2016+ Nissan Maxima CVT Fluid Flush and Filter Change Tutorial

The 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019+ Nissan Maximas, also known as the "8th-gen", needs a regular set of transmission flushes and filter/strainer changes to keep the CVT running smoothly. There was no good video or pictorial guide out there on the interwebs to do this service, though, and the technical service manual has an arduous and unnecessary process of flushing the transmission that requires you have a special pump fitting and proprietary scanner tool. I do it the traditional way I've always done on other cars instead. My 2016 Nissan Maxima Platinum just hit 80k miles so it was about time to get this all said and done. EDIT - At 95k miles now, with multiple 600+ mile road trips this year of 2020 and have yet to have a single issue or feeling of slip. So suffice to say if you do this job properly it will not lead to damaging your transmission.

Only basic hand tools and beginner's experience working on cars is needed to do this service, but having multiple sizes of rachet, flexible socket attachments, and a 10mm flare nut wrenh will make things easier. Do be careful though, as this transmission has threads for the bolts that are very easy to strip. Overall, I noticed my car driving and accelerating much smoother after this.