These are really great points. I'm teaching my teenager not just how to be a good driver but good car OWNER. Going to have her watch these videos. Thanks for the great content!
Yes! I agree with everything you said. CVT transmissions are not as rugged as the older hydraulic pump automatic transmissions but they are still excellent for passenger cars IF YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM! It is cheaper to maintain a good car than to buy a new one.
You touch on this a bit with the "changing into drive from reverse"; I find it to be very important that I do NOT touch the accelerator pedal immediately after entering a gear PERIOD. This applies to anytime I enter drive or reverse in my WRX CVT; EVEN FROM PARK OR NEUTRAL. I must give it the full "1 Mississippi" to let the transmission fully engage, failure to do so will case bucking, lugging, or belt slipping.
Also the problem is the engine rpm, especially when its not warmed up all the way, is higher that applies the torque immediately when switch bwd to fwd. Even with ur foot on brake, the car still tugs.
This just happened to me yesterday. I was going to park in reverse on a somewhat busy street and didn't give time till it fully engaged...the dashboard lit up and the car didn't want to move. I put it in park, turned it off and turned it back on and issue resolved. I now know I need to give it that "split second", but this video explains it very well.
I have a 2010 honda insight with the cvt! did you mean when its in gear, take off at a moderate speed? i find that if i do, rather than start out slow, it dosent jerk as much! is that what you mean by give it the full mississippi?
I want to thank you for being one of the most informative individuals when it comes to the WRX/STI. No bs just getting into the facts and shown with great detail. You’ve helped me out greatly. Outstanding !
Your right I just paid the 200 for the dealership to do it because if something goes wrong they have to fix it. All engine and transmission work goes straight to the dealership. Great part 2 I learn a lot.
Hate when I see guys changing from R to D while still moving, or smashing the gas immediatly from N to D. Those are the kind of guys crying against cvts all over the internet.
Not always true , I call these transmissions, drill press technology, we made 20 Inch drill presses 40 years ago using this now we did use a belt , down under they use a chain, the other car company's use a belt made up with two ring packs 12 rings each plus 399 units to make up the belt for a total of 423 parts to make 1 belt..... most car company's use small engine's with cut transmissions for a good reason less torque...if those units wear as all metal does just 1 half thousands of an inch per side , just a good polishing, that is 0.400 or 12mm roughly now we have a half inch gap in our drive belt , what do you think this gap is doing to our ring packs , that hold these units together.. it's working those ring packs back and forth trying to break them and will those rings are only 0.007 inches thin....each... there for transmissions which use belt should have a fluid every 20,000 miles now the cvt transmissions from down under they do not want you changing fluid , if theirs goes out they want it changed out and the old one shipped back to the factory for a tear down to find out why it failed...over the years they have changed their transmission that chain has to be a lot better then a belt...
@@davidlayne8755 tbh I think planetary gears AT to be more reliable, specially the 4 and 5 speeds, I wish they still use them instead of the 9 speeds or CVTs. On CVTs you should replace fluid at least every 30,000 miles, problem is CVT fluid is way more expensive than regular ATF. CVTs in general are lighter and cheaper to make though.
Cvts are great. If the car is driven with responsibility, even the moded cvts are great. All your advise are on point. I have stage 2 cvt wrx and I drive normally and not do not do launch control. I also don’t push to limits. Every once a while I drive spiritedly and it’s great. Makes enough power 280 whp.
I just got a Toyota with the CVT. I normally would have preferred the manual transmission, but this one works very well. It has the manual mode, but I’ve found that it works fine to just leave in drive. I bought this car used with 31k miles. I spoke to a very trusted transmission mechanic to do its first service. He first said that he didn’t even work on these and they are typically a “unit replacement”. He did the rebuild and first fluid change of my dodge truck, which is working great. So I asked again if he would look into it and just simply do the recommended fluid change and service (clean filters, magnets, whatever), so he made an appointment for me to do that. I’m going to ask about the cooler, adding one would definitely be a good idea. My advice as well, don’t drive it like a race car when you don’t have to! I bought this car as a commuter, so just getting on the road and driving a boring speed that gets me there, works for me. Even if you drive a WRX, don’t beat the hell out of it. I would figure that a CVT is probably ok in stock form, but not something I’d consider doing any serious engine modifications to.
Great work. Informative and to the point. Your videos seem like they're actually tailored for the viewer and not solely self promotion. That's much appreciated. Keep up the great work.
Absolutely! I agree 100%. I have a '13 Nissan Murano with 246K on the original cvt transmission. I bought it at 45K. Works like new. After an almost complete failure at about 130K I added Bar's Leak CVT repair with new fluid, ran it for about 10K, drained & refilled fresh...A-ok. I started changing fluid according to mileage
I usually use manual mode to prevent that irritating hill assist, or to get a higher RPM for going up hills, cuz the CVT will be up down up down. I like to just keep it around 3000 RPMs until I’m back on flat ground I live in the Appalachians, so everywhere is mountains.
Avoid traffic jams, especially in hot weather. This will help keep transmissions cooler (less breakdown of fluid). Better to take less traveled back road than jammed up freeway.
Back roads are great because they also keep you away from the morons found on main roads. People like to get into the lane next to you and then cut you off to turn into a parking lot. This is either deliberate fraud or just a lack of planning. It is not my fault they can't plan!
Very good advise. An external filter would allow some extra cooling and keep the fluid cleaner. CVTs should run cleaner than other transmissions because of less gears and clutches, but still, a filter is a good improvement.
That's pretty good. I also drive a Nissan with a CVT. I don't jack rabbit starts. I hope I get 300 thousand out of mine. But I got a 10-year hundred thousand mile warranty so if it blows I really don't care
Yah....same here. Got $1000 back from my warranty deposit after I passed the limit with zero problems. If anything happened while under warranty it cost me $50 total for any one break-down. Never needed to use it.
There's also backsliding if the car is pointing up a hill. For manuals, apply the handbrake (parking brake) and release as you engage 1st gear with the clutch. CVT: depends on the equipment. Cars with electric brakes have a brake-hold lever for this very reason and a separate parking brake.
