CVT fluid change intervals

[Tnhawk]

Anyone have any experience with CVT transmissions? I have one in a Subaru Forrester and am wondering when a fluid change should be done. I've read on a dealer site it should be done at 60,000 miles. A service tech at a Subaru dealer recommended 100,000 miles.

 

[pronstar]

I’d err on the side of changing it far more frequently…like 20k or 30k miles





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[Darkpriest667]

Depends on the CVT model. Some are more prone to break than others. I think I changed mine at 50k


EDIT -- looks like I just had it changed at 90k and no previous change. Just FYI there are 1.5 Million corollas with the CVT now in the U.S. and none of them have high reports of failure.

Subaru has been known to be a rock solid brand from what I understand, thats why you can never find them for sale. The guys who are bitching about CVTs (on this forum and others) are the same type of folks that think a 3 pound .45 is a better combat pistol than proven 9mms that weigh half as much.

Weight, heat, and efficiency matter. CVTs have the best of all 3 of those worlds.

 

[Brains]

You know what a CVT doesn't have? Input torque capacity. That's why they're only installed in low power commuter cars. They'll be gone completely once that segment is replaced with more powerful and more efficient electric vehicles.

 

[Tnhawk]

You know what a CVT doesn't have? Input torque capacity. That's why they're only installed in low power commuter cars. They'll be gone completely once that segment is replaced with more powerful and more efficient electric vehicles.

You know what I no plan to ever own? An electric vehicle!

My 'current' vehicle is as close to 'electric' as I plan to own.

 

[Brains]

You know what I no plan to ever own? An electric vehicle!

My 'current' vehicle is as close to 'electric' as I plan to own.

Shoot my car is already too electric, and it's a 485hp V8.

 

[Darkpriest667]

You know what a CVT doesn't have? Input torque capacity. That's why they're only installed in low power commuter cars. They'll be gone completely once that segment is replaced with more powerful and more efficient electric vehicles.

A new transmission costs 2500 bucks. a new lithium battery for an electric car costs 10000 dollars. Keep in mind these Lithium-Ion batteries in cars do NOT like extreme heat or cold and they're only good for 500 charging cycles.

Electric Car Battery Life: Everything You Need to Know

The battery packs of electric vehicles are quite resilient, with the lithium-ion type used in most modern EVs capable of lasting at least a decade before needing replacement.

www.caranddriver.com

I don't disagree electrics are more efficient, but they aren't the holy grail either. I would have bought a Tesla in 2016 if they had been rolling off of the line but it was a 3 year wait for one back then and I needed a car then.

If I wanted something with input torque I'd have bought a truck.

 

[pronstar]

You know what a CVT doesn't have? Input torque capacity. That's why they're only installed in low power commuter cars. They'll be gone completely once that segment is replaced with more powerful and more efficient electric vehicles.

Yeah I’m pretty sure Nissan is the only company putting them behind engines as large as 3.5L…and we all know the track record of those CVT’s


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[candcallen]

No CVT transmission ever.

Mechanics generally say change it frequently cause if you wait till the full term chances of failure goes up.

They dont like them.

 

[Brains]

A new transmission costs 2500 bucks. a new lithium battery for an electric car costs 10000 dollars. Keep in mind these Lithium-Ion batteries in cars do NOT like extreme heat or cold and they're only good for 500 charging cycles.

Electric Car Battery Life: Everything You Need to Know

The battery packs of electric vehicles are quite resilient, with the lithium-ion type used in most modern EVs capable of lasting at least a decade before needing replacement.

www.caranddriver.com

I don't disagree electrics are more efficient, but they aren't the holy grail either. I would have bought a Tesla in 2016 if they had been rolling off of the line but it was a 3 year wait for one back then and I needed a car then.

If I wanted something with input torque I'd have bought a truck.

No. These aren't laptop batteries. If they didn't go past 500 cycles you would have a lot of people quite upset with their two year old electric/hybrid cars.

