What you missed to say that CVTs require more maintenance that includes more frequent gear oil changes and those CVT fluids are extremely expensive too.
I own a Nissan with CVT and love it BUT I do more than regular maintenance on the engine and transmission. Castrol now makes a crossover quality CVT fluid that is a fraction of the cost of Nissan NS2 and 3 so the cost to DIY has come down considerably.
Well done! I was introduced to the CVT in a new 2007 Altima SL. I put 148,000 trouble-free miles on it and ended up selling it to the family across the street. They have put an additional 25,000 trouble-free miles on it. I loved the quality of that car so much that I was determined that my upgrade would also have a CTV. I found a new 2017 Nissan Maxima with beefed up CVT to handle its 300HP. This car has been flawless also and gets amazing gas mileage under all conditions. I average 27.5 mpg since new with combination 60% city and 40% interstate. My best MPG was 37.5 MPG on a trip between Ohio and Florida; slightly lower on the way back to Ohio "uphill". I will stay with CVT's as long as they make 'em. Highly satisfied.
I have 177k miles on my 2016 Maxima, no issues and still feels great. 80% highway 20%city and lots of transmission fluid changes but I’d rather pay $120 bucks every 25-30k miles for trans fluid change (I’ve used valvoline) than to buy a whole new transmission.
It really depends on who makes it there are some car manufactures that are notorious for having issues with their CVTs and others that are real reliable Toyota‘s been using CVTs in the Corolla since around 2013. Honda has successfully used them in some of their vehicles as well. Toyota had some issues but corrected it pretty quickly because they make their own engines and transmissions. Nissan on the other hand unfortunately has had tons of issues with their CVTs. The biggest problem is if you have a CVT failure they cannot just go in and repair individual components like a regular gear transmission the entire transmission normally has to be replaced.
@@revilsdr Nissan and Mitsubishi both get their CVT's from JATCO. JATCO provides the transmission hardware itself. But Nissan and Mitsu themselves make the final decision on the software (how the CVT behaves) and the peripherals e.g. CVT fluid pan, CVT remote cooler, etc etc. Unfortunately, both Nissan and Mitsubishi are stingy on pairing a properly sized remote cooler for the CVT fluid, esp on the base trims (no cooler at all). This leads to easy over-heat. For DIY'ers in-the-know, adding remote cooler (multiples of them) is a common mod. You'd want to keep your transmission at 185F, ideally in the 165~185F range during hottest summer). Above 210F starts to get risky for metal fatigue. For "lag" in the acceleration, that has to do with the CVT programming. If the Nissan/Mitsu car is equipped with paddle shifter or "auto stick" mode, the driver can set/keep the CVT in one particular gear ratio and accelerate through the power band, upshifting just a hair before redline. This gives the car a very nice & sporty response. CVT's do need to get their fluid AND filter changed religiously. The CVT seems less forgiving than traditional auto transmissions against lazy maintenance. With the proper setup, CVT's can be competitive. I take my CVT (naturally aspirated) into autocross, and have beat a few turbo-charged FWD & AWD's sporting traditional auto transmission. I know folks that add aftermarket turbo to their CVT cars and takes it to the track regularly, also being competitive in their group. Again, most of it has to do with 1) sufficient cooling, 2) some way to dictate your gear ratio / shift point, 3) regular maintenance - fluid/filter changes.
@@AudiophileTubes I just bought a Nissan Versa with the CVT. But I also purchase the extended warranty for a hundred thousand miles or 10 years so I'm covered. My shift cable needs adjustment that's the only problem I have
@@josephmac2386 That's great, but if Nissan really believed in their vehicles, they would offer that kind of warranty as a standard feature with buying their cars/SUVs/trucks! Just like Kia, Mitsubishi, etc. That said, I hope their CVT's have gotten more reliable and better engineered for longevity.
@@josephmac2386 Your power train is warranted for 60,000 miles, so your extra warranty gives you only 40,000 miles more protection. You wrote this two years ago. How is your Versa doing? (I have a Kicks 1 year and 4 months old, which is why I ask.)
Although I'm sure this will be continually improved and become the new standard, it's kinda funny when you think about the fact that this tech is what's been used in 50cc scooters for a long time.
@@rayford21 Yeah, but it's still funny to think that the CVT kinda failed a lot as a concept that anyone would buy a car based on, with reliability and performance issues being the main concern, while the small motor vehicles like mopeds for example adapted CVT very well. And now, although more sophisticated and improved, it has made it's way back into the car market.
@@liamwelsh5565 a proper CVT would actuelly be more fuel efficient though. wouldn't be as 'fun' to drive, but with a very silent engine, I imagine it's perfectly driveable.
@@Flashcard_Games Before I ever owned one, I wondered why so many people at red lights would let go of the brake and sit there for a second when it turned green. lol
I've always wanted to get a birds-eye view of the people who have trashed these CVTS at 60k miles: my 2016 Nissan is at 79k and it runs great, I'm happy with my car. The problem is we don't really know WHY these CVTs fail, but my theory is its accelerating too quickly and not giving the transmission enough time to move through the pulley system, which of course will stress the system out more. So I keep my revving below 4k RPMs in most situations, except when I have to get into traffic that moving quickly all around me, which is rare in my area. Don't drive like a crackhead: your car will last longer.
Just put a deposit on a Mitsubishi 2019 RVR , 40,000 k having anxiety as so many people complaining about cvt problems. Your video was helpful to understand how to drive it.
@@Libunaop i live in middle east And the altima i have is from the USA I bought it in 2018 with 60k miles on it But its still the best car i have driven Between that or sonata or camry or optima I'm sure the mazda will be the best out of them but i like my altima more 🤷🏻♂️
After having a car with a CVT transmission, I like it. My understanding is that the CVT transmission cannot take as much abuse as a regular transmission, in another words, the CVT does not suffer fools and idiots.
dakentaijutsu2010 I have a Nissan Altima sv 2013 with 190,000 miles. Cvt with 4 cylinder. It still runs like a dream, and shifts very smooth. One thing I can say is that I’ve never floored it, and I change the fluid every 30,000 miles. While it’s a slower car, I actually don’t mind it, because it’s relaxing.
Great video! I love the CVT in my 2016 Outback. It's smooth, gives the big 3.6L good fuel economy, I couldn't be happier with the performance of it. Who knows how well it will hold up with age but I plan on driving the car into the ground, fingers crossed. I had a 2007 Forester before this with a regular 4 spd automatic. Poor fuel economy, sloppy shifts with kicking and slipping between gears.
I like to think of CVTs as diesel-electric locomotives or planes. The driver/conductor/pilot demands a certain power level (acceleration), the engine revs to- and stays at the point where it can supply that power, and the transmission does the rest > the vehicle accelerates smooth and continuously. Once you get used to it, it's actually kinda cool.
I have 150,000 on my 2015 Honda CR-V. So far...so good. I do the recommended oil changes on my CVT transmission. The good news is it is easy to change the CVT oil yourself. The Honda CVT oil is $10.00 a quart...but like I say you can change it yourself.
Recently bought a new Subaru WRX with CVT, it feels much better than the 2013 CVT outback I bought new then…obviously, they are getting better as the technology advances….I have no real issues with the new one, it’s great fun to drive through the twisties and I can keep both hands on the steering wheel for much better control and it just seems to do whatever is required as far as ratios go at any given point. 😎
This video did not mention the cvt lag from a stop and also when in reverse. In addition, significant roll back on an incline from a stop compare to a standard geared automatic.
Thank you for this explanation. I was dreading purchasing a CVT transmission car as all the reviews I have read made me be scared of CVT. It's good to hear and read something positive about the CVT. I just recently purchased a 2011 nissan altima with CVT transmission and honestly, I love it around curves, elevation and going down hill. I guess I just have to get used to the noise of which that doesn't bother me.
Only issue with the CVT is the engine drone. And I bet mostof those negative reviews are Nissan drivers snce Nissan has a reputation for horrible CVTs, which was why Nissan fanboys cheered when the Pathfinder came back with a 9-speed Auto.
@@toyotagazooracer4455 wish I knew about this type of transmission before I bought my 2023 Nissan kicks. I hate the way it runs. It’s not smooth at all. Brought it back to the dealer because I thought there was something wrong with it since the car I traded in, which was 13 years old, ran smoother than this new one. Of course they said nothing was wrong with it. That said, I did not realize that this car had a different type of transmission. I know now. 😢
I have a 2019 Outback with the 6cyl engine. It has a Subaru "high torque" CVT. I have not yet seen 4,000 rpm's on my tach, and I have 11,000 miles on the car. Guess how long my CVT will last !! I'm 66....so I guessing they'll bury me in it.
Change your CVT fluid every 20k miles. Do beyond the recommended. It will last a lot longer. It is that simple! Explains why many people are having them fail. DUH!!
Aghiad Baik change it below 30k. Doesn’t matter wtf the auto makers nor the dealer says, they aren’t chemical engineers and they do not understand how the oil breaks down at a molecular level. ALL... oils break down at the 30,000 mile mark. See it for yourself, change the fluid at 50,000 miles and take a jar to look at the color of the fluid. If it’s a Nissan then the fluid will be black to slightly brown color (the original Nissan ns3 cvt fluid is blue), however if you do this at 30,000 miles, it should be a light see through brown showing minimal fluid deterioration. This is extremely important for so many reasons, mainly due to proper heat transfer.
Don't ever floor the accelerator. You have to get used to driving at a slower pace to reach highway speed. Change the Transmission fluid every 30,000 miles.
