How to check the oil level in a Nissan CVT

A variator (CVT) is often installed on modern Nissan cars, since the operational and technical characteristics are higher in comparison with manual transmissions and automatic transmissions. In order for the mechanism to function smoothly, it is necessary to timely measure the oil level and, if necessary, raise it to the recommended parameters. It is especially important to know this indicator if a leak is detected or suspected.

Checking the oil level in the variator with a dipstick

Before checking the oil level in the variator, it needs to be warmed up. To do this, you need to travel about 10 kilometers in summer and twice as much in winter. After this, it is important to place the car on a horizontal surface and leave the engine idling. You need to alternately switch the positions of the variator lever, holding the brake, and then leave the handle in the “P” position.

After this, you need to open the hood and do the following:

Remove the dipstick from the neck by unscrewing the fixing fastener.
Wipe the dipstick dry with a lint-free cloth.
After this, the dipstick must be placed in the neck and lowered to the bottom, hold for 5-10 seconds.
Check to what mark on the dipstick the oil level has reached. Ideally, it should be in the Hot interval.
After checking the oil level, the dipstick must be returned to its place and the lock must be snapped into place.

Do I need to change the filter when changing the oil?

CVTs from the manufacturer Jatco are factory equipped with two filters:

Disposable fine cleaning cartridge. Absent on some modifications, including the F1CJA and W1CJA versions. This element must be changed at every oil change. Its cost cannot be called high.
Metal coarse filter. This part must be replaced every time the transmission fluid is changed. Otherwise, you can save money, but before that you need to clean the filter from metal shavings.

Reuse of the coarse filter is not allowed if its lattice part is clogged with resinous glue, which is used in the construction of friction linings.

We invite you to watch a video review of changing the oil and filters in the CVT of a 2012 Nissan Qashqai.

Checking the oil level in the variator without a dipstick

Checking the oil level without a dipstick is much more difficult. The easiest way out is to go to a car service center and trust the professionals.

Self-check occurs as follows:

The gearbox heats up to 40 degrees, the engine idles.
The oil is drained through the inspection hole.
The oil should flow out in a thin stream.
If it does not flow out, then the level is too low and you need to add fluid until it flows through the control hole.
After this, all that remains is to tighten the hole plug and the procedure is considered complete.

Which oil to choose for Nissan cars?

The original oil in the Nissan variator has the following markings: CVT NS-1, CVT NS-2, CVT NS-3. NS-1 is a first generation synthetic designed for Jatco continuously variable transmissions. It is poured into the boxes of Nissan cars produced before 2006 - Primera, Cube, March, etc.

NS-2 was developed for Hyper CVT gearboxes installed on cars after 2006 - Qashqai, X-Trail, Teana, Murano, Note, etc.

NS-3 will be required for 2012-2013 cars. release with continuously variable transmission. Used for the following Nissan models - Pathfinder, Teana, Serena, Altima.

Other manufacturers of CVT oil

Filling a Nissan CVT with non-original fluid is a risky undertaking. Incompatibility with factory lubricant, lack of necessary additives affects the service life of the box, and its repair is an expensive procedure. There are several analog options on sale that have proven themselves among Nissan car owners:

Idemitsu CVTF - designed for Jatco CVTs. In the list of relevant fluids, the manufacturer indicates the entire line of Nissan transmission fluids. Ravenol CVTF NS2/J1 Fluid is an oil of German origin, designed for use in JF010E and JF011E CVTs. A distinctive feature is green color. Nissan models for which the fluid is designed are Qashqai (Dualis), X-Trail, Serena, Lafesta. Febi Bilstein CVT is another German brand that is officially supplied to the Mercedes-Benz auto concern. The manufacturer claims the oil is compatible with original fluids for Nissan CVTs.

CVT Jatco JF15

Consequences of underfilling

The consequences of insufficient oil level can critically affect the operation of the variator. Without sufficient lubrication, its parts wear out faster, the oil pump becomes clogged, and within a couple of months after purchasing the car, the gearbox will require major repairs.

