CVT: How Long Are They Good For?

[bronsin]

We all know a manual transmission if properly cared for and sanely driven, lasts many hundreds of thousands of miles. Also the Toyota automatics seem to give nearly or as many miles.

But what of the CVTs? Frankly I dont believe they are as good!

Am I wrong?

[why?]

Who knows? They are still a very new technology being tested.

That being said, my mother's Murano CVT lasted 245,000 before it broke. And remanufactured CVT's at least for Nissan are not that expensive. That's longer than several automatic transmissions my parent's have owned.

Nissan created the first CVT in an actual powerful vehicle in 2003. So still very new technology. Volvo created the first CVT in a passanger auto in the 80's but only attached it to a 60 hp engine. Plus Volvo used rubber bands and had them work the opposite Nissan's metal CVT's work today.

[GrayYaris]

Originally Posted by why?

Who knows? They are still a very new technology being tested.

That being said, my mother's Murano CVT lasted 245,000 before it broke. And remanufactured CVT's at least for Nissan are not that expensive. That's longer than several automatic transmissions my parent's have owned.

Nissan created the first CVT in an actual powerful vehicle in 2003. So still very new technology. Volvo created the first CVT in a passanger auto in the 80's but only attached it to a 60 hp engine. Plus Volvo used rubber bands and had them work the opposite Nissan's metal CVT's work today.

Pretty sure Nissan essentially bolted in Toyota's HSD in the Altima Hybrid. Did they design their own systems before this?

[why?]

Originally Posted by GrayYaris

Pretty sure Nissan essentially bolted in Toyota's HSD in the Altima Hybrid. Did they design their own systems before this?

I have no idea what they did in the Altima Hybrid. I don't even see an Altima Hybrid on Nissan's site. But Toyota has sold their hybrid technology to several different manufacturers. It comes as the entire package including transmission.

Yes, Nissan used their own (or bought from someone else) CVT not only in the Murano but in several other non hybrid vehicles. Like I mentioned it was the first time a CVT was used in a car with actual power, as the Murano has 260 hp.

Short Nissan blurb about CVT.

Supposedly the early ones had lots of issues, which is funny because we had zero issues until it broke a year or two ago.

Eventually it looks like it could be the best transmission not only for gas mileage, but for performance as well, as it really is the simplest transmission out there. Manufacturers just need time to play with it. Subaru even offers a CVT in the new WRX.

[GrayYaris]

They discontinued the Altima hybrid in 2011 I guess. Thanks for the link to Nissan's page, it is definately interesting technology.

Originally Posted by why?

Supposedly the early ones had lots of issues, which is funny because we had zero issues until it broke a year or two ago.

Did you have to completely replace your tranny?

[why?]

Originally Posted by GrayYaris

They discontinued the Altima hybrid in 2011 I guess. Thanks for the link to Nissan's page, it is definately interesting technology.




Did you have to completely replace your tranny?

Yup. Had to buy a remanufactured one. It was a ton less than the brand new ones, but still kind of too expensive for a car with 200,000 + miles. But my dad cannot let go of cars.

[WeeYari]

How long have CVT equipped Honda Fits been around now? 2001 I believe. Don't follow Honda enough to know how reliable it has been.

[GrayYaris]

Originally Posted by bronsin

We all know a manual transmission if properly cared for and sanely driven, lasts many hundreds of thousands of miles. Also the Toyota automatics seem to give nearly or as many miles.

But what of the CVTs? Frankly I dont believe they are as good!

Am I wrong?

From what I understand CVT is a very broad term describing a transmission that is not limited to a discrete set of gear ratios. How this is implemented by the manufacture can be totally different. For example, Toyota's HSD is classified as an e-CVT transmission because it has a different design from conventional CVT's. I can't claim to know anything about the design of these transmissions but it does seem to be promising in terms of fuel economy. I haven't heard any big complaints about the HSD so I'm assuming Toyota has taken their time and engineered a quality product. I have NO clue how other CVT systems have held up.

That being said, one of the reasons I love the Yaris is that it is a very simple car. The CVT equipped cars are too complicated for my liking. Another downside is added cost (although the prius c seems to be a good value). It is great just to have a manual transmission that is pretty efficient and fun to drive too.

If you are looking to buy I would suggest looking into the reliability of individual cars.