Like it or not, the CVT is merely a temporary "fix" for CAFE standards. Electrification will take over that segment.

 

[Tnhawk]

My concern isn't EVs or their batteries. They have their own set of problems to overcome.

I 'm only trying to maintain my Subaru for many more miles of dependable service. This is the reason I asked for information from those with experience in maintenance of CVT transmissions.

 

[Darkpriest667]

My concern isn't EVs or their batteries. They have their own set of problems to overcome.

I 'm only trying to maintain my Subaru for many more miles of dependable service. This is the reason I asked for information from those with experience in maintenance of CVT transmissions.

Its in the owners manual dude <3 I googled it for you 30k miles recommended

Subaru CVT Transmission Maintenance Tips | Columbus Auto Care Tips

At Byers Airport Subaru, we want you to make the most of your Subaru and all its advanced engineering. If your Subaru is equipped with a CVT transmission, it has special maintenance needs unlike any other transmission. Learn on this page how to best take care of your car's CVT gearbox. 614-864-5180

www.columbussubaru.com

 

[BuffmanRANGE]

From my reading of the forums on the Subaru Forester, the CVT's biggest killers are heat, and not changing the fluid even though Subaru says it's "filled for life". Many will install an additional cooler, and change the fluid from 30-60K

 

[Darqhelmet]

It’s 30K and good luck with that CVT. Nissan and Subi have both had lots of issues. Google Subaru CVT issues. You’ll see they have already had to extend the factory warranty on them once because of the issues.

 

[seeker_two]

It’s 30K and good luck with that CVT. Nissan and Subi have both had lots of issues. Google Subaru CVT issues. You’ll see they have already had to extend the factory warranty on them once because of the issues.

Both were using JATCO CVTs.....pure junk. I think Subaru switched to another CVT recently.

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[Geezer]

Right at the end of 2019 we bought a 2019 Honda CR-V. It has the CVT. I was very uneasy about the CVT, I had heard a lot of bad things about them. But, we went ahead and got the CR-V, our 3rd one we've owned. It seems like most every manufacturer has them pretty reliable, with the exception of Nissan.

So far, all of the service, mainly oil changes, have been done at a Honda dealer. It costs about the same as an oil change anywhere else and I'm on record as having all recommended service done by Honda.

The service writer said they did a CVT fluid change at 30K. I'm not quite to 20K. We don't tow or haul heavy loads so, maybe we'll be OK. Still, I have my fingers crossed.

 

[Tnhawk]

Subaru recommends inspection at 30,000 mile intervals. They don't provide a recommended fluid/filter change interval however. Their service tech recommended 90,000 miles. The warranty is 10 year/100,000 miles. I plan to have the fluid and filter changed at 42-45,000 miles as it doesn't get heavy use.

 

[oldag]

A new transmission costs 2500 bucks. a new lithium battery for an electric car costs 10000 dollars. Keep in mind these Lithium-Ion batteries in cars do NOT like extreme heat or cold and they're only good for 500 charging cycles.

Electric Car Battery Life: Everything You Need to Know

The battery packs of electric vehicles are quite resilient, with the lithium-ion type used in most modern EVs capable of lasting at least a decade before needing replacement.

www.caranddriver.com

I don't disagree electrics are more efficient, but they aren't the holy grail either. I would have bought a Tesla in 2016 if they had been rolling off of the line but it was a 3 year wait for one back then and I needed a car then.

If I wanted something with input torque I'd have bought a truck.

$2500 for a new transmission? You sure about that?

 

[Darqhelmet]

$2500 for a new transmission? You sure about that?

That’s just the unit price. Labor, oof throw the car away.

 

[Darqhelmet]

Subaru recommends inspection at 30,000 mile intervals. They don't provide a recommended fluid/filter change interval however. Their service tech recommended 90,000 miles. The warranty is 10 year/100,000 miles. I plan to have the fluid and filter changed at 42-45,000 miles as it doesn't get heavy use.

Watch the posted video. Explains why that mileage is BS.