3000 miles ago I took my mini to a Dobbs Auto Tire to have my oil changed and CVT flushed. (my mini is no longer under warranty) I did not know at that time that the CVT required special fluid (like a green antifreeze type stuff)...i sure hope they knew. I just found this out the other day, and I need some help on what to do.

Is it easy to check the colour of the fluid in the tranny? I need to call them to make sure they followed the correct procedures and used the correct fluid. I really really really don't want ATF in that tranny.

I have had no ill effects though....no sluggishness no problems...hmmm maybe they didn't even really change it. I know better next time.

I was thinking about running out the mini dealer in st. louis to get it flushed again, just to be on the safe side

 

Go back and ask them what they used, hopefully they will tell you the truth. If it's completely the wrong stuff you'll need to have it drained and replaced with whatever MINI recommends. Considering how many CVT failures there have been, maybe it now has something better in it.

I'd start by talking to the people who did the service.

 

If there are ample labels concerning the proper fluid, maybe they used the right thing rather than totally ignoring these.

 

I always use the false postive method of checking for truthfulness with cars (I was a used mini dealer for a while)

I would go in and ask. "hello, I was in a week or so ago and had my MINI CVT fluid changed and just wanted to see if you used ATF fluid for the change? I was told that was the correct fluid by a buddy"
This way, the answer they want to give according to the type of question is the one that gives you a positive answer "oh yes sir, we sure did use the bestest ATF fluid money can buy" BUT, you want them to answer in the negative (correct answer) "oh no!, your buddy is wrong we used the correct MINI recommended fluid for your car"

I did this all the time when buying cars over the net, Me asking about a 1970s mini, "so I know that vintage minis floors rust, have the floors been patched/replaced in a good mannner?" If they then said, "replaced? no way, they are 100% original" I was a happy bunny, if they went on for 10 minutes about how good the old boy down the street is with sheet metal and a welder I said thank you and hung up.

Best of luck and hope they used the right stuff. peter

 

are there plenty of labels on the transmission to deter using the incorrect fluid?...i really can't get a good look at the tranny without jacking it up

 

Most decent shops have fluids charts (Valvoline makes a nice book) that designate which fluids should be used in different applications, and whether it is something standard -Dex III, ATF+4, GL5 75/90, or whatever. When a car comes in that they haven't dealt with, the techs are usually good about checking... calling the dealer if necessary. Odds are good in your favor, but check if you feel uncomfortable.

 

Thanks

I think its most likely ok because its lasted 3000 miles and I've noticed nothing out of the ordinary with the performance. I'm going to call just to be sure

 

instead of asking a binary question that is pretty much a yes/no answer, keep your question short and make them do their homework. "Hi, I had a CVT mini worked on a while back, could you tell me what oil you used?" They will have to look it up if they dont know, instead of saying "yes sir" as many people do in retail to get people off their backs. I've worked in retail way too much, and its very tempting to just try to please the customer without even care about what was actually done. Give them a call and get an answer, you dont want to risk ruining that jewel of a CVT because some idiot used the wrong fluid.

 

Dobbs is pretty reputable, I would have a hard time believing they didn't put the right stuff in there but better safe than sorry.

 

I just called and they did not put the correct fluid in.

They used valvoline max-life ATF!

The service manager said he is ordering CVT fluid from mini and I will be going in tomorrow to get this changed..

I really think they should have known...but I guess I should have too. I thought they'd check something like that though

Hopefully 3000 miles on that tranny with ATF doesn't mess anything up. I think the friction additives of the 2 fluids are different in that the CVT fluid can withstand a bit more friction without heating up so much

 

Your just going to "HOPE" everything will be alright? Are you serious? Have you contacted Mini to inquire what the consequences might be down the road? THEY made a mistake, They need to be responsible. Document Everything in Writing!

 

I have to say, youre absolutely right. Really, gather up all the documentation you can and put it in a file. I didnt know you let this go 3000 miles, thats quite a bit of time. You should really let the guys at the shop know that they are in deep doo-doo when this thing breaks. Good luck, go git em!

 

Wow that is unlikely, which Dobbs did you take it to?

 

Wow, I took it to the Dobbs yesterday (Waterloo, IL) and now they said they never changed the fluid in the first place. (they still charged me however and the tech forgot to cross the fluid transfusion off the list)

I don't know if they are covering their butts or not. They did not open the pan on the transmission, and the plug looks like it hasn't been opened in forever. I kinda believe them.

I'm getting the flush done by mini next friday (for $220..its the soonest I can go in) and I will ask them the colour of the fluid that is in there just to be sure. If it is brown/red I will be right back at that dobbs very angry

 

I would be very angry already. You paid for a service, they first indicate that they did it, then they indicate they did it wrong, and now they say they never did it in the first place?

I certainly hope you have documented all of this. I also hope you got a FULL refund on the original service, and spoke with the manager. I would be beyond upset if I was lied to (at least once, maybe twice) and ripped off!

 

I got reimbursed for the full price...I was recommended not to take this car for any "specialty" type stuff to them anymore. The manager told me to take it to the dealer for stuff like this. The guys were real nice about it, apologizing over and over...it was hard to be mad...i just hope they are telling the truth. they said they can only really do brakes and oil changes and stuff...no transmission work I guess..

Its not very easy to crack that plug to check the colour of the fluid. Do you guys know how to do it? I was afraid i was going to break my allen wrench torqueing it with another wrench

 

Keep us posted.

 

Just missed your update. Thanks.