I own a 2018 CVT Honda Civic with 1.5 Turbo. Due for PMS this December. Car is almost 3 years old. Honda Dealer recommended changing my CVT transmission fluid. I was a bit skeptical since my initial research recommends changing it somewhere at 25,000 to 50,000 miles. My car is currently at 8500 miles. I checked the manual, Manual recommends a change at 40,000km/25,000miles OR after 3 years (WHICHEVER COMES FIRST).
Your thoughts? Thank you!
Don't fluids lose effectiveness over time? i.e. you might not put that many miles on the fluid but the fluid becomes weak over time?
I'm sure you'll hear a lot of opinions, and very little data about that subject.
In all likelihood, it depends on too many variables to give an easy answer.
thecarwizard has a video, with recommendations, on changing CVT fluid (on a Nissan Cube CVT). The "show and tell" discussion might be of some use to you:
Nice video. Shocking that the fluid got so dirty after only 20,000 miles. Anyway, I wouldn't buy a Cube (because it's an ugly box on wheels) or any other vehicle with a CVT. But, like the guy in the video stated, most people don't take care of their cars - just look at all the people driving around with broken headlights, tail lights, brake lights, backup lights, and turn indicators. Anyway, I'm guilty of being a little lax on maintenance but I'm getting up to speed. It's kinda fun doing it yourself but it's a dirty and potentially dangerous job (with it jacked up - even with jack stands).
Those CVT's are weak, and they shed a lot of material. It's probably safer to follow the recommendation. I would compromise and do it somewhere between 10k-12k
Yeah. I was a bit surprised since my brother's Subie Crosstrek also has a CVT and their dealer only recommends changing the fluid around 30k Miles. Ultimately what prompted me to be skeptical about my Honda Dealer's recommendation is when they also recommended changing the Fuel Strainer set at 8500 Miles.
8,500 miles? That's bloody insulting. I would ask him if he talks to his mother with that mouth, and tell him to go find another sucker.
IKR. I understand the regular oil changes and maintenance. But come on....
If the manual says x miles or y miles, whichever comes first, that’s what I would go with.
Miles OR years....whichever comes first.
Change it out and stay on schedule.
It's safest to follow the factory recommended servicing. CVTs are finicky beasts.
I would not touch the fluid right now. A vehicle with less than 10k miles should be left alone. Change it when it reaches 35k miles.
I'm a bit skeptical about my dealer's recommendation since my dealer is notorious for replacing stuff that isn't even required. What set me off is that they recommended changing the fuel strainer at 8500 miles.
I would be skeptical about a dealer's recommendation on the time of day.