[intrigue182]

Does anyone know where the automatic transmission fluid dipstick is in the MINI Cooper CVT?

Maybe I'm just blind, but I can't find it.

Also, just got back from a 700 mile trip through the Northeast with the CVT. I've only got about 3,200 miles on it since taking delivery in June, but I'd like to say the car is performing excellently. The traffic in Connecticut on I-95 was horrendous yesterday. It was more "stop" then "go." Connecticut has the WORST traffic in the U.S., I'm sure of it. I was worried at first that the car may overheat, but no, the water temp gauge never budged above the centerline. The coolant is still blue in colour, and is still right at the MINimum line on the reservoir. Also, after 3,000 miles the oil level is perfect, hasn't lost a drop, and the oil is clean as honey.

3 months of CVT ownership and I'm very pleased with the car. Here's hoping for 300,000 more trouble-free miles. :-)

Motor On,

Joe

[mvkfoster]

When I first picked up my CVT a couple weeks ago one of the first questions I asked was how to check the CVT fluid as there was no reference in the owner's manual. It seems there is no dip stick as with oil. The CVT has a couple bolts on the side of it which are above a heat shield under the car. The upper bolt, which is used for filling the CVT, is where you would check the level, much like a plug on a differential or transfer case. Level is suppose to be at the hole. Special fluid for the CVT available only at Mini dealer from what I'm told.
We only have 700 miles on our CVT but really like it, even though I'm a racer at heart.

[RobFriedman]

I also checked that when I got the car....

there is NO dipstick nor do you change the fluid.... remember.. it's not gears like a normal auto trans....
evidently it is checked by MINI when you bring it in for service.. or else there must be some kind of sensor.. since I know the CVT also has it's software.. which I think is separate from the engine software... I had mine upgraded a bit right after I bought the car... it had a bucking problem during stop and go driving in D.. (other than moving to SD) the software upgrade fixed it..

Rob

[mvkfoster]

Here is a link to a picture (I think) of the drain plug and the filler plug for the CVT. I sent the picture to my dealer to make sure I took the picture of the right parts. Fluid level is correct when at the filler plug hole.

http://home.comcast.net/~mini_pearl/.../CVT_Plugs.htm

Hope this helps

[nonsequitur]

I had a concerning experience with our car on a long drive to meetings in Oregon. "Red" fluid through the left wheel well and out onto the side of the car. It was the very expensive transmission fluid used in the ZF ecoTronic VT1F.

I appreciate the pictures of the gearbox that you posted to help discuss the problem.

It turns out that at the last service when fluid was changed the seal was damaged, producing a very slow leak. It's fixed, refilled, cleaned up, no problem!

[Vanwall]

I'm glad you mentioned this, as I just had my Service Interval where they flush and drain the CVT. The car does fell a little smoother, so I'm sure the fluid degrades slightly after 58,000 miles. ;-) It was kind of funny when they were writing up the service order - there was no breakdown of the required amount of fluid for a flush & fill-up - the computer was trying to charge me $1,300.00 dollars for fluid - a full 55gal drum. I said I was glad at least it was bulk pricing! HeHe! They had to call a tech to get the info, and manually change the order, becuase non of them had seen a CVT yet with as much mileage as I have. !! Wellp, I'm of to Las Vegas!

BCNU,
Rob in Dago

[nonsequitur]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vanwall

The car does fell a little smoother, so I'm sure the fluid degrades slightly after 58,000 miles. ;-)

Shouldn't you be on your second or third flush at 60,000mi?

Quote: Originally Posted by Vanwall

It was kind of funny when they were writing up the service order - there was no breakdown of the required amount of fluid for a flush & fill-up - the computer was trying to charge me $1,300.00 dollars for fluid - a full 55gal drum. I said I was glad at least it was bulk pricing! HeHe!

That's $23.64/gal bulk. I thought it was even more expensive than that.