If, after checking the oil level, it turns out that the amount is not enough, then you need to immediately add more oil and do not delay the problem. But overfilling oil is also dangerous. Proceed carefully and check the oil level to ensure it remains within the limits allowed by the manufacturer's technical regulations.

Difficulties and nuances of self-replacement

First of all, there is a risk of encountering a counterfeit when choosing gear oil. The market for consumables for cars is filled with counterfeit goods, and without proper experience and knowledge it is easy to buy counterfeit fluid. The consequences of its use are disastrous.

The second problem that many car owners face when trying to change the oil at home is the complexity of the process. You need a set of tools, an inspection hole, patience and free time, and even this does not guarantee success.

During maintenance, you can damage fragile mechanisms, forget parts during assembly, or make other serious mistakes.

Consequences of overflow

In operating mode, the oil heats up and expands; if you overfill it, it will foam and the gaskets and seals of the gearbox may leak. Oil may also squeeze out through the dipstick. As a result, the working gearbox will begin to leak. If air bubbles are visible on the dipstick, this means that excess oil inside the variator has foamed. Such a liquid is not dense enough and cannot fully perform its functions. The lubrication of the box elements deteriorates, and the consequences can be dire.

If jerking occurs when starting, then there is a high probability that the reason is due to oil overflow. Foamed oil cools worse and the box overheats. In this case, you need to stop driving and let the car cool down.

Sometimes the oil level in the variator is exceeded due to antifreeze entering the CVT from a damaged radiator. This is indicated by a change in oil color.

Which is better – complete or partial fluid replacement?

You cannot get by with only partial replacement of transmission oil over a long period of time. The fact is that when adding fluid, it is impossible to completely get rid of the chips that appear as a result of friction of the mechanisms inside the variator. Over time, it penetrates deeper into the design of the continuously variable transmission, eventually reaching the torque converter.

A complete oil change is something you shouldn't skimp on. You need to contact a car service, which takes time and money, but in the future, repairing the variator will cost more.

What kind of variator is installed on Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqais with an automatic transmission are equipped with a new generation CVT transmission, developed by the Japanese manufacturer together with Jatco specialists. When setting up this system, Nissan engineers took the Multitronic transmission from Audi as a basis.

The new generation of traditional V-belt CVTs is complemented by improved components that will reduce the size of the entire system by 10% and significantly reduce the weight of the unit. Next, we will briefly consider the principle of operation of the Nissan variator.

The principle of operation of a CVT gearbox is to simultaneously change the dimensions of the diameters of the drive and driven shafts. The diameter sizes are changed using a special drive depending on the operating modes of the engine. When the car starts moving, the drive shaft of the box has a minimum diameter, and the driven shaft has a maximum diameter.

When the vehicle accelerates, as the engine speed increases, the diameter of the CVT drive shaft begins to increase. At the same time, the diameter of the driven shaft decreases, resulting in a reduction in the gear ratio. If the car accelerates on the road, the CVT maintains optimal speed, which provides the greatest power and excellent dynamics of the car.

This is interesting: How many liters of oil are in a VAZ 21083 engine

How to change the oil yourself?

You can change the transmission oil in a Qashqai automatic transmission yourself or with the help of specialists at a service station. We will tell you how to properly perform a complete lubricant change with your own hands.

Tools and materials

What you will need to complete the task:

fresh oil, 2 cans are required for a full change;
a set of wrenches and open-end wrenches;
flat head screwdriver;
a cut-off bottle or bucket into which used oil will be drained;
clean rags;
watering can;
new sealing rubber for the CVT pan, the old one is damaged during dismantling;
a special product or diesel fuel for cleaning the pan and filter device;
a new coarse mesh filter, if the installed mesh cannot be washed.

User Evgeniy Lipovka showed in his video how the procedure for changing the lubricant in a Nissan Qashqai CVT transmission is performed.

