Nissan Qashqai CVT Fluid Change

To change the oil in the CVT, you will need NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2, original code KLE52-00004. You will need to purchase 2 cans of 4 litres each.

Since it is recommended to change the CVT fluid not only by removing the sump and cleaning the magnets but also by changing the filter, it is advisable to purchase a new CVT sump gasket NISSAN GASKET OIL-PAN with the original number 31397-1XF0C, as well as a few other small items...

O-ring for the oil filter in the cooler.

Drain plug gasket and Qashqai CVT oil cooler filter.

Before changing the CVT fluid, remove the engine/gearbox undertray according to the manufacturer's instructions or remove the rear part of the factory shield. Perform the removal over a pit, on a ramp, or a lift.

To do this, unscrew the 2 bolts (10mm) on the sides attaching to the front part of the subframe and remove 4 clips from the side parts and 1 clip from the front part of the subframe.

To remove the clips, pry the central part of the clip and pull it down by about 8 mm. After that, the clip can be easily removed from the hole.

It is convenient to unscrew the bolts with a socket, as they are recessed into the shield. However, you can manage with a regular open-ended spanner.

When access to the engine compartment is open, you can proceed to the fluid change procedure itself.

The CVT fluid change must be performed with the engine and gearbox warmed up. Before starting to drain the oil, remove the CVT dipstick and check the level.

To remove the dipstick from its tube, use a flathead screwdriver to press the locking tab and pull the dipstick upwards.

On a warmed-up gearbox, the oil level will be above the hash marks on the dipstick and towards the >HOT< inscription.

Next, place a container to catch the old oil under the CVT drain plug, located on the gearbox sump.

The Qashqai CVT sump drain plug is unscrewed with a 19mm spanner. By the way, when screwing it back in, it is recommended to tighten it with a torque wrench to 35 Nm. Since there is a copper sealing washer underneath and the threads are delicate, you could strip them, and then you'd have to run for a new bolt (no. 3137731X06).

Old and new washers for the drain bolt. Must be replaced at every fluid change.

Remember, it is better to know how much oil has drained from the gearbox to make refilling easier. Draining oil from the box can take up to 20-25 minutes.

Once it stops dripping from the drain hole, you can unscrew the sump itself. Unscrew the securing bolts, all 18 of them, with a 10mm socket. Be careful when removing it, as there will still be oil inside (due to the design), so it's better to loosen them and leave a few bolts on one side so that the fluid doesn't gush out all at once.

This is what the Qashqai CVT looks like with the sump removed. The view reveals the valve body and the coarse filter inside it, which must be cleaned of metal shavings. If it is heavily soiled, it is better to replace it entirely, as the CVT, more than any other gearbox, is VERY sensitive to swarf. Therefore, we will proceed to remove that mesh filter...

The filter is also unscrewed with a 10mm socket.

In this slide, you can see all the dirt and swarf that settled on the mesh and did not get into the valve body solenoids.

There are 2 magnets located on the sump. All deposits must be removed from them, and the sump wiped clean with a lint-free cloth so that no debris gets into the CVT. This is important!

This is what the magnets look like before cleaning off the swarf.

And this is after cleaning...

We clean the sump just as thoroughly.

When reinstalling the old or new coarse filter, do not lose this O-ring; many forget about it, and then the filter does not sit tightly, letting dirt pass through. Next, after bolting the sump back on, we need to get to the fine filter...

To get the filter out of the heat exchanger involves some tricky work; you will need to remove the air duct, the battery, and unscrew and set aside the ECU.

You are unlikely to be able to remove the battery tray, which will be in the way, but in principle, you can manage without doing so; you can reach it with your hand. If necessary, you can remove the wheel and bend back the wheel arch liner to unscrew it from below, but I don't think it will come to that.

By the way, be careful not to mix up the hoses if you disconnect them... otherwise, instead of CVT fluid, you might start draining coolant.

Unscrew the oil cooler to remove the fine filter. There are 4 bolts requiring a 10mm spanner.

Finally, we can remove the filter (demonstrating the cooler on a Mitsubishi, as I couldn't take a photo of mine). Don't forget to replace the rubber O-ring, and check that the rubber seal is on the filter cartridge, as it often stays inside and owners wonder why the new filter won't fit.

Remove the old one and replace it with the new Qashqai CVT fine oil filter.

This is what the old fine filter looks like.

To drain the old CVT fluid as much as possible, it is recommended to drain it from the cooling radiator as well, located at the bottom, in front of the main engine cooling radiator.

To do this, remove the pipes from the radiator and drain a bit more fluid; in some cases, the radiator is even flushed.

It remains to pour the new oil into the CVT, for which you need to know the amount drained; it usually comes to about 7 to 7.5 litres, depending on how thoroughly you drained it. After filling, you need to check the level via the dipstick. There are nuances here. The procedure is almost complete!

Insert the dipstick to check the level (rotate it to the side so it doesn't catch on the latch). Immediately after filling, the level might be slightly above the "HOT" mark...

...But if you cycle the gear lever through the gears (holding in each position for 10 seconds), it will drop to "COLD" (preferably the level should not be lower than the upper mark). However, since the level must be measured on a warmed-up engine, warm up the engine before the control measurement (note that the gearbox warms up slower). Checking is done at 70-80 degrees Celsius. As it warms up, the oil level will rise, and on a fully warmed-up CVT, it should be closer to the upper mark of the "HOT" range. If yours is not like that, you should top it up a little. But the main thing is NOT to overfill!

For the correct operation of the oil pressure pump, it is necessary to reset the fluid deterioration counter! Since its performance is set by the ECU and changes as the oil wears. Therefore, if you do not have your own NISSAN CONSULT III or Launch X431 Diagun scanner, you will still have to visit a service centre.