CVT oil - which one is better to fill in CVT?

The Toyota Corolla line of legendary compact Japanese cars, in addition to manual and automatic transmissions, was also equipped by the automaker with CVTs. The first variable gearbox was installed on this model range in 2006. Later models received its modernized modifications. At the same time, smooth acceleration of the vehicle due to continuously variable gear shifting is the main feature of CVTs. And in terms of the transmission fluid used, they are radically different from other types of transmissions.

Oil for Toyota Corolla variator

About approvals
Compact Japanese cars of the Toyota Corolla series were equipped with:

• CVT modification K110
• CVT modification K111
• CVT modification K112
• CVT modification K310
• CVT modification K311
• CVT modification K312
• CVT modification K313

In this case, the oil for the Toyota Corolla variator is selected according to the specifications CVT Fluid TC or CVT Fluid FE.

Oils for Toyota Corolla CVTs

The question of which oil can be poured into a Toyota Corolla CVT and which cannot is very interesting and relevant for many car owners, since factory oil is not officially supplied to Russia. What is known about these gearboxes?

Let's start with the fact that the oil you fill must have the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) label in its name - which, in fact, is what a variator means.

The factory oil for these purposes is called TOYOTA CVT FLUID TC.

You can choose the following types of oils: synthetic, semi-synthetic and mineral.

The original oil, despite the lack of official supplies, can still be found on the shelves. It has the following characteristics:

Some Lexus and Toyota models have CVTs into which a different oil is poured - ATF WS. This oil has a very long service life, which can even be interpreted by the manufacturer as lifelong.

Gear oil is a petroleum product that tends to thicken over time, which will certainly lead to increased fuel consumption. High-temperature deposits may also appear due to oxidation.

This type of motor oil is characterized by reduced viscosity, which is indicated by the WS (World Standard) prefix in the name. Manufacturer: ExxonMobil. Country of origin: Japan.

As a replacement for factory oil, if you cannot find one on sale, you can offer the Idemitsu CVTF option. It is universal and suitable not only for Toyota cars, but also for almost all continuously variable transmissions.

The manufacturing plant is proud of its unique package of additives, which, according to them, promotes the smoothest possible gear shifting - and for any driving style, including aggressive.

The oil provides a high degree of protection for transmission parts such as hydraulic control unit parts, pulleys and plate belts.

It has high resistance to temporary oxidation, which guarantees stable viscosity throughout its service life at high temperatures and loads.

Toyota Corolla transmission fluid for variator K110/K111/K112

Earlier Toyota Corolla models received CVT modifications K110, K111 and K112, which the Japanese company Aisin Warner had been working on since the late 90s. Thus, the first variable transmission of the Toyota Corolla was represented by the K110 modification, the modernization of which led to the appearance of the K111 and K112 variators. As for the transmission fluid, the Japanese automaker recommends filling these automatic transmissions with oil with a CVT Fluid TC approval or an improved transmission fluid with a CVT Fluid FE specification. Accordingly, it is worth highlighting both the original products Toyota CVT Fluid TC and Toyota CVT Fluid FE, and their substitutes TOTACHI ATF CVT MULTI-TYPE and Mannol 8216 OEM for CVT.

How often do you change the oil in the variator?

It is no coincidence that manufacturers have placed an emphasis on continuously variable transmissions when designing new car models. Due to smooth gear shifting, the CVT reduces the load on the engine. In addition, recent studies have shown that, on average, a car with a CVT consumes an order of magnitude less fuel than a similar vehicle with an automatic transmission under the same conditions. In some cases, savings reach 20%. In general, operating a car with such a gearbox is a real pleasure, especially for novice drivers. After all, it physically does not have a clutch pedal, which frees a person from the need to constantly independently disconnect the transmission from the engine. But you should understand that more comfortable driving implies a completely different service.

The process of changing the oil in a variator is identical to how the oil in an automatic transmission is changed. But in terms of tolerances and other characteristics, oils for automatic transmissions and CVTs differ significantly. Stable operation of a continuously variable transmission is possible only with oil of appropriate quality and technical parameters. In this case, ATF should be selected based on the manufacturer’s instructions: new oil should be taken according to the make and model of the car, excluding “combined” options. All modern cars are equipped with a special meter on the dashboard that you should rely on. For most production cars, manufacturers have established an ATF change frequency of once every 60 thousand km. However, keep in mind that this distance applies to vehicles operating under “ideal conditions.”