Always heard Honda was a very reliable car so I bought a relative’s recently turned in leased 2017 HRV lx. Only 15,000 miles on it. After I bought it I joined an on line HRV Users group. Found out some owners had their CVT transmissions failing between 60,000 to 75,000 miles. Their advice change CTV oil every 20/30, 000 miles
This is a very good description of how cvts work. I have driven several CVT transmissions and hated them all for that step process you talked about or pretend step process Pretender gearing. I wish they would just have one smooth linear travel since thre pretend gearing feels like the clutch slipping and that just feels cheap.
Also change that cvt fluid folks. Change it when the manual says, or just change it often if you are a do it yourselfer. I also recommend amsoil CVT fluid for most cars. But really, just get it changed, don't go 150,000 miles thinking you don't need to change your CVT fluid. Should be changing it roughly every 30k if you drive a Honda. I imagine most others will be around the same. If you have a Nissan I would do it more often, and definitely use amsoil.
Well explained but most of your drive tests are only on very few distances, what i can assure you is that all Nissan CVT are very worse. As you travell long journeys with Nissan CVT, their transmission fluid becames very hot and lack viscosity as the chain belt inside the transmission keep stressed on variable speeds it starts slipping on higher speeds and eventually get to limp mode at 80mph or 100mph and as it struggles to go past 80mph or 100mph to higher speeeds the speed meter normally go very slowly but RPM going above 4000 and the weird whinning noise from transmission is normally heard, and mostly they do not reach maximum speed of 180mph or 240 mph. The CVT is not reliable at all under heavy acceleration when you want to overtake as you may flourish the gas pedal but the car doesnt achieve your desired speed. Going uphills with CVT car when it is full of people on all five seats, and luggage on thr boot. These cars normally lack power on climbing hills. I used to own Nissan CVT car and i have experienced these problems, the CVT transmission is not reliable at all for long journeys they get too much overheating and lacks power and go into limp mode at 80mph to 100 mph not able going to 120, 140, 160, and 180mph. Conventional Automatic transmission without CVT or Manual transmission are the best in Nissan vehicles.
2014 Altima. 1st new car I have ever bought for myself. Loved the car, fuel mileage very good. 5 years, just paid off, and 1 1/2 month out of warranty. CVT failed at 35,000. Nissan did fix it for free. Class action lawsuit being settled right now adding 2 years to warranty. Thing is I no longer trust the car. Looking at Mazda6 maybe. Like a stick again, but even if automatic. I want gears. Never again Nissan.
@@speedyme200 meh it wont If u treat your car right it wont happen Beside nissan and Toyota are the best cars in the mid east People buy KIA here and the transmission starts to shift late and lag German cars are expensive and they overheat Amarican muscles are great but they need great fuel that its expensive here Lets say that my altima CVT belt will fail There are spare parts The fucking CVT is for 800$ i dont know if thats expensive or not but still for a transmission 800$ The only cars i love more are the mazda 6 and the toyota avalon
Rick T I have the same problem with Nissan Versa Note 2015. Nissan Canada - terrible service, refused to pay for their defective part. It was dangerous too when it failed. Never again with Nissan.
The first time I drove a CVT car was when I didn't even know it was CVT. I realised it quickly though, when I noticed that flooring the pedal had the car sitting at almost 6000RPM constant, no gear change, yet increasing in speed. It's really weird and surreal when you're used to old fashioned transmissions.
Captain Jack can you help me understand the purpose and point of a CVT Transmission. This is my first experience driving one and I really don't know what to expect from it 2016 Accord.
@@1yk1965 I would be skeptical of it from the get go even with Honda or Toyota. Cvts arent like the run of the mill automatic transmissions they've got issues and I'm more so concerned about how long they even hold up to begin with. For example I have a 2004 civic hybrid that has a honda CVT in it and the transmission is absolutely busted. When I drove it the car felt like a horse was bucking me and it would shake and shudder like crazy. People dont realize that the fluid on these transmissions need to be changed because it's not like a regular automatic. It's new itll have major issues and even though it may be newer I'm very skeptical because cars today are not built like how they were used to whatsoever. I'd love to see one of these CVTS reach up to 200 or 300k in mileage.
walter flores The earlier CVT transmissions were pretty bad. The newer ones are improving. I’ve heard the 2016 Honda Civic with CVT has had no problems with its transmissions to date and some people have put close to 200k miles on it.
@@1yk1965 The main advantage a CVT has over a conventional one is efficiency. Its easy to see improvement in mpg if the identical with a conventional auto is swapped out to a cvt. However, it has this droning effect because it moves the engine to its 'sweet spot' during acceleration and keeps it there. This droning thing is what most buyers hate and as a result manufacturers have engineered fake shift points into its logic. I don't like the fake shifts because it messes up the constant power delivery cvt's are noted for. With a small turbocharged engine, you dont have to wait for a downshift or for the turbo to spool. In terms of reliability, Toyota and Honda are the safest places to go for anything automotive. I own a 2018 CRV with a cvt and a 2019 Accord with the 10sp trans. It is noticable when I switch cars, but after a few repeated trips in the CRV, it fades away and I completely forget that I am driving a CVT.
@@Brian-tt2qb The experience with those early CVT's are what drives the fear in most people. Those were optional on the Civic and at Fit and frankly, I didnt like them either. These new ones and way different.....and way better.
My 2020 Kia Soul has an IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission) and one benefit I’ve noticed is that the IVT doesn’t search for gears when accelerating up hill because it doesn’t have any. Smooth and quiet. I don’t understand all the hate for CVT. I’m enjoying my car. Great video!
CVT by design is less reliable than a conventional automatic. A steel chain inside the transmission is responsible for moving the whole power of the engine. If this one inch wide chain fails, it will destroy the whole transmission. Yes, CVT has an advantage in fuel efficiency but it will not last like a conventional automatic
Aaaaand a conventional automatic won't last as long as a standard transmission. I feel like the newer the cars get the more "planned obsolescence" they get
CVT's will be perfected over time and will be superior to the gear driven automatics. Car manufacturers are staying with the CVT transmission so get used to the idea.
@@jaybyrddoggie already dont have a choice. I'm thinking about a Honda Civic Sport for next year and you either get a stick or a paddle shift CVT, no torque converter in sight
@@jaybyrddoggie We have one of the often criticized Nissan Rogues. Although it's a 2015 and already there seems to have been massive improvements. The failure rates have dropped tremendously. What needs to change are these companies suggesting changing CVT fluid only under an optional maintenance schedule. Optional my foot, change it every 30k miles. It's easier to change than engine oil for crying out loud! "Lifetime" transmission fluid is a stupid myth that needs to end.
@@EpicDrew15 better hope so, Nissan really needs to nail it’s next gen vehicles hard to gain momentum again after 2 rough years, I do appreciate the pathfinder being a 9 speed auto this time instead of the cvt transmission
Really....a CVT transmission easier on engine when you're revving 5000 6000 rpm on acceleration? Honda and Toyota CVTs seem to be more reliable than others but only time will tell. Early Nisson and Subaru CVTs had major problems.
A S Honda and Toyota have consistently been far more reliable than every other car manufacturer on the planet for over four decades. This is something they purposely protect.
@@negativeindustrial you sure? Their reliability has steadily been going down since the 2010s. 8-speed automatics and newer engines in Toyotas have problems, Honda has oil dilution and transmission problems, none of this was present in their earlier cars. Their peak was around the 90s and 2000s-ish. Ever since then they've just been slowly creeping downhill. There are however a few examples of companies that have been going uphill in the past decade. Maybe people should consider those instead of unpredictable cars which claim to be reliable, but fall apart within a few years because they weren't tested, built, or designed correctly.
@@negativeindustrial I never said they did? Idk where you got that from. Plus, I had a 2004 Hyundai Elantra that made it past 250k miles with simple maintenance, and probably could've gone even longer if I hadn't bought a new car. If Toyota goes that same mileage before breaking down as a Hyundai Elantra, which by the way a lot of people say is unreliable, then that really makes me question their "golden, one-of-a-kind, amazing" reliability. Americans are lazy these days, and on top of that hardly know anything about their cars and what's best for them anyways. If you do heavy maintenance, any Japanese car can get 100s of thousands of miles before blowing up. But these problems that I'm talking about remain even after heavy maintenance. Maintenance and replacing an entire transmission for thousands of dollars are two very different things.
Aytug Demir I’m an engineer who spends nearly every weekend building cars with my friends from the ground up - every nut and bolt. Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on maintenance and that’s awesome. But, if you think I’m the typical lazy person who can’t change a tire, you’re barking up the wrong tree. I have accomplished some truly amazing builds in my lifetime and as an engineer, I can spend hours telling you why Toyota’s engineering is a cut above other brands. But I don’t really need to. Toyotas cost, on average, $5k more than their rivals, yet people have flocked to buy them for decades now. There’s a proven track record behind them.
I have a 19' toyota corolla hatchback with the CVT. hoping the toyota cvt lasts me a good while. have put almost 10k on it and no issues so far. Good thing is the hatchback has a normal 1st gear then switches over to the cvt 2nd gear and on.
