zapp_brannigan
I am not a Futurama fan .
Aisin is a member of the Toyota group. Locally the below models use Aisin CVT transmission and some local mechanics claim they are sealed for life. That is not true since with time the fluid breaks down and the transmission efficiency decreases.
You require
- 6mm Allen wrench
- 4 Litre can CVTF ( TC or FE - This depends on the transmission ) before 2013 use TC and FE for post-2013 models. Check refill plug for details
- plastic basin (to hold 4 - 5 litres)
- Funnel (must be clean and dry)
- 1-metre hose pipe (less than 1-inch diameter and must be clean and dry)
Twende Kazi ( This must be done on a flat level surface)
*Test the refill plug first to ensure it unscrews before draining any fluids from the car .
Using the Allen key remove the drain plug, some fluid will drain. Wait for a few minutes to let the fluid drains until it slows to drops. There is an inner plastic tube that needs to be screwed out with a similar-sized Allen head key as it is threaded the same as the drain plug. Once removed more fluid will drain. This plastic tube acts as the fluid overflow drain. The same tube is what is used to get the right fluid levels when refilling.
Below is a photo of the plastic tube.
Once all the fluid is drained insert the inner plastic tube back in and screw it in without overtightening. Leave the drain plug off and remove the fill plug. The fill plug location is as captured below. The plug is easily accessible from the left front wheel well.
As shown below the right fluid in my case was Toyota CVTF FE. The part number for the fluid is 08886-02505 and available at Toyota Kenya going for Ksh 6416 vat inclusive.
Below is the fluid in a four-litre can.
If you are broke and you must change the fluid you can go for Aisin CFeX which is listed to work with on both TC and FE classified gearboxes .The four litre can will cost you Ksh 3700 available at Toyotsu .
Fill up the gearbox using the funnel and the hosepipe until the fluid starts to leak through the inner plastic tube or simply replace it with the exact same amount that was removed providing you measure it accurately (This assumes it's a factory filled vehicle which has never been refilled by a third party before).
From the literature, i have read so far the ideal fluid level is achieved when the fluid is 35 - 45 degrees centigrade. Since I didn't have a tool (professional OBD scan tool ) to measure the fluid temperature I started the car and shifted from P -R -N-D waiting 3 seconds at every gear position and repeated this 4 times to achieve temperatures close to the recommended.
Top up the fluid until it starts to drain from the tube and wait till this slows down to just drops after which you can screw back the drain plug using the 6mm Allen key.
Don't forget to screw back the fill plug.
Save your gearbox from incompetent fellows just drain and refill your CVT and enjoy the smooth drive. It's recommended to change this fluid after every 30,000 Km or 1 year to prolong the life of your belt-driven transmission.
cc @mzeiya
.
- Toyotas - Voxy, Auris,Ractis, Vitz,Belta, Sienta, Noah,Rumion, Premio, Avensis,Isis, Probox, Wish, Porte variants
- Mazda Axela ( BLFW ),
- Demio (Model Code - DE),
- Suzuki Swift.
You require
- 6mm Allen wrench
- 4 Litre can CVTF ( TC or FE - This depends on the transmission ) before 2013 use TC and FE for post-2013 models. Check refill plug for details
- plastic basin (to hold 4 - 5 litres)
- Funnel (must be clean and dry)
- 1-metre hose pipe (less than 1-inch diameter and must be clean and dry)
Twende Kazi ( This must be done on a flat level surface)
*Test the refill plug first to ensure it unscrews before draining any fluids from the car .
Using the Allen key remove the drain plug, some fluid will drain. Wait for a few minutes to let the fluid drains until it slows to drops. There is an inner plastic tube that needs to be screwed out with a similar-sized Allen head key as it is threaded the same as the drain plug. Once removed more fluid will drain. This plastic tube acts as the fluid overflow drain. The same tube is what is used to get the right fluid levels when refilling.
Below is a photo of the plastic tube.
Once all the fluid is drained insert the inner plastic tube back in and screw it in without overtightening. Leave the drain plug off and remove the fill plug. The fill plug location is as captured below. The plug is easily accessible from the left front wheel well.
As shown below the right fluid in my case was Toyota CVTF FE. The part number for the fluid is 08886-02505 and available at Toyota Kenya going for Ksh 6416 vat inclusive.
Below is the fluid in a four-litre can.
If you are broke and you must change the fluid you can go for Aisin CFeX which is listed to work with on both TC and FE classified gearboxes .The four litre can will cost you Ksh 3700 available at Toyotsu .
Fill up the gearbox using the funnel and the hosepipe until the fluid starts to leak through the inner plastic tube or simply replace it with the exact same amount that was removed providing you measure it accurately (This assumes it's a factory filled vehicle which has never been refilled by a third party before).
From the literature, i have read so far the ideal fluid level is achieved when the fluid is 35 - 45 degrees centigrade. Since I didn't have a tool (professional OBD scan tool ) to measure the fluid temperature I started the car and shifted from P -R -N-D waiting 3 seconds at every gear position and repeated this 4 times to achieve temperatures close to the recommended.
Top up the fluid until it starts to drain from the tube and wait till this slows down to just drops after which you can screw back the drain plug using the 6mm Allen key.
Don't forget to screw back the fill plug.
Save your gearbox from incompetent fellows just drain and refill your CVT and enjoy the smooth drive. It's recommended to change this fluid after every 30,000 Km or 1 year to prolong the life of your belt-driven transmission.
cc @mzeiya
.