We recommend paying attention not only to mileage, but also to ride comfort:

1. When moving from a standstill, the car jerks. In general, jerking and jerking are not typical for the normal operation of the variator. Typically, this behavior of the car indicates a transmission malfunction. Most often, the culprit of the disease is the pump pressure reducing valve, which can become stuck in the open or closed position due to metal shavings clogging it.
2. The box overheats and goes into emergency mode. Surely the old transmission fluid has already lost its properties and has ceased to fulfill its obligations.
3. Noisy operation of the gearbox. At any moment, the variator can hum, either because of a trifle or for a serious reason. Sometimes one change of ATF is enough to return the CVT to its previous silent operation. But in more severe cases, worn bearings will need to be replaced.

• Correct operation of the variator

When the manufacturer set the optimal frequency - 60 thousand kilometers - he did not take into account the operating characteristics (quality of roads, gasoline), driving style and character. Slipping, driving in start-stop mode, accelerating and stopping from traffic light to traffic light can already be considered “difficult conditions”. Therefore, ideally, the interval between replacements of variator technical fluid should be reduced to 30-40 thousand km.

Nissan CVT oil

For owners of Nissan cars with a CVT gearbox, the concern has prescribed the following ATFs - CVT NS-1, CVT NS-2 and CVT NS-3 . The main feature of these oils is their resistance to oxidation, which makes it possible to operate the vehicle in conditions of constant changes in ambient temperature without fear of the condition of the working fluid of the box.

First generation synthetic oil CVT NS-1 is a product aimed at cars with CVT Jatco. This ATF is recommended for use in transmissions of vehicles manufactured before 2006. This substance is usually used by owners of Nissan Serena, Primera, Cube, March, etc.

If your car has Hyper CVT and was produced after 2006 inclusive, give preference to the NS-2 CVT. The material is ideal for Nissan Qashqai, X-Trail, Teana, Murano, Cube, Note and Tiida.

Video about changing fluid in a Qashqai variator

The latest modifications of the CVT 7 and CVT 8 already work with a new fluid - CVT NS-3. Suitable for all cars of the concern produced between 2012 and 2013 - Pathfinder, Teana, Altima.

Toyota CVT oil

On Toyota cars there is an Aisin variator. The performance of this box will be ensured by Toyota CVT Fluid TC and Toyota CVT Fluid FE . These are two products developed by the same company based in Tokyo. The difference between them lies in the characteristics and additives. It is recommended to use Toyota CVT Fluid TC on Aisin CVTs manufactured before April 2012. In turn, CVT Fluid FE is an ATF fluid intended for CVTs released after April 2012.

Fits the following models:

• Toyota Rav-4;
• Toyota Avensis;
• Alphard hybrid;
• Estima hybrid.
• Toyota Verso

The manufacturer allows the use of these oils in Lexus and Daihatsu CVT gearboxes.

Oil for CVT Audi

The original ATF fluid from the Audi concern is labeled ATF G 052 180 A2 and can be used on many Skoda, Seat and Volkswagen cars.

The manufacturer allows the replacement of the product with a high-quality analogue, but at a minimum it must be Febi 27975. To completely change the CVT oil in an Audi, you will need about 6 liters of material.

Honda CVT oil

CVT boxes on Honda cars mainly operate on two types of oil - CVT Fluid HCF-2 and CVTF . However, they differ in the number of additives and other technical indicators. One product cannot be used instead of another. In order to maintain the good condition of the gearbox, look in the service book to see which product is best suited for which brand of car. These two fluids are developed taking into account modern Idemitsu technologies, thanks to which they are able to ensure flawless operation of the variator in difficult operating conditions.

The first CVTF product is considered original, therefore recommended by the Fit (Jazz) CVT manufacturer itself. It is acceptable to use ATF in the CVT of Honda Civic, HR-V, Odyssey, Airwave, Fried. Suitable for first generation CVTs (manufactured before 2013).

The manufacturer recommends using CVT Fluid HCF-2 oil on cars with a CVT of the next generation - the second generation. This includes the 2013+ Honda Accord and 2015+ Honda Fit. This fluid is not suitable for first generation CVT gearboxes. There is no point in pouring it into them.

