Isn't it a bit too soon to bother with CVT fluid change?
The manual is pretty specific in saying it is not DIY job
"Have a dealer check the fluid level and replace if necessary.
Do not attempt to check or change the continuously variable transmission fluid
yourself. "

 

I'm almost at 14,000 miles myself and right now it is early but it's never too early to get my ducks in a row to do it myself. I'm actually due for a rear diff fluid swap so accessed Honda service info today and their link is broken for this so figured I'd ask here.

 

The check plug is a bolt on the side, not a plug you can pull with your fingers.

But I agree this is totally a DIY job; just make sure it's warm when you drain, and both warm and level when you check the level, and everything will be fine.

 

Any clue what the black plug is on the front/upper half of the cvt? It's definitely a plug you can pull by hand.

 

Yes, thats where you fill the transmission.

 

So you don't use the plug labeled "hcf2" to fill the transmission? I'll get a pic up here that might clarify my confusion with the two plugs.

 

This plug is labeled HCF2. I'm assuming this is the cvt fill plug.

 

And then there is this fill plug. Its below the 2nd smallerhose, just past the heat shield, on the front of the CVT. Sorry not the best pic I couldn't get my phone positioned to take a good picture.

 

Good find, yes thats the fill plug (first pic) but I went and looked and there is a second mystery plug! It has a handle on it, wonder if it might have a dip stick on the other end. Can't get hold of it yet, need some kind of long plyers to get to it.

 

Here is a clearer pic. Maybe someone can get to it. Certainly made to be pulled and its in the transmission.

 

I have an email out to Honda since I paid for service info for the day and the cvt fluid change instructions are not accessible. I haven't pulled either plug myself but yeah maybe one has a dip stick? No details in our owners manual and I haven't been able t find anything on it in the service pages either.

 

The fill plug does not have a dipstick on it, fill only. I don't believe the 2015/16 cvt's have the mystery plug. As far as I know your the first on the forum to have noticed it.

 

Question for aaron.b: What year, model of CR-V do you have, anyway? I have a 2017 Touring
model, with the 1.5 turbo CVT, and I cannot find another "plug" under the hood like your picture shows. (Other than the other black plug that is used to fill the CVT after a fluid change. Can you clarify, please?

 

I have a 2017 exl with 1.5/turbo manufactured in Ontario. The 2nd plug is down a little deeper than the fill plug. It looks like a black rubber top plug with a metal L shaped handle coming out of it. It is on the front of the cvt to the right of the heat shield below the two smaller cooling hoses.

 

I finally found it!

Can't reach it, even with my skinny arms, but I found it.

I will try and find some way to loosen remove this plug, and report my findings back to this forum.

Thanks, aaron.b!

 

You're welcome and thanks in advance for posting your findings!

As soon as I hear back from Honda on the official cvt procedure I'll share these details as well!

 

 

Downloadable PDF, same process as Accord

 

If the 17 crv is the same process as a 13-16 accord, what is the 2nd fill plug's purpose? Which is the correct fill plug to actually use on the crv?

 

 

I have finally received the document from Honda on how to change. Though the 2nd fill plug is shown on their engine diagram on the document, it does not give any details as to what the this fill plug is for. Directions look very similar to other CVT's but the qty of oil needed will be different based on AWD/2WD. The PDF I have is too large to post here so if anyone wants to see it PM me. Directions say the 2WD takes 3.9 qt at change and the AWD takes 4.5 qt at change fyi.

 

I changed my cvt fluid this weekend. It took exactly 4.5 quarts and about 20 minutes. At 23,000 miles the dirty hcf2 oil came out very clean looking and the drain plug was full of metal shavings.

 

How many miles do have on your CRV....Did you get a service reminder on your car to do this ???

 

Regarding the Second Filler Plug.....
Although I have NOT pulled the plug, according to the parts diagram (engine block) I looked up, it appears it does NOT have a dipstick attached to it! It's just another rubber plug.
Perhaps someone who has actually changed the CVT fluid, can chime in here.

 

Yeah I left this one alone. Not easy to reach and I’m guessing it’s there to use when the cvt is lifted/dropped from engine bay.

 

Hey aaron.b, thanks for the CVT info. Question for you, does your Honda info possibly say at what fluid temp the CVT overheat light illuminates? Thanks.

I'm monitoring tranny fluid temp and engine coolant temp with a ScanGauge II OBDII scanner. My observation is, the tranny fluid temp rises very slowly compared to engine coolant temp (CVT warmer, not) but tranny fluid temp will continue to rise above engine coolant after say 45 min driving around town (85F ambient). Engine coolant temp floats 177F - 185F and so far I've seen 195F tranny fluid temp.....seems toasty to me.

 

While I have a spare ultragauge laying around, I have never plugged it into the crv since it gives good mpg’s on the display already so no I haven’t been monitoring cvt temps. I just completed a trip through Montana, Idaho, and Washington so have driven through some mountain passes and that’s why I changed the fluid early.

 

Some casual Googling shows 195 to be about the right temp for CVT fluid (and other transmission fluids.) It's certainly not unusual for certain fluids to run hotter or colder than others. I suspect the 195 is not an accident.

 

I posted a video about how to do the CVT fluid change on my YouTube channel "Paul Naylor" and you can also find it on this page as one of my blog posts. This site has not allowed me to post my YouTube links in the comments sections.

 

I don't know if this applies to the 2017 CRV but on my other car a BMW, once fluid come out of the check hole, I have to start the car and keep adding fluid with the engine on till it comes out again and was able to add almost another quart. Again I don't know if this will apply to the 2017 CRV.

 

I was able to change the CVT fluid on my 2017 CR-V. I posted a video on my blog on this site as well as on my YouTube channel, "Paul Naylor". The full title of the YouTube video is "2017-2018 Honda CR-V CVT Fluid Change" I am currently unable to post the link on this site so please just search it on YouTube.

 

Paul you did a nice job on this video
Here is the link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYx5bXiBD3c

 

That’s smart changing it early. Who k ow what kind of stuff could have been left behind when they were assembling the cvt. It’s not like they build it in a clean room

 

You can find videos of the CVT line on YouTube. It looks pretty clean to me. It's not like they are dragging the parts through metal shavings before installation and assemble them with workers covered in grease and grit.

 

You never know. What does a fluid change cost. Just do it at the dealer so
You can claim warranty

 

You “never know” what exactly? That there’s a somehow a secret Honda transmission factory covered in abrasive filth? The transmission has both a filter and a magnetic drain plug; that should be plenty to take care of metal schmutz left over from machining. A fluid change at the dealer costs about $100 or so. That’s not cheap insurance for a problem that doesn’t exist.

And if you do want to service your transmission outside the dealer, a receipt for fluid purchase or for service at an independent garage is quite sufficient. I only plan on taking my ride to the dealer for warranty service or things truly beyond my capabilities.

 

^ like I said doesn't hurt to do it early.