Bought my 2015 Sentra last June, transmission started slipping going up some extended hills, changed the fluid, after a couple of days of driving, no issues since
Great tips, very through videos! The only thing I can think of that you left out is to not shift into park while the vehicle is still moving. Also, to reduce the stress on the transmission and driveline when parking your car on a hill, it is best to first apply the parking brake, then release the brake pedal, then shift into park. That way the weight of the car is sitting on the brakes rather than on the transmission and driveline.
I was aware of getting into a complete stop before switching directions in my previous cars. But switching to this CVT. It seems like even if you come to a complete stop, you have to wait a few seconds longer before switching. I've felt the chain slip before even though I was confident that I came to a complete stop. I was probably too quick to switch from reverse to drive. Picked up the WRX CVT new in July of this year.
My research: Heat is the enemy in a CVT. 1) use a quality synthetic CVT fluid designed for higher temps, change the CVT fluid more often then recommended, high heat breaks down the fluid. -and- 2) for some vehicles with a CVT, adding an aftermarket trans cooler makes a big difference. Dig through the forums and youtube. Nissan CVT's are known for overheating. I have heard of folks using REDLINE brand and Lucas Oil brand of synthetic CVT fluid. I speculate car companies have improved the cooling for today's CVT but in years past this was a big issue. Heat breaks down the fluid, the burnt fluid causes erratic operation and slippage, the slippage and shuddering under torque causes the CVT belt or other part to break.
"Lugging your transmission" , that's why I'm on my 2nd transmission on my Chevy LoL. I baby my 2018 Outback mostly stays in the garage till the weekend
Hi thanks for your video and tips! I drive an Outback (eur.mod.yr. 2020) and it has a CVT which is only operated in the 6 discrete simulated gears. I myself already wondered if that is not giving problems, al the wear always at exactly the same spots on the conical wheels in the gearbox. Another thought: you recommend to change fluid every 60.000 miles or depending on your driving style even more frquently, (30-40k mile) A fun fact idea: you could call in a fluid replacement after xx gallons of fuel. Those who drive very aggresively will reach xx gallons of fuel in less miles than those who have a calm drivig style. In fact, it should be possible to say change your CVT fluid once in 1000 gallons of fuel. Or: Change your CVT fluid when you change your tyres. I go about 80.000 km with my tyres (not a racing person) so might be good option for me.
Great video... I have shared it with my wife and kids who all drive CVT's (Nissan). One small thing to add (that very few people know about )is that the transmission fluid has an antiwear additive that prevents "cold welding" between the pulley and the belt links. This microscopic welding is what eventually leads to scoring. (metal from the softer pulley builds up on the harder links). sudden acceleration especially from stopped means that the metal surfaces will be sliding with not enough fluid to prevent adhesion (aka cold welding. galling, pickup). These antiwear additives are used up over time. The wear particles that are welded to the chain reduce the contact area between the chain and the pulley and cause slipping and scoring (the particles will show up in your transmission sump).
I agree with him, I had a Honda CR-Z with CVT and no issues with the tranny at 105,000 miles also we have a 2005 Mini Cooper with CVT 169,000 miles no issues and change the lifetime fluid with the BMW recommended brand it still functions very nicely
Thank you for making this video. You showed the TSB for the Subaru cvt fluids and made me realise that when I had my cvt cooler installed, they actually put in a full quart of the low torque cvt fluid (CVTFII) and mixed it with the HT fluid that was already in my cvt. Now I’m scared to drive it and want to flush the entire system
Yup, and of all the bad stories are quite happy to pass on, how many were asking their source what kind of driver was using the CVT. As we all know, there are some shitty drivers out there, who are happy to blame tech that fails because they drive like a knucklehead.
Just because you mentioned installing a transmission cooler I subscribed. That’s the best advice I’ve heard for automatic transmissions on RUclips! Even better than replacing the fluid.
Finally I found a channel where you can talk in depth about Subaru CVT boxes. I hope you continue to provide detailed and proven information. There is a lot of secrecy from Subaru. Thanks for your job.
I have 110000 miles on my 2011 murano. Is it still ok to change the transmission fluid. I’ve heard it could be bad with that many miles. Thanks and thanks for the great videos !
2010 Morano here. Changed fluid at 85k miles and again at 113k miles. Never had a problem. The problem with high mileage transmission fluid change is definitely in regular gear type transmissions. My understanding is that clutch material is dissolved into the dirty fluid and replacing it at high mileage removes the clutch material from the fluid. Then the transmission fails. With no gears on a cvt that shouldn’t be a problem as I believe there is no clutch material.
I think JATCO makes the CVT in Nissan, Subaru, Mazda, VW, Chrysler, Hyundai, BMW, Land Rover. Toyota seems to be the most reliable (made by AISIN). Honda seems to to doing as well as their geared automatics now, so pretty good.
Great tips and if followed should have trouble free issues. An added practice I do is anytime I am going to park on a incline like a driveway or street. I stop the car put it in neutral with my foot on the brake, set the E-brake then release foot brake you will feel the car move a smidge with the e-brake on. Then put the car in park.
My ride is the ‘06 wagon. Normally aspirated. Four speed auto. 180k trouble free miles. Almost all you read about CVT is negative... warning, high risk and costly failures. I’m guessing manufacturers are moving to CVT to increase fuel efficiency. You could buy enough fuel to drive to the moon for a $4-5k Trans rebuild
Sure, every transmission needs to take care. I drive Nissan Rogue 2013 currently. I experienced loss power more than a couple of times, I learned this is because of overtime oils and filters. Now shudders when driving in/on snows. Electronic and computer control systems are difficult for maintenance but they work smooth and fast.
Its funny or weird but the US market car maintenance says that the Subaru CVT fouid is a lifetime fluid. The JDM spec Subaru cvt says to change every 30k. For reference, this is the Japanese built and designed Subaru cvt and not the vendor transmissions.
I have a Ford Five Hundred 2005 AWD with 300K miles. I do pretty much all that you reccomend doing + plus I drive like a "fricking old man", as my brother says! laways change the synthetic chain fluid every 60K miles as well- great video!