Great cvt video. I like how you say each cvt can act different. My 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 SE CVT does not have the fake stepped shifts, when you floor it it builds until it gets to around 5,500 to 6,000 rpm and holds it there. It is an odd feeling when first going to a cvt but this is my second Mirage cvt as I had a 2015 now and I am used to it along with its shift into neutral while at a stop. It would feel odd for me to drive an automatic that shifts now lol. My 2010 Kia Soul Exclaim had a 4 speed auto and my 2013 Hyundai Elantra had a 6 speed auto. Now having a cvt I much prefer it and they really do improve mpg by quite a bit. The main thing with cvts are maintenance and having the cvt fluid flushed and changed at recommended intervals. My Mirage G4 will be done at the 3 year or 30,000 mile mark to be safe. I can say I had no issues with my 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage Hatchback cvt the 2 years I owned it. Nor have we had any with our 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport GT AWC cvt in the almost 3 years we have owned it. Nor have we had any issues with my 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 SE cvt in the 2.5 years I have owned it. You do feel the Mirages cvt more than our Outlander Sports cvt due to it being a smaller and less refined car but that does not mean its any less reliable it has been an awesome car and I will buy a 3rd Mirage in the future! Thanks agin for this cvt video was so awesome someone took the time to do it!
Completely agree. Our 2 CVT Mirages have been very reliable. Mitsubishi and Suzuki dont exhibit the same level of documented premature CVT failures with the JATCOs.
Thanks for this info.knowing that our mitsubishi mirage cvt is different from nissan(jatco).i hope mine will last.by the way,mine was bought last july 2016 and still using it.just change my fluid recently at 120,000 kilometer.before i also change at around 80,000 km.so i think a regular change of fluid can help my cvt to work well.so fo me now an interval of every 40000 km is ok.just regular check of fluid in its dipstick may give you peace of mind.i can say that my mirage works like a horse.it almost run 12 to 14 hours per day/4 days a week.
I have a 3 yr old Mitsubishi outlander sport that I bought new have serviced it every 30k like the book changed the filter at 90k and now it's already at 107,300 miles and I've never had a issue. Also coming from a standard automatic transmission to this , I prefer the CVT . It's a much more linear experience .
@@mhelboxtube You misunderstand. Mitsubishi uses the same JATCO CVT as Nissan. They just program it better and pair it off with more appropriate vehicles meaning cars with less torque and hp.
Very well explained! I appreciate the smoothness and fuel efficiency of my Altima’s CVT, but I’m concerned about reliability. What can you tell me about it?
It varies I guess. I think the problem is that the amount of media coverage on the CVT has made it look like they are most notorious for their unreliability. However on a first person subjective basis, I've had a 2012 Nissan Quest for almost 9 years now. It has a CVT and I have put on 140000 km on it and have had no issues whatsoever.
Nissan, BMW, Jaguar and a few more that I can't think of all get their CVT's from the same company and they all are known for having problems. Honda and Toyota make their own CVT's and are much more reliable. Honda did have a hiccup in the 2013 and 2014 years but a recall was issued for the vehicles that were affected.
Just got a 2020 Hyundai Elantra - its IVT (their brand name for their CVT with a chain belt) emulates the feel of an 8-speed conventional automatic. Compared to the previous car I drove (2018 Elantra), it's a bit peppier, AND gets better gas mileage. People get annoyed with the "rubber band" effect of CVTs, but the computer in this one is programmed to not do that. I'll go out on a limb and say that the newest CVTs have improved significantly over earlier models.
"A transmission you never need to think about"? Now that I have a CVT, it is the only thing I think and worry about with the car. I never thought about the transmission in any of my other cars. Mine has one fake shift, and I hate that. Once I am at 40 or above, I have a smooth ride. But that fake shift that I have to sometimes push through, I absolutely hate. Sometimes it is okay, but if I'm stuck at slow speeds in traffic, it is annoying.
Correction, the engine works harder with a cvt but it’s less abused because there is no jumping from high to low revs. But a cvt puts more pressure in the engine because it’s trying to be too efficient.
Let’s stop pretend as if CVT is not a inferior transmission. You did not talk about long term reliability in these. E.g. the ones in Nissan and Subaru.
One thing I can say for sure: the concept is sound, but in practice, my 2016 Nissan CVT (Versa Note) is not smooth throughout. The biggest power-loss/"dropoff" tends to be around 45-50mph, when you're trying to get up to interstate speeds (60+ mph). I can definitely feel the transmission switching gears and the whole car drops back a bit...so there's definitely still steps to a CVT, all marketing aside. Great transmission for hills, though: it's a transmission that seems designed more for elevation (good "grip" going uphill) than smoothly shifting on flat roads. Certainly a technology that needs more refinement.
Chris Ducat I have the exact same problem with Nissan Versa Note 2015. Ended up with a new transmission out of my own pocket and it’s going back to the garage for the third time since the new replacement. Nissan Canada - terrible service, refused to pay for their defective part. It was dangerous too when it failed. Never again with Nissan. Definitely looking to join a class action lawsuit.
@@somasoms8721 I want to buy a versa note because it is one of the few cars that I can get into without hitting my head.. I'm driving a 2001Toyota Echo 2 door now and would like something newer and a little bigger. But nothing makes me want to take on the risk of a used Nissan.
kkarllwt definantly don’t get a Nissan. Far too many problems. Especially don’t get a jatco cvt which is in them. If you want a cvt, I have a suburu impreza and it’s great. I got it used with 100k miles and it still runs fine. There is a lag around 45 though which is annoying
When I got my 2018 Toyota Corolla I was pretty shocked at how the CVT felt compared to my 2008 Lexus IS 250 with an Automatic Transmission. With the Lexus you can feel the shifts very slightly. CVT not at all! I kinda was confused what to think about it first because I’m used to feeling the small shift changes. It’s interesting for sure but in a good way.
My 2014 Nissan Maxima is like that. Has a Sport Mode, simulates gear changes, also a manual Sport Mode, that allows you to shift, but it's only a simulation.
CVT's are not (yet) as reliable or durable as their conventional 'geared' automatics. And when they fail, they fail spectacularly (usually with total loss of acceleration). Many CVT's still need to be 'perfected' in terms of reliability/durability. Gas mileage is amazing, though. I recently got 45 MPG on a 490 mile Cleveland to NYC run with an Altima, with 2 passengers, a large dog, and a full trunk of luggage! It only took a bit over 3/4 of a tank of gas, whereas in the past, I always had to stop at least once to fuel up. I was blown away!
My 2014 Subaru Outback CVT is very smooth. I do notice when I reach a speed (I.E. 40 mph) I hold the accelerator steady and notice the speed of the car increases as the RPM reduces. If i want to maintain 40 MPH, I ease off the accelerator as the car holds the MPH as the RPM drops. The best fuel economy ride was 68 MPH at 1500 RPM attaining between 32-34 MPG .
Hey I just bought a 2020 Hyundai Elantra and the cvt is really smooth and works great. No maintenance until 100k miles I believe. Thumbs up to Hyundai!
No cvt will last 100k miles original fluid. It may reach 100k miles, but if you don’t change the cvt fluid every 30-40k miles you are exponentially more likely to have a failure shortly after 100k miles. Cvt’s quite simply cannot tolerate abuse or neglect.
CVT transmissions are evolving and are the future. This is coming from someone who has turned wrenches for decades. There will be wrinkles along the way. A CVT will put you in a better hypothetical gear ratio faster than you can comprehend. Most CVT's people are discussing here are fuel economy cars/vans but they are so much more, matter of fact some racing has banned then all together. These transmissions will take time just like the original geared automatic and manual transmissions, trust me they had major failures as well. Do you really think the Japanese are behind on technology of transmissions? Even all electric vehicles will soon use transmissions and they will be CVT transmission's. It's physics ladies and gentlemen not opinions that matter. These car/SUVs are eating data figuring out every defect and soon they will out accelerate a manual or standard automatic while giving better fuel economy and have less maintenance.
If i drive like an idiot i can fucm up a manual car too Put some decent oil Good quality gas And if u want to go fast like i do and floor it Do it when its the time U dont have a Lamborghini so dont lunch it Or warm the car before going to work And more
cvt best for small cars and the new cvts is allot better than old cvt so dont compare old with new one and HONDA made the best cvt on the world 2017 and up
Every car can be a reliable vehicle just some are more expensive to repair or maintain. The 2020 Honda Accord lx is a great vehicle I would recommend changing oil every 3-4K miles and the cvt fluid every 30-45k miles!! Also cvt transmissions may not be reliable as a standard but it all comes down to how you treat the car!
What you will notice is the cost of repairs if you don’t do the maintenance on this type of transmission. If you buy a Nissan good luck to you with the jatco transmissions. Shutter and droning is what you have to look forward to. If you drive light footed this transmission style is fine. If you are heavy footed you’ll have issues in short order.
We have a 2020 Hyundai Elantra SEL with a CVT (and a 10 year factory warranty) .... it drives like a dream .... best transmission I’ve ever had ... we also have 2018 Toyota Camry LE with an 8 speed (and half the warranty) .... drives great too though .... no complaints on either of them. .... 2 excellent cars.
@@billgale5568 The ten year warranty is kinda of a hoax for most people... in order to get the 10 year 100,000 mile warranty, you have to go back to the dealer, and keep all your receipts... oil change every six month, general maintenance, all fluid changes at the dealer, keep your receipts... if you are the kind of person who does this it is great....most folks either do their own maintenance or go to their mechanic who is not at the dealer, there is the loop hole....dont believe me ask some one who did not go back to the dealers for all the recommended services and had a problem, see if the ten year 100,000 mile warranty really worked for them. there is always that little loop hole and the manufacturer has the last say if they will cover the warranty.!
