I also have a 2015 CVT. I never really understood why people change the transmission fluid since the manual says it’s lifetime. Is it really necessary to change it?
Lucy said:
I also have a 2015 CVT. I never really understood why people change the transmission fluid since the manual says it’s lifetime. Is it really necessary to change it?
Most people say to change it every 60k miles. Fluids break down over time, no matter what. My dealership told me to change it at 100k miles.
You might be fine for a few days with the wrong fluid, but I’ve heard of dealerships messing up and then having to tow the car back to fix it. CVT FE fluid has more friction to help the belt grip better.
Check the white label on your B-pillar. It should have the transmission code on it.
Did you check the fluid level with the engine running and transmission hot? If not, it might read lower than it actually is.
Like someone else mentioned, if your shifter has D, 3, 2, and L, it’s automatic. If it just has D, S, and B, it’s CVT.
I don’t know how Toyota VINs work, but there are websites that can decode them. Not sure how accurate they are though.
Also, did you follow the dipstick procedure? If you don’t do it right, you’ll get a different reading.
@Onyx
My 2022 Direct-Shift CVT has PRND and M+/- next to D. No 3, 2, or L at all.
@Onyx
It’s definitely ATF. I checked the numbers twice, once over the weekend and again this morning.
Check your gear lever. If it has 3 and 2, it’s automatic. If it only has D, N, and B, it’s CVT. ATF and CVT FE are pretty close in viscosity, but you still want to use the right one.
Rey said:
Check your gear lever. If it has 3 and 2, it’s automatic. If it only has D, N, and B, it’s CVT. ATF and CVT FE are pretty close in viscosity, but you still want to use the right one.
It’s definitely ATF. I checked the dipstick this morning, and it had numbers on it. Same thing when I checked over the weekend.
@Barrett
ATF WS and CVT FE are similar, but just drain it and refill with ATF WS to be safe.
Wait, who actually put the wrong fluid in? Did the shop do it, or did you bring the wrong stuff?
lyra said:
Wait, who actually put the wrong fluid in? Did the shop do it, or did you bring the wrong stuff?
I put in a small amount today using a funnel. I was worried about driving to college with low transmission fluid since my dipstick check over the weekend showed it was low.
@Barrett
How much did you add? Is it mixed in with the correct fluid? If most of the fluid was the right one and you just topped it off wrong, you should be okay, but drain it as soon as possible.
lyra said:
@Barrett
How much did you add? Is it mixed in with the correct fluid? If most of the fluid was the right one and you just topped it off wrong, you should be okay, but drain it as soon as possible.
The can is 5L, and I only added around 500–750mL. Definitely less than a quart. I knew I’d need the rest for a full drain and refill later.
When I checked the dipstick, the level was low, and I didn’t want to drive with low fluid.
@Barrett
You’ll be fine. Just drain it and refill with Toyota WS ATF. A full 4L can should be enough, and any remaining CVT fluid will be diluted to the point that it won’t matter.
Do it today or tomorrow.
@Magdalina
Thanks! I’ll take care of it. I hope this won’t mess up my transmission too badly.
I really added less than a quart because I knew I’d have to do a full change soon.