I am not a fan of any automatic transmission. Except on the dragstrip. But I learned on a 3 pedal vehicle before I got talked into automatic. I can make any transmission explode. But for every job there is a correct transmission, if the driver is skilled. Big trucks are going to automatics because learning to drive sticks usually followed by maintenance costs. I can drive a stick all day and only use the clutch in 1st. ALL of the sticks I drove the engines lasted longer than the automatics. Usually the transmission fails after the engine overheats and cooks the transmission. But if you have the same radiator in a stick. The engine never overheats.The only exception is air cooled automatic transmissions. Those are very rare. Mustangs have rev matching for sticks because most don't know when to shift any more. To me driving a stick is like walking. I don't have to think about moving one foot at a time to walk.
I have a 2013 Nissan Sentra...should have done my research 3 years ago when I bought it. No problems yet (knock on wood). Took it elsewhere to get my brakes done rather than the dealership. Mechanic told me about the problems. I asked him if I should change the fluid as it's at 70,000 km's, he said not to...there are lawsuits pending. But I think I will after watching this video and heed the other tips. And I think I'll try to get rid of this car before any problems arise.
For Altima, do all you can to limit/ lower heat, includes minimum coolant-water ratio, 30k change both filters, best cvt fluid, seal the too-leaky cooling plenum, keep radiators clean...I found this to be enough for Mojave hard and hot conditions now 209k.
I put the order for a hyundai elantra 2021 with a cvt. I drive 95% of the time in town and I only make 5.000 km per year. When should I change the transmision fluid ? I want to keep the car for at least 10 years.
I have been using my nissan xtrail t30 since 2006. Transmission fluid yearly. Flushed and changed 9 litres, havent changed filter yet. Motor oil 3 to 4 months. Flushed with liqui moley or Nissan. ORI nissan motor fluid. Spark plugs after 4 motor oil change. Coolant blue premixed . Changed at 2 year interval. Brake fluid dot 4.( flushed at 2 years interval) . Running perfectly to date. Btw all the fluid bought at Nissan service centre and DIY .
I watched both videos and the one question I have is what about using Manual Mode for engine braking. I live in the mountains and have used engine braking to keep my speed down on steep down hills. Also, I am an experienced driver on ice and snow and engine braking is far better then brake modulation for maintaining control of the car. Is it acceptable to use engine braking in an auxiliary and reasonable manner?
Thanks for the very informative video! Would you ever manually downshift the CVT to give the car a boost for passing power at freeway speeds? Or could that lead to scoring of the variators?
How do you feel about an in-line oil filter, to help reduce the accumulation of particulate matter? It seems, that it would be a logical addition to an oil cooler.(it might be worth installing some kind of a gauge, to prevent the filter from restricting the flow of transmission fluid, as the filter becomes dirty)
Hello, Boost & Shutter, what can you tell me about the Hyundai/KIA Motors "IVT" (Intelligent Variable Transmission) which I believe was engineered and came into production back in the 2019 car year? My research tells me that the IVT is a gamma design which I am not quite sure what if anything that represents regarding the IVT? I do understand that a CVT does offer the BEST overall gasoline mileage from a naturally aspirated engine. Thank you for a rather interesting page...
good stuff mate! just wondering i have the 2016 forester ip got the cvt fluid changed, oil and breaks for my trip up the mountain and boy did it struggle all the way up the ac got so weak the whole car lost almost all power it wouldn't move uphill i was cruising on 10-20km/h so i turned back went to the mall and just watch dune but the road to the mall is a freeway and it runned smoothly as per usual any theories on why that happened? all fluids are manual approved but.. thanks and all the best!
My 2015 Impreza has almost 108,00 miles. The CVT fluid has never been changed. Should I do it now? I heard from one mechanic that it could do more harm than good at this point since it's never been done. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
from what I gather from all of these CVT videos, if i gotta go through all of these "steps" just to drive a car with a CVT, then what's the uses of even buying a car like that. Seems like it's gonna be more of a hassle if anything.
Are transmission flushes safe? My dealership doesn’t offer a drain and fill option. Their reply to me is they do transmission flushes since it’s a cvt.
Great tips man. I just got a cvt and I plan on keeping it for a long time. I was looking for some good car care tips for cvt and this is what I needed.
So I didn't hear you mention it. Is there any belt slippage if you are going downhill and downshifting for engine braking? Manual mode isn't necessary when climbing a steep upgrade? The normal operation of the transmission covers it? I have never had a CVT. It doesn't seem like I will be a fan but they are likely here to stay.
Alot of what you said is common sence, "dont slam dunk your trans in gear, etc. i bought a used 2010 honda insight last year, but 11 months later, and pushing 190K, the cvt trans is jumping into gear untill the trans is warmed up. at least from nutural to first gear! iv had the fluid changed, and added a cvt non slip additive. and checked for any leakes. If the belt is loose, and jumps off, "trans is done for!" three to four grand to fix. car. what else can i do to baby it to last? im a old guy, so dont hot rod around, If the trans dies, the whole car s trashed! id rather take that money and put it on something newer. I like the car,and its great fule milage, any auto secrets or tricks to make it last? im thinking mabey thretening it with a toyota! Thanks much!
How safe would it be to take a 2018 CVT WRX to say a Honda dealership? I don't want anything to do with the Subaru Dealership. I had a recall on the Passenger Airbag. They had my 2007 Impreza for a day when I got it back the AC stopped blowing cool air. I gave them a call within 30mins of getting my car back. They refused to take any responsibility and said I would have to bring my car back for them to diagnose this. I asked who covers fees and they said it would have to be me. Took my car to a reliable local oil change shop. They said my AC was low and went ahead and charged it for me, free of charge of course
I just got myself a 2015 Subaru Wrx with a CVT. Got it with 160_ _ _ and kinda worried on the fluid. I don’t know if the Transmitions has been kept in service or not so therefore, I wanted to change the fluid but not sure if there’s time for doing it without taken risk.
Hello and thank you very much for this video and information it’s very useful I would like to know what’s the normal function temperature of CVT fluid please
yeah, I hear you our newly purchased in 09 Sentra had 200,450 original miles by the grace of God regular trans fluid changes. The Nissan cvts or any cvts don't like the FL heat. Limp mode 3 x in 11 years sold last year for $900. I never mention limp mode because the buyer never asked.