Practically what to expect from a CVT Transmission: - Delay or lag throttle response from a stop acceleration (hazardous when making a left turn at a junction). Delay or lag throttle response for clutch to grab when going to reverse (fellow motorists have to wait on you). - Sooner transmission fluid & transmission filter change intervals. If you a Do-It-Yourself, drain and drop the pan, change out the trans filter, clean out the magnets, add new and correct trans fluid with the exact same amount of old fluid that came out, damp your new trans filter with the new trans fluid, and torque everything to specs. If you're a Go-To-Dealership, than you can only hope IF your fluid is actually changed or did you pay to just have your car sit? And the magnet clean & filter change thing with the dealers, forget it! Best case scenario is just a fluid flush. - Metal chain constantly moving & rubbing up & down along the inner sidewalls of two pulleys. Let's see if most CVT can handle up to 200k miles that most standard automatic transmission could without repairs except for fluid maintenance and at normal driving stress. Only time could tell!!! I think there's a reason why some CVTs are discontinued on a same model vehicle platform, for instance, an Audi A4. - Low rpm at cruising speed (saves fuel). So does an automatic or manual transmissions with 7 8 9 10+ gears could cruise at low rev-per-minute as well. - Less cost & parts to manufacture saving auto maker companies manufacturing costs. As a result increases their profits. How about you as a consumer? Take 2 vehicles with equivalent comparisons except for one is equipped with a CVT transmission and the other with a standard automatic. Does the vehicle with a CVT selling price less, more, or same? Even though a vehicle with CVT costed less to manufacture. Do the same comparison between vehicles with a 9 speed and a 6 speed automatic transmissions. I reckon the answer is cost doesn't change for the consumers. Just more profit for the auto companies.
Some reviewers complain about the "CVT drone." I was hoping that you would demonstrate it. For example, the 2024 Honda CRV (hybrid or not) is described by one reviewer to sometimes present the CVT drone at highway speeds. Seeing that I sometimes rent cars at airports, I guess that I must have experienced it without being inconvenienced. Go figure.
When should I get the cvt transmission drained. I have a 2014 Honda Accord and had a new transmission put in around 40,000 miles and it's at 72,000 now
My 2014 honda accord lxs coupe cvt crapped out at 70k. My junkyard replacement with 51k I drained and refilled fluid twice and plan to replace every 20k miles. These piles of sht annoy me. I bought it not knowing about cvt vs automatic but I'm an expert now 3300 dollars later
When you shift into sport, the CVT actives a series of preset gear ratios. When you hit the paddle, the various pulleys change, and the transmission goes into that preset gear ratio, like a normal auto. The only exception is first gear on a Toyota, as first is a actual gear, then in transfers it off to the CVT.
I had a 2016 Subaru and I put 32,000 miles on it and loved it. Sadly every time I put it in the shop it cost more and more. NEVER tow a trailer. The AWD was fun and I could go anywhere. It was sad to see it go. I could see that a big repair bill was coming, so sold it. If I was rich.....
Legacy or outback? Had a '15 legacy, cv joints went bad, steering rack, and engine misfiring at 40k miles(bad spark plugs and coil packs). Sold as well.
That seems to be a new trend in cars that have CVTs. It started with cars that have hybrid powertrains but is beginning to spread to non-hybrids. Though I have only heard of cars that have 1 conventional gear, to get the car moving and not 2.
@@howardkerr8174 Well, it is the same planetary gear set any CVT needs for reverse only with a dual use now (low/high gear ratio). So, it does not require much more to have that 2 forward gears. It just starts of with 1st gear and CVT and at 50 mph it shifts to second (high) gear with CVT. Normally it stays there until you go very slow again.
I believe if a cvt is built correctly, it can be more reliable than a automatic transmission. But and automatic transmission with physical gears can handle more power. Until the cvt is further developed, to handle more power.
CVT transmissions are belt driven and belts wear out, not a good long-term transmission. Whats the point of getting better fuel efficiency if you have to replace the transmission after 4 yrs?
Not all CVTs are equal. Subaru uses a chain. Holds more torque and isn't underengineered like Honda's and Toyota's belt driven ones. Currently at 150'000 Kms, no problems so far.
I often wondered if the new cvts that have the simulated shifting are slower or faster then the old cvts that would just hold the RPMs at the red line.
Maybe, but I doubt by much. You're only loosing about 1000 RPM for a second, every 5-6 seconds. So in a race from say 0-60, it probably wouldn't make a big difference.
What you missed to say that CVTs require more maintenance that includes more frequent gear oil changes and those CVT fluids are extremely expensive too.
I own a Nissan with CVT and love it BUT I do more than regular maintenance on the engine and transmission. Castrol now makes a crossover quality CVT fluid that is a fraction of the cost of Nissan NS2 and 3 so the cost to DIY has come down considerably.
Most people with broken nissan CVT transmissions never change the transmission oil as advised by Nissan. Try doing that for a change
Most? How about the other LARGE % who are uninformed and purchased this pile of f dog…..
This is the best explanation of CVT that I have come across on CZcams so far. Thanks a lot.
Well done! I was introduced to the CVT in a new 2007 Altima SL. I put 148,000 trouble-free miles on it and ended up selling it to the family across the street. They have put an additional 25,000 trouble-free miles on it. I loved the quality of that car so much that I was determined that my upgrade would also have a CTV. I found a new 2017 Nissan Maxima with beefed up CVT to handle its 300HP. This car has been flawless also and gets amazing gas mileage under all conditions. I average 27.5 mpg since new with combination 60% city and 40% interstate. My best MPG was 37.5 MPG on a trip between Ohio and Florida; slightly lower on the way back to Ohio "uphill". I will stay with CVT's as long as they make 'em. Highly satisfied.
The new maxima drives sooooo good!
Do you actually keep up with the fluid changes? In my experience, Nissan tend to be ticking time bombs.
I have 177k miles on my 2016 Maxima, no issues and still feels great. 80% highway 20%city and lots of transmission fluid changes but I’d rather pay $120 bucks every 25-30k miles for trans fluid change (I’ve used valvoline) than to buy a whole new transmission.
@@Uberican718 still running ?
I’ll never touch a Nissan CVT again… nightmare for me and hundreds of thousands of others. Maybe you got a lucky one.
Thank you for explaining this like it's ok to own one. The first video that doesn't tell me I'm doomed and will have to replace the transmission.
It really depends on who makes it there are some car manufactures that are notorious for having issues with their CVTs and others that are real reliable Toyota‘s been using CVTs in the Corolla since around 2013. Honda has successfully used them in some of their vehicles as well. Toyota had some issues but corrected it pretty quickly because they make their own engines and transmissions. Nissan on the other hand unfortunately has had tons of issues with their CVTs. The biggest problem is if you have a CVT failure they cannot just go in and repair individual components like a regular gear transmission the entire transmission normally has to be replaced.
They awful to drive .... lag ....
@@craigroyle860 not at all. Unless you are drag racing.
@@craigroyle860 I can confirm they are just awful to drive. The lag on acceleration and are generally frustrating.
@@revilsdr Nissan and Mitsubishi both get their CVT's from JATCO. JATCO provides the transmission hardware itself. But Nissan and Mitsu themselves make the final decision on the software (how the CVT behaves) and the peripherals e.g. CVT fluid pan, CVT remote cooler, etc etc.
Unfortunately, both Nissan and Mitsubishi are stingy on pairing a properly sized remote cooler for the CVT fluid, esp on the base trims (no cooler at all). This leads to easy over-heat. For DIY'ers in-the-know, adding remote cooler (multiples of them) is a common mod. You'd want to keep your transmission at 185F, ideally in the 165~185F range during hottest summer). Above 210F starts to get risky for metal fatigue.
For "lag" in the acceleration, that has to do with the CVT programming. If the Nissan/Mitsu car is equipped with paddle shifter or "auto stick" mode, the driver can set/keep the CVT in one particular gear ratio and accelerate through the power band, upshifting just a hair before redline. This gives the car a very nice & sporty response.
CVT's do need to get their fluid AND filter changed religiously. The CVT seems less forgiving than traditional auto transmissions against lazy maintenance.
With the proper setup, CVT's can be competitive. I take my CVT (naturally aspirated) into autocross, and have beat a few turbo-charged FWD & AWD's sporting traditional auto transmission. I know folks that add aftermarket turbo to their CVT cars and takes it to the track regularly, also being competitive in their group. Again, most of it has to do with 1) sufficient cooling, 2) some way to dictate your gear ratio / shift point, 3) regular maintenance - fluid/filter changes.
Definitely one of the best explanations I've heard on the CVT. Great Job!
When you floored it in the Altima, I started sweating.
Lmao
Many people don't trust their Jatco CVT's. Aisin makes much more reliable and durable auto transmissions, both CVT and 'conventional geared'.
@@AudiophileTubes I just bought a Nissan Versa with the CVT. But I also purchase the extended warranty for a hundred thousand miles or 10 years so I'm covered. My shift cable needs adjustment that's the only problem I have
@@josephmac2386 That's great, but if Nissan really believed in their vehicles, they would offer that kind of warranty as a standard feature with buying their cars/SUVs/trucks! Just like Kia, Mitsubishi, etc. That said, I hope their CVT's have gotten more reliable and better engineered for longevity.
@@josephmac2386 Your power train is warranted for 60,000 miles, so your extra warranty gives you only 40,000 miles more protection. You wrote this two years ago. How is your Versa doing? (I have a Kicks 1 year and 4 months old, which is why I ask.)
Super simple explanation. I just got a civic with the 2.0l engine and it’s so smooth
Although I'm sure this will be continually improved and become the new standard, it's kinda funny when you think about the fact that this tech is what's been used in 50cc scooters for a long time.
Speed reducer boxes on large electric motors with that same basic technology has been around longer.
