I've got a 2016 Corolla LE with the CVT automatic. Currently have 70,200 miles. I bought the car with 8,400 miles and have never changed the fluid. I was thinking around 70-80k miles would be perfect but of course, Toyota says it's a lifetime fluid (which is pure bullshit). I called 3 different Toyota dealerships in my vicinity and one said they recommend a fluid change at 90k, another said 80k and then the 3rd said 75k..... Am I too late? I read on here a couple of people randomly throwing out 50-60k. Should I just call Aisin and ask them? [emoji23]

Why call? If you never changed them, change them now. Save u a phone call and save your service provider some minutes.


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As you already have a vehicle with CVT its too late to advise otherwise. They run extremely hot and must have the right fluid in them. No substitutes what so ever as its a very specialized synthetic fluid. Having had one in a Jeep Compass I'd say no. You're not over and if you'd not towed you should be fine. Call around for price, some transmission shops will do it at half the dealer price. I was getting $400 and more from Canadian dealer when I enquired and was floored. Approx $200 at a transmission shop, its tricky topping up as the need to test the temperature and read the level it should be at in a chart. Some DIY drain, measure and put the exact amount back in. (ok if you can do it). I know on my regular tranny they also said lifetime on my HL. I've done a drain and fill never the less.

 

I had the exact same experience with 3 different local dealers. Toyota corporate was no help either. They stated to have the fluid inspected, per the maintenance schedule. They wouldn't even elaborate on what that entailed. Doesn't even make sense to me. I ended up doing it myself with the help of a few forum contributors, who provided a copy of the Toyota procedure. The only deviation from the process was I used a ScanGuage tool to monitor CVT fluid temps (to set the level) vs. shorting the pins in the OBD2 connector.

 

When you change it, I would suggest sending a sample off to Blackstone (or other) lab for analysis. $30 well spent. Contact them for the sample bottle/mailer kit (free). Then you'll have a better idea of how "hard" your driving style is on your CVTF.

 

Toyota says it's a lifetime fluid (which is pure bullshit) [...] I read on here a couple of people randomly throwing out 50-60k. Should I just call Aisin and ask them?

No, Toyota doesn't say that (nor Toyota-Aisin). The answer is in the car maintenance guide : check every 30K, change at 60K. Same as Toyota's regular automatics, by the way.

Having had one in a Jeep Compass I'd say no

Those Jeep had the infamous problematic Nissan-Jatco JF011E, notorious for heat management issues that seriously affected both behavior and longevity. Not representative of all CVT.

 

Having changed my daughters car at 110K miles, I would say it is worth doing the sump off and filter change at 100K. There was probably still some capacity in the magnets inside the sump to hold metal dust. The fluid was a bit dark, but not that bad, the viscosity between my fingers (a definitive test???) felt the same between the new and old fluids.
The new and old fluids smelled the same - nasty - it's not like the old automatic fluid.

 

CVT fluid FE 08886-02505, fill plug is 24mm socket -- THIS IS THE CORRECT FLUID FOR 11TH GEN 2014-19

 

I don’t think I’ll ever change my fluid and I’ll explain why. Old transmissions used pressure plates that wore over time depositing Debris into the fluid that needed to be changed over time: these new cvt don’t use pressure plates in fact the fluid never comes in contact with any friction surface so no debris in the fluid except oxidation from the aluminum housing. Our fluid acts more like Hydraulic fluid in the it’s for cooling and moving a piston on the cvt housing.

 

This is just not so. There are clutches to give fwd & reverse minimum
At least 2 of them show up in this picture.
Plus I found plenty of magnetic debris on the sump magnets when I did a fluid & filter change on my daughters car at 110K miles
Aluminum debris is non-magnetic. Where are you getting your information from???

 

There are several reasons fluid that fluid may need changing. You have focused on one, contamination. Thermal breakdown due to high operating temps is reported to be a higher risk in CVTs. And fluid oxidation (the given reason for "sealed" transmissions) is another.

I'll drop the <$50 from time to time. But that's me.

 

your maint manual your car came with recommends changing it at 60k miles under heavy conditions. so you then define what heavy conditions means to you. for me, all the short trips to work and such, huge swings in temperatures throughout the year, i consider heavy. i changed mine at 60k and the fluid was dirty but not black. i used toyota's fluid, it shifts smooth. i'll keep changing it at 60k mile intervals.