I had the dealer complimentary oil changed a while ago but under the milage recommended and I recently changed the oil and the pan read less than half a gallon so I'm assuming they also placed less than needed on the transmission. I'll be checking the level and most likly changing the fluid to play it safe
Tip#3... This can't be stressed enough!! Like you said; after 60k miles, change the transmission fluid. Just make sure it's designed for the CVT TRANSMISSION and not your grandfather's '75 ford transmission fluid. Most CVT transmission fluids have a dedicated car mfg. Name that's printed on the label. Make very certain that you purchase the correct brand for your vehicle. Oh and BTW, it's best to count the amount of litres you remove from the transmission oil pan and replace it with the exact amount you removed. Not an ounce under or an ounce over!!!
Thanks for your video, just wondering is it a bad thing to shift in to N before coming to complete stop? Eg shifting the car from D or R into N a second before the car completely stops.
EXCELLENT!! Especially YES changing you transmission fluid!!! NOTHING last forever!! (Ok, maybe some mountains do). BUT NOT transmissio0n fluid!!! IF I am NOT in the military or have no CAC card how where do I find all the TSB's for my 2013 XV, please? Is the transmission fluid cooler installation the same for my 2013 Crosstrek as for the WRX? Thanks for this video!
The volume of the fluid varies with temperature. After the fresh fluid is added, the fill level must be measured with the fluid within a specific temperature range specified by Subaru.
How can I make sure my Nissan Sentra doesn’t implode? It has 138,000 and I had the CVT fluid changed about 4,000 miles ago. For the most part it’s been fine but these higher temps have me worried.
I have a nissan versa 2018 whit 117,00 miles whit a CVT and I have been taking good care of it, my car still drives like new I changed the fluid at 115,00 miles bcs I forgot to do so but so far very reliable
124,000 miles on a 2012 Nissan Juke and still runs smooth. Change the CVT fluid every 30k miles and do regular maintenance. I’m not an aggressive driver. It’s just about taking care of it.
Agree this lifelong fluid is wrong. I have had two toyota cvt cars. I have changed oil and filters at 30.000 mile intervals. Always stop before shifting. No problems with high millage.
Great video but lugging the engine is a great point for manual, however I don't think modern CVT will alow that I think the software is there to prevent that at least on my Legacy it does but I have the 5EAT with the flat 6 enen with my padded shifters it won't allow me to short shift. But it will allow me to start off in second gear. I think that must be for snow ice. Now on DSG I wonder if you can short shift and there for lug the engine??
Called my dealership to service my 2015 Chevy spark with the cvt,. fluid and filter change, They said they don't service them they just replace them when they break called a dealership in the next town and they said the same thing.
I leased the WRX CVT for 3 years and it was fun to drive, but I hated the transmission. I wish they used a DSG transmission instead. Just the idea to break the transmission and have to pay $9,000 to change it stopped me from buying it. I remember the sales guy at Subaru trying to sell me a $4,000 "gold insurance package" telling me that it would cover the CVT transmission etc... no way. Also, the WRX CVT is not as efficient in fuel consumption as Subaru wants you to think, the manual WRX has a better gas mileage. My point is that Subaru obviously doesn't car about the WRX automatic, otherwise they would make it faster/quicker than the manual by using top transmissions like the VW Golf GTI or R do with a DSG. No sports car enthusiast want a CVT that prevent you from tuning your car and will cost you an arm to change. It's too bad because there are people out there that would probably be happy to have a WRX with a double clutch and be even happier if they could increase the power of the car. Anyway, great video and good tips!
I have a 2021 Crosstrek with 2,800 miles and it has about a 2 second delay before engaging into drive from park. Not normal? I never slam it into gear while it's still moving.
These are really great points. I'm teaching my teenager not just how to be a good driver but good car OWNER. Going to have her watch these videos. Thanks for the great content!
Yes! I agree with everything you said. CVT transmissions are not as rugged as the older hydraulic pump automatic transmissions but they are still excellent for passenger cars IF YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM!
It is cheaper to maintain a good car than to buy a new one.
You touch on this a bit with the "changing into drive from reverse"; I find it to be very important that I do NOT touch the accelerator pedal immediately after entering a gear PERIOD. This applies to anytime I enter drive or reverse in my WRX CVT; EVEN FROM PARK OR NEUTRAL. I must give it the full "1 Mississippi" to let the transmission fully engage, failure to do so will case bucking, lugging, or belt slipping.
Hell, I try to wait 3 seconds between direction change!
Also the problem is the engine rpm, especially when its not warmed up all the way, is higher that applies the torque immediately when switch bwd to fwd. Even with ur foot on brake, the car still tugs.
This just happened to me yesterday. I was going to park in reverse on a somewhat busy street and didn't give time till it fully engaged...the dashboard lit up and the car didn't want to move. I put it in park, turned it off and turned it back on and issue resolved. I now know I need to give it that "split second", but this video explains it very well.
I have a 2010 honda insight with the cvt! did you mean when its in gear, take off at a moderate speed? i find that if i do, rather than start out slow, it dosent jerk as much! is that what you mean by give it the full mississippi?
MT driver previously--nissan p10, and now WRX CVT driver, i learn a lot from your channel.
I want to thank you for being one of the most informative individuals when it comes to the WRX/STI. No bs just getting into the facts and shown with great detail. You’ve helped me out greatly. Outstanding !
Nothing nicer than the STI rumble
Your right I just paid the 200 for the dealership to do it because if something goes wrong they have to fix it. All engine and transmission work goes straight to the dealership. Great part 2 I learn a lot.
Hate when I see guys changing from R to D while still moving, or smashing the gas immediatly from N to D. Those are the kind of guys crying against cvts all over the internet.
@@EpicDrew15 That's savage haha, and doing that on AWD is even worse. For launching it, the best is a manual transmission, but if AT don't use brakes.
Not always true , I call these transmissions, drill press technology, we made 20 Inch drill presses 40 years ago using this now we did use a belt , down under they use a chain, the other car company's use a belt made up with two ring packs 12 rings each plus 399 units to make up the belt for a total of 423 parts to make 1 belt..... most car company's use small engine's with cut transmissions for a good reason less torque...if those units wear as all metal does just 1 half thousands of an inch per side , just a good polishing, that is 0.400 or 12mm roughly now we have a half inch gap in our drive belt , what do you think this gap is doing to our ring packs , that hold these units together.. it's working those ring packs back and forth trying to break them and will those rings are only 0.007 inches thin....each... there for transmissions which use belt should have a fluid every 20,000 miles now the cvt transmissions from down under they do not want you changing fluid , if theirs goes out they want it changed out and the old one shipped back to the factory for a tear down to find out why it failed...over the years they have changed their transmission that chain has to be a lot better then a belt...
