CVT fluid change observations
I did my first CVT fluid change on my 2019 AWD at 25,000 miles today. The following are my observations.
1. Gladly there was a minimum of buildup on the magnet. I live in a mountainous region which can be hard on transmissions.
2. I was surprised that the HCF-2 is not dyed red. It's not an issue, it just took me by surprise. In my 47 years of car ownership this is the first automatic transmission fluid I've seen that isn't dyed.
3. It took 4.5 US quarts to refill. The spec is 4.2 quarts. The initial fill was 4.0 quarts. After warming the engine/CVT and shifting through the gears it took another 0.5 quart to top up.
4. I was disappointed that there wasn't enough clearance to get my torque wrench on the fill plug.
5. The HR-V has never driven better. Just kidding, I can't tell any difference.
1. Gladly there was a minimum of buildup on the magnet. I live in a mountainous region which can be hard on transmissions.
2. I was surprised that the HCF-2 is not dyed red. It's not an issue, it just took me by surprise. In my 47 years of car ownership this is the first automatic transmission fluid I've seen that isn't dyed.
3. It took 4.5 US quarts to refill. The spec is 4.2 quarts. The initial fill was 4.0 quarts. After warming the engine/CVT and shifting through the gears it took another 0.5 quart to top up.
4. I was disappointed that there wasn't enough clearance to get my torque wrench on the fill plug.
5. The HR-V has never driven better. Just kidding, I can't tell any difference.
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Thanks spacewrangler. My wife's HRV is getting close to its first CVT fluid change. I fear the moment of inspecting the drain plug. If it's bad I'll immediately trade it in for a Toyota.
Honda CVT - Metal Shavings on Drain Plug
Another forum recently had a thread about metal shavings on the Honda CVT plug. You'll see less build up when you do your next drain and fill
![30952]()
Another forum recently had a thread about metal shavings on the Honda CVT plug. You'll see less build up when you do your next drain and fill
It is normal for some metal on the plug. Especially from the first change. It applies to any tranny. If the particles are big then I would worry.
I did my first CVT fluid change on my 2019 AWD at 25,000 miles today. The following are my observations.
1. Gladly there was a minimum of buildup on the magnet. I live in a mountainous region which can be hard on transmissions.
2. I was surprised that the HCF-2 is not dyed red. It's not an issue, it just took me by surprise. In my 47 years of car ownership this is the first automatic transmission fluid I've seen that isn't dyed.
3. It took 4.5 US quarts to refill. The spec is 4.2 quarts. The initial fill was 4.0 quarts. After warming the engine/CVT and shifting through the gears it took another 0.5 quart to top up.
4. I was disappointed that there wasn't enough clearance to get my torque wrench on the fill plug.
5. The HR-V has never driven better. Just kidding, I can't tell any difference.
What did the old CVT fluid look like? Ours came out quite dark at 30000miles/50000km when I changed it.
The useless air intake resonator is what's in the way of the CVT fluid level check plug. I fixed that issue on our HRV!
CVT Transmission Issues (Merged)
My transmission went bad :( 2016 only owned 2 1/2 years 43,000 miles. Yes it’s under warranty but I’m still not happy!!!!!
www.hrvforum.com
It looked like typical used machine oil.What did the old CVT fluid look like? Ours came out quite dark at 30000miles/50000km when I changed it.
The useless air intake resonator is what's in the way of the CVT fluid level check plug. I fixed that issue on our HRV!
CVT Transmission Issues (Merged)
My transmission went bad :( 2016 only owned 2 1/2 years 43,000 miles. Yes it’s under warranty but I’m still not happy!!!!!
I have a 2019 HRV LX 2WD. My first two CVT changes I had the dealer do. I do my wife's 16 CRV regularly because the ground clearance is high enough for me to get underneath without having to raise it unlike the HRV.
