Hello all,
I currently drive a 2007 Ford Edge. I'm pushing 153,000 miles and I am looking to trade in for something else. I have found a 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport with 52,500 miles. I have never driven a car with a CVT transmission. I've been trying to do some research and from what I've read I'm so nervous to buy it because I've read the transmissions are not very good. They are terribly expensive to replace, they don't last long, and I've had enough trouble with 3 of my previous cars having transmissions go out. So I'm wondering if anyone here can give me some info or help with my decision about the car and the CVT transmission. I did manage to talk the dealership into taking care of a transmission fluid flush/fluid replacement before I would purchase it. I don't believe the previous owner has done that yet and I didn't wanna buy the car and get stuck with putting more money into it right away to take care of that. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Check the fluid color and take it for a test drive. I think it’s suppose to be a light green color, at least it is on my 2016. If it’s dark, I would stay away. I change my every 30k and at 60k it still drives fine and fluid looked good before I last changed it a few days ago.

 

I am not sure that the color designation is correct above. The older DIAQUEEN CVT J1 fluid has green color. The JATCO JF011E version likely to be found in the model specified by the OP (and also the JF016E) requires DIAQUEEN CVTJ4 (AND ONLY THIS, NO SUBSTITUTE) fluid with clear color.
Test drive is critical to decide whether this transmission is acceptable for the driver. Many people dislike CVTs because the driver's experience while others appreciate the smoothness.
The CVT (and its versions) of the Outlander Sport has been extensively discussed in the dedicated OS/RVR/ASX forum.
I suggest the OP should read the following threads there:
CVT recall
2.0L and 2.4L OS/RVR models have different CVTs

 

My Mitsubishi dealer did a flush with BG CVT fluid on my 2016 Outlander. Not sure how I feel about that, but it’s a flush with the BG flush machine and not a drain and fill, so in theory, it’s basically all new fluid in the CVT. Time will tell I suppose. At 58k now with no issues.

 

I recently purchased a 2013 Outlander Sport. I am trying to get some information on the 2013 CVT transmission. I am told by the dealer that a trany service is simply a drain and refill. No filter change or pan drop inspection. However I have seen u tube videos recomending a pan drop and a filter change. I was also told it had no filter but I have found information that there are possible 2 filters. One cartridge type inside the trany that is simply a screen and there is a paper inline filter on at the inlet to the Transmission cooler in front of the radiator. Also, What is the difference between J1 fluid and J4 Fluid. And are the Mitsubishi fluids synthetic?
Thanks
Dave

 

Google for JATCO CVT JF011E and read the info from The OS forum (use advanced search).
Unfortunately, just like for oil change intervals dealers differ in recommendations even within the same geographic region. I have a letter from Mitsubishi Canada that in conflicting scenarios I should follow the dealer's recommendation. I have my own doubts thus, I have decided to maintain my own car. You have to make the decision concerning your priorities: If you wish to have longevity and trouble free operation you should go with the procedure that sounds more thorough. Some manufacturers (BMW, Mercedes) do engine oil changes with extraction only (some cars do not even have drain plugs) inherently leaving some old engine oil and sediments in the oil pan, while others drain the oil. Similarly the CVT fluid (not oil, so by default synthetic) change have different procedures. Even for Dodge Caliber the CVT fluid change kit contains 7L fluid, filters and pan gasket. (see it her for your reference). We should stop believing what others recommend us especially at our expense. As to what the exact difference between J1 (green) and J4 (clear), I do not know exactly, but Mitsubishi (the factory, not the dealer) recommends only the J4 for JF011E and the newer JF016E/JF017E (CVT 8) versions.

 

Interesting and thank you for the information. I think mine has the wrong fluid in it. The fluid is green. You said J4 is Clear. Has me a bit concerned. Mine has the 2.0 engine and I think that is a different trany than the 2.4. is that correct?

 

Yes, please read again post #3 above and check out the links therein. The J4 fluid is recommended since 2011 for sure whether you have the 2.0 or 2.4L engine. Some say the J1 has been discontinued. BTW, the CVT with the 2.0L engine had been reprogrammed every year from 2011 till 2014 and in 2015 it received an update, that in turn had a recall. One has to realize that CVT transmission in general is not for sporty driving. Anyone hopes for this will not only be disappointed but by driving the car with a sporty fashion (manual/paddle, up-down shifting, sudden change of torque) will shorten the longevity of the transmission.

 

Awesome thanks, Yes the owners manual says J4 is what goes in it, but what I have found on the internet, Google and a few other links is that J4 is not clear but it is also green. Makes me feel better. I want to have it changed by the dealer but I am going to request a pan drop, (I want to see the pan and magnets) and change both the screen and the actual paper filter in the cooler. Yes I bought this to make it last and I do not drive it in sport mode. I drive it like I want it to last a lifetime.
Thx for your help
Dave

 

Has anyone considered adding a regular air cooler for the CVT transmission. Meaning running lines up to a cooler in front of the radiator.