Because of the smoothness they offer in urban areas and because Toyota and other manufacturers of hybrid vehicles favor CVTs, they are widely used.
In This Article...
How durable are Toyota CVT transmissions?
The lifespan of a CVT transmission is the same as that of a conventional automatic transmission, and they are built to last the entire life of the car. The lifespan of a normal CVT is at least 100,000 kilometers. Some vehicles, like the Toyota Prius, frequently have a lifespan of far over 300,000 kilometers. Some brands, like other automotive parts, last longer than others when maintained properly.
Who produces the most dependable CVTs?
most trustworthy automakers and CVT transmissions
- Honda CVT transmission issues and evaluation (WINNER)
- Issues with the Toyota CVT transmission and review (2nd place)
- Review of Subaru CVT transmission issues (3rd Place)
- Review & issues with the Hyundai/KiaCVT (IVT) transmission.
Who manufactures Toyota’s CVT?
Many Toyota cars come equipped with a series of continuously variable gearboxes (CVTs) known as the Toyota K CVT transmission. The Toyota Group of Companies company Aisin, a producer of vehicle parts, is responsible for making the transmissions. A CVT is a kind of automatic transmission that can switch between a wide range of gear ratios without jerking. Other transmissions, in comparison, only offer a finite number of gear ratios in predetermined increments. The two pulleys in the K series are connected by a belt.
How long has Toyota been utilizing CVTs?
A. The 2019 Corolla is rated very reliable by the Automobile Protection Association and has low estimated operating expenses and good resale value (we haven’t seen the 2020 model yet, but it will probably receive the same assessment). Most hybrid vehicles come equipped with a CVT, or continuously variable transmission, and more and more ordinary gasoline-powered vehicles as well. When compared to a traditional hydraulic automatic transmission, its main benefit is a reduction in fuel consumption. The gearing options are numerous with the CVT architecture. And since it is “Theoretically, because it is continually changeable, it can offer the best gear ratio for efficiency or performance at any given moment. In reality, the fuel efficiency advantage of a CVT is negligible because to the growing number of speeds in conventional automatics (up from four or five just a few years ago to as many as 10 speeds now).
Nearly all automakers who offered a CVT transmission in Canada eventually ran into significant durability problems. Toyota had hitherto been the exception. Although the hybrid Prius has had a CVT transmission since it debuted in 2000 and has established an impressive track record, it is a distinct design that is not shared with Toyota’s other hybrid vehicles.
The CVT was first available in the majority of Corollas in 2014, and Toyota is currently running a service campaign in Canada for vehicles from 2014 through 2017. The manufacturer does not deem it to be a safety concern, and the Transport Canada website does not mention it as a recall. A solenoid inside the CVT transmission could cycle excessively and fail early as a result of bad computer programming. If the damage is severe, the engine service light can on and the car might enter “Limp Mode has a 60 kilometer per hour top speed restriction. At a Toyota dealership, new software must be installed in order to complete the repair. If required, a replacement valve body assembly will be installed in lieu of the damaged solenoid. There appears to be no time or mileage restriction for this free repair at the moment. On Corollas manufactured in 2018 and later, the flaw has been fixed.
A small number of 2019 Corolla hatchbacks were subject to a Toyota CVT transmission recall that received extensive media coverage. Dealers were told not to sell the model until the entire transmission had been changed and the vehicle’s software had been updated. There weren’t many cars in consumers’ possession, and any in the dealer’s inventory are being fixed before delivery.
The Automobile Protection Association’s president is George Iny. Send him inquiries about automobiles at
Should I purchase a vehicle with a CVT?
When compared to a conventional automatic, a CVT may offer a smoother driving experience depending on the car and the driver. One of the biggest benefits of having a CVT, according to Carfax, is that they frequently use less fuel than a standard automatic.
List of the Pros of a CVT Transmission
1. CVT transmissions increase a vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
The increase in fuel efficiency while driving is the continuously variable transmission’s most important benefit to drivers. The manufacturers and models that offer the CVT option typically obtain rankings that place the car at the top of its class or very close to it for the MPG you get. On average, mid-sized cars get close to 40 miles per gallon on the highway, and hybrids get nearly 50 MPG. When this technology is used, even trucks and SUVs commonly achieve MPG values exceeding 20.
