View Poll Results: Do you like CVTs?
YES
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25
42.37%
NO
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20
33.90%
Neutral/no opinion yet
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14
23.73%
Voters: 59. You may not vote on this poll
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and people's opinions on them
#17
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Convention transmissions only last 90-120k on the original factory fluid, depends how hard you drive, I have seen several GS, M and 5 having the transmissions replaced because the fluid was never changed but the cars all had pre-owned warranties on them, that covered the 8000 repair bill![Egads!](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/pat.gif)
CVT should last no problem, the only exception is the 1st generation Murano, but Nissan made due to those owners and has since up the CVT warranty to 10 years 120k on all CVT equipped cars to model year 2010.
Other makes no idea, Audi has CVT but I have never heard of any issues, Mini has some CVT issues
![Egads!](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/pat.gif)
CVT should last no problem, the only exception is the 1st generation Murano, but Nissan made due to those owners and has since up the CVT warranty to 10 years 120k on all CVT equipped cars to model year 2010.
Other makes no idea, Audi has CVT but I have never heard of any issues, Mini has some CVT issues
CVT's had issues before, supposedly these new steel belts should help now, but they started appearing since 2008/2009, so there will be some time to judge them.
#18
Lexus Test Driver
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Convention transmissions only last 90-120k on the original factory fluid, depends how hard you drive, I have seen several GS, M and 5 having the transmissions replaced because the fluid was never changed but the cars all had pre-owned warranties on them, that covered the 8000 repair bill![Egads!](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/pat.gif)
CVT should last no problem, the only exception is the 1st generation Murano, but Nissan made due to those owners and has since up the CVT warranty to 10 years 120k on all CVT equipped cars to model year 2010.
Other makes no idea, Audi has CVT but I have never heard of any issues, Mini has some CVT issues
![Egads!](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/pat.gif)
CVT should last no problem, the only exception is the 1st generation Murano, but Nissan made due to those owners and has since up the CVT warranty to 10 years 120k on all CVT equipped cars to model year 2010.
Other makes no idea, Audi has CVT but I have never heard of any issues, Mini has some CVT issues
My 89' Toyota Van also had the original tranny, and original tranny fluid as well as original rear diff fluid at over 290k miles.
#19
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Audi has horrible CVT issues with multitronic... This is first time I hear of conventional automatics lasting 90k. Is this manual or AT?
CVT's had issues before, supposedly these new steel belts should help now, but they started appearing since 2008/2009, so there will be some time to judge them.
CVT's had issues before, supposedly these new steel belts should help now, but they started appearing since 2008/2009, so there will be some time to judge them.
#20
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Not completely true, it's likely but there are exceptions. For example, my 92' Corolla had over 200k miles on the original tranny, and original tranny fluid. Sure, it only had a 3 speed auto but still...lol
My 89' Toyota Van also had the original tranny, and original tranny fluid as well as original rear diff fluid at over 290k miles.
My 89' Toyota Van also had the original tranny, and original tranny fluid as well as original rear diff fluid at over 290k miles.
![Wink](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
#21
Lexus Test Driver
#22
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Conventional transmissions lasting until 90-120k is the factory fluid never being changed, not that they only last that long, once the fluid starts to get burnt and clog the small holes in the valve body the trans stops shifting, it is possible the fluid can last longer.
On the other side, CVTs have been very problematic in past at least, we will need few more years to get to know these latest ones.
#23
Lexus Fanatic
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I don't see it as any more quirky than paddles with a conventional automatic or automanual. As with Sport-shift levers, the paddles are there for those who want manual control of the CVT. Instead of shifting the tranny into conventional gears, the paddles simply move the drive-belt to specific, pre-programmed ratios between the two drive-pulleys. Or, if desired, the CVT can simply operate on its own.
#24
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I don't see it as any more quirky than paddles with a conventional automatic or automanual. As with Sport-shift levers, the paddles are there for those who want manual control of the CVT. Instead of shifting the tranny into conventional gears, the paddles simply move the drive-belt to specific, pre-programmed ratios between the two drive-pulleys. Or, if desired, the CVT can simply operate on its own.
#25
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i cant tell you that i have seen transmission problems at anything thats more than 1 in 1000 with Toyota, and we used to handle around 1200 cars. So you are completely off.
On the other side, CVTs have been very problematic in past at least, we will need few more years to get to know these latest ones.
On the other side, CVTs have been very problematic in past at least, we will need few more years to get to know these latest ones.
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#26
Lexus Test Driver
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Had a CVT on my 2003 A4 1.8T. Was a great transmission, but only "came to life" when in manual mode. RPM's needed to stay up to avoid slight turbo lag.
