The secret to keeping any Honda running longer is to use premium fluids and change them regularly. There was an old TV commercial about skipping oil changes and the mechanic said, "Pay me now or pay me later!" This applies to a lot of things in life.

 

FRAM oil filters was the one...

 

if you want to make sure you are getting good CVT oil just buy your own brand, doesn't have to be Honda...for example 2018 Honda CRV 1.5 L engine:
www.searchforparts.com/oil-change/honda-2018-cr-v-1.5l-l15be-turbo

If the dealer resists, then find someone who will put your own brand, some dealers do not want to put other brands in because of whatever reason.

 

Changing your own CVT fluid in the HR-V is not that difficult. Since there are YouTube videos quoting different amounts and procedures, I decided to find out for myself how much is actually in mine and how much to add, not to mention actually doing the job.
Yesterday, I drove the front onto ramps, then raised the back end with a wood 2"x6" square of wood on my rolling floor jack. I used a level to make sure the car was level when I lowered it onto jack stands, one in front of each rear tire at the support points.
I opened the "check" hole and the level was even with the bottom of the hole which allowed just a little bit of overflow to come out. Then I closed the "check" hole temporarily.
I drained the fluid from the drain hole BEFORE opening the rubber fill plug on top of the engine. This limits the amount of air entering into the top of the transmission which keeps the old fluid from shooting past the drain pan. I poured this fluid into an empty motor oil gallon jug to see how much was in the transmission. It was exactly 4.2 quarts (4 quarts, 7 ounces).
I poured that same amount into the fill hole in the top of the transmission. Then I replaced the fill plug.
I started the engine and let it warm up completely before, WHILE HOLDING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, I shifted into each gear for a minimum of 3 seconds and repeated the process twice. Then I turned off the engine and got under the car.
I opened the "check" hole and found a small amount of overflow. Perfect!
Knowing this amount is correct, in the future I will skip the engine warm up and gear shifting. I will just drain and add 4.2 quarts with the car level but I not use the "check" hole.
I will be sure to warm the engine go through each gear for 3 seconds before I drive off the ramps.
The transmission works perfectly now and this is no harder than changing my engine oil.

In case you don't know about the problems with the rubber vent cap beside the fill plug, this is a good time to pull it out and clean it. If the vent hole gets plugged, the vent cap can blow out and allow the CVT fluid to blow out of the top of the transmission. I removed the plastic air intake for access to this vent cap which takes about 15 minutes and makes the job very easy. Cleaning the vent cap takes about 5 minutes.

 

Changing your own CVT fluid in the HR-V is not that difficult. Since there are YouTube videos quoting different amounts and procedures, I decided to find out for myself how much is actually in mine and how much to add, not to mention actually doing the job.
Yesterday, I drove the front onto ramps, then raised the back end with a wood 2"x6" square of wood on my rolling floor jack. I used a level to make sure the car was level when I lowered it onto jack stands, one in front of each rear tire at the support points.
I opened the "check" hole and the level was even with the bottom of the hole which allowed just a little bit of overflow to come out. Then I closed the "check" hole temporarily.
I drained the fluid from the drain hole BEFORE opening the rubber fill plug on top of the engine. This limits the amount of air entering into the top of the transmission which keeps the old fluid from shooting past the drain pan. I poured this fluid into an empty motor oil gallon jug to see how much was in the transmission. It was exactly 4.2 quarts (4 quarts, 7 ounces).
I poured that same amount into the fill hole in the top of the transmission. Then I replaced the fill plug.
I started the engine and let it warm up completely before, WHILE HOLDING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, I shifted into each gear for a minimum of 3 seconds and repeated the process twice. Then I turned off the engine and got under the car.
I opened the "check" hole and found a small amount of overflow. Perfect!
Knowing this amount is correct, in the future I will skip the engine warm up and gear shifting. I will just drain and add 4.2 quarts with the car level but I not use the "check" hole.
I will be sure to warm the engine go through each gear for 3 seconds before I drive off the ramps.
The transmission works perfectly now and this is no harder than changing my engine oil.

In case you don't know about the problems with the rubber vent cap beside the fill plug, this is a good time to pull it out and clean it. If the vent hole gets plugged, the vent cap can blow out and allow the CVT fluid to blow out of the top of the transmission. I removed the plastic air intake for access to this vent cap which takes about 15 minutes and makes the job very easy. Cleaning the vent cap takes about 5 minutes.

What was the mileage on the drained fluid, and did the fluid look ok in appearance? Thanks.

 

@Boomer Guy,

Do you have a picture of the rubber vent cap beside the fill plug?

Much appreciated if you could share.

Thanks ☕

 

Here is a forum link with details and description. If you remove the plastic cover over the radiator and the plastic air intake (you will need to loosen but not remove two 10mm bolts at the air filter box for access) you will have a complete view and easy access to it as well as the fill plug.. Total time for removing the plastic is about 10 to 15 minutes max and it is self-explanatory. You can use a screwdriver for the plastic tabs but a proper tool is available at any auto parts store.
The vent cap is an inch or two to the left of the fill plug. Just pop it out, wipe it with a paper towel, open the air vent with a paper clip, then spray with some silicone spray to make it less adhesive to dust and grime, and pop it back in. I do this at every CVT fluid change @ 30K miles.
Make sure the fill plug is not removed when you do this, so you keep the debris out of the transmission.

Transmission Fluid Plug

I want to make sure this is the transmission fluid plug where I can refill the transmission fluid. It is located near the battery. If someone can confirm for me, I would appreciate it. Thank you! :)

www.hrvforum.com

 

@Boomer Guy,

Thanks mate!

 

2018 HRV EX with 40k miles, just changed the CVT fluid myself, it took a little over 4 quarts of the Honda HCF-2 AFT.

1) Drive front wheels up the ramp, chock rear tire
2) Loosen drain bolt
3) Lift the rear up with the floor jack, place jack stands to level the car.
4) With the oil pan to catch the fluid, I removed the drain bolt, not too bad as I can still see brown and not complete black.
5) Removed the check bolt when the fluid slowed on draining
6) I went to eat my lunch
7) After lunch, cleaned the drain bolt, screwed it back on and torque it to 36 ft-lb
8) With a funnel and a piece of silicone tube I had laying around, I filled it via the check hole instead of the fill hole, much easier than using the fill hole.
9) When I got to almost 4 quarts, ATF started leaking out from the check hole.
10) Screwed the check bolt back to stop the leak for now
11) Start the engine, step on the brake, went through each gear for like 3-5 seconds
12) Shut off engine
13) Remove the check bolt and add more ATF fluid via the check hole until it starts leaking out again
14) Screwed and torqued the check bolt to 32 ft-lb.
15) Wipe, clean and put the undercarriage cover back on.
16) lower car and took the car for a quick spin

Didn't feel any dif between before/after the ATF change.

 

Good write up...but it is still good to at least remove the fill tube to clean out the vent pipe..

 

Wow - I can get under the car and do oil and CVT changes ( and the rear diff ) without jacking her up, or put on ramps.
Saves me a lot of time and effort.

 

Driving up the ramps, then lifting the rear up with a floor jack on the tow hook and placing the jack stands under don't take much time. But I wonder how you manage to take off the undercarriage cover without lifting the car.

 

If I remember correctly when mine was done, there is at least one filter that goes along with CVT fluid change.

 

just a heads up to a lot of posts here- the FWD CVT and AWD CVT use different amounts of fluid when doing a drain and fill. (according to the manual)
3.7 qts for FWD
4.2 qts for AWD

 

I drove quite a bit today after replacing the fluid and right away I was able to tell a difference in performance. It now feels a lot peppier than before the fluid change. It felt so sluggish before, as if I was constantly driving on a gear too high. The "shifting" also feels smoother and there's less resistance while coasting. With the diminished performance and odd burned oil smell, I think I'm gonna begin replacing the CVT fluid every 20K miles.

 

after the first time i did mine and the smell of that almost burnt fluid - I am def sticking to approx 20,000 mile intervals at most.

 

Morning All,

Confused about which fluid to use when changing the transmission fluid. I've seen many posts that say to use the Honda Genuine HCF-2 fluid but I also know Honda sells CVT fluid which can be used in all Honda CVT transmissions. Confused....., is Honda Genuine CVT fluid an updated version of HCF-2? Appreciate any input.

Thanks, Happy Monday

 

Use what you owners book says and use OEM Honda fluid....

 

HCF-2 is the correct fluid for the 2016-2022 HRV CVT transmission.

In Canada the price of Honda HCF-2 has gone thru the roof. I've been using Valvoline HCF-2 fluid with good results and it's much cheaper.
Valvoline is full synthetic while the Honda fluid is likely only semi-synthetic.

Other members are using Amsoil HCF-2 with good results also, but it is extremely pricey.


Don't forget the 2016-2020 Honda Recall/TSB for the CVT trans, plus all the other recalls.

 

Thanks everyone for your speedy input! Really appreciate it! Thanks for the tip about the Valvoline HCF-2!

 

always had good luck with valvoline transmission fluid on my many past vehices.
includes a few other honda product
being synthetic is a big plus for me.

 

I always stick to OEM Honda fluid in a CVT...

 

I'd offer, that if changing the CVT fluid causes perceptible performance changes, then something is terribly wrong.

But specifically what is wrong is beyond me.

 

The first time I changed mine at 63000 km, car became much smoother.

The second time I change the fluid, it started to act weirdly noticeably! So, I cleared all the codes, cvt memories etc... and it has been good.

I am at 130000 km now and I feel it is acting a little strangely, but 8 think about it's CVT everyday so maybe it is in my head but usually I am correct with picking up these differences... Irrespective of this, I already had planned to change the fluid and I think I will do it tomorrow .. let's see how it reacts!

I have 7 days until the end of my 7 years warranty period! That's why I wanted to change the fluid to see if any surprises will be in the drained fluid!

 

This morning was the first time I have seen a CODE pop up for TRANSMISSION FLUID- 7 1/2 years and 50,000 miles of ownership ( FYI i have changed the CVT fluid twice so far)
and i like that my Kenwood tells me in plain ol' english its "air filters and trans fluid"

 

“Just put in what came out” they said.
I inherited my Dad’s 2017 HRV with FWD and 33,000 miles on the odo. Thought it was time for a CVT fluid change so I reviewed this thread and a few vids. I didn’t think any service beyond oil changes had been performed but now I’m going to find out. The check bolt did have signs a service monkey had been in there.
edit: In total, I added 4.2 qts back to get me to the correct level. The fluid that came out looked pretty good but the car has had an easy life.

 

New(ish) owner and looking through service documents (all done at Honda dealerships) I can't find any evidence that the CVT fluid was ever changed (vehicle has 70K miles now). Called the original dealer to confirm. I'm a bit annoyed (both at myself for not knowing pre-buy but also that a Honda dealer wouldn't have done or recommended this at the right intervals).

That said, I'm going to remedy this. I have a good indy shop I trust, but is this something that should really go back to Honda to complete? Is there anything unique that would require their eyes or equipment?

 

On my 21HRV I change the CVT fluid every 30000...

 

Hello,

In 2022 my girlfriend got herself a 2017 HRV with 57000 Km on it. Car has always been running fine, did regular services; motor oil changed, etc and a week ago at roughly 80000 km she got the service B 123 warning. No problems with oil and air filters changed but was supprised about transmission oil changed. Didn't know anything about CVT so called dealers around my place and one said changed it between 60000 and 120000 km the other said 80000 km but, none of them changed the filters. Then I decided to call someone who fixes CVT transmission in Montreal and he told me they follow Honda's recommandation; changed oil at 80000 km but not the filter. They just flush it through the cooler pipes.

I'm not a mecanic but I've done most of my maintenance myself on all my vehicle (except for transmission which I get done by specialist) I still couldn't get in my head an oil changed without changing the filters so I called the guy who did my transmission oil changed and repairs over the past 40 years, he fixes all types of transmissions except CVT, he just replaced them. This guy told me, at 80000 km it's a must. And not only the oil but as a minimum the pan filter as opposed to the dealer's recommandations to change only the oil.

A confidence, I give much more credit to my old transmission guy than the dealers. But, wanting to know a little more I jlooked up the forum and was shock to read the CVT's bad reputation. But was also stuned to read that most members whom changed their transmission oil themselfs don't changed the filter knowing the CVT's fragility.

I have read most thread I could find on the subject and took great interest in Michael613 's oil's report/analysis in regards to oil makers and intervals as well as CalgaryHRV's comments and other members. My mind is set on having the oil, the pan's filter and maybe the return filter changed as well.

What I'd like to know from the forum's members is:

A. did you just changed the oil without the filters and if so what interval, experienced any problems and how many km/miles have you got on it now? or

B. changed oil and filters every times, what interval, experienced any problems and how many km/miles have you got on it now?


Thanks

Denis

 

Hello,

In 2022 my girlfriend got herself a 2017 HRV with 57000 Km on it. Car has always been running fine, did regular services; motor oil changed, etc and a week ago at roughly 80000 km she got the service B 123 warning. No problems with oil and air filters changed but was supprised about transmission oil changed. Didn't know anything about CVT so called dealers around my place and one said changed it between 60000 and 120000 km the other said 80000 km but, none of them changed the filters. Then I decided to call someone who fixes CVT transmission in Montreal and he told me they follow Honda's recommandation; changed oil at 80000 km but not the filter. They just flush it through the cooler pipes.

I'm not a mecanic but I've done most of my maintenance myself on all my vehicle (except for transmission which I get done by specialist) I still couldn't get in my head an oil changed without changing the filters so I called the guy who did my transmission oil changed and repairs over the past 40 years, he fixes all types of transmissions except CVT, he just replaced them. This guy told me, at 80000 km it's a must. And not only the oil but as a minimum the pan filter as opposed to the dealer's recommandations to change only the oil.

A confidence, I give much more credit to my old transmission guy than the dealers. But, wanting to know a little more I jlooked up the forum and was shock to read the CVT's bad reputation. But was also stuned to read that most members whom changed their transmission oil themselfs don't changed the filter knowing the CVT's fragility.

I have read most thread I could find on the subject and took great interest in Michael613 's oil's report/analysis in regards to oil makers and intervals as well as CalgaryHRV's comments and other members. My mind is set on having the oil, the pan's filter and maybe the return filter changed as well.

What I'd like to know from the forum's members is:

A. did you just changed the oil without the filters and if so what interval, experienced any problems and how many km/miles have you got on it now? or

B. changed oil and filters every times, what interval, experienced any problems and how many km/miles have you got on it now?


Thanks

Denis

Most on here would select "A". That is most of us will change the transmission fluid at about 30,000 miles or 50,000 km, and only change the fluid(drain/fill), no need to change the filter. Again, do not flush!

 

When I brought my wife’s 2020 Fit in for an oil change, the dealer recommended I change the CVT fluid every 25,000 miles. they wanted $250 to do the work. I passed on doing it. The car now has 34,000 miles and the oil engine life is down to 20% On the maintenance minder. When I take it in for its next engine oil change I will bite the bullet and have them change the CVT fluid. My 2013 Accord Coupe was the first cars to come with the CVT. I just traded it for my 2025 HR-V, and the Accord had 86,000 miles, and I changed the CVT fluid once. I think it was at about 50,000 miles when it came up on the maintenance minder. But I maybe wrong. I’m going to change the fluid on both cars at about 30,000 miles. I’m surprised Honda doesn’t just recommend an internal?

 

You can change the oil and transmission fluid yourself, if you don't want to pay the dealer to do it. In fact changing the CVT fluid is less messy than the oil change. Cost wise, you will need to buy 4 quarts for the Fit, and buy 5 quarts for the HRV and roughly $15 per quart from the dealer.

 

Unfortunately, I can’t do that myself any longer. In a couple of months I will be 78 years old. When the cars are under warranty, I have the Honda dealers do the oil and transmission fluid changes. This makes sure that Honda has a record that the work was accomplished.

 

I think getting a CVT is very expensive, so have it done. In the UK it is scheduled for every 25k.

 

In my opinion, it’s worth being done every 25,000 to 30,000 miles to check on the health of the CVT is Itself. The fluid removed shouldn’t be black nor have a burnt aroma. Also, the magnetic drain plug should not have large metal particles stuck to the magnet.

 

My personal opinion is that changing the transmission fluid every 25,000 to 30,000 miles has really nothing to do with how you drive, or if you tow a trailer. I think it’s an opportunity for the technician who is doing the work to evaluate the condition of the transmission itself. If the fluid removed is black or has a burnt aroma, those are not good signs regarding the health of the transmission. Also, the drain plug is magnetic. It may have a little metallic fuzz on it, but having large pieces of metal attached is a very bad sign. Therefore, you didn’t waste your money having the fluid changed, it just verified that your transmission is not about to fail. Unfortunately, one of the down sides of a CVT Is that it may fail without any previous warning signs. Honda has a built in, “Limp”, mode to get you home slowly if the transmission fails. Some people who had first generation, North American CVTs, some of them failed in large enough numbers for Honda to extend the warranty period on those cars affected for seven years or 150,000 miles. Hopefully, the new ones are improved and following the maintenance minder will be sufficient for transmission fluid changes. My previous 2013 Accord, the maintenance minder brought up the code to change the fluid at about 50,000 miles. I had the Honda dealer do the work and I had no problem with the CVT. I traded the car at about 87,000 miles for my present 2025 HR-V.

What you say makes sense. I'll get to it soon. I've owned a 2007 Fit (sold in 2014) and a 2006 Accord sold in

What you say makes sense. I'll get to it soon. I've owned a 2007 Fit (sold in 2014) and a 2006 Accord sold in 2021--both had regular transmissions and performed perfectly. Two of the best Japanese cars I've ever owned. I got my 2018 HR-V in 2021 and there was an update done to software for the CVT that year as a recall. To date it has performed perfectly and I would like to keep it that way for as long as possible.

I found the recall letter in my records and it notes the extended 7 year warranty up to 240,000 km. They claimed the belt would be inspected at the same time as the software update and that the software update would also provide a warning of premature failure pending. That made me wonder: did they change the fluid during that inspection?

 

It may be a good general supposition that frequent oil changes benefit any lubricated mechanical system.

But we don't even know the failure statistics of these CVTs irregardless of the oil change interval. It follows by logic that we also don't know that frequent oil changes extend CVT life.

We are just relying on the above supposition, and do we even have well founded data about that supposition? Or is it folklore?

My current state of mind is to follow approximately the maintenance Minder, and should the CVT grenade, I accept being victimized by yet another modern low quality product.

 

You are correct about having clean lubricants, however the CVT generates more heat than a geared automatic transmission. The heat deteriorates the fluid more rapidly than in a geared automatic. Because Honda builds their own CVTs rather than buying them from JATCO or someone else as Nissan did. Honda had a rash of CVT failures in 2015 HR-V through 2018. As a result I hope that Honda has improved the design through Kaizen, a philosophy of continuous, incremental improvement involving all employees to identify and eliminate waste and inefficiencies, ultimately leading to enhanced quality, productivity, and effectiveness. Honda extended the warranty on those CVTs to seven years or 150,000 miles.