I have a 2021 Chevy Spark. I have owned it for four years from when it was brand new. It now has 120,000 miles on it and have never had a significant problem. Have done regular oil changes and etc.
However, I have never changed the transmissions fluid as I did not know you needed to do that. It has a CVT (which I know you are rolling your eyes). They recommend to do the fluid change after 90,000. I’ve noticed recently that when going at higher speeds above 60\70mph my rpm will jump between 2-3rmp almost shuddering back and forth. It doesn’t full on spike like when a transmission slips or anything. I’ve had a free scan on it and someone said it was fine but that it could be early warning of a bad torque converter. He also recommend I don’t change the transmission fluid.
Should I change the transmission fluid to prevent future issues or will that break it?
Thanks for your time.
s
I’m scared if I change it will just cause everything to slip
Why? A CVT doesn't have the array of fragile friction surfaces (bands and clutches) that wear out prematurely in a poorly-maintained conventional automatic transmission.
The longer you keep all that old fluid circulating in your CVT, the more you increase the rate of wear. A Jatco CVT with 120K miles should be serviced asap. Their claim you can wait until 90K to service is ridiculous. Services should be done at intervals of at most, every 60K miles, with a Jatco, more like every 45K miles. That's a much more realistic schedule for the proper maintenance of a Jatco CVT. You still should replace the fluid and filters now - it's still your best move.some say I’m just delaying the inevitable
@hixster Thank you. It runs fine now I’m just scared if I change it, it will immediately mess up the transmission. Am I delaying the inevitable?
Have you read our FAQ which contains detailed information on fluid changes for various types of transmissions?
The Spark uses a crummy Jatco CVT (as used by Nissan where those CVTs drive the company's poor reputation.). It's amazing it's lasted this long. You can certainly try changing the fluid. It may help but it's unlikely the trans is going to last a whole lot longer at this point. What you're experiencing is caused by the CVT wearing out. However I'd say if you managed to get 120K miles out of the thing you've pretty much beaten the odds at this point.
@chucktobias I appreciate it. It only seems to shudder above 60mph. I’m scared if I change it will just cause everything to slip but I know some say I’m just delaying the inevitable. I want no car payments for as long as possible lol 😂
You're looking at this the wrong way. You're more likely to have a transmission failure, get left on the side of the road, etc.. by not changing the fluid now..it will immediately mess up the transmission
if I change it, it will immediately mess up the transmission.
No, that is not correct. As was mentioned before, the transmission article in our FAQ will explain it to you.