1. For the check-bolt, the straight-out clearance I wasn't able to use my preferred 1/2 ratchet that was too thick with the socket so had to use a shorter 3/8 ratchet and a rubber mallet to help break the bolt loose.
2. When drained it drained right at about 3.7 quarts which is what the manual says is the capacity.
3. I need to get a long-handled needle nose pliers to remove the fill cap though I barely was able to do it with a standard length pair (dropped it twice though).
4. When adding new fluid, fluid started coming out before I finished the third quart (manual says 3.7 quart is the capacity which is what drained out??). So I started the engine and shifted through the gears a few times, then removed the check bolt and added more fluid. With the added fluid this time it was close to 3.7 quarts but not quite so I replaced the check bolt and started the engine and shifted thru the gears again several times. Then one last time removed the check bolt and added fluid and it took a few more ounces totaling right at 3.7 quarts.
So I think my lesson learned is to do three pours instead of just two like some of the youtube videos show. Oh, and if you don't know, get some extra plastic push rivet clips for the cover underneath because they break when you remove them. Also not that I purchased a set of four low ramps rather than using jack stands to raise the car level. I got a set of four for $80 on ebay that they are only about 3 inches which got me the clearance I needed (and I'm a barrel chested guy).
1. For the check-bolt, the straight-out clearance I wasn't able to use my preferred 1/2 ratchet that was too thick with the socket so had to use a shorter 3/8 ratchet and a rubber mallet to help break the bolt loose.
2. When drained it drained right at about 3.7 quarts which is what the manual says is the capacity.
3. I need to get a long-handled needle nose pliers to remove the fill cap though I barely was able to do it with a standard length pair (dropped it twice though).
4. When adding new fluid, fluid started coming out before I finished the third quart (manual says 3.7 quart is the capacity which is what drained out??). So I started the engine and shifted through the gears a few times, then removed the check bolt and added more fluid. With the added fluid this time it was close to 3.7 quarts but not quite so I replaced the check bolt and started the engine and shifted thru the gears again several times. Then one last time removed the check bolt and added fluid and it took a few more ounces totaling right at 3.7 quarts.
So I think my lesson learned is to do three pours instead of just two like some of the youtube videos show. Oh, and if you don't know, get some extra plastic push rivet clips for the cover underneath because they break when you remove them. Also not that I purchased a set of four low ramps rather than using jack stands to raise the car level. I got a set of four for $80 on ebay that they are only about 3 inches which got me the clearance I needed (and I'm a barrel chested guy).
I really dont think that a few ounces will make any difference.. or hurt the transmission...IMOI have a 2019 HRV LX 2WD. My first two CVT changes I had the dealer do. I do my wife's 16 CRV regularly because the ground clearance is high enough for me to get underneath without having to raise it unlike the HRV.
1. For the check-bolt, the straight-out clearance I wasn't able to use my preferred 1/2 ratchet that was too thick with the socket so had to use a shorter 3/8 ratchet and a rubber mallet to help break the bolt loose.
2. When drained it drained right at about 3.7 quarts which is what the manual says is the capacity.
3. I need to get a long-handled needle nose pliers to remove the fill cap though I barely was able to do it with a standard length pair (dropped it twice though).
4. When adding new fluid, fluid started coming out before I finished the third quart (manual says 3.7 quart is the capacity which is what drained out??). So I started the engine and shifted through the gears a few times, then removed the check bolt and added more fluid. With the added fluid this time it was close to 3.7 quarts but not quite so I replaced the check bolt and started the engine and shifted thru the gears again several times. Then one last time removed the check bolt and added fluid and it took a few more ounces totaling right at 3.7 quarts.
So I think my lesson learned is to do three pours instead of just two like some of the youtube videos show. Oh, and if you don't know, get some extra plastic push rivet clips for the cover underneath because they break when you remove them. Also not that I purchased a set of four low ramps rather than using jack stands to raise the car level. I got a set of four for $80 on ebay that they are only about 3 inches which got me the clearance I needed (and I'm a barrel chested guy).
