Last Updated: 04/03/2021 @ 12:52 pm

Member Credit: Nikky / EddyMaxx

I was up for a CVT fluid drain and refill on my 2009 Nissan Maxima. The car has 200K miles on the original CVT (yeap original CVT). Upon checking the fluid, it was really dark and needed to be replaced. Typically, I use Nissan OEM CVT Fluid.  The non-OEM fluid is usually not recommended given the sensitivity around the CVT transmissions. But given my car is way out of warranty and I might need a CVT replacement anyway, figured I’d give the Castrol Transmax CVT a try.

Castrol Transmax CVT has good reviews and hasn’t seen any reports of damaged transmissions. Also, most of the people who have had transmission issues used Nissan OEM Fluid (so not so much of a fluid issue). Not to mention that the Castrol fluid was on sale for only $5 bucks a quart and available locally.

Update 11/19/2019: After driving approx. 20K miles, the car is still driving smoothly and perfectly. The car has 212,806 miles on the original CVT. 

Update 2/15/2020: 215,522 miles and still running smoothly.

Update 4/3/2021: 222,893 miles and still running smoothly (not many miles as we have a newer family car)

Important Note: If your vehicle is still under Nissan’s warranty, and you don’t want any hassles should you have a transmission issue, don’t use this product. Not because it’s not a good product, but because it is RED just like regular transmission fluid. You’ll have a heck of a time proving that you actually used an OEM Nissan fluid.

Old CVT Fluid

Castrol CVT Fluid (As you can see it’s RED)

Product Details:

Part Number: 06811 / Castrol Transmax CVT Transmission Fluid

Price: $5.00 (on sale, typically it’s $9.00 or so)

Formulated with Smooth Drive Technology and premium full-synthetic base oil, is designed for most continuously variable transmissions. It is suitable for use in most passenger cars fitted with push belt transmissions, assuring peace of mind across a wide range of vehicles.

Product Features:

• Enhanced friction durability for a smoother drive for longer transmission life
• Enhanced wear protection for longer transmission life
• Superior high-temperature protection to effectively resist oxidation
• Superior variator torque capacity that can prevent belt or chain slippage.
• Suitable for use: Nissan CVT Fluid NS-1, Nissan CVT Fluid NS-2, Nissan CVT Fluid NS-3

Screenshot from Advanced Auto