@@davidlayne8755 tbh I think planetary gears AT to be more reliable, specially the 4 and 5 speeds, I wish they still use them instead of the 9 speeds or CVTs. On CVTs you should replace fluid at least every 30,000 miles, problem is CVT fluid is way more expensive than regular ATF. CVTs in general are lighter and cheaper to make though.
My wife does it all the time. Still slightly rolling back, and right to drive. I see her doing it in my car, and I will lose my freaking mind!
Yup dats my inlaw he wrecked ma car doing dat. Freakin idiots thinking all cars r race cars go buy urself a real race car u idiots!
Cvts are great. If the car is driven with responsibility, even the moded cvts are great. All your advise are on point. I have stage 2 cvt wrx and I drive normally and not do not do launch control. I also don’t push to limits. Every once a while I drive spiritedly and it’s great. Makes enough power 280 whp.
Hey buddy, hows the cvt doing? planning on buying a stage 2 wrx cvt
I just got a Toyota with the CVT. I normally would have preferred the manual transmission, but this one works very well. It has the manual mode, but I’ve found that it works fine to just leave in drive. I bought this car used with 31k miles. I spoke to a very trusted transmission mechanic to do its first service. He first said that he didn’t even work on these and they are typically a “unit replacement”. He did the rebuild and first fluid change of my dodge truck, which is working great. So I asked again if he would look into it and just simply do the recommended fluid change and service (clean filters, magnets, whatever), so he made an appointment for me to do that. I’m going to ask about the cooler, adding one would definitely be a good idea. My advice as well, don’t drive it like a race car when you don’t have to! I bought this car as a commuter, so just getting on the road and driving a boring speed that gets me there, works for me. Even if you drive a WRX, don’t beat the hell out of it. I would figure that a CVT is probably ok in stock form, but not something I’d consider doing any serious engine modifications to.
Great work. Informative and to the point. Your videos seem like they're actually tailored for the viewer and not solely self promotion. That's much appreciated. Keep up the great work.
Absolutely! I agree 100%. I have a '13 Nissan Murano with 246K on the original cvt transmission. I bought it at 45K. Works like new. After an almost complete failure at about 130K I added Bar's Leak CVT repair with new fluid, ran it for about 10K, drained & refilled fresh...A-ok. I started changing fluid according to mileage
Excellent tips. The CVT belt/chain is delicate if abused. If the chain slips it's damaged. No second chance!
I usually use manual mode to prevent that irritating hill assist, or to get a higher RPM for going up hills, cuz the CVT will be up down up down. I like to just keep it around 3000 RPMs until I’m back on flat ground
I live in the Appalachians, so everywhere is mountains.
Avoid traffic jams, especially in hot weather. This will help keep transmissions cooler (less breakdown of fluid). Better to take less traveled back road than jammed up freeway.
Back roads are great because they also keep you away from the morons found on main roads. People like to get into the lane next to you and then cut you off to turn into a parking lot. This is either deliberate fraud or just a lack of planning. It is not my fault they can't plan!
Very good advise. An external filter would allow some extra cooling and keep the fluid cleaner. CVTs should run cleaner than other transmissions because of less gears and clutches, but still, a filter is a good improvement.
I just bought a Crosstrek a couple months ago. I use it to deliver pizza 3 nights per week, and I fully intend on amsoil CVT fluid when it comes time!
Amsoil is the best
This is the second Altima I’ve owned. 300,000 miles and no trans problems. I love this transmission.
That's pretty good. I also drive a Nissan with a CVT. I don't jack rabbit starts. I hope I get 300 thousand out of mine. But I got a 10-year hundred thousand mile warranty so if it blows I really don't care
Yah....same here. Got $1000 back from my warranty deposit after I passed the limit with zero problems. If anything happened while under warranty it cost me $50 total for any one break-down. Never needed to use it.
@@OldDocSilver would appreciate much if anyone can tell me which insurance company you had for your extended warranty.
There's also backsliding if the car is pointing up a hill. For manuals, apply the handbrake (parking brake) and release as you engage 1st gear with the clutch. CVT: depends on the equipment. Cars with electric brakes have a brake-hold lever for this very reason and a separate parking brake.
Bought my 2015 Sentra last June, transmission started slipping going up some extended hills, changed the fluid, after a couple of days of driving, no issues since
Great tips, very through videos! The only thing I can think of that you left out is to not shift into park while the vehicle is still moving. Also, to reduce the stress on the transmission and driveline when parking your car on a hill, it is best to first apply the parking brake, then release the brake pedal, then shift into park. That way the weight of the car is sitting on the brakes rather than on the transmission and driveline.
Finally i got the cvt oil (ns2) changed after 150k kms in my nissan maxima. The car rides much smoother now.
Very good advice on CVTS Change that fluid at dealer at 60k miles.
Best transmission advice I have ever heard for CVTs or otherwise.
I drive a nissan with a CVT I change the fluid every 2 years and buy oem fluid never had a problem it shifts 100 percent Great video!!!!
How many total miles on that CVT ?
155,000 miles
Toyota have the best transmission out there in a cvt
Yep as long as you keep up with the fluid changes you should be fine. Problem is most people don’t ever change fluid on their trans.
I might get a 2019 Nissan Sentra SV 💪🏽
I was aware of getting into a complete stop before switching directions in my previous cars. But switching to this CVT. It seems like even if you come to a complete stop, you have to wait a few seconds longer before switching. I've felt the chain slip before even though I was confident that I came to a complete stop. I was probably too quick to switch from reverse to drive. Picked up the WRX CVT new in July of this year.
Lifetime fluid means it’ll last for the duration of the transmission warranty. That’s it.
.... one of the best video I have seen on the topic ... good effort really !!!
Glad you liked it!