It's an interesting conundrum, the CVT fluid change frequency issue.
Frequent oil changes never makes up for bad engineering design, nor does it correct bad metallurgy. In fact an important criterion of good design and material selection is that it run well on almost any oil.
And sadly, frequent oil changes also increases the frequency that flat-rate speed techs will not thoroughly drain the old oil, not be exacting about the oil level when installing new oil, not clean the vent, use a dirty funnel, and not clean up around the fill hole letting dirt fall in. But there are also good careful service providers as well.
My wife's 2018 HRV has about 70,000 km and is still with the OEM CVT fluid. Occasionally I check the level, put a drop on white paper, and smell it.
I will change the CVT fluid whenever the maintenance minder prompts to do so.
Meanwhile, if it turns out that Honda's CVTs are "weak", well it's just another car with faults.
Frequent oil changes never makes up for bad engineering design, nor does it correct bad metallurgy. In fact an important criterion of good design and material selection is that it run well on almost any oil.
And sadly, frequent oil changes also increases the frequency that flat-rate speed techs will not thoroughly drain the old oil, not be exacting about the oil level when installing new oil, not clean the vent, use a dirty funnel, and not clean up around the fill hole letting dirt fall in. But there are also good careful service providers as well.
My wife's 2018 HRV has about 70,000 km and is still with the OEM CVT fluid. Occasionally I check the level, put a drop on white paper, and smell it.
I will change the CVT fluid whenever the maintenance minder prompts to do so.
Meanwhile, if it turns out that Honda's CVTs are "weak", well it's just another car with faults.
how do you occasionally check the level ?It's an interesting conundrum, the CVT fluid change frequency issue.
Frequent oil changes never makes up for bad engineering design, nor does it correct bad metallurgy. In fact an important criterion of good design and material selection is that it run well on almost any oil.
And sadly, frequent oil changes also increases the frequency that flat-rate speed techs will not thoroughly drain the old oil, not be exacting about the oil level when installing new oil, not clean the vent, use a dirty funnel, and not clean up around the fill hole letting dirt fall in. But there are also good careful service providers as well.
My wife's 2018 HRV has about 70,000 km and is still with the OEM CVT fluid. Occasionally I check the level, put a drop on white paper, and smell it.
I will change the CVT fluid whenever the maintenance minder prompts to do so.
Meanwhile, if it turns out that Honda's CVTs are "weak", well it's just another car with faults.
I dont.....how do you occasionally check the level ?
i was asking the guy who sniffs his fluid - says he occasionally checks the level.I dont.....
226k now, I've changed it twice, 1st at 105k second about 180, it keeps popping the oil fill plug, im not sure why.It's an interesting conundrum, the CVT fluid change frequency issue.
Frequent oil changes never makes up for bad engineering design, nor does it correct bad metallurgy. In fact an important criterion of good design and material selection is that it run well on almost any oil.
And sadly, frequent oil changes also increases the frequency that flat-rate speed techs will not thoroughly drain the old oil, not be exacting about the oil level when installing new oil, not clean the vent, use a dirty funnel, and not clean up around the fill hole letting dirt fall in. But there are also good careful service providers as well.
My wife's 2018 HRV has about 70,000 km and is still with the OEM CVT fluid. Occasionally I check the level, put a drop on white paper, and smell it.
I will change the CVT fluid whenever the maintenance minder prompts to do so.
Meanwhile, if it turns out that Honda's CVTs are "weak", well it's just another car with faults.
Some will just drain in a clear plastic bottle and measure that with new cvt fluid in another bottle and pour in...That works also...every 2 yrs ( not religiously) replacement for my unit of Feb2016 , the overflow bolt never removed by Honda service center ( seal paint still intact) , they just drain and fill in all the content of the CVT oil container , maybe it is overfilled now . oil leak around the fill plug , had to spray Degreaser and blow with compressed air to remove grime . CVT still ok
noelmem5
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