Do CVT transmissions last? (2023)

Is CVT a reliable transmission?

In general, CVTs are no more or less reliable than traditional automatic transmissions. But it may be their application are better suited to smaller cars than larger vehicles.

In today's marketplace, new cars with CVTs can be expected to provide reliable operation up to about 100,000 miles. For most cars, overall reliability will be poorer than that expected with a conventional automatic or manual transmission.

CVT units do not last as long as traditional automatic transmissions, with most lasting 100,000 or less. However, keep in mind that CVT technology is still relatively new and is constantly improving.

Most manufacturers fall into a range between 30,000 and 50,000 miles. Many car owners find that their manual doesn't specify a time. If this is the case, a good rule of thumb is around 50,000 miles.

How Much Does CVT Transmission Repair Cost? The average cost to repair a CVT transmission ranges between $3500 and $8000. The price varies by the make and model of the vehicle; Nissan and Honda CVTs tend to be on the lower-priced end while Subaru's CVTs are toward the higher end.

Replacing a CVT transmission costs roughly between $3,000 and $5,000 or higher. The CVTs won't last nearly as long as the standard automatic transmissions, and it's not surprising if they fail to run for more than 100K miles or less.

2. Which CVT Transmission Brand Is The Most Reliable? The Honda models with the CVT are the most reliable among all the lineups and CVT transmission life expectancy is the longest. However, the automakers have been working relentlessly to improve the technology.

Some of the common problems that owners run into include overheating, slipping, and sudden loss of acceleration. Shuddering is also a common problem. Since CVTs depend on the belts to operate, if these suffer from excessive stretching or too much wear, the transmission can completely fail.

Is CVT good for long drive?

CVT transmissions provide a smoother ride over long distances. When you are driving with a continuously variable transmission, then you will not experience the lurching and hesitation that the traditional technologies could sometimes provide.

CVTs are more complex and specialized than a standard automatic transmission, and repair costs often are very expensive. And when a CVT cannot be repaired, it needs to be replaced, which can be so expensive that owners are forced to sideline an otherwise perfectly good car.

Most CVTs (continuously variable transmissions) need inspections and/or fluid changes. We advise owners to refer to the owner's manual for specific guidance and to keep records of related services. Remember that unlike engine oil, transmission fluid should never burn off.

CVT fluid certainly wears out over time. It should be changed much sooner than automatic or manual transmission oil. CVT fluid has to be in acceptable condition to protect against metal-to-metal contact. It also has to provide the correct frictional properties.

A CVT belt will require replacement from wear-and-tear from time to time, and this is by design. The CVT belt will begin slipping before more expensive CVT parts, such as the drive pulleys, require replacing. This means you only have to replace your CVT belt from time to time rather than replacing a pricier part.

Honda CVTs can provide a smoother ride

Other types of automatic transmissions change between different gear positions. The CVT does not use gears. Instead, it has a belt. This can lead to a smoother ride.

Of course, you should change your car's transmission fluid after about 100k miles. Most recent vehicles now go over 100k miles before their transmission fluid is changed. However, expert mechanics advise that proper CVT transmission maintenance requires you to change your car's transmission fluid after 50k miles.

On average, a rebuilt transmission is expected to last between 30,000 – 50,000 miles. If the work is done extremely well and regular maintenance is performed, a transmission rebuild can last as long as the original transmission (120,000 – 200,000 miles on average).

CVT transmissions can typically last at least or around 100,000 miles before a serious rebuild is necessary. Depending on how often you drive, this could be as soon as 5 to 10 years.

What does slipping CVT feel like?

When the transmission slips, it might feel like the vehicle is slow to respond. Sometimes it doesn't respond at all when you press the gas pedal. The noticeable change in the transmission's performance might be accompanied by a noise or change in pitch as it changes gears.

Nissan CVTs are known to overheat, especially after traveling at highway speeds for a long time or driving up a steep grade. When the transmission overheats, the vehicle often goes into a fail-safe or “limp” mode, resulting in a loss of power.

The CVT requires fluid pressures up to 1,200 psi to operate and it must pass through small passageways, which may result in a momentary hiss or squeal sound. This noise does not affect transmission performance, function or reliability.

Car manufacturers like CVT transmissions because they help improve fuel efficiency by containing RPMs, or engine speed. Outstanding fuel efficiency is a major advantage for your Bloomfield and Troy commutes.

CVT transmissions are not the best option for towing because they can't cope with as much torque from the engine as traditional automatic or even manual transmissions can.

CVTs are popular because of the smoothness they provide in town and thanks to their popularity among hybrid car producers, particularly Toyota. CVT gearboxes, on the other hand, are generally quite dependable and provide outstanding fuel efficiency. When you want to pull away, they give powerful acceleration right now.

A modern Honda CVT should comfortably last at least 200,000 miles. Of course, that's provided it's well maintained throughout its lifespan. In short, it's sensible to be wary when buying an older, high-mileage car. The CVT may well be on the way out.

There are many new Toyota models that have a CVT included as a standard feature or available. Some of these include: Toyota Camry. Toyota C-HR.