My research: Heat is the enemy in a CVT. 1) use a quality synthetic CVT fluid designed for higher temps, change the CVT fluid more often then recommended, high heat breaks down the fluid. -and- 2) for some vehicles with a CVT, adding an aftermarket trans cooler makes a big difference. Dig through the forums and youtube. Nissan CVT's are known for overheating. I have heard of folks using REDLINE brand and Lucas Oil brand of synthetic CVT fluid. I speculate car companies have improved the cooling for today's CVT but in years past this was a big issue. Heat breaks down the fluid, the burnt fluid causes erratic operation and slippage, the slippage and shuddering under torque causes the CVT belt or other part to break.
"Lugging your transmission" , that's why I'm on my 2nd transmission on my Chevy LoL. I baby my 2018 Outback mostly stays in the garage till the weekend
CVT'S you have to admit do lag after placed in gear attempting to initially start to move in either direction
Hi thanks for your video and tips! I drive an Outback (eur.mod.yr. 2020) and it has a CVT which is only operated in the 6 discrete simulated gears. I myself already wondered if that is not giving problems, al the wear always at exactly the same spots on the conical wheels in the gearbox. Another thought: you recommend to change fluid every 60.000 miles or depending on your driving style even more frquently, (30-40k mile) A fun fact idea: you could call in a fluid replacement after xx gallons of fuel. Those who drive very aggresively will reach xx gallons of fuel in less miles than those who have a calm drivig style. In fact, it should be possible to say change your CVT fluid once in 1000 gallons of fuel. Or: Change your CVT fluid when you change your tyres. I go about 80.000 km with my tyres (not a racing person) so might be good option for me.
Amsoil cvt transmission fluid really works for 2013-2015 nissan altima from chain and belts slipping highly recommend.
Great video... I have shared it with my wife and kids who all drive CVT's (Nissan). One small thing to add (that very few people know about )is that the transmission fluid has an antiwear additive that prevents "cold welding" between the pulley and the belt links. This microscopic welding is what eventually leads to scoring. (metal from the softer pulley builds up on the harder links). sudden acceleration especially from stopped means that the metal surfaces will be sliding with not enough fluid to prevent adhesion (aka cold welding. galling, pickup). These antiwear additives are used up over time. The wear particles that are welded to the chain reduce the contact area between the chain and the pulley and cause slipping and scoring (the particles will show up in your transmission sump).
From stop and go it's Use first gear then CVT after that
I agree with him, I had a Honda CR-Z with CVT and no issues with the tranny at 105,000 miles also we have a 2005 Mini Cooper with CVT 169,000 miles no issues and change the lifetime fluid with the BMW recommended brand it still functions very nicely
Thank you for making this video. You showed the TSB for the Subaru cvt fluids and made me realise that when I had my cvt cooler installed, they actually put in a full quart of the low torque cvt fluid (CVTFII) and mixed it with the HT fluid that was already in my cvt. Now I’m scared to drive it and want to flush the entire system
I wonder how many of these negative CVT comments actually have a decent amount of experience with CVTs.
Yup, and of all the bad stories are quite happy to pass on, how many were asking their source what kind of driver was using the CVT. As we all know, there are some shitty drivers out there, who are happy to blame tech that fails because they drive like a knucklehead.
I mean all they do is complain. If they really wanted to do something about it, they should just make their own type of transmission smh.
@No, agreed. I bet they wouldn't complain so much if they knew how it hard it was to make this stuff.
I do. My car is In the shop getting one replaced on a 2014 maxima with only 65,335 miles. Never buy Nissan again smh this has been a headache
My 4 year old Honda CVT is still fine, no problems whatsoever.
Just because you mentioned installing a transmission cooler I subscribed.
That’s the best advice I’ve heard for automatic transmissions on RUclips! Even better than replacing the fluid.
Finally I found a channel where you can talk in depth about Subaru CVT boxes. I hope you continue to provide detailed and proven information. There is a lot of secrecy from Subaru. Thanks for your job.
I have 110000 miles on my 2011 murano. Is it still ok to change the transmission fluid. I’ve heard it could be bad with that many miles. Thanks and thanks for the great videos !
2010 Morano here. Changed fluid at 85k miles and again at 113k miles. Never had a problem. The problem with high mileage transmission fluid change is definitely in regular gear type transmissions. My understanding is that clutch material is dissolved into the dirty fluid and replacing it at high mileage removes the clutch material from the fluid. Then the transmission fails. With no gears on a cvt that shouldn’t be a problem as I believe there is no clutch material.
I think JATCO makes the CVT in Nissan, Subaru, Mazda, VW, Chrysler, Hyundai, BMW, Land Rover. Toyota seems to be the most reliable (made by AISIN). Honda seems to to doing as well as their geared automatics now, so pretty good.
Golf&utility vehicles have had this for decades....never thought they would be in on roud cars.
Great tips and if followed should have trouble free issues. An added practice I do is anytime I am going to park on a incline like a driveway or street. I stop the car put it in neutral with my foot on the brake, set the E-brake then release foot brake you will feel the car move a smidge with the e-brake on. Then put the car in park.
My ride is the ‘06 wagon. Normally aspirated. Four speed auto. 180k trouble free miles. Almost all you read about CVT is negative... warning, high risk and costly failures. I’m guessing manufacturers are moving to CVT to increase fuel efficiency. You could buy enough fuel to drive to the moon for a $4-5k Trans rebuild
Exactly
Sure, every transmission needs to take care. I drive Nissan Rogue 2013 currently. I experienced loss power more than a couple of times, I learned this is because of overtime oils and filters. Now shudders when driving in/on snows. Electronic and computer control systems are difficult for maintenance but they work smooth and fast.
Its funny or weird but the US market car maintenance says that the Subaru CVT fouid is a lifetime fluid.
The JDM spec Subaru cvt says to change every 30k.
For reference, this is the Japanese built and designed Subaru cvt and not the vendor transmissions.
I have a Ford Five Hundred 2005 AWD with 300K miles. I do pretty much all that you reccomend doing + plus I drive like a "fricking old man", as my brother says! laways change the synthetic chain fluid every 60K miles as well- great video!
Thats my problem rn bro finally found the answer i was reversing and i put it in drive to fast and now it takes forever to accelerate
How would i go about taking this to subaru with the 10yr warranty
It's abundantly clear. Stay away from CVT transmissions.