@@rayford21 Yeah, but it's still funny to think that the CVT kinda failed a lot as a concept that anyone would buy a car based on, with reliability and performance issues being the main concern, while the small motor vehicles like mopeds for example adapted CVT very well. And now, although more sophisticated and improved, it has made it's way back into the car market.
It's more about cheapening out EVERYTHING, they are garbage
@@IceyGuy Reason being is car manufacturers are being pressured to increase the fuel economy on their vehicles.
@@liamwelsh5565 a proper CVT would actuelly be more fuel efficient though. wouldn't be as 'fun' to drive, but with a very silent engine, I imagine it's perfectly driveable.
The only thing I don't like about CVT's is the lag you get when you first push on the gas.
Same here, I thought something was wrong with the car until I saw other people with CVT's mention that it's normal.
@@Flashcard_Games Before I ever owned one, I wondered why so many people at red lights would let go of the brake and sit there for a second when it turned green. lol
This comment just relieved me of so much anxiety I had with my new car. Thank you. I thought something was wrong.
Mine don’t do that, weird
Yeah it sucks, u just push and car moving toooo fon slow , driving me crazy
Got a 2009 / 100k miles Altima bought it brand new and so far not a problem. It’s all depends on how you drive and how you take care of your car.
I've always wanted to get a birds-eye view of the people who have trashed these CVTS at 60k miles: my 2016 Nissan is at 79k and it runs great, I'm happy with my car. The problem is we don't really know WHY these CVTs fail, but my theory is its accelerating too quickly and not giving the transmission enough time to move through the pulley system, which of course will stress the system out more. So I keep my revving below 4k RPMs in most situations, except when I have to get into traffic that moving quickly all around me, which is rare in my area. Don't drive like a crackhead: your car will last longer.
Chris Ducat Exactly. My Altima is coming up on 104K miles and not a single problem.
Amen!
The reason these CVT’s fail is because people don’t change their fluid frequently enough especially when they live in hot climates.
Just put a deposit on a Mitsubishi 2019 RVR , 40,000 k having anxiety as so many people complaining about cvt problems. Your video was helpful to understand how to drive it.
Get rid of it when it's nearly out of warranty.
Its not like automatic, just be gentle with iy
Loving it so far.
Thank you, these other explanations were so confusing but i like this one 1+ sub:)
What to expect: a big repair bill when that crap breaks.
Especially on those Nissan CVTs they are notorious pieces of junk
100k miles on my 2017 altima
Kiss my ass
And i still beat any camry which cost more in my place 🤣
@@NudlezGaming_50 u put that many miles in 3 years? parents own a 2012 altima still going strong at 200 thousand km
@@Libunaop i live in middle east
And the altima i have is from the USA
I bought it in 2018 with 60k miles on it
But its still the best car i have driven
Between that or sonata or camry or optima
I'm sure the mazda will be the best out of them but i like my altima more 🤷🏻♂️
Maintenance is key. Lots of people skip it. Not advised.
After having a car with a CVT transmission, I like it. My understanding is that the CVT transmission cannot take as much abuse as a regular transmission, in another words, the CVT does not suffer fools and idiots.
What kind of nissan do you have? Or if you still have it, and how long you had it?
dakentaijutsu2010 I have a Nissan Altima sv 2013 with 190,000 miles. Cvt with 4 cylinder. It still runs like a dream, and shifts very smooth. One thing I can say is that I’ve never floored it, and I change the fluid every 30,000 miles. While it’s a slower car, I actually don’t mind it, because it’s relaxing.
@@ehh2681 well, a cvt is intended to create a smooth drive, not a spirited drive. xd.
Superb explanation! Got to be the best one online on the CVT, thank you.
Great video! I love the CVT in my 2016 Outback. It's smooth, gives the big 3.6L good fuel economy, I couldn't be happier with the performance of it. Who knows how well it will hold up with age but I plan on driving the car into the ground, fingers crossed. I had a 2007 Forester before this with a regular 4 spd automatic. Poor fuel economy, sloppy shifts with kicking and slipping between gears.
I have a 2015 Outback that I’ve had for a year and it’s my first cvt. It’s still weird to me, I’m just not used to it.
I like to think of CVTs as diesel-electric locomotives or planes. The driver/conductor/pilot demands a certain power level (acceleration), the engine revs to- and stays at the point where it can supply that power, and the transmission does the rest > the vehicle accelerates smooth and continuously. Once you get used to it, it's actually kinda cool.
Good video. My 2016 Subaru Forrester is a much better CVT experience than my 2012 Subaru Forrester was.
Im looking at honda jazz cvt automatic and this has helped me so much to explain what cvt was, thanks
People don't like it because of engine sound but it's really good in everyday use
Cvt is pure shit especially for Nissan altima
I have 150,000 on my 2015 Honda CR-V. So far...so good. I do the recommended oil changes on my CVT transmission. The good news is it is easy to change the CVT oil yourself. The Honda CVT oil is $10.00 a quart...but like I say you can change it yourself.
Recently bought a new Subaru WRX with CVT, it feels much better than the 2013 CVT outback I bought new then…obviously, they are getting better as the technology advances….I have no real issues with the new one, it’s great fun to drive through the twisties and I can keep both hands on the steering wheel for much better control and it just seems to do whatever is required as far as ratios go at any given point. 😎
This video did not mention the cvt lag from a stop and also when in reverse. In addition, significant roll back on an incline from a stop compare to a standard geared automatic.
Thank you for this explanation. I was dreading purchasing a CVT transmission car as all the reviews I have read made me be scared of CVT. It's good to hear and read something positive about the CVT. I just recently purchased a 2011 nissan altima with CVT transmission and honestly, I love it around curves, elevation and going down hill. I guess I just have to get used to the noise of which that doesn't bother me.
Only issue with the CVT is the engine drone. And I bet mostof those negative reviews are Nissan drivers snce Nissan has a reputation for horrible CVTs, which was why Nissan fanboys cheered when the Pathfinder came back with a 9-speed Auto.
How has the car been? I’m due to pick up mine tomorrow same year and make.
@@toyotagazooracer4455 wish I knew about this type of transmission before I bought my 2023 Nissan kicks. I hate the way it runs. It’s not smooth at all. Brought it back to the dealer because I thought there was something wrong with it since the car I traded in, which was 13 years old, ran smoother than this new one. Of course they said nothing was wrong with it. That said, I did not realize that this car had a different type of transmission. I know now. 😢
I have a 2019 Outback with the 6cyl engine. It has a Subaru "high torque" CVT. I have not yet seen 4,000 rpm's on my tach, and I have 11,000 miles on the car. Guess how long my CVT will last !! I'm 66....so I guessing they'll bury me in it.
I wish you were right.
I, for one, hope you _don't_ crash your car, lest that statement gets taken too literally.
Change your CVT fluid every 20k miles. Do beyond the recommended. It will last a lot longer. It is that simple! Explains why many people are having them fail. DUH!!
Hell some people NEVER change their trans fluid.
Yes, trans oil and engine oil cheap - repair cost not
Its recommended every 50k
Aghiad Baik change it below 30k. Doesn’t matter wtf the auto makers nor the dealer says, they aren’t chemical engineers and they do not understand how the oil breaks down at a molecular level. ALL... oils break down at the 30,000 mile mark. See it for yourself, change the fluid at 50,000 miles and take a jar to look at the color of the fluid. If it’s a Nissan then the fluid will be black to slightly brown color (the original Nissan ns3 cvt fluid is blue), however if you do this at 30,000 miles, it should be a light see through brown showing minimal fluid deterioration. This is extremely important for so many reasons, mainly due to proper heat transfer.
I brought my car it at 70000 miles and the said they wouldn’t change my fluid till at least 100,000 miles
Our 2011 Nissan Quest has 119k on the CVT. Zero problems so far. I kept it serviced every 30k.
Thanks man. Good explanation. Everybody else trying to explain this were using markers and white boards and crap.
Glad it helped!
Easily the best explanation I have seen on youtube 👌👍 thank you!!
Don't ever floor the accelerator. You have to get used to driving at a slower pace to reach highway speed.
Change the Transmission fluid every 30,000 miles.
I floor mine sometimes but change the CVT fluid every 25,000 kilometers (that's also what the owners manual says).
Y cant I floor it? Isnt it just an automatic transmission?
Always heard Honda was a very reliable car so I bought a relative’s recently turned in leased 2017 HRV lx. Only 15,000 miles on it. After I bought it I joined an on line HRV Users group. Found out some owners had their CVT transmissions failing between 60,000 to 75,000 miles. Their advice change CTV oil every 20/30, 000 miles
Even it is Honda, the CVT might not be as reliable. Ask Scotty
Mine has 75k miles on it since it was purchased on 2015 and it is still working as intended. Honda CVTs are pretty reliable compared to other brands.
Mine blew at 130,000 miles. Honda extended cvt warranty. Saved me 8K.
Sure its a bigger bill. But if you keep the fluid changed, it has less moving parts then a traditional transmission.
You all are so good at introducing cars to consumers. Great car review channel!
Thank you so much! 👍
This is a very good description of how cvts work. I have driven several CVT transmissions and hated them all for that step process you talked about or pretend step process Pretender gearing. I wish they would just have one smooth linear travel since thre pretend gearing feels like the clutch slipping and that just feels cheap.
Agreed CVT feeling is like pulling a rubber band, no sense of torque at all.
