I am shopping for a used car. These CVTs are a big worry to me. How risky and unreliable are these transmissions? Are they getting better, if so when and who's fixing things?
12 Answers
Well, it depends on the manufacturer. My Subaru CVT is extremely responsive while I've driven a Nissan and they are not, just depends. As for their reliability, I know someone who had a 2010 Subaru Outback and went 300,000 miles on the original transmission, no problems. CVT's are not as complex as planetary transmissions. The design for CVT's goes back to Leonardo da Vinci. It just took a while for technology to catch up and build one. And, they're used in aircraft technology, heavy equipment and snow mobiles. So, try one and see if you like it.... I do. Think of this, when an aircraft takes off on the runway, you hear the engines rev up really high and the plane takes off..... you don't hear the engine shifting gears, do you??
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuously_variable_transmission
Gas turbine aircraft engine with power variability ABSTRACT A gas turbine aircraft engine with power variability is provided. The gas turbine aircraft engine comprises a compressor and a turbine mounted on a common shaft, and, a continuously variable transmission coupled to the shaft for transmitting power to a propulsion load. Are you getting the idea? https://www.google.com/patents/US8181442
The main reason people shy away from CVT's is because they don't know them.... Subaru uses a metal belt driven pulley for their in house transmission and in my opinion it is excellent. Drive a couple of cars and make your own conclusions. Good luck.
Jim, CVT's have nothing to do with Northstar engines. And, all cars have problems with head gaskets if not taken care of properly. Your comments are scaring people away from even trying, how is this helpful.... If jsinas wants to try a CVT let them and they can decide for themselves. Yes, they definitely drive differently, but, that does not make them bad.
Just because you don't like them or understand them, doesn't mean they're not worth considering. By the way, you did get the point that this technology was first conceived by Leonardo da Vinci back in the 15th century, right? So, when people say, it's a "new concept", I ask them how do they know that? It's kind of like saying, don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up. And, they use CVT systems in so many other technologies, it's just that they're finally getting perfected in cars. What's wrong with that? It's SAD that there are so many naysayers out there, really sad.
In case you've forgotten, here's who Leonardo da Vinci was, pretty smart guy...... who invented a lot of stuff we have today! Leonardo is revered for his technological ingenuity. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_da_Vinci
OK, Jim, maybe the problem is the Honda CRV, but, it's definitely NOT the fault of CVT technology. Excuse me for saying this and I'm not trying to contradict you, but, their headline reads, 'These CVTs are a big worry to me. How risky and unreliable are these transmissions? " Yes, I invited this person to test drive other cars, like Nissan, Subaru and Toyota. A number of car manufactures use CVT transmissions today. Here's one example of how it works compared to the planetary gears of yesterday. HONDA is only one car company... http://auto.howstuffworks.com/cvt2.htm
Jim, sure, I care .... I wouldn't advise purchasing a car with known problems, who would? I said earlier, that I know of someone with a 2010 Subaru Outback like mine who went 300,000 miles on the original transmission, it was a CVT. Yes, all cars have problems and it's partly neglect. Look, I purchased my 2010 Subaru in May 2014, it's now almost August 2016, no problems, just regular maintenance. All cars require maintenance, otherwise, yes, take public transit.
Jim, just because you are familiar with the performance of CVT's or their durability doesn't make them bad... and tell me what car are you talking about that falls apart in one year self destructing, maybe you're referring to a YUGO? Yeah, YUGO's were really a disaster! I hope you're not lumping Honda, Toyota or Subaru into this group?
Sorry, meant to say, "just because you are NOT familiar with the performance of CVT's. .....