 

so you then define what heavy conditions means to you. for me, all the short trips to work and such, huge swings in temperatures throughout the year, i consider heavy.

I don't understand the idea of everyone having their own definition of "heavy" (or "severe", "special"...whatever) when Toyota gives the circumstances, which all are conditions adding heat to the ATF: towing, heavy loading, and cartop carriers. And calls the service "special" when the vehicle is primarily operated under those conditions.

OTOH: as one who keeps cars (in the family) until they die of rust, I change fluids at least as often as the "severe" recommendation, even if I never or rarely operate under the severe conditions.

 

So, we basically agree in our objectives and maint. practices, I just don't go through the fiction of calling my use "severe".

 

Most drivers fall into a severe category so I've always just done my maintenance following that schedule. I don't understand why people look for so many reasons to not do regular maintenance. CVT's have a lot of question marks for a lot of people so I would be more cautious to be safer. I've changed the CVT fluid in my wife's 2010 Prius several times already and I'll continue to do so to keep it in tip top condition.

 

CVTs don't have the best reputation for longevity. And internally, its pretty severe even with grandma heading out to church driving ti.

Too many wait until its too late to service a transmission.

Don't expect to fix a broken transmission with a fluid change, as seen far too often on all forums.

I would change the CVTF now, and every 30k miles.

If you want to learn about your CVTF, or ATF, condition, send a sample out for a UOA and be shocked.

I haven't been impressed by ANY OE ATF or the so-called modern technology manufacturing wording overused by the clueless.

Please take care of your transmission if the car is a keeper. Don't bother if it is a lease or plan to trade in too often and frequently.

Mechanical components require maintenance.

 

In any case, particulate contamination is only one of several reasons to change the fluid. There's also thermal breakdown and exhaustion of additives.

 

I would change it right away. I've always changed my transmission fluids no matter if they are MT, AT, or CVT every 30k-50k miles. Transmissions are expensive, fluid isn't. The Toyota CVT fluid is a lifetime fluid. If you never change it and the CVT dies, then the fluid lasted the life of the transmission. If you don't change the fluid regularly, the transmission won't last anywhere near as long as it could. I would change it now and again at 100k miles. Then after that do it every 50k miles and you should be okay.

 

This fluid is $107 at the dealer, and it has to be the exactly correct fluid, or you will damage your transmission. This is something you want to do on your own ONLY IF you have the right know-how and tools and knowledge. Otherwise, at the dealer it's about a $240 plus tax ordeal. Good luck.

 

I you change the cvt fluid every 60,000 miles is that ok.

 

I think that will be okay for most every one. I would personally do it every 50k miles but that's just me. I think if you do it every 60k miles your CVT will live a long and happy life.

 

too much talking 100k is when, keeping the car? do it before i do it 50k CVT's are s... even in this car won't last like an automatic. But 50k > 100k> 150k by then u can sell or scrap it i dont think it will hit 200k

 

too much talking 100k is when, keeping the car? do it before i do it 50k CVT's are shit even in this car won't last like an automatic. But 50k > 100k> 150k by then u can sell or scrap it i dont think it will hit 200k

my prius c just hit 150k and run excellent. i will try to keep another 100k if i can

 

A cvt doesn’t have clutch packs that wear down giving fluid it’s dirty look. Cvt oil is basically for the gears and bearings and should last the life of the vehicle. I personally won’t be changing mine ever.

 

But as soon as you start to use new fluid the detergent package begins to break down and needs to be replenished to protect metals parts and surfaces. The fluid in any transmission does many things, don't just focus on one thing.

 

Is changing the fluid something that can be done myself or do I need to take it to a shop? I've never dealt with a CVT before so I'm unaware on how to change the fluid on there.

 

It can be easily done by yourself if you have. some simple tools and 4 jack stands or a set of ramps and 2 jack stands. The car needs to be level. There are multiple videos on You Tube showing the process. Here is one from a Toyota Master Tech for all Toyota sealed transmissions, both CVT and AT. Just make sure you buy the proper CVT fluid from the dealer.

 

When I get to 120K miles, I will change mine. So, about 5 more years.

Toyota has to assume how many thousands upon thousands of people will NEVER service their transmissions. If there was even a remote chance of failure before 100K miles by not changing the CVT fluid, the consumer warning would be definitive in the manual strictly.