Also change that cvt fluid folks. Change it when the manual says, or just change it often if you are a do it yourselfer. I also recommend amsoil CVT fluid for most cars. But really, just get it changed, don't go 150,000 miles thinking you don't need to change your CVT fluid. Should be changing it roughly every 30k if you drive a Honda. I imagine most others will be around the same. If you have a Nissan I would do it more often, and definitely use amsoil.
BEST VIDEO ON THIS SUBJECT ON Y/T! THANKS FOR PRODUCING IT. CHEERS!
Two yea plus and 49,000 miles so far smooth and like new Subaru 😁
Cvts won’t last more than 200k :(
@@cullenwilliams1695 I hope they do! Now I have 80,100 still running like new
Well explained but most of your drive tests are only on very few distances, what i can assure you is that all Nissan CVT are very worse. As you travell long journeys with Nissan CVT, their transmission fluid becames very hot and lack viscosity as the chain belt inside the transmission keep stressed on variable speeds it starts slipping on higher speeds and eventually get to limp mode at 80mph or 100mph and as it struggles to go past 80mph or 100mph to higher speeeds the speed meter normally go very slowly but RPM going above 4000 and the weird whinning noise from transmission is normally heard, and mostly they do not reach maximum speed of 180mph or 240 mph. The CVT is not reliable at all under heavy acceleration when you want to overtake as you may flourish the gas pedal but the car doesnt achieve your desired speed. Going uphills with CVT car when it is full of people on all five seats, and luggage on thr boot. These cars normally lack power on climbing hills. I used to own Nissan CVT car and i have experienced these problems, the CVT transmission is not reliable at all for long journeys they get too much overheating and lacks power and go into limp mode at 80mph to 100 mph not able going to 120, 140, 160, and 180mph. Conventional Automatic transmission without CVT or Manual transmission are the best in Nissan vehicles.
Going uphill is why you need adaptive cruise control and it does wonders.
New CVT driver here. Still trying to get used to not thinking the transmission is slipping when in all actuality it’s just mimicking conventional.
Rubber band feeling, I know that sucks.
I drive Subaru WRX CVT. And i have the same problems, Fun to drive though:)
2014 Altima. 1st new car I have ever bought for myself. Loved the car, fuel mileage very good. 5 years, just paid off, and 1 1/2 month out of warranty. CVT failed at 35,000. Nissan did fix it for free. Class action lawsuit being settled right now adding 2 years to warranty. Thing is I no longer trust the car. Looking at Mazda6 maybe. Like a stick again, but even if automatic. I want gears. Never again Nissan.
Sorry to hear that
My altima got 100k miles on it and still runs like a champ
@@NudlezGaming_50 you're getting close just push it a little longer until failure
@@speedyme200 meh it wont
If u treat your car right it wont happen
Beside nissan and Toyota are the best cars in the mid east
People buy KIA here and the transmission starts to shift late and lag
German cars are expensive and they overheat
Amarican muscles are great but they need great fuel that its expensive here
Lets say that my altima CVT belt will fail
There are spare parts
The fucking CVT is for 800$ i dont know if thats expensive or not but still for a transmission 800$
The only cars i love more are the mazda 6 and the toyota avalon
Rick T I have the same problem with Nissan Versa Note 2015. Nissan Canada - terrible service, refused to pay for their defective part. It was dangerous too when it failed. Never again with Nissan.
Mazda 6, do it. Japanese luxury and reliability.
Thank you for this awesome video. Makes so much sense to me now
The first time I drove a CVT car was when I didn't even know it was CVT. I realised it quickly though, when I noticed that flooring the pedal had the car sitting at almost 6000RPM constant, no gear change, yet increasing in speed. It's really weird and surreal when you're used to old fashioned transmissions.
Toyota and Honda makes the best CVT. In the case of Honda, for most situations you will even forget you are driving a CVT.
Captain Jack can you help me understand the purpose and point of a CVT Transmission. This is my first experience driving one and I really don't know what to expect from it 2016 Accord.
@@1yk1965 I would be skeptical of it from the get go even with Honda or Toyota. Cvts arent like the run of the mill automatic transmissions they've got issues and I'm more so concerned about how long they even hold up to begin with. For example I have a 2004 civic hybrid that has a honda CVT in it and the transmission is absolutely busted. When I drove it the car felt like a horse was bucking me and it would shake and shudder like crazy. People dont realize that the fluid on these transmissions need to be changed because it's not like a regular automatic. It's new itll have major issues and even though it may be newer I'm very skeptical because cars today are not built like how they were used to whatsoever. I'd love to see one of these CVTS reach up to 200 or 300k in mileage.
walter flores
The earlier CVT transmissions were pretty bad. The newer ones are improving. I’ve heard the 2016 Honda Civic with CVT has had no problems with its transmissions to date and some people have put close to 200k miles on it.
@@1yk1965 The main advantage a CVT has over a conventional one is efficiency. Its easy to see improvement in mpg if the identical with a conventional auto is swapped out to a cvt. However, it has this droning effect because it moves the engine to its 'sweet spot' during acceleration and keeps it there. This droning thing is what most buyers hate and as a result manufacturers have engineered fake shift points into its logic. I don't like the fake shifts because it messes up the constant power delivery cvt's are noted for. With a small turbocharged engine, you dont have to wait for a downshift or for the turbo to spool. In terms of reliability, Toyota and Honda are the safest places to go for anything automotive. I own a 2018 CRV with a cvt and a 2019 Accord with the 10sp trans. It is noticable when I switch cars, but after a few repeated trips in the CRV, it fades away and I completely forget that I am driving a CVT.
@@Brian-tt2qb The experience with those early CVT's are what drives the fear in most people. Those were optional on the Civic and at Fit and frankly, I didnt like them either. These new ones and way different.....and way better.
My 2020 Kia Soul has an IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission) and one benefit I’ve noticed is that the IVT doesn’t search for gears when accelerating up hill because it doesn’t have any. Smooth and quiet. I don’t understand all the hate for CVT. I’m enjoying my car. Great video!
Thanks for feedback!
CVT by design is less reliable than a conventional automatic. A steel chain inside the transmission is responsible for moving the whole power of the engine. If this one inch wide chain fails, it will destroy the whole transmission. Yes, CVT has an advantage in fuel efficiency but it will not last like a conventional automatic
Aaaaand a conventional automatic won't last as long as a standard transmission. I feel like the newer the cars get the more "planned obsolescence" they get
As if the wave plates in a conventional automatic are ultra robust?
CVT's will be perfected over time and will be superior to the gear driven automatics. Car manufacturers are staying with the CVT transmission so get used to the idea.
@@jaybyrddoggie already dont have a choice. I'm thinking about a Honda Civic Sport for next year and you either get a stick or a paddle shift CVT, no torque converter in sight
@@jaybyrddoggie We have one of the often criticized Nissan Rogues. Although it's a 2015 and already there seems to have been massive improvements. The failure rates have dropped tremendously. What needs to change are these companies suggesting changing CVT fluid only under an optional maintenance schedule. Optional my foot, change it every 30k miles. It's easier to change than engine oil for crying out loud! "Lifetime" transmission fluid is a stupid myth that needs to end.
Thank you for this explanation. I've hear nothing but negative views on CVT. I'm buying a 2021 Rogue, my first vehicle with CVT.
It’s less reliable than a standard auto in general, and Nissan makes one of the worst CVTs on the market right now.
Nissan Cvt is not reliable,stay away from Nissan CVT.
@@EpicDrew15 better hope so, Nissan really needs to nail it’s next gen vehicles hard to gain momentum again after 2 rough years, I do appreciate the pathfinder being a 9 speed auto this time instead of the cvt transmission
Really....a CVT transmission easier on engine when you're revving 5000 6000 rpm on acceleration? Honda and Toyota CVTs seem to be more reliable than others but only time will tell. Early Nisson and Subaru CVTs had major problems.
A S
Honda and Toyota have consistently been far more reliable than every other car manufacturer on the planet for over four decades. This is something they purposely protect.
@@negativeindustrial you sure? Their reliability has steadily been going down since the 2010s. 8-speed automatics and newer engines in Toyotas have problems, Honda has oil dilution and transmission problems, none of this was present in their earlier cars. Their peak was around the 90s and 2000s-ish. Ever since then they've just been slowly creeping downhill. There are however a few examples of companies that have been going uphill in the past decade. Maybe people should consider those instead of unpredictable cars which claim to be reliable, but fall apart within a few years because they weren't tested, built, or designed correctly.
Aytug Demir
There are no Toyotas that do not make a quarter of a million miles with simple maintenance. That’s total nonsense.
@@negativeindustrial I never said they did? Idk where you got that from. Plus, I had a 2004 Hyundai Elantra that made it past 250k miles with simple maintenance, and probably could've gone even longer if I hadn't bought a new car. If Toyota goes that same mileage before breaking down as a Hyundai Elantra, which by the way a lot of people say is unreliable, then that really makes me question their "golden, one-of-a-kind, amazing" reliability. Americans are lazy these days, and on top of that hardly know anything about their cars and what's best for them anyways. If you do heavy maintenance, any Japanese car can get 100s of thousands of miles before blowing up. But these problems that I'm talking about remain even after heavy maintenance. Maintenance and replacing an entire transmission for thousands of dollars are two very different things.
Aytug Demir
I’m an engineer who spends nearly every weekend building cars with my friends from the ground up - every nut and bolt. Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on maintenance and that’s awesome. But, if you think I’m the typical lazy person who can’t change a tire, you’re barking up the wrong tree. I have accomplished some truly amazing builds in my lifetime and as an engineer, I can spend hours telling you why Toyota’s engineering is a cut above other brands.
But I don’t really need to. Toyotas cost, on average, $5k more than their rivals, yet people have flocked to buy them for decades now. There’s a proven track record behind them.
Great video. Best explanation I have seen. Makes more sense now. Thanks.
I have a 19' toyota corolla hatchback with the CVT. hoping the toyota cvt lasts me a good while. have put almost 10k on it and no issues so far. Good thing is the hatchback has a normal 1st gear then switches over to the cvt 2nd gear and on.
Great cvt video. I like how you say each cvt can act different. My 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 SE CVT does not have the fake stepped shifts, when you floor it it builds until it gets to around 5,500 to 6,000 rpm and holds it there. It is an odd feeling when first going to a cvt but this is my second Mirage cvt as I had a 2015 now and I am used to it along with its shift into neutral while at a stop. It would feel odd for me to drive an automatic that shifts now lol.
My 2010 Kia Soul Exclaim had a 4 speed auto and my 2013 Hyundai Elantra had a 6 speed auto. Now having a cvt I much prefer it and they really do improve mpg by quite a bit. The main thing with cvts are maintenance and having the cvt fluid flushed and changed at recommended intervals. My Mirage G4 will be done at the 3 year or 30,000 mile mark to be safe.
I can say I had no issues with my 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage Hatchback cvt the 2 years I owned it. Nor have we had any with our 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport GT AWC cvt in the almost 3 years we have owned it. Nor have we had any issues with my 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 SE cvt in the 2.5 years I have owned it. You do feel the Mirages cvt more than our Outlander Sports cvt due to it being a smaller and less refined car but that does not mean its any less reliable it has been an awesome car and I will buy a 3rd Mirage in the future!
Thanks agin for this cvt video was so awesome someone took the time to do it!
Completely agree. Our 2 CVT Mirages have been very reliable. Mitsubishi and Suzuki dont exhibit the same level of documented premature CVT failures with the JATCOs.
Thanks for this info.knowing that our mitsubishi mirage cvt is different from nissan(jatco).i hope mine will last.by the way,mine was bought last july 2016 and still using it.just change my fluid recently at 120,000 kilometer.before i also change at around 80,000 km.so i think a regular change of fluid can help my cvt to work well.so fo me now an interval of every 40000 km is ok.just regular check of fluid in its dipstick may give you peace of mind.i can say that my mirage works like a horse.it almost run 12 to 14 hours per day/4 days a week.
I have a 3 yr old Mitsubishi outlander sport that I bought new have serviced it every 30k like the book changed the filter at 90k and now it's already at 107,300 miles and I've never had a issue. Also coming from a standard automatic transmission to this , I prefer the CVT . It's a much more linear experience .
@@mhelboxtube You misunderstand. Mitsubishi uses the same JATCO CVT as Nissan. They just program it better and pair it off with more appropriate vehicles meaning cars with less torque and hp.
@@ItsSlim911 I like the Outlander Sport too. Its a proven design, I just wish the mpg was better.
Very well explained! I appreciate the smoothness and fuel efficiency of my Altima’s CVT, but I’m concerned about reliability. What can you tell me about it?
It varies I guess. I think the problem is that the amount of media coverage on the CVT has made it look like they are most notorious for their unreliability. However on a first person subjective basis, I've had a 2012 Nissan Quest for almost 9 years now. It has a CVT and I have put on 140000 km on it and have had no issues whatsoever.
@@ammarahmad5757 I have a 2007 Nissan Murano with over 210,000 miles and drive it like a TrackHawk and never changed the cvt fluid
Nissan, BMW, Jaguar and a few more that I can't think of all get their CVT's from the same company and they all are known for having problems. Honda and Toyota make their own CVT's and are much more reliable. Honda did have a hiccup in the 2013 and 2014 years but a recall was issued for the vehicles that were affected.
Just got a 2020 Hyundai Elantra - its IVT (their brand name for their CVT with a chain belt) emulates the feel of an 8-speed conventional automatic. Compared to the previous car I drove (2018 Elantra), it's a bit peppier, AND gets better gas mileage. People get annoyed with the "rubber band" effect of CVTs, but the computer in this one is programmed to not do that. I'll go out on a limb and say that the newest CVTs have improved significantly over earlier models.
Same car here ..CVT is excellent
Yep, I had a venue and now an accent. Both have been great and as my first CVT cars I like them alot.
"A transmission you never need to think about"? Now that I have a CVT, it is the only thing I think and worry about with the car. I never thought about the transmission in any of my other cars. Mine has one fake shift, and I hate that. Once I am at 40 or above, I have a smooth ride. But that fake shift that I have to sometimes push through, I absolutely hate. Sometimes it is okay, but if I'm stuck at slow speeds in traffic, it is annoying.
Correction, the engine works harder with a cvt but it’s less abused because there is no jumping from high to low revs. But a cvt puts more pressure in the engine because it’s trying to be too efficient.
Yeah I hate how CVT’s drop the ratio too quickly unless you put the pedal to the floorboard. Bogging down the engine actually makes it LESS efficient.
is it normal for a cvt car to have that noticeable downshift feel everytime i remove my foot on the gas?
Let’s stop pretend as if CVT is not a inferior transmission. You did not talk about long term reliability in these. E.g. the ones in Nissan and Subaru.
2016 Honda driver here. I’ve come to like the CVT. I enjoy the smoothness when compared to our other car which is a Mazda with a 6 speed auto.
Very good video, clear and concise explanation. Thank you. (Not a bot just impressed by the actually informative video with no fluff lol)
One thing I can say for sure: the concept is sound, but in practice, my 2016 Nissan CVT (Versa Note) is not smooth throughout. The biggest power-loss/"dropoff" tends to be around 45-50mph, when you're trying to get up to interstate speeds (60+ mph). I can definitely feel the transmission switching gears and the whole car drops back a bit...so there's definitely still steps to a CVT, all marketing aside. Great transmission for hills, though: it's a transmission that seems designed more for elevation (good "grip" going uphill) than smoothly shifting on flat roads. Certainly a technology that needs more refinement.
Chris Ducat I have the exact same problem with Nissan Versa Note 2015. Ended up with a new transmission out of my own pocket and it’s going back to the garage for the third time since the new replacement. Nissan Canada - terrible service, refused to pay for their defective part. It was dangerous too when it failed. Never again with Nissan. Definitely looking to join a class action lawsuit.
@@somasoms8721 I want to buy a versa note because it is one of the few cars that I can get into without hitting my head.. I'm driving a 2001Toyota Echo 2 door now and would like something newer and a little bigger. But nothing makes me want to take on the risk of a used Nissan.
kkarllwt definantly don’t get a Nissan. Far too many problems. Especially don’t get a jatco cvt which is in them. If you want a cvt, I have a suburu impreza and it’s great. I got it used with 100k miles and it still runs fine. There is a lag around 45 though which is annoying
When I got my 2018 Toyota Corolla I was pretty shocked at how the CVT felt compared to my 2008 Lexus IS 250 with an Automatic Transmission. With the Lexus you can feel the shifts very slightly. CVT not at all! I kinda was confused what to think about it first because I’m used to feeling the small shift changes. It’s interesting for sure but in a good way.
How you liking it now?
@@alvinsimba734good question...
Can you change the CVT into a manual like mode where you can actually shift it say with the gear switcher
Ya I have it
Some cars have ' paddles ' that allow a fake manual driving mode.
@@kkarllwt simulated manual sounds fun. Simulated automatic sounds pretentious
My 2014 Nissan Maxima is like that. Has a Sport Mode, simulates gear changes, also a manual Sport Mode, that allows you to shift, but it's only a simulation.
CVT's are not (yet) as reliable or durable as their conventional 'geared' automatics. And when they fail, they fail spectacularly (usually with total loss of acceleration). Many CVT's still need to be 'perfected' in terms of reliability/durability. Gas mileage is amazing, though. I recently got 45 MPG on a 490 mile Cleveland to NYC run with an Altima, with 2 passengers, a large dog, and a full trunk of luggage! It only took a bit over 3/4 of a tank of gas, whereas in the past, I always had to stop at least once to fuel up. I was blown away!
My 2014 Subaru Outback CVT is very smooth. I do notice when I reach a speed (I.E. 40 mph) I hold the accelerator steady and notice the speed of the car increases as the RPM reduces. If i want to maintain 40 MPH, I ease off the accelerator as the car holds the MPH as the RPM drops. The best fuel economy ride was 68 MPH at 1500 RPM attaining between 32-34 MPG .
2007 Nissan Altima 2.5s with 160,000 miles i dont know the car's history but we'll see what happens from here on out
Hey I just bought a 2020 Hyundai Elantra and the cvt is really smooth and works great. No maintenance until 100k miles I believe. Thumbs up to Hyundai!
I have one too and the transmission is excellent (and warrantied for 10 years (for us ...we don’t drive much)
That car won’t last till 100k miles
No cvt will last 100k miles original fluid. It may reach 100k miles, but if you don’t change the cvt fluid every 30-40k miles you are exponentially more likely to have a failure shortly after 100k miles. Cvt’s quite simply cannot tolerate abuse or neglect.
CVT transmissions are evolving and are the future. This is coming from someone who has turned wrenches for decades. There will be wrinkles along the way. A CVT will put you in a better hypothetical gear ratio faster than you can comprehend. Most CVT's people are discussing here are fuel economy cars/vans but they are so much more, matter of fact some racing has banned then all together. These transmissions will take time just like the original geared automatic and manual transmissions, trust me they had major failures as well. Do you really think the Japanese are behind on technology of transmissions? Even all electric vehicles will soon use transmissions and they will be CVT transmission's. It's physics ladies and gentlemen not opinions that matter. These car/SUVs are eating data figuring out every defect and soon they will out accelerate a manual or standard automatic while giving better fuel economy and have less maintenance.