Stages of work

Replacing consumable fluid is done as follows:

The vehicle is driven into a garage with a pit or onto an overpass. To make the lubricant more fluid, the car engine warms up to operating temperature.
Get under the bottom of the car and remove the crankcase protection. Please use the service book before performing the procedure. The protection is fixed with bolts or special fasteners.
Unscrew two more screws located on the front part in the subframe area. The procedure is performed with an open-end wrench.
Remove the four pistons located on the sides and one on the front. To dismantle, pry up part of the part in the middle and pull it down, so you can remove the lock.
Check the lubricant level in the transmission unit. We talked about level control above. Volume diagnostics must be carried out during a change. This is done so that in the event of a leak, the car owner knows that there is a problem. If there really is a leak, the gearbox housing, oil seals and seals are diagnosed. All damaged items must be replaced.
If the lubricant level is normal, crawl under the bottom of the car and find the drain plug. Before draining, place a container underneath to collect the waste substance. Unscrew the plug with a wrench and wait until the oil drains from the gearbox.
If it is necessary to replace the pallet gasket, dismantle the product; to do this, unscrew all the screws that secure it. There may be some oil in the pan. When dismantling it, be careful not to spill the lubricant on yourself.
There are two magnets installed inside the tray. Assess their condition, as well as the condition of the used lubricant in general. The magnets must be cleaned of wear products in the form of metal shavings. For cleaning, you can use a special cleaner or acetone.
Remove the filter and clean it. The filter device is replaced if the cleaning procedure does not produce results. Reinstall the filter, as well as the magnets in the tray. Get rid of the remnants of the old seal around the perimeter of the pan. Install a new rubber band, treating the seat with sealant. Reinstall the tray, securing it securely with the bolts.
Place a funnel in the hole and pour fresh lubricant through it. When the oil is filled, check the level of the substance and take a test drive. Measure the amount of lubricant in the system again.

Resetting the cvt nissan lubricant aging counter using a simple scanner

The essence of the oil aging meter on the Nissan X-Trail T31 is that this is an algorithm embedded in the control unit for a continuously variable transmission. Therefore, there can be no talk of any replacement of the device.

The algorithm itself involves taking into account the operating parameters of the motor and variator, correction factors that are set by the manufacturer taking into account the task of preserving the resource of the box.

If there is no MUT-III. automotive scanner designed for resetting, then you can reset the level of performance degradation using an adapter and ELM-327 version 1.5. You should purchase such an adapter with caution, since unscrupulous sellers sell unsuitable devices under the working version (version 2.1).

Resetting the Nissan variator oil aging counter is carried out as follows:

Download and install the program (for a smartphone or tablet);
The adapter is inserted into the connector located near the hood release handle;
The device is located via Bluetooth and the password 1234 is entered.
The program starts, Data Monitor appears on the screen (the aging indicator is at the very bottom of the screen);
In the main menu, press the “Read CVTF DETERIORATION“ button, which is responsible for resetting;
If zeroing does not occur, the procedure should be repeated (possibly several times).

Honda

How is an oil change done here (variator)?

Honda can also be repaired with your own hands. Thus, such cars are equipped with first and second generation mechanisms, as well as Fit-type CVTs. And if the first and second are serviced as CVT, then servicing the Fit systems is exactly the same as if you were working with a regular automatic transmission.

Replace two filters. Depending on the modification, filters may be different. You should also clean the pan, replace the gasket, and clean the control unit. New liquid is poured through the funnel. Don't forget to check the level with a dipstick from time to time.

The main reasons for the failure of the variator on the Nissan Qashqai

As we have already said, not many people still believe in the reliability of CVTs. There is an opinion that they are very capricious, and it is not advisable to repair them due to the high cost of components. Official dealers practically do not carry out repairs; in most cases, a broken variator is simply replaced with a new one, the cost of which will shock the owners. By the way, the same fate awaits the owners of conventional hydromechanical “automatic machines”. Despite this, some workshops, taking advantage of the current situation, have mastered the repair of CVTs. Information from one of the representatives of such a service was used when writing this publication, which we hope will dot the i’s. To a greater extent, Jatco CVTs can be found on cars of the Renault - Nissan concern; one of the common models is JF011E. Such a variator is most often installed on the Nissan X-Trail in the T-31 body, as well as on the Qashqai and Teana. Manufacturer Renault equips JF011E for Megan, Latitude, Fluence, Scenic and Koleos cars.

Also, Jatco CVTs are often used for their models by Mitsubishi (Lancer, Outlander) and the French manufacturers of cross-platform crossovers Citroen C-Crosser and Peugeot 4008. But that’s not all. Jeep Compass, Suzuki Kizash, Dodge Caliber are also equipped with Jatco JF011E CVTs. Using this model as an example, we will tell you what diseases are found in continuously variable transmissions.

How to extend the life of a variator?

The resource of Nissan CVTs is very limited, so the question of extending it is quite appropriate. The following recommendations can be given:

In winter, the car must warm up; you should not move away without warming up.
The sensors need to be checked periodically and cleaned if necessary; errors generated by the on-board computer should not be ignored.
When servicing the variator, it is necessary to clean the radiator.
It is advisable to completely replace the lubricant in the CVT; add it only when a low level is detected.
The driving style should be calm - sharp accelerations and prolonged driving at high speed shorten the service life of the variator.
You should not use a car with a CVT to tow other vehicles.

Fine filters for Nissan variator
Storage conditions for transmission fluid must be strictly observed. It is better to carry out lubricant replacement work indoors to prevent debris from entering.

Filters must be changed after 60,000 km.

Content

A CVT is similar to an automatic gearbox in that you do not need to set the speed yourself using the transmission lever. However, in its operation it has significant differences: if the “automatic” includes fixed gears, usually in the number of four to nine, then the variator is a continuously variable transmission that does not have fixed steps.

In other words, if an automatic transmission alternately includes fixed stages, then the variator works from the lower to the upper threshold, without having intermediate “stops” on the way to increasing the gear ratio.

So, in what ways can the variator be checked if you have already met with the seller and are inspecting the car:

Checking the oil in the variator;
Check in motion;
Sound check.

The second and third methods may seem similar, but they are only adjacent; one may not give a complete picture without the other.

Despite the fact that a standard “automatic” with a torque converter is considered the preferred transmission option, a variator is considered more modern, although it is not without its flaws and shortcomings, and in some ways is inferior to an automatic transmission.

Let's talk in more detail about ways to check the variator.

Ways to remove excess oil

With a slight overflow, the problem is not acute, so there is no need to panic. When an excess of liquid is detected in a timely manner, there is no need to involve service employees in the process. If a motorist has poured oil into the automatic transmission when replacing it, he is able to completely cope with the task on his own. Often the solution is to remove the oil filter. When the liquid completely drains from the filter element, it is replaced. If such manipulations do not help eliminate the problem, the excess amount of lubricant is removed by sucking it out.

To remove excess oil yourself in this way, you will need a 10 cc syringe and a dropper. Next, we perform a number of simple steps:

cut off 60 - 70 cm from the tube;
we lower it with one end lower into the hole for the dipstick (if there is none, we use the filler hole);
We put the second end of the tube on the syringe without a needle and use the piston to remove excess oil;
During the process, we check the fluid level so that later you don’t have to add lubricant.

If the volume of oil poured is more significant, then the excess will need to be drained through a special hole.

The procedure for removing excess grease is quite simple, so even a novice motorist can cope with it. The main thing is to observe the condition of monitoring the fluid level, so as not to cause troubles associated with a lack of lubricant. It is necessary to check the volume and condition of ATF at the intervals established by the car manufacturer's regulations or more often in the presence of unfavorable operating conditions of the vehicle.

Self-diagnosis of the Nissan Qashqai variator

Before you begin diagnosing the variator, the engine and transmission must be warmed up while driving. Some car instructions require connecting Consult and checking the temperature sensor in the CVT box. The voltage there should exceed 0.9V. Simply put, you need to drive a few kilometers before diagnosing the variator. The sequence of actions in preparation for self-diagnosis of the CVT gearbox is as follows:

Warm up the car while driving.
Disconnect all consumers of electrical energy from the battery.
The battery is in good condition with a charge of more than 12 V.
There are no alarms that break the standard circuits.
The gearbox selector is moved to position “P” - Parking.

The procedure for diagnosing a CVT transmission: