For the Jatco CVT, the Lineartronic and Toyota’s CVT

CVT flush for your Nissan, Suzuki, Subaru or Toyota

Does your Nissan or Suzuki judder when you pull away? Can you hear a whining noise, or do the revs rise without the car going faster? We find the cause first. Then we replace the CVT fluid with the fluid the manufacturer specifies for your car. We tell you the price before we start. Our team speaks English.

Rotterdam family business since 1979  |  4.8 / 5 from 235 reviews

The short answer

A CVT is a continuously variable automatic gearbox, found in many Nissan, Suzuki, Subaru and Toyota models. It has no fixed gears. It changes the ratio with two pulleys and a steel belt or chain. That is why it needs its own CVT fluid, which differs from make to make.

Old or overheated fluid is a common cause of CVT problems. As a precaution, we advise replacing the CVT fluid at around 60,000 kilometres. If you have symptoms, we find the cause first. You leave the car with us for the work. We call you as soon as it is ready.

Do you drive a hybrid with an e-CVT? We do not flush those. You can read why further down.

Call +31 10 479 00 00 and give us your registration number. We will give you a quote for the agreed work and tell you what it includes. The guide prices are on our page about the cost of an automatic gearbox flush.

Do you recognise these CVT symptoms?

A CVT often shows early on that its fluid is old, with a typical noise or feel. Our article on spotting automatic gearbox problems (in Dutch) explains what each sign can mean.

Judder when pulling away

The car shakes or vibrates slightly when you pull away gently, as if you are driving over a rumble strip. On the Jatco CVT, this is often the first sign of old fluid.

Whining or humming noise

You hear a whine or hum that rises with your speed. Old fluid can cause this, but so can a worn bearing. We listen and measure first.

Revs rise, but the car does not speed up

When you press the accelerator hard, the revs of a CVT rise first. That is normal. If the car hardly speeds up, the belt may be slipping on the pulleys. Do not keep driving like this for long, because slipping causes extra wear.

Small jolts at a steady speed

At a steady speed you feel small jolts or a hesitation. This can mean the pressure control in the valve body is no longer working smoothly.

Limp mode in the heat

In traffic jams, when towing a trailer or in hilly areas, the car may switch to limp mode. A CVT is sensitive to heat, and old fluid is less able to carry heat away.

Slow response to the accelerator

The car hesitates noticeably before it responds to the accelerator. This can be a sign that the fluid needs replacing.

Which CVT does your car have?

Not every continuously variable gearbox is the same, and the fluid differs by make. These are the four types you find in these makes.

CVT type Technology Example of the fluid Common in
Jatco CVT steel push belt and pulleys Nissan NS-2 or NS-3, depending on the model year Nissan Qashqai, Juke and X-Trail, and several Suzuki and Mitsubishi models
Subaru Lineartronic chain and pulleys Subaru Lineartronic fluid Subaru Impreza, XV, Forester and Outback
Toyota Multidrive S and Direct Shift-CVT push belt and pulleys, the Direct Shift-CVT with a separate launch gear Toyota CVT Fluid TC or FE Petrol versions of the Toyota Auris, C-HR, Corolla and Yaris (Multidrive S), and the petrol RAV4 2.0 (Direct Shift-CVT)
e-CVT (hybrid): do not flush planetary gear set with two electric motors transaxle oil as per the service schedule Toyota and Lexus hybrids
Your car, looked up by its number plate We look up the type and the fluid for you. Call +31 10 479 00 00.

The red row is there for a reason. We do not flush the e-CVT of a hybrid. The box below explains why.

Why a CVT needs a different approach

A conventional automatic gearbox shifts between fixed gears, using a torque converter and clutch plates. A CVT changes the ratio without steps. A steel push belt or chain runs over two pulleys that get wider and narrower. The fluid lubricates and cools. It also creates the right friction between belt and pulley. That is why standard automatic transmission fluid (ATF) does not belong in a CVT. Every CVT has its own specified fluid.

For that reason, we treat a CVT differently from a conventional automatic. Instead of a forceful flush, also called a power flush, we change the fluid in a controlled way and use only the specified type. Where possible, we replace the filter and clean the strainer. This gives the gearbox clean fluid, with little risk that loosened dirt upsets the fine hydraulics.

You can read how we treat a conventional automatic on our page about automatic gearbox flushing. We explain the difference between an oil change and a flush on our page about changing or flushing automatic gearbox oil (in Dutch).

De vloeistof van een CVT wordt ververst in de werkplaats

Do you drive a hybrid? We do not flush an e-CVT

Most Toyota and Lexus hybrids, such as the Prius, Yaris Hybrid, C-HR Hybrid and Corolla Hybrid, have an e-CVT. That is not a belt with pulleys, but a planetary gear set with two electric motors. It does contain oil, but there is no belt to wear or slip. So a CVT flush is pointless here. The oil can be changed according to the service schedule.

So do not let anyone talk you into a CVT flush for a hybrid with an e-CVT. Not sure which type you have? Call us with your number plate and we will look it up for you. Our technicians hold a GMTO certificate (the Dutch qualification for working on high-voltage systems) for work on hybrid and electric cars.

From Qashqai to Outback, from Swift to Corolla

A selection of the CVT models we regularly see in our workshop.

Nissan

The Qashqai, Juke, X-Trail, Micra and Note with an automatic gearbox have a Jatco CVT in many versions. Nissan calls it Xtronic. This gearbox is sensitive to heat. Changing the fluid in good time reduces the risk of the well-known judder and slipping problems.

Suzuki

The Swift, Baleno and newer Ignis are available with a CVT. On the Vitara and S-Cross it depends on the year and the engine. They have a CVT, a conventional automatic or an automated manual gearbox. We use your number plate to look up which gearbox your car has.

Subaru and Toyota

Subaru uses its own Lineartronic in models such as the Outback, Forester and XV. For Toyota, we change the fluid of the Multidrive S and the Direct Shift-CVT in the petrol models. Do you drive a Toyota hybrid with an e-CVT? Then read the red box above first.

Monteur controleert de CVT van een auto in de werkplaats
  • Specified CVT fluid, not standard ATF
  • Controlled fluid change, not a forceful flush
  • A clear quote in advance
  • Often available at short notice: ask about current availability

Your CVT specialist in Rotterdam

Change the CVT fluid in good time

A replacement or rebuilt CVT can easily cost thousands of euros. Fresh fluid in good time reduces the risk of problems. We use your number plate to look up which CVT and which fluid your car needs. Then we give you a quote for the agreed work. We tell you up front what is included, such as fluid, filter, labour and VAT.

CVT fluid change in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde

You can find us at Boterdiep 11 in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde, close to Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip) and exit 24 Rotterdam-Feijenoord on the A16. The A15 is a five-minute drive away. You can park for free in front of the garage if there is space. The Stadion Feijenoord tram stop (line 3) is nearby. We are also easy to reach from Barendrecht, Ridderkerk, Capelle aan den IJssel and Krimpen aan den IJssel.

Do you drive a Nissan, Suzuki, Subaru or Toyota with a CVT, and are you unsure whether the fluid is still good? Call us with your number plate to hand. We look up which type of CVT your car has and discuss whether a fluid change makes sense. Then we give you a quote that shows which work, fluid, parts and VAT are included. We can often carry out a service (in Dutch) during the same visit.

Automatic gearbox flush by make and type. all makes · cost · Mercedes-Benz (5G-, 7G- and 9G-Tronic) · BMW (ZF Steptronic, 6HP and 8HP) · Volvo (Geartronic and Powershift) · Volkswagen and Audi (DSG, S tronic and Multitronic) · Renault (DP0, AJ0 and EDC) · Opel, Peugeot and Citroën (EAT8, EAT6 and AL4) · ZF automatic gearbox (BMW, Jaguar and Land Rover) · DSG (Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT and Skoda) · DSG oil change.
Need an APK (MOT) as well? Read more about the APK for your Nissan, Suzuki, Subaru or Toyota.

Nederlands? Deze pagina is er ook in het Nederlands.

Servicing by make. Toyota service · Nissan service · Suzuki service · Subaru service · All makes

Frequently asked questions about flushing a CVT

All the answers are shown below, so there is no need to click.

Can a CVT be flushed?

Yes. The fluid in a CVT can be replaced, but in a different way from a conventional automatic. We do not do a forceful flush on a CVT. A CVT has fine hydraulics and a delicate interaction between belt and pulleys. Loosened dirt can cause damage there. That is why we change the fluid in a controlled way, with the specified CVT fluid and a new filter if needed.

Can I use standard ATF or a universal oil in my CVT?

No. A CVT only works properly with the fluid the manufacturer specifies, such as NS-3 for Nissan or Lineartronic fluid for Subaru. That fluid determines the friction between the belt and the pulleys. The wrong type can lead to slipping and wear. We use your number plate to look up which fluid your car needs, and we only use fluid with that specification.

My hybrid has an e-CVT. Does it need flushing too?

No. The e-CVT in a Toyota or Lexus hybrid, for example, is not a CVT with a belt, but a planetary gear set with two electric motors. There is no belt inside to wear or slip. So a CVT flush is pointless here. The oil can be changed according to the service schedule. Our technicians are GMTO certified to work on hybrid and electric cars.

My Nissan or Suzuki judders or slips. Will fresh fluid still help?

Yes. If you catch it early, fresh fluid often helps. On the Jatco CVT, judder when pulling away and slipping are often caused by old or overheated fluid. Fresh fluid can then reduce or cure the problem. If the belt and pulleys are already worn, new fluid will not fix that.

That is why we start with a test drive and read the fault memory of the gearbox. After that, we tell you whether a fluid change makes sense.

How much does a CVT fluid change cost?

That mainly depends on the type of CVT and the amount of fluid. CVT fluid costs more than the oil for a conventional automatic. You can find guide prices on our page about the cost of an automatic gearbox flush.

Call us with your number plate on +31 10 479 00 00. We then give you a quote for your car, including fluid, filter, labour and VAT.

How often should the CVT fluid be replaced?

As a precaution, we advise replacing the CVT fluid at around 60,000 kilometres. With heavy use, such as a lot of city driving, towing a trailer or driving in hilly areas, we advise changing it earlier.

Some manufacturers do not specify a fixed interval. So check your car’s service schedule as well. In our workshop, we see that old fluid is often the cause of CVT problems. Changing it in good time reduces the risk of an expensive repair.

What CVT drivers say about us

4.8 / 5 from 235 reviews

From Qashqai to Outback: customers from Rotterdam, Barendrecht and Ridderkerk share their experience of our service and the maintenance of their automatic gearbox.