CVC Transmission Fluid Change

My boy has a 2007 Nissan Sentra 2.0 with 103,000 miles on it that has never had its transmission fluid changed. It runs fine and does not leak. He doesn't have the manual, but i suspect that the fluid should have been changed long ago. It is a little brown but not badly burnt.

At this point I am wondering what should be done, if anything. Should he

I. Wait for trouble to develop.
2. Drain, flush, and fill.
3. Drain and fill, without a flush.
4. Drop the pan, change the filter, and fill.

 

You should follow the OEM recommended service intervals!

 

I second Marq's post.

Similar questions have been kicked around for decades. Some folks opine that if you change the fluid at higher mileages if it's never been done, that it can actually cause problems. Others say, change it; if it causes problems it was probably already on it's last legs. Opinions are about 50/50.

Me personally, I would have it serviced, ensuring OEM Nissan fluid is used. And FWIW, I would have it done at a good independent tranny shop and not a franchise or quickie lube place.

 

Thank you both. I agree with Maarq1 that the fluid should have be changed per OEM recommended service intervals, but that not having been done I will tell my son to take it to an independent transmission shop to be serviced with OEM Nissan fluid. It will be pricy, but not as pricy as letting the tranny go until problems develop.

 

Transmission fluid is not subject to heat or shear loads of consequence, and lasts a very, very long time. It will accumulate wear materials with age, but that can actually add a "grippiness" to the fluid that perversely offsets some of the slushy shifting feel that can happen with high mileages.

Most transmission fluid changes leave a lot of fluid in as a transmission is very hard to drain, so you still end up with quite a bit of old fluid still in the unit. Pressure draining which some dealers and chain shops do can cause damage, so that is another reason why changing fluid has more downside than not for many cars.

If things are working well, and the fluid is not black and smelly, I would just leave it be.

(ps I think the Nissan's of that age call for inspecting the fluid not changing it out, but I am not certain, your manual will have change intervals, but I recall the old Nissan manuals generically covered change intervals for all their cars so it is not as car specific as it could be).

 

Yes, flatcrank. I don't have the manual anymore but I found a copy on the internet of the "2007 Nissan Service and Maintenance Guide". What is actually says under "Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance Items" bears out your recollection. Inspect for leakage, but if used hard as in towing, replace CVT every 60,000 miles or 48 months.

Thanks for your recollection. When I first read the above I missed that mileage wasn't relevant unless the vehicle was used hard.

 

I believe the CVT fluid for more current model Nissan's is supposed to be good for up to 210,000 miles, the modern computer actually measures its deterioration date using an algorithm that measures load, use, etc. CVT's do run hotter than regular auto transmissions, so this is an impressive oil and/or design that it lasts that long. The oil can varnish under repeated heavy load, such as driving in the mountains using engine braking, or towing.

The inspection is to look for signs of varnishing, which is a very dark coloured fluid that does not smell very nice. The inspection is also to note the correct level, as the seals in CVT's can leak.

All Nissan CVT's before 2013 use Nissan's own CVT Fluid NS-2 (the green fluid which superceded an older blue formula which can be mixed with the new).

 

10 Transmission Fluid/Oil, Differential Oil, Transfer Case Oil
Visually inspect for signs of leakage at specified intervals.
If towing a trailer,using a camper or car–top carrier, or driving on rough or muddy roads, replace the fluid/oil every 30,000 miles or 24months (60,000 miles or 48 months for Altima, Maxima, Murano, Sentra, and Versa CVT fluid).
http://www.vadennissanservicecontrac...2007_N_SMG.pdf
https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forum...Number=2360888