Is it a variant of an automatic transmission? I noticed in my car that has a CVT, the engine sounds a lot different than my other car that has a normal automatic transmission.

does anyone know which ones are more reliable? i've heard that the CVT transmissions don't last that long and give lots of problems compared to a regular transmission but i'm not sure if that is fact or fiction. I'm looking to get a 2013 Honda Accord LX-S Coupe with around 70k miles for under 15k. (First car BTW). One of the cars im looking to purchase has the regular automatic transmission and the other has a CVT transmission. I don't drive that much to be honest but I would love for my car to be reliable as possible. I don't drive like a maniac and I will take care of my car well.

Just kind of curious as to why CVTs need transmission oil. If they operate using belts wouldn't they want the most friction possible so the belts won't slip? I feel like it would be like pouring oil on your serpentine belt, it just doesn't make sense to me.

Hi, my team is getting a lot of new members and I would love to show them this video from the BAJA pathable 2020 presentation but it was recently taken down? Would any know how I could access it again?

I'm looking at an SUV to purchase such as the Toyota Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, 4runner, various Subarus, etc.

I've never owned a Hybrid, or a CVT. I like to do as much minor maintenance myself as I can. I'm no mechanic, but I can do basic things like brake jobs and alternators etc.

I am looking for advice on what I would be getting myself into if I made the jump to a Hybrid and or CVT from both a reliability and maintenance aspect.

One example is the hybrid regenerative braking which I am unfamiliar with. I would assume there would be more to a brake job with that than traditional, but would it still be something I would be capable of doing at home or am I locking myself into even more expensive maintenance work at the dealer / mechanic?

Will reliability be an issue with a hybrid / CVT? More parts means more things that could break...

TL; DR

1. Both Gen 1 2014-2015 and Gen 2 2016+ Chevy Spark models have a variant of Jatco JF015E.
2. Originally 2014 Sparks came with transmission software that was always shifting to the low gear, causing shocks, resulting in premature belt and pulley metal wear. An update was issued for CVT firmware to prefer staying in high gear on deceleration (PI1309). 2015+ Sparks are coming with this update preinstalled. This is now a normal behavior and can't be changed.
3. CVTs on all 2014+ Spark models are not sealed. They are serviceable and you should perform the maintenance at least every 45K miles unless you drive on the highway all the time.
4. CVT performance is heavily influenced by the state of the fluid inside. Deteriorated fluid will cause the belt to slip producing shudder. No, this shudder won’t disappear on its own, it will only get worse.
5. Shudder is different from slow smooth acceleration, which is a feature of this transmission.
6. Fluid is not the only thing that can go wrong, so contact your dealer if you have transmission concerns. If you are driving a 2014 model and did not get the CVT TCM update at the dealer, the chances of transmission damage increase, so there is a campaign for 2014-2015 model year vehicles to replace damaged transmissions.

Background

The main task of transmission is to adapt the output of the engine to the drive wheels. In order to provide more torque to the wheels, transmission makes the output rotate slower resulting in more torque. If you need higher speed, transmission makes the output rotate faster with reduced torque. Transmission also deals with the reverse gear because engines always rotate in one direction.

Starting from 2014, Chevrolet ships Sparks with three kinds of transmissions:

• A manual one where the operator has full control over the timing of switching the gears, effectively changing the ratio of the wheel to engine rotations.
• A Continuously Variable Transmission, where the gears are replaced with a system of a push belt and pulleys, this post is about the CVT.

Side note: In 2016 Opel Karl also gained AMT - Automated Manual Transmission called Easytronic 3.0 in European and South Korean markets - https://www.carscoops.com/2016/03/opel-adds-affordable-easytronic-30/.

Imagine a bicycle with multiple gears. Your gear at the rear wheel allows you to change how much of your inp

We all know about the downside of these freaky transmissions, but after owning one and doing some digging, they actually make sense on some level.

I’m a Toyota guy, but last year I bought a 2009 Nissan Cube, 1.8, 90k miles with the dreaded CVT. Reason being is that I needed a cheap, light, fwd, automatic, roomy vehicle to dolly-tow behind my RV. The trans had just been replaced under warranty and I’ll never put a lot of miles on it, so it should be fine going forward.

So the driving experience is a little weird. It doesn’t shift like a conventional automatic and it sounds a bit like George Jetson’s car, but I gotta’ tell you, this thing is amazingly quick. Without totally getting on it, it does 0-60 in 8 seconds...and sips gas while doing it. My daughter drives a Toyota Matrix, auto, 2.4, and after taking the Cube for an evening came home raving about its pep.

And all this from a small 4 cyl, two variable pulleys and a belt. The theory behind it is a smoother ride, maximum fuel efficiency at all speeds and more ‘get up and go’ from a smaller engine. I understand Toyota has even added a ‘take-off’ gear to their new CVTs to help...whatever.

Hey, even conventional automatics have their issues, so as long as they can at least match their dependability, they may someday get some respect. Probably the biggest downside will continue to be that not many know how to rebuild them, so the dealers get the work. On the other hand, it creates opportunity for mechanics to learn a new skill set.

I gotta’ take Astro for his ride, but what do you think about them?