So essentially you have to wear white gloves and treat it like it’s made of glass in order for it to now blow up. Got it. Thanks. 👍🏼
I am not a fan of any automatic transmission. Except on the dragstrip. But I learned on a 3 pedal vehicle before I got talked into automatic. I can make any transmission explode. But for every job there is a correct transmission, if the driver is skilled. Big trucks are going to automatics because learning to drive sticks usually followed by maintenance costs. I can drive a stick all day and only use the clutch in 1st. ALL of the sticks I drove the engines lasted longer than the automatics. Usually the transmission fails after the engine overheats and cooks the transmission. But if you have the same radiator in a stick. The engine never overheats.The only exception is air cooled automatic transmissions. Those are very rare.
Mustangs have rev matching for sticks because most don't know when to shift any more. To me driving a stick is like walking. I don't have to think about moving one foot at a time to walk.
I have a 2013 Nissan Sentra...should have done my research 3 years ago when I bought it. No problems yet (knock on wood). Took it elsewhere to get my brakes done rather than the dealership. Mechanic told me about the problems. I asked him if I should change the fluid as it's at 70,000 km's, he said not to...there are lawsuits pending. But I think I will after watching this video and heed the other tips. And I think I'll try to get rid of this car before any problems arise.
On the same boat as you...2013 altima 46k miles.
Number 3 was my question, wow you covered everything in this video my brother.
Thank you for making this video
For Altima, do all you can to limit/ lower heat, includes minimum coolant-water ratio, 30k change both filters, best cvt fluid, seal the too-leaky cooling plenum, keep radiators clean...I found this to be enough for Mojave hard and hot conditions now 209k.
Thanks for the great tips ! Not fully understanding your term “ lugging “
I put the order for a hyundai elantra 2021 with a cvt. I drive 95% of the time in town and I only make 5.000 km per year.
When should I change the transmision fluid ? I want to keep the car for at least 10 years.
I have been using my nissan xtrail t30 since 2006. Transmission fluid yearly. Flushed and changed 9 litres, havent changed filter yet. Motor oil 3 to 4 months. Flushed with liqui moley or Nissan. ORI nissan motor fluid. Spark plugs after 4 motor oil change. Coolant blue premixed . Changed at 2 year interval. Brake fluid dot 4.( flushed at 2 years interval) . Running perfectly to date. Btw all the fluid bought at Nissan service centre and DIY .
I hear a lot about changing the fluid but a gravity drain probably only replaces less than a quarter of the fluid, so why would this have much impact?
2014 Subaru legacy 3.6r 175k mileages , what CVT fluid you recommend OEM , Valvoline cvt or Castrol transmax cvt ????
I watched both videos and the one question I have is what about using Manual Mode for engine braking. I live in the mountains and have used engine braking to keep my speed down on steep down hills. Also, I am an experienced driver on ice and snow and engine braking is far better then brake modulation for maintaining control of the car. Is it acceptable to use engine braking in an auxiliary and reasonable manner?
Thanks for the very informative video! Would you ever manually downshift the CVT to give the car a boost for passing power at freeway speeds? Or could that lead to scoring of the variators?
Just step on it....never downshift. That’s an invitation to disaster.
How do you feel about an in-line oil filter, to help reduce the accumulation of particulate matter? It seems, that it would be a logical addition to an oil cooler.(it might be worth installing some kind of a gauge, to prevent the filter from restricting the flow of transmission fluid, as the filter becomes dirty)
Hello, Boost & Shutter, what can you tell me about the Hyundai/KIA Motors "IVT" (Intelligent Variable Transmission) which I believe was engineered and came into production back in the 2019 car year? My research tells me that the IVT is a gamma design which I am not quite sure what if anything that represents regarding the IVT? I do understand that a CVT does offer the BEST overall gasoline mileage from a naturally aspirated engine. Thank you for a rather interesting page...
good stuff mate! just wondering i have the 2016 forester ip got the cvt fluid changed, oil and breaks for my trip up the mountain and boy did it struggle all the way up the ac got so weak the whole car lost almost all power it wouldn't move uphill i was cruising on 10-20km/h so i turned back went to the mall and just watch dune but the road to the mall is a freeway and it runned smoothly as per usual any theories on why that happened? all fluids are manual approved but.. thanks and all the best!
My 2015 Impreza has almost 108,00 miles. The CVT fluid has never been changed. Should I do it now? I heard from one mechanic that it could do more harm than good at this point since it's never been done. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
*108,000
from what I gather from all of these CVT videos, if i gotta go through all of these "steps" just to drive a car with a CVT, then what's the uses of even buying a car like that. Seems like it's gonna be more of a hassle if anything.
I’m such a chill style driver; I guess this CVT will like me. 😂
Are transmission flushes safe? My dealership doesn’t offer a drain and fill option. Their reply to me is they do transmission flushes since it’s a cvt.
What is actually too high cvt temperature ?
When should I consider cooler ?
175-220F is optimal range. Anything above 220 is too high.
Great tips man. I just got a cvt and I plan on keeping it for a long time. I was looking for some good car care tips for cvt and this is what I needed.
You want to keep it along time. Why? If it's a jatco cvt be prepared for some expensive repairs.
@@ozzesty7314 that's why you need to buy an extended warranty
So I didn't hear you mention it. Is there any belt slippage if you are going downhill and downshifting for engine braking? Manual mode isn't necessary when climbing a steep upgrade? The normal operation of the transmission covers it? I have never had a CVT. It doesn't seem like I will be a fan but they are likely here to stay.
Alot of what you said is common sence, "dont slam dunk your trans in gear, etc. i bought a used 2010 honda insight last year, but 11 months later, and pushing 190K, the cvt trans is jumping into gear untill the trans is warmed up. at least from nutural to first gear! iv had the fluid changed, and added a cvt non slip additive. and checked for any leakes. If the belt is loose, and jumps off, "trans is done for!" three to four grand to fix. car. what else can i do to baby it to last? im a old guy, so dont hot rod around, If the trans dies, the whole car s trashed! id rather take that money and put it on something newer. I like the car,and its great fule milage, any auto secrets or tricks to make it last? im thinking mabey thretening it with a toyota! Thanks much!
How safe would it be to take a 2018 CVT WRX to say a Honda dealership?
I don't want anything to do with the Subaru Dealership. I had a recall on the Passenger Airbag. They had my 2007 Impreza for a day when I got it back the AC stopped blowing cool air. I gave them a call within 30mins of getting my car back. They refused to take any responsibility and said I would have to bring my car back for them to diagnose this. I asked who covers fees and they said it would have to be me.