#28
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before actually trying CVT, i thought manual in CVT is the stupidest thing ever... once you try it, you realize it is required, even if it is fake and pointless :-)
#29
Out of Warranty
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The CVT is going to be the way we get power to the ground for as long as we continue to use internal combustion engines in our cars. They represent the best way to extract efficiency from an ICE, but allowing it to run at its most efficient speed, whatever the power demands. This contributes to fuel efficiency, engine life, and a whole range of benefits that can apply directly to CAFE legislation.
The trouble is, thanks to our having been raised on rising and falling engine notes and slick gear changes as a part of our car culture, the wimpy wail of the catalyzed exhaust note of a transportation appliance (soon no longer to be called a "car") as it drips water vapor from the combustion of its hydrogen fuel from a single, pencil-thin exhaust tube, will become the sound of motoring for our children.
They will never hear the blast of a blown 426 Hemi or a Holman-Moody 427 Ford off the line. That chest-pounding experience will be as foreign to them as the sound of a Pratt and Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major aircraft engine coming to life on a cold morning is to the current generation.
![](http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/5371/waspmajor.jpg)
Here, 28 cylinders displacing 4360 CI, it was one of the largest gasoline engines ever manufactured. With both a supercharger and twin turbochargers, it produced over 4300 horsepower - in 1944. It not only produced an eye-watering cloud of oil smoke and unburned fuel on startup, typical of large radials, it accompanied itself with a long series of explosions, coughs, hiccups, farts, gargles and snorts before settling down to an ear-splitting crackling roar. It defined spectacular.
Makes the steady purr of a CVT on launch seem pretty tame.
The trouble is, thanks to our having been raised on rising and falling engine notes and slick gear changes as a part of our car culture, the wimpy wail of the catalyzed exhaust note of a transportation appliance (soon no longer to be called a "car") as it drips water vapor from the combustion of its hydrogen fuel from a single, pencil-thin exhaust tube, will become the sound of motoring for our children.
They will never hear the blast of a blown 426 Hemi or a Holman-Moody 427 Ford off the line. That chest-pounding experience will be as foreign to them as the sound of a Pratt and Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major aircraft engine coming to life on a cold morning is to the current generation.
![](http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/5371/waspmajor.jpg)
Here, 28 cylinders displacing 4360 CI, it was one of the largest gasoline engines ever manufactured. With both a supercharger and twin turbochargers, it produced over 4300 horsepower - in 1944. It not only produced an eye-watering cloud of oil smoke and unburned fuel on startup, typical of large radials, it accompanied itself with a long series of explosions, coughs, hiccups, farts, gargles and snorts before settling down to an ear-splitting crackling roar. It defined spectacular.
Makes the steady purr of a CVT on launch seem pretty tame.
#30
Guest
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I first drove a CVT in the RX 400h and did an extensive review here on it. If I recall it felt weird and wasn't an initial fan. Its just odd to go from years of driving conventional autos and manuals to a CVT which doesn't shift.
Well now having owned CVTs and driven plenty I love them and to me a standard automatic feels less luxurious and some brands just can't get a tranny right. Now there are different levels of CVTs. For instance the GSh and LSh debuted world firsts with their CVTs, they are strong as hell and while buzzy by far the best around in refinement. How strong? My GS 450h is fine
and we all know I drive hard.
When my wife (g/f at the time) had an Altima, the CVT was well suited to the car. Very unrefined in comparison to a Lexus but got the job done and matched perfectly with the engine like most CVTs.
As for the ability to "simulate" a gear, its cool to hold a gear like a traditional transmission. Rarely is it used but its good that it is there. Everyone and everything has paddle shifters
so no biggie.
I drove a new G25 with the 7 speed auto extensively recently and I kept thinking "damn this tranny sucks" and wished it had a CVT. In comparison I found the CVT in the Maxima great for the car even if it isn't a "4DSC" as advertised.
So I am a big CVT supporter. The poll is close!
Well now having owned CVTs and driven plenty I love them and to me a standard automatic feels less luxurious and some brands just can't get a tranny right. Now there are different levels of CVTs. For instance the GSh and LSh debuted world firsts with their CVTs, they are strong as hell and while buzzy by far the best around in refinement. How strong? My GS 450h is fine
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
When my wife (g/f at the time) had an Altima, the CVT was well suited to the car. Very unrefined in comparison to a Lexus but got the job done and matched perfectly with the engine like most CVTs.
As for the ability to "simulate" a gear, its cool to hold a gear like a traditional transmission. Rarely is it used but its good that it is there. Everyone and everything has paddle shifters
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
I drove a new G25 with the 7 speed auto extensively recently and I kept thinking "damn this tranny sucks" and wished it had a CVT. In comparison I found the CVT in the Maxima great for the car even if it isn't a "4DSC" as advertised.
So I am a big CVT supporter. The poll is close!