If you notice your vehicle is running hot, and feel that the transmission is limiting engine power and acceleration as a result, your CVT may be overheating.

Can CVT climb hills?

Jazz CVT is good on hill driving. But it's not the CVT , but the engine which is not that responsive on incline driving. The engine or the clutch is designed to provide more speed than torque, so I wouldn't suggest any Jazz for a regular hill driving.

But more importantly, the CVT offers smooth power delivery in stop and go traffic conditions, and hence is the ideal transmission for city use. On the highway, the engine feels like it's working hard, due to the 'rubber band' effect of the CVT, and you could do with more power.

If you are looking for a petrol engine with increased power and torque, then VVT is the better option. CVT is better for diesel engines, as it provides smooth and efficient gear changes, which is important for a diesel engine.

It usually only takes a day or two to replace a transmission in most rear wheel vehicles. However, some late-model, front-wheel drive vehicles can be quite labor-intensive and take three to four days.

Rebuilding a transmission can save you a lot of money over the short-term, while keeping car payments out of your monthly budget. For many, rebuilding their transmission is worth the initial cost. Rebuilding a transmission may cost you twenty-five hundred dollars or more, which is a significant chunk of change.

How to Protect a CVT Transmission: 5 Practical Tips So Your CVT Lasts

Eventually, the CVT fluid will need to be flushed and replaced -- but it can last up to 100,000 miles or more in some cases before it goes bad.

Average Cost and Factors

The typical price range for a transmission flush is $125 to $250 – approximately twice as much as a fluid change due to the additional fluid required (12-22 quarts instead of 5-7 quarts) to completely replace the old fluid. The average you can expect to pay is $150 for the full service.

Performing a flush also allows you to use a flush additive to help clean the transmission and more effectively remove accumulated sludge and other contaminants. Transmission flushes are recommended every 45,000 miles or 3 years in place of a drain and fill or to replace fluid changes altogether.

CVT Common Problems

Transmission 'jerking', slipping, grinding or jumping during acceleration when the car is shifting gears. Noisy while driving – some customers have issues with a 'whining', 'clanging' or 'rattling' sound while driving especially with Nissan CVT's. Contaminated or low transmission fluid. Overheating.

Which CVT is most reliable?

2. Which CVT Transmission Brand Is The Most Reliable? The Honda models with the CVT are the most reliable among all the lineups and CVT transmission life expectancy is the longest. However, the automakers have been working relentlessly to improve the technology.

CVT transmissions provide a smoother ride over long distances. When you are driving with a continuously variable transmission, then you will not experience the lurching and hesitation that the traditional technologies could sometimes provide.

Honda CVTs can provide a smoother ride

Other types of automatic transmissions change between different gear positions. The CVT does not use gears. Instead, it has a belt. This can lead to a smoother ride.

When the transmission slips, it might feel like the vehicle is slow to respond. Sometimes it doesn't respond at all when you press the gas pedal. The noticeable change in the transmission's performance might be accompanied by a noise or change in pitch as it changes gears.

In conclusion, as parts and special tools (where needed) become available and affordable, rebuilding CVTs will become a more-enjoyable and profitable experience.

Honda CR-V

Honda makes one of the best CVT transmissions around, and it really helps with the refinement of the Honda CR-V. Apart from being surefooted and well balanced, the Honda CR-V is also silky smooth, and the CVT transmission helps the SUV accelerate off the line with ease.

Most CVTs (continuously variable transmissions) need inspections and/or fluid changes. We advise owners to refer to the owner's manual for specific guidance and to keep records of related services. Remember that unlike engine oil, transmission fluid should never burn off.

Jazz CVT is good on hill driving. But it's not the CVT , but the engine which is not that responsive on incline driving. The engine or the clutch is designed to provide more speed than torque, so I wouldn't suggest any Jazz for a regular hill driving.

On average, a rebuilt transmission is expected to last between 30,000 – 50,000 miles. If the work is done extremely well and regular maintenance is performed, a transmission rebuild can last as long as the original transmission (120,000 – 200,000 miles on average).

Is CVT good for highway?

But more importantly, the CVT offers smooth power delivery in stop and go traffic conditions, and hence is the ideal transmission for city use. On the highway, the engine feels like it's working hard, due to the 'rubber band' effect of the CVT, and you could do with more power.

Lastly, CVTs are loud, particularly when you are rapidly accelerating. In fact, it isn't the transmission that's loud, it's the engine. When you step on it in a CVT it's akin to putting an AT in neutral and stomping on the pedal. The engines revs really loud.

A modern Honda CVT should comfortably last at least 200,000 miles. Of course, that's provided it's well maintained throughout its lifespan. In short, it's sensible to be wary when buying an older, high-mileage car. The CVT may well be on the way out.

The mileage of a CVT car is not particularly high but can offer better mileage than an automatic. The cost of maintaining an automatic car is higher than a manual car. The maintenance of a manual car is not expensive. The maintenance cost of a CVT car is higher than a manual car.