Took my car to a reliable local oil change shop. They said my AC was low and went ahead and charged it for me, free of charge of course
Excellent tips . You inspired to buy my dream car SUV Susie Ascent 2021 or wait this fall for 2022 late models. Excellent job.
Thank you for Part -1 and Part-2 very good advice
What do yo think about flushing the CVT fluid? 2016 Forester XT,. Some agree, some say you just have to change it, not to flush. Thanks.
+1 on the fluid change. Subaru’s criteria for severe driving conditions is weak and expansive.
I just got myself a 2015 Subaru Wrx with a CVT. Got it with 160_ _ _ and kinda worried on the fluid. I don’t know if the Transmitions has been kept in service or not so therefore, I wanted to change the fluid but not sure if there’s time for doing it without taken risk.
Hello and thank you very much for this video and information it’s very useful I would like to know what’s the normal function temperature of CVT fluid please
My wife's 13 nismo juke doesn't like moving quickly in the desert. Has gone into limp x2 .
yeah, I hear you our newly purchased in 09 Sentra had 200,450 original miles by the grace of God regular trans fluid changes. The Nissan cvts or any cvts don't like the FL heat. Limp mode 3 x in 11 years sold last year for $900. I never mention limp mode because the buyer never asked.
I am undecided to put a CVT cooler, I am afraid that it may lower the pressure of the internal pump of the CVT box
We thought about an external cooler but, at close to 200,000 miles for an 09 Sentra, it wasn't worth it.
Good tips ,,,cvts are not made to beat on them.
From what I heard from any CVT users, is it true that this is a disposable and not repairable unlike the conventional automatic transmission?
I had the dealer complimentary oil changed a while ago but under the milage recommended and I recently changed the oil and the pan read less than half a gallon so I'm assuming they also placed less than needed on the transmission. I'll be checking the level and most likly changing the fluid to play it safe
Tip#3... This can't be stressed enough!!
Like you said; after 60k miles, change the transmission fluid. Just make sure it's designed for the CVT TRANSMISSION and not your grandfather's '75 ford transmission fluid. Most CVT transmission fluids have a dedicated car mfg. Name that's printed on the label. Make very certain that you purchase the correct brand for your vehicle. Oh and BTW, it's best to count the amount of litres you remove from the transmission oil pan and replace it with the exact amount you removed. Not an ounce under or an ounce over!!!
Please tell me is good or no to drive on eco I drive almost 200 miles every day...
Thanks for your video, just wondering is it a bad thing to shift in to N before coming to complete stop? Eg shifting the car from D or R into N a second before the car completely stops.
Always advisable to completely stop before shifting transmission.
EXCELLENT!! Especially YES changing you transmission fluid!!! NOTHING last forever!! (Ok, maybe some mountains do). BUT NOT transmissio0n fluid!!! IF I am NOT in the military or have no CAC card how where do I find all the TSB's for my 2013 XV, please? Is the transmission fluid cooler installation the same for my 2013 Crosstrek as for the WRX? Thanks for this video!
100% change your CVT fluid. You can not overchange the fluid. I do a spill n fill once a year.
The dealership told me the new fluid has be heated up before it goes in the car during a transmission fluid change
The volume of the fluid varies with temperature. After the fresh fluid is added, the fill level must be measured with the fluid within a specific temperature range specified by Subaru.
How can I make sure my Nissan Sentra doesn’t implode? It has 138,000 and I had the CVT fluid changed about 4,000 miles ago. For the most part it’s been fine but these higher temps have me worried.
I have a nissan versa 2018 whit 117,00 miles whit a CVT and I have been taking good care of it, my car still drives like new I changed the fluid at 115,00 miles bcs I forgot to do so but so far very reliable
Holy crap that's a lot of mileage for a new car
@@DM-hw4cr yeah and I coment that 2 months ago now i have 122,00 on it 😂 and counting
How often u change cvt fluid?
124,000 miles on a 2012 Nissan Juke and still runs smooth. Change the CVT fluid every 30k miles and do regular maintenance. I’m not an aggressive driver. It’s just about taking care of it.
Do we need to replace CVT oil filter after 80,000km of mileage or we can go more?
R or D CVT still spinning belt or chains still spinning the same direction, it designed to be pushing not pulling. The mechanical is in drive shaft
Agree this lifelong fluid is wrong. I have had two toyota cvt cars. I have changed oil and filters at 30.000 mile intervals. Always stop before shifting. No problems with high millage.
I have a Nissan Serena, I looking for the proper CVT transmission fluid, do you have any in mind
Great video but lugging the engine is a great point for manual, however I don't think modern CVT will alow that I think the software is there to prevent that at least on my Legacy it does but I have the 5EAT with the flat 6 enen with my padded shifters it won't allow me to short shift. But it will allow me to start off in second gear. I think that must be for snow ice. Now on DSG I wonder if you can short shift and there for lug the engine??
Called my dealership to service my 2015 Chevy spark with the cvt,. fluid and filter change, They said they don't service them they just replace them when they break called a dealership in the next town and they said the same thing.
The next WRX should use the same automatic transmission as the BRZ... That would be great.
Yeah too late for that
I leased the WRX CVT for 3 years and it was fun to drive, but I hated the transmission. I wish they used a DSG transmission instead. Just the idea to break the transmission and have to pay $9,000 to change it stopped me from buying it. I remember the sales guy at Subaru trying to sell me a $4,000 "gold insurance package" telling me that it would cover the CVT transmission etc... no way. Also, the WRX CVT is not as efficient in fuel consumption as Subaru wants you to think, the manual WRX has a better gas mileage. My point is that Subaru obviously doesn't car about the WRX automatic, otherwise they would make it faster/quicker than the manual by using top transmissions like the VW Golf GTI or R do with a DSG. No sports car enthusiast want a CVT that prevent you from tuning your car and will cost you an arm to change. It's too bad because there are people out there that would probably be happy to have a WRX with a double clutch and be even happier if they could increase the power of the car. Anyway, great video and good tips!
I have a 2021 Crosstrek with 2,800 miles and it has about a 2 second delay before engaging into drive from park. Not normal? I never slam it into gear while it's still moving.