My sister is looking at purchasing a 2016 HONDA FIT EX with 106 K miles. The Carfax doesn't mention that the CVT transmission fluid was ever changed. So I have no reason to believe it was ever changed.

Assuming that the CVT fluid was never changed would you consider that a deal breaker by itself?

 

Welcome. I wouldn't rely on Carfax to determine whether the CVT fluid was changed. Anybody can change the CVT fluid, including independents and home mechanics, and these wouldn't necessarily show up on Carfax.

Now if you had direct knowledge that the owner or owners abused the vehicle and never changed any fluids (much less the CVT), different story. I'd be concerned that there would be enough damage to be a dealbreaker.

Keep in mind that if you're considering a 2016, there is an open fuel injector warranty extension to 150K on certain 2015-16 Fits. I have a 2016 LX and just had my injectors replaced under warranty at 88K. Here's the info:

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...08198-0001.pdf

 

Thanks, I appreciate your response and information about the injector issue.

Here is my perspective. The person selling the car knows nothing about car maintenance. They got the car serviced at the most inexpensive chain. The only records are what I learned from the Carfax.

I believe there is a very high probability that the CVT fluid was never changed. And at 106 K miles I believe there could be damage to the transmission because of this. I won't be buying the car. There are Fits being put up for sale every day in my area. No reason to take a chance on this one.

Maybe someone out there could convince me that going 106 K miles on the CVT without changing the fluid is not likely to harm the CVT.

 

If you have concerns about the transmission in this specific car and have no way to get more information, then I think you're correct to pass.
Driving is stressful enough without worrying about reliability from day one. If you have the time and money to keep looking then that's the right answer.

 

If only Honda transmissions had dipsticks. Then you could have pulled the dipstick out to get a better idea of whether the transmission had been looked after. Oh well.

 

Indeed.... it irks me. When I took our HRV into the dealer for it's first oil change, I asked them about that.....two diferent "technicians" were poking their heads around looking for it. I already knew it didn't have one, you'd think folks that work on them should know

 

No dipstick means no quick and easy way to check CVT fluid condition. But that doesn't mean you can't drain the fluid, replace with fresh and see what the old fluid looks like.

Where this gets tricky is, who pays for the CVT fluid change, buyer or seller? It's usually not that much; ~$40 if you do it yourself, double that for a dealer or independent.

Might be a good time to check coolant and oil as long as you're checking fluids. Whether all this will ever materialize probably depends on your willingness to pursue, and the seller's willingness to get this vehicle sold. Seller has an advantage in that even used cars are hard to come by these days, so high prices are nothing new.

If you really want a Fit and there are others available, I'd move on, but if there are slim pickings, I'd probably try to work something out.

 

Hello, similar situation here, 2013 (2nd gen) for sale by a dealer, with 91k and no record of transmission fluid change in CarFax, 2 prior owners, both CA, not much at all in the maintenance records so maybe they were DIY folks...

Sounds like I need to ask the dealer to change it, but are they going to tell me if the old fluid looks terrible, or know if the transmission is still in good shape? Unfortunately used Fits of this age and mileage range are flying off the dealer lots right now. I am not desperate for a car, just getting tired of looking, but don't want to be stupid.

Thanks in advance for any/all opinions. Butting in to a 3rd gen thread, but same topic, hope that's ok.

As an aside - I love my 2009 Mexican plated (made in Brazil) Fit, want to retire it to my permanent home in Mexico where I have a great mechanic and a guy who can repaint/restore it. Bought it new, it's well maintained, it runs great, but the strong sun and no garage has taken a huge toll on the anthracite gray paint.

 

Probably too late for you to make the decision. My CVT trans oil was changed by the dealer at 50K miles for $108, and the 2nd time by an independent guy at 99K miles for $102. The independent guy I trust asked me why I am changing the CVT oil so often. He gladly take my money if I insisted. I doubt I will change it again before 200K miles. My 2017 LX CVT Fit has 109K miles now. The only thing that failed so far is the ambient temp sensor, which I will not replace. I do my coolant and oil/filter (undercover has been off since the first oil change free by dealer) myself. Original brakes and brake fluid. THE FIT RUNS PERFECT.

 

Some of the older CVTs had dipsticks too, so why they thought removal was a good idea is beyond me. But remember that CVTs don't rely on fluid for pressure like on a conventional automatic transmission. You're not gonna damage it by changing the fluid, even if it wasn't done before.

 

Dipstick introduces a way for contaminants to get it. It's also (slightly) extra weight and complication in manufacturing and then they also have to design the transmission in such a way as to be able to fit in a dipstick.

I guess Honda figured that if it's a sealed system it's better off without one. Some cars burn oil but I guess very few need transmission fluid added, so why give people a way to measure it?

 

Still it would be nice to be able to check, as well as a temp gauge to see if overheating, that would be nice..