![]() ![]() The fluid seepage seen in Subaru CVTs was actually due to the sealant used on the oil pump chain cover and the oil seal on the input shaft. ![]() Consumers have had to contend with this problem in various models over the years. Irrespective of the model and year of Subie you have, these are the most commonly reported CVT transmission problems: Bumps, Shaking, and ShudderingĪ malfunctioning belt or pulley in the CVT transmission typically causes the car to shudder or shake. Plus, it allows the engine to operate longer at desirably lower speeds, equating to better fuel economy. The pulley system’s design in a CVT vehicle also allows it to accelerate with more power. A smoother ride is often the touted benefit whenever CVTs come up in a convo, and it’s because the transmission doesn’t have to contend with the shifting of physical gears.įor this reason, it also provides a quieter ride. Moreover, since Subaru has a commitment to continuous improvement, you might want to stick with CVTs. And if you’re wondering why, it’s because Subaru realized that the benefits of using CVTs outweigh the potential issues with them. Notably, Japanese brands like Subaru like using CVTs more than their American and European counterparts. Inside the vehicle, the controls are nothing unusual, and you’ll find two pedals (there’s no clutch) and a P-R-N-D-L shift pattern. But if you’re used to driving a stick shift car, a CVT can make you feel like the clutch is slipping when you step on the gas. This seamless operation creates a smoother power delivery, almost rivaling what you’d expect in an electric vehicle. While the gear ratios can change continuously, the process happens smoothly even under engine load. By getting narrower or wider, the pulleys convert engine speed into suitable car speed.Īnd since these pulleys can change their width limitlessly, we get that “continuously variable” lingo. Subaru CVTs use a flexible steel belt drive to connect pulleys with varying groove widths, essentially replacing gears. Other types like the toroidal CVT use rotating discs and rollers to mimic the results you’d get with pulleys.Īnother one called hydrostatic CVT uses pumps to regulate the flow of fluids, which then produce a rotational motion. Not all CVT transmissions follow the same design and construction. Are There Different Types of CVT Transmissions? This way, the combo provides an infinite number of gear ratios. When one gets larger, the other corresponds by getting smaller. The width of the pulley grooves changes from time to time, depending on how much power the car demands from the engine. One pulley connects to the engine while the other connects to the wheels, and the heavy-duty steel belt joins the two. A typical CVT uses pulleys and a heavy-duty steel belt drive to allow changing of gear ratios in a continuous, smooth fashion. But a CVT can achieve any combination of gears depending on the caps in the programming.Īnd while it’s programmed to shift like a regular automatic, there’s really no shifting happening at all. What Is a CVT Transmission?ĬVT is short for continuously variable transmission, a buzzword auto engineers use to describe a special automatic transmission with no fixed amount of gear ratios (speeds).Ī CVT is only similar to a traditional automatic transmission in that both don’t require input from the driver.Ī traditional automatic transmission has a specified number of gear speeds, ranging from four to ten-speed transmissions. But even though it’s easy to assume CVT is a “bad” transmission, nothing could be further from the truth. Understandably, Subaru’s unwavering commitment to the use of CVT transmissions has raised eyebrows for many of the brand’s loyal consumers. Provided you stick to a proper maintenance routine and avoid putting too much strain on the powertrain, the transmission should prove to be quite reliable. ![]() There’s no specific lifespan for Subaru CVT transmissions, but they can last for a relatively long time, even going beyond 100,000 miles. But as is the case with many vehicle brands and models, Subaru has some not-so-bright spots, begging the question: How long does a Subaru CVT transmission last? Reliability and safety are arguably the top priorities for many people when buying cars, which is why brands like Subaru have done so well. ![]()
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