbie, just remember you have a 10yr/120,000 mile warranty on that transmission. So if they find anything wrong with it they will replace it for free.
http://www.nissanassist.com/vehicles.php?menu=5

I did not know that. I haven't had time yet to read the paperwork that came with it. Thanks for the info.!

[Eugene@]

Whining and whistling noises are not normal. Tell your dealer to replace the transmission. I got mine replaced twice. I got my 2008 Rogue in 2011 with 64k on it. It was with original transmission (never replaced before). With this transmission the car stopped accelerating occasionally, so the dealer put the new one (or most likely refurbished one). The second transmission started to emit whining and whistling noises after 10k miles. Now I'm on the third one. So far so good. I'm planning to get rid of this car by 120k miles (end of transmission warranty). I'm looking at Mazda CX-5 as a replacement with classic 6AT.

[Z Car Barbie]

I went to my scheduled appointment today at the dealership. The service techs test-drove my Rogue, heard the whining, checked for recalls (none), performed the service bulletin corrections, then did another test-drive (still whined). They did all of that for free. So, Nissan is replacing my transmission (for free) and sent me home in a brand-spanking new Altima (a loaner - for free) – SWEET! I’m definitely a happy camper!

Anyway, I just wanted everyone to know that Eugene is correct (thank you for your post). My dealership said the Rogue’s CVT should NOT whine, whistle, stutter, or “judder” at all. If it does any of those things, and it is not yet due for a flush or it has already been flushed and it still has the whine, whistle, stutter, or “judder,” then something is wrong and it needs to be checked.

[ImStricken06]

I went to my scheduled appointment today at the dealership. The service techs test-drove my Rogue, heard the whining, checked for recalls (none), performed the service bulletin corrections, then did another test-drive (still whined). They did all of that for free. So, Nissan is replacing my transmission (for free) and sent me home in a brand-spanking new Altima (a loaner - for free) – SWEET! I’m definitely a happy camper!

Anyway, I just wanted everyone to know that Eugene is correct (thank you for your post). My dealership said the Rogue’s CVT should NOT whine, whistle, stutter, or “judder” at all. If it does any of those things, and it is not yet due for a flush or it has already been flushed and it still has the whine, whistle, stutter, or “judder,” then something is wrong and it needs to be checked.

the new one will perform the same way after a few months/thousand miles.

if i am not mistaken: The replacement transmission is only warrantied for 1 year / 10k ---- while the original had the 10year / 120,000 miles.

[Z Car Barbie]

if i am not mistaken: The replacement transmission is only warrantied for 1 year / 10k ---- while the original had the 10year / 120,000 miles.

No, the remaining 10 year/120k mile warranty carries over to the replacement transmission, AND it is further warranted for another 12 months/12k miles from the date it was installed.

[Leesey267]

I went to my scheduled appointment today at the dealership. The service techs test-drove my Rogue, heard the whining, checked for recalls (none), performed the service bulletin corrections, then did another test-drive (still whined). They did all of that for free. So, Nissan is replacing my transmission (for free) and sent me home in a brand-spanking new Altima (a loaner - for free) – SWEET! I’m definitely a happy camper!

Anyway, I just wanted everyone to know that Eugene is correct (thank you for your post). My dealership said the Rogue’s CVT should NOT whine, whistle, stutter, or “judder” at all. If it does any of those things, and it is not yet due for a flush or it has already been flushed and it still has the whine, whistle, stutter, or “judder,” then something is wrong and it needs to be checked.

I have the same exact issue in the last three months. At first, my rogue was making a soft "whining" noise whenever I pressed onto the gas pedal. When I would accelerate, the "whining" noise would linger. But the moment when I release my foot from the gas pedal, the noise would stop. This sound would occur every three to four days.

However, with the seasonal changes from spring to summer, my rogue has not been reacting well. Every day, whenever I would press onto the gas pedal, my rogue would spastically shriek. At this point, my rogue only has 22,000 miles on it. And it's only the 2012 model.

I have called over five dealership in my area, and they all said they will have to charge me the $115 service fee to "check" whether or not there's a problem. A part of me has a feeling that they're not going to pinpoint the problems with the transmission because according to the previous posts here, "rogues simply makes noises." What are some effective ways to convince a dealership to not force me to pay a service fee when I know there is absolutely a problem and can be covered by warranty? Is there a zoning Nissan authority in my region that can force a dealership to dismiss the service fee and provide a courtesy check since this is a known problem?

[scott9050]

My wife's 52000 mile Rogue (2012) Just went into the shop. The whine gets worse on highway trips then goes into overheat limp mode and actually cut off for 30 seconds at an intersection. The dealer heard the whine, did a fluid analysis and concluded that it needed the back ordered transmission cooler. They gave us a '13 Altima rental to use until they are able to get the part in and get it fixed. Hopefully that will be the end of the problem.

[myersark]

Mine started whining,too. It eventually started to sound like I was driving on the 'rumble strip' at the side of the road. It also would shudder when taking off at stoplights. The dealer just replaced BOTH front wheel bearings and the DRIVE SHAFT!!! With 82,000 miles on it (bought it new). Said the u-joints were bad and you can't replace just them; the whole shaft has to be replaced. I asked why it needed all of this with so few miles and was told, "Some of them just do this." I've not had these problem on the couple dozen autos I've owned (have 4 now). Our son's truck had to have a wheel bearing recently replaced on his 1999 Chevy truck 4x4...with around 250,000 miles on it!