2. CVT transmissions offer a quick response when driving uphill.
The continuously variable transmission will react quickly when you press the gas pedal all the way to the floor if you frequently drive up hills (such as while commuting up a mountain pass). This technology searches for the optimal ratio for the acceleration you need in order to provide the highest degree of power at all times. This means that, especially when towing a large load, you don’t need to worry about changing into a different gear or releasing the gas pedal to help the transmission reset.
The CVT transmission’s ability to offer an infinite number of gear ratios is the reason for this benefit. You may easily reach a cruising speed with the help of this option, which enables you to handle a wide range of driving circumstances. It will always maintain the engine’s power range, which is ideal.
3. Over long distances, CVT gearboxes offer a more comfortable ride.
A continuously variable gearbox eliminates the jerking and hesitation that older technologies occasionally brought with them when you are driving. This function automatically adjusts to the needs of the vehicle at any given time, thus finding the right gear ratio to be in is not necessary. There are many tales of transmissions bouncing and grinding and causing property damage or personal injury because the device didn’t function as planned.
Your ride will be smoother if your car has a CVT transmission because of the pulley or rotor/disc technology that is used to make each essential shift. The technology is constantly altering, so you will feel more changes throughout the flight, although the subtlety of the process is typically not noticeable in the cabin.
4. There are fewer components in CVT transmissions that could degrade over time.
The vehicle’s shifting system is made simpler by the continuously variable gearbox, meaning there are less moving elements that could malfunction while the automobile is in use. This implies that your overall chance of encountering a failure while driving is decreased. Even if something were to go wrong with the system, this less complicated design could end up saving you money in the long term.
Even though certain models do need the entire system to be replaced, rebuilding a CVT is quicker when it’s possible because you’re not required to disassemble the entire set of gears in order to get the car running again.
5. Compared to conventional transmissions, CVTs are lighter.
The weight of a continuously variable gearbox is significantly lower than a typical unit because it doesn’t need a lot of gears to maintain the right ratio while driving. Additionally, the product takes up less room overall underneath the car, which lowers the weight profile even more. As a result, your powertrain does not experience the same levels of stress that can cause premature wear-and-tear problems as you are driving down the road.
As a result of being able to maintain the proper gear ratio more frequently, this benefit can occasionally improve your fuel economy.
6. A superior torque ratio is provided by CVT gearboxes.
It is considerably easier for vehicles equipped with a CVT to identify and then maintain their appropriate torque ratio in every situation because the continuously variable gearbox does not require the same gearing as the previous technology. This means that you will have the ability to accelerate instantly from a complete stop, accelerate quickly when necessary, and maintain the appropriate ratio for a longer period of time as you drive.
Because of this, when ascending a mountain pass in a V8, you can find yourself getting passed by a little hatchback. The smaller vehicle climbs better as a result of its constant capacity to select the ideal gear ratio for any given situation.
7. With the right maintenance, CVT transmissions can last a very long time.
Pulleys used by this transmission in the early days of CVT technology occasionally broke. That implied that your operations expenses will very certainly increase. Although this problem has been resolved over the past few decades, most vehicles still require a complete replacement by the 100,000-mile milestone. Some owners have found that with regular maintenance and responsible driving practices, their transmission can last up to 200,000 miles (and occasionally longer) before it needs repair.
List of the Cons of a CVT Transmission
1. Replacing a CVT transmission can be very expensive.
Even while repairing a CVT transmission can be less expensive than repairing a conventional one, you’ll find that many automakers do not provide this alternative. Most drivers discover that when their unit breaks down, they are responsible for paying for a brand-new continuously variable transmission. You should anticipate having to replace it sometime between 60,000 and 100,000 miles because this option typically fails more quickly than what is on earlier vehicles.
Every year, a number of complaints about CVT transmissions wearing out before 50,000 miles are sent to several automakers, notably Subaru. To make sure you can exercise all of your rights, review your warranty with the vehicle. A full replacement should cost at least $