Subaru variator oil

The widespread Subaru Impreza and XV are equipped with a Lineartronic TR-580 . For the European market, the company produces a second generation ATF - Subaru CVT Oil Lineartronic II (the first generation has already been discontinued). On Subaru Outback, Forester, Legacy, Echida and Levorg car models with Lineartronic TR-690, the best solution is to use the original Subaru High Torque CVT Fluid. Subaru I-CVT FG can be poured into the box of small cars of type P1 and P2 . The manufacturer himself insists on this.

The main problem for the car owner lies in the lack of small containers with oil. Typically, car dealerships sell 19-20 liter barrels at a time, and smaller ATF canisters are intended for models with a small engine. Often sellers package the material in much smaller containers. Here, a lot depends on the integrity of the seller - it can be either original or incompatible oil. If you are not confident in either the seller or the oil itself, it is best to refuse the purchase.

Oil in Renault

Jatco CVTs are also installed with great success on cars of the French concern Renault. Usually they are filled with Elfmatic CVT or Nissan NS-3 (the latter is less common). Again, check your service book for the name of the most suitable transmission fluid. These oils have some distinctive features that are not inherent in non-original ATF:

• protect the internal components of the box from increased wear;
• do not form foam;
• do not lose fluidity under the influence of low or high temperature.

The process of changing fluid in Renault Kaptur - video

We recommend using only the liquid that the unit manufacturer prescribed for the box.

Mitsubishi

The Mitsubishi variator (Outlander, ACX, etc.) is filled with original Mitsubishi J1 , essentially the same Nissan NS-2, or NS-3 (for more recent cars).

You can safely use an analogue from Nissan, since the units installed on both Japanese brands are the same.

Suzuki

In order for the CVT gearbox in a Suzuki car to work out the entire resource provided by the manufacturer, it is necessary to provide it with optimal operating conditions. First of all, this concerns the quality of the oil: for CVT Suzuki, purchase the branded product Suzuki CVT Fluid Green 1 or Suzuki CVT Fluid Green 2 .

The first ATF is designed for Jatco continuously variable transmissions of the JF011E modification. The second one is for Jatco JF015E and JF016E. If for some reason the car owner cannot find or use CVT Fluid Green 1, it can be replaced with a Nissan NS-2 or Mitsubishi J1.

CVT oil for Toyota Corolla K310/K311/K312/K313

In 2003, Aisin Warner completed its work on the K310 series CVTs, depriving them of all the “childhood diseases” present in the K110 series. Accordingly, these variators, modifications K310, K311, K312 and K313, began to be installed on Toyota Corolla starting in 2010. At the same time, the oil in these CVTs is selected according to the CVT Fluid FE specification, which is shared by both the original Toyota CVT Fluid FE transmission fluid and its analogues Fuchs TITAN CVTF FLEX and Molygreen CVT.

Analogs of variator oil

In some cases, car owners cannot afford to purchase original transmission fluid. The price tag on it really bites, so some drivers use analog oils for the variator. One of the most popular non-original ATF fluids among motorists is Idemitsu CVTF . It is compatible with CVT transmissions of most car models made by Renault, Suzuki, Nissan, Infiniti, Honda, Toyota and Subaru . The manufacturer himself assures that his product is capable of fully replacing all of the above-mentioned oils for CVT Nissan and Honda.

About the analogue of Idemitsu CVTF

No less in demand is oil from a German manufacturer - Ravenol CVTF NS2/J1 Fluid . It is suitable as a replacement for the original ATF designed by Jatco JF011E and JF010E . Car owners speak positively about the quality of this green material, which is also suitable for many Japanese cars produced by Nissan and Mitsubishi, as it was developed specifically for CVT Japanese cars in particular.

• The principle of operation of the variator

Febi Bilstein CVT is another product made by German specialists. It is aimed specifically at owners of cars from the German automobile industry - Audi, Mercedes-Benz, but is also suitable for many Japanese brands - Honda, Nissan, Toyota. But keep in mind that by switching to an alternative product, you remove the dealer’s warranty obligations. In the event of a sudden breakdown, representatives may cite the use of the wrong gear oil. Therefore, changing the ATF must be thought out and weighed in every possible way.

What kind of oil to pour into the 2013-2014 Toyota Corolla variator

When choosing transmission fluid for a 2013-2014 Toyota Corolla CVT, we recommend following the CVT Fluid FE specification. After all, based on Toyota’s recommendations, this oil is used in all CVTs installed on models of this automaker after 2012. Accordingly, in addition to the original Toyota CVT Fluid FE oil, we can recommend several of its substitutes. For example Kixx CVTF or Lukoil CVTF.