Currently monitoring my cvt temperatures on a road trip for the first time. My temps seem to stay around 194F to 203F but i have seen up to 205F. When checking the dipstick, Mitsubishi says the "operating temperature is 122F to 176F, should I be concerned?
Edit:
SOLVED
Safe cvt temps are between 120F to 194F (49C to 90C in non freedom land units)
Hot cvt temps are 200F to 210F (90C to 99C)
Concerning cvt temps are 220+
What can you do if your cvt is above safe temps?
Lower your speed to the speed limit or below and keep the engine speed below 3k rpm.
What can you do if your cvt temps are in the "concerning range"
Drop the Altima energy, turn the aircon off and turn the heat on high with the fan speed to max. Drop your speed to 60mph (97kph) and keep the engine speed below 3k rpm. If the temp is above 230F (110C) I recommend pulling over in a safe place off of a freeway and waiting for the temp to drop.
Will you damage your cvt from high temps?
Short answer is yes. The effects from high temps could be a slow painful process (if you are lucky) or a part just giving out entirely.
What can you do if your cvt is consistently at 194F (90C) or above?
CVT fluid starts to break down at 194F and replacing it sooner will help with the lifespan of your cvt.
When should I service my cvt?
Service intervals for cvts varies depending on environment and driving style and should be chosen accordingly.
If you fall under any of these categories I would recommend changing fluid between 15k to 20k miles (24000km to 32000km) Hot climate, mountainous, speeds above 70mph for more then an hour at a time, heavy loads, towing, fast acceleration, offroading, constant stop and go traffic, or if you just monitor your temps and it is regularly above 190F (88C)
If these do not apply to you, service the cvt fluid every 30k miles (48000km)
Can you do longer service intervals?
Yes but the same principles that apply to your engine oil also apply to your cvt(sort of). Your dealer might recommend 10k mile oil changes and an oil bottle might say "good up to 20k miles" but lets be real you should not be doing that. Same thing goes for cvts, yes you CAN do 40k+ mile services, but should you? Up for you to decide.
How should I service my cvt? (My personal recommendation for a long lasting cvt, applies to the majority of cvts)
CVTs have 2 filters that should be replaced and magnets that should be cleaned every service. Yes you have to take off the transmission pan to be able to access one of the filters (the screen filter, meant for bigger metal particles) and to clean the magnets. Not just to clean the magnets and replace the screen filter, but to also drain more fluid out. (a good amount stays in there since the bolt is not fully at the bottom of the pan, and the metal "sludge" will be held there too)
These full services are EXPENSIVE and overpriced when done by a dealer or mechanic. Considering you are looking up safe cvt temps you are probably the type of person to get your hands dirty to do it yourself, which in that case it is pretty cheap and easy to do. (after you find the dang filters online for it)
Hopefully this helps someone because it is SO HARD to find info and advice for cvts especially with how much miss information and lack of info there is about them.