CVT Transmission Fluid

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stingem40
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:20 pm

2011 Kizashi 157,xxx miles. Had the CVT oil changed on Dec 5, 2017. About three weeks ago (April, 2018) on the way home to Virginia from Florida, the transmission went out in Georgia. We had it replaced with a used transmission with a warranty. Anyway, when we drove back down to Georgia to get the car, the transmission specialist said it was ATF that came out of the transmission that failed. He said ATF is not compatible with CVT. I contacted the shop that originally changed the fluid. They said they put the correct fluid into the transmission and that it was CVT oil specifically for the Kizashi. And they have the receipts to prove that they ordered it and did so. The transmission guy in Georgia said he was able to tell it was ATF because it was red in color. He said he has never seen red CVT fluid and that is why he believes ATF was mistakenly put in the transmission and caused its failure. He said he has only seen a bluish green color and a light/clear color. My question is, what color is the transmission fluid when it comes stock in the vehicle? Also, is there red CVT fluid that could have been used when it was changed in December? I’m just trying to figure out how/why it would be red in color if it was not ATF. Either the shop who changed the fluid made a mistake or the transmission specialist has confused red ATF with red CVT oil. Either way, it has cost us several thousands of dollars. Just trying to figure out if a mistake was made and caused it to fail, or if the transmission just failed on its own. Any help would be appreciated.
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KuroNekko
Posts: 5170
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:08 pm
Location: California, USA

Hopefully others with CVTs will chime in (my Kizashi is a manual trans) but I recall discussions on here stating that the original CVT fluid is green in color. ATF for traditional geared automatics is red as you stated.
If you want to be absolutely certain and if a sample is still available, you can collect some of this red fluid and send it to a lab for testing. Blackstone Labs tests transmission fluid as well as motor oil. I believe this would be the most definitive way to determine what was used.
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
stingem40
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:20 pm

KuroNekko wrote:Hopefully others with CVTs will chime in (my Kizashi is a manual trans) but I recall discussions on here stating that the original CVT fluid is green in color. ATF for traditional geared automatics is red as you stated.
If you want to be absolutely certain and if a sample is still available, you can collect some of this red fluid and send it to a lab for testing. Blackstone Labs tests transmission fluid as well as motor oil. I believe this would be the most definitive way to determine what was used.


Unfortunately the transmission specialist didn’t take any pictures or retain any samples. Thanks for the assistance!
DiggerDerrik
Posts: 171
Joined: Sat May 14, 2016 6:52 pm

Stock stuff is greenish. Last time I changed mine I used Castrol CVT fluid and it was red. I have about 10,000 miles on that fluid, no issues. That doesn’t mean the mechanic who said it was ATF was wrong. However the red CVT fluid does exist.

Here’s the stuff I bought. If you read the question section several people ask why it’s red and not green. Just a dye. No idea why.

Castrol 06811-6PK Transmax ATF Black CVT Transmission Fluid - 1 Quart, (Pack of 6)
2016 Ford Explorer XLT Ecoboost
2010 Kizashi GTS FWD
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old tech
Posts: 705
Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2018 1:51 pm
Location: n/w pennsysvania

I second what Digger said. Castrol Transmax CVT fluid is red. There are 2 reasons why I wont use this product in my shop 1 The red color (If trans later has any problems ,that exact scenario plays out) 2 The packaging is almost exactly the same as Castrol import Transmax . To easy for the rookie mechanic to go grab the 7th or 8th quart and hope he 's not grabbing the wrong stuff not to mention it just smells bad . I use valvoline cvt fluid . Its $1.50 more but its the right color . It wasnt mentioned why the fluid was changed at 157,000 or if it had been serviced in the past but sometimes an owner will feel or hear somthing a little off the norm and hope a fluid change will fix it. Buzzing caused by a restricted screen is pretty common and accelerated wear is under way . When the transmission failed was there a snap noise or did it just kind of slip and stop propelling . if you got the snap noise then that was the belt that broke and fluid condition or type had little if any bearing. If it just stop propelling than most likely the screen finely got clogged over . This screen should be thoroughly cleaned every 30k along with the fluid change.
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