You did not mention CVT issues
Every single car is prone to issues. Just purchase what you like and take care or it. Most cars will make it to about 200k if maintained.
If i drive like an idiot i can fucm up a manual car too
Put some decent oil
Good quality gas
And if u want to go fast like i do and floor it
Do it when its the time
U dont have a Lamborghini so dont lunch it
Or warm the car before going to work
And more
@@NoName-gv6nm you can't polish a turd.. if it's junk it's junk no matter how well you maintain somethg thats poor quality
cvt best for small cars and the new cvts is allot better than old cvt so dont compare old with new one and HONDA made the best cvt on the world 2017 and up
i just bought 2020 Honda accord lx cvt! i don't know anything about car engine and transmission. do you think i bought a good car?
Every car can be a reliable vehicle just some are more expensive to repair or maintain. The 2020 Honda Accord lx is a great vehicle I would recommend changing oil every 3-4K miles and the cvt fluid every 30-45k miles!! Also cvt transmissions may not be reliable as a standard but it all comes down to how you treat the car!
I just got the 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, and it is a very smooth CVT. Had the 2018 Honda Civic before that, and it was also very good.
1998 Ford Ranger XL Automatic 5 gears with 300,233 miles, never a problem and yet hardly used.
i just got a 22 impreza cvt... i love it so far.
It took me a minute to realize that these are in kilometers are not miles per hour… because I was like damn these cars are flying 😅😅
Thank you can you give guidance tutorial about how to Maintain a cvt please
Continuously, not Continually. Continually means "happens frequently or often". Continuously meaning "without stops, interruptions or gaps"
I see the grammar police are out in force today.
I like the smooth feeling of my cvt, i wish they didn't pretend to have steps. I have to activate Econ mode to make mine smooth
Our 09 Altima (coupe) has 224k+ on the odometer with the original CVT. I just love saying that lol, but overall be weary of Nissan CVTs.
What you will notice is the cost of repairs if you don’t do the maintenance on this type of transmission. If you buy a Nissan good luck to you with the jatco transmissions. Shutter and droning is what you have to look forward to. If you drive light footed this transmission style is fine. If you are heavy footed you’ll have issues in short order.
Just wanna say THANK YOU for clear info and examples. Brilliant
Learn to appreciate the cost associated with replacing your new CVT !...also know as a coronary attack.
With all the money you’re saving on gas, the CVT transmission could potentially pay for itself when and if you need a new one.
I really was supprized in my new Elantra with the IVT it is smooth as can be and I really like it.
I just bought a Kia Seltos. Silky smooth and getting 30 mg mixed driving.
My 2013 Altima has 131,000 miles and no troubles . I had fluid changed twice and I definitely don’t take off fast from stops .
I never hear complaints from avalon hybrids with cvt🤔
Or Lincoln MKZ and that's because ford and Toyota built them together
I have driven two cars with this transmission. It feels like I'm driving with the emergency brake on.
😂😂😂✊
We have a 2020 Hyundai Elantra SEL with a CVT (and a 10 year factory warranty) .... it drives like a dream .... best transmission I’ve ever had ... we also have 2018 Toyota Camry LE with an 8 speed (and half the warranty) .... drives great too though .... no complaints on either of them. .... 2 excellent cars.
@@billgale5568 The ten year warranty is kinda of a hoax for most people... in order to get the 10 year 100,000 mile warranty, you have to go back to the dealer, and keep all your receipts... oil change every six month, general maintenance, all fluid changes at the dealer, keep your receipts... if you are the kind of person who does this it is great....most folks either do their own maintenance or go to their mechanic who is not at the dealer, there is the loop hole....dont believe me ask some one who did not go back to the dealers for all the recommended services and had a problem, see if the ten year 100,000 mile warranty really worked for them. there is always that little loop hole and the manufacturer has the last say if they will cover the warranty.!
I have bad experience with CVT, at 82,000 miles the trans is gone.
Practically what to expect from a CVT Transmission:
- Delay or lag throttle response from a stop acceleration (hazardous when making a left turn at a junction). Delay or lag throttle response for clutch to grab when going to reverse (fellow motorists have to wait on you).
- Sooner transmission fluid & transmission filter change intervals. If you a Do-It-Yourself, drain and drop the pan, change out the trans filter, clean out the magnets, add new and correct trans fluid with the exact same amount of old fluid that came out, damp your new trans filter with the new trans fluid, and torque everything to specs. If you're a Go-To-Dealership, than you can only hope IF your fluid is actually changed or did you pay to just have your car sit? And the magnet clean & filter change thing with the dealers, forget it! Best case scenario is just a fluid flush.
- Metal chain constantly moving & rubbing up & down along the inner sidewalls of two pulleys. Let's see if most CVT can handle up to 200k miles that most standard automatic transmission could without repairs except for fluid maintenance and at normal driving stress. Only time could tell!!! I think there's a reason why some CVTs are discontinued on a same model vehicle platform, for instance, an Audi A4.
- Low rpm at cruising speed (saves fuel). So does an automatic or manual transmissions with 7 8 9 10+ gears could cruise at low rev-per-minute as well.
- Less cost & parts to manufacture saving auto maker companies manufacturing costs. As a result increases their profits. How about you as a consumer? Take 2 vehicles with equivalent comparisons except for one is equipped with a CVT transmission and the other with a standard automatic. Does the vehicle with a CVT selling price less, more, or same? Even though a vehicle with CVT costed less to manufacture. Do the same comparison between vehicles with a 9 speed and a 6 speed automatic transmissions. I reckon the answer is cost doesn't change for the consumers. Just more profit for the auto companies.
Great vid 👍
Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!someone explained this crap with easy verbiage to understand!!!!!!! PD hate my SUBARU cvt
Why do you hate your Subaru what year model
Some reviewers complain about the "CVT drone." I was hoping that you would demonstrate it. For example, the 2024 Honda CRV (hybrid or not) is described by one reviewer to sometimes present the CVT drone at highway speeds. Seeing that I sometimes rent cars at airports, I guess that I must have experienced it without being inconvenienced. Go figure.
2019 Honda Insight doesn’t pretend gear change if anyone was wondering.
lol honestly as boring as that car is to drive. Man I would like one. I drive alot in the city, and I could use the gas savings.
Alan Alves I actually enjoy it tbh. It has get up if I need it to go. But yeah I drive too much so that’s why I got this one
When should I get the cvt transmission drained. I have a 2014 Honda Accord and had a new transmission put in around 40,000 miles and it's at 72,000 now
I personally do it every 30,000 miles
My 2014 honda accord lxs coupe cvt crapped out at 70k. My junkyard replacement with 51k I drained and refilled fluid twice and plan to replace every 20k miles. These piles of sht annoy me. I bought it not knowing about cvt vs automatic but I'm an expert now 3300 dollars later
I have a Toyota CVT but it has paddle shifters?? Without actual gears, I don't get how paddle shifters are suppose to work on a CVT.
When you shift into sport, the CVT actives a series of preset gear ratios. When you hit the paddle, the various pulleys change, and the transmission goes into that preset gear ratio, like a normal auto.
The only exception is first gear on a Toyota, as first is a actual gear, then in transfers it off to the CVT.
I had a 2016 Subaru and I put 32,000 miles on it and loved it. Sadly every time I put it in the shop it cost more and more. NEVER tow a trailer. The AWD was fun and I could go anywhere. It was sad to see it go. I could see that a big repair bill was coming, so sold it. If I was rich.....
Legacy or outback? Had a '15 legacy, cv joints went bad, steering rack, and engine misfiring at 40k miles(bad spark plugs and coil packs). Sold as well.
i have a 2017 crosstrek with 65k on it...i dont know what the hell you're talking about
You forgot the Mitsubishi Mirage. It has CVT and a 2 speed conventional transmission attached to it. That makes the CVT less "rubberband feeling".
That seems to be a new trend in cars that have CVTs. It started with cars that have hybrid powertrains but is beginning to spread to non-hybrids. Though I have only heard of cars that have 1 conventional gear, to get the car moving and not 2.
@@howardkerr8174 Well, it is the same planetary gear set any CVT needs for reverse only with a dual use now (low/high gear ratio). So, it does not require much more to have that 2 forward gears. It just starts of with 1st gear and CVT and at 50 mph it shifts to second (high) gear with CVT. Normally it stays there until you go very slow again.
Ordered my '23 Subaru OBW. Hope all goes well.
I believe if a cvt is built correctly, it can be more reliable than a automatic transmission. But and automatic transmission with physical gears can handle more power. Until the cvt is further developed, to handle more power.
Thank you so much for this very simple analogy yet very educational.
CVT transmissions are belt driven and belts wear out, not a good long-term transmission. Whats the point of getting better fuel efficiency if you have to replace the transmission after 4 yrs?
Not all CVTs are equal. Subaru uses a chain. Holds more torque and isn't underengineered like Honda's and Toyota's belt driven ones. Currently at 150'000 Kms, no problems so far.
Finally a good explanation. Thank you!!!
Glad you liked it!!
I often wondered if the new cvts that have the simulated shifting are slower or faster then the old cvts that would just hold the RPMs at the red line.
Maybe, but I doubt by much. You're only loosing about 1000 RPM for a second, every 5-6 seconds. So in a race from say 0-60, it probably wouldn't make a big difference.