In reality, I can almost guarantee that NOT changing your CVT fluid before 100K will cause any pre-mature failure.

 

When I get to 120K miles, I will change mine. So, about 5 more years.

Toyota has to assume how many thousands upon thousands of people will NEVER service their transmissions. If there was even a remote chance of failure before 100K miles by not changing the CVT fluid, the consumer warning would be definitive in the manual strictly.

In reality, I can almost guarantee that NOT changing your CVT fluid before 100K will cause any pre-mature failure.

Never ASSUME anything!!

 

I have changed my 2019 Toyota Corolla two days ago at 38k mile, and I am intending to do so every 40k miles, I went to a Toyota service center, and they changed the transmission oil for about 4 liters,I think my procedure was a little early, but it undoubtedly gave me confidence and peace of mind The funny thing is that they did not have the original fluid ( FE ) for the transmission, but rather they had something equivalent from Korean production (CEFX), so I had to buy them the original oil from the market to add it to my car, I was so stubborn that they gave up and gave me special permission to bring the original oil from the local market LOL.

 

Setting the level is very tricky. Its set by fluid temperature very tight tolerance for some reason. I went through that in a Jeep Compass I had long ago. I don't like CVT's and wouldn't have it in anything again. But I'd gone 120,000km and it was still in good condition. That interval is pretty short IMO.

 

My dealer here in Columbus, Ohio (Toyota West, specifically) says every 6-years or every 60k, whichever comes first. I since I run my 2015 Corolla S quite hard, I am game-on for changing it soon. I only have 28k on it, but it's going on 8-years old. And since your Transmission is the lifeblood of your car (besides your engine) why not change it. But it's hefty price to pay. If you do it yourself you need a good lift, a 4-ltr can of FE fluid at $107, plus you need to buy a filter, make sure you change it at the right temp, and make sure you have all the tools necessary to get the job done, or just take it to the dealer for around $240 plus tax. It sucks they make it so difficult to change this fluid, but hey, that's Toyota.

 

There is no filter to change.
The drain plug has magnet on it. Just make sure you wipe it clean. No need to change filter

 

I've got a 2016 Corolla LE with the CVT automatic. Currently have 70,200 miles. I bought the car with 8,400 miles and have never changed the fluid. I was thinking around 70-80k miles would be perfect but of course, Toyota says it's a lifetime fluid (which is pure bullshit). I called 3 different Toyota dealerships in my vicinity and one said they recommend a fluid change at 90k, another said 80k and then the 3rd said 75k..... Am I too late? I read on here a couple of people randomly throwing out 50-60k. Should I just call Aisin and ask them? 😂

 

Chester i have read and heard advice from too many people i trust indicating that 60K miles is the recommended change interval. My 50+ years of driving & working on cars coupled with my experience in the lubricant industry leads me to truly believe that this interval is logical and proven. I myself have driven every car i have ever owned over 250K with no engine or transmission issues. My lubricant intervals were 4K on oil 30K on rear end, transmission, power steering fluid, brake fluid & coolant. No replaced radiators or heater cores, no power steering parts replaced, no rear end issues on any of my vehicles. The fluids of a car/truck are literally the lifeblood of those machines. It is cheap insurance and in my case it has paid perfect dividends. Find a dealer and CHANGE THE FLUID. Most preferably change the filter so they will get the maximum amount of fluid out of it. I would stick with a reputable Toyota dealer for this particular maintenance item.

 

My 2015 Corolla S, just rolled past 275,000 miles....still on the ORIGINAL CVT fluids.
I change the oil every 5,000 miles, has not had a mechanical failure, yet...

When I ask my Toyota dealer about replacing the CVT fluid, they tell me it's not required...

 

Get it changed now. Rule of thumb is 5years or 96k whichever comes first.
The manual does not have an interval for changing trany oil. That is correct

 

Question: I have a 2018 corolla. It has 28,000 miles on it. It’s 4 years old. I drive 7,000 miles a year. When should I change cvt trans fluid. By years or mileage since I only drive 7k per year. Thanks

 

Normally is 5yers or 96000km whichever comes first. But if you drive the vehicle hard or overload it when driving, you may want to do it sooner. Otherwise you could wait a bit longer for km to catch up. Like maybe around 60000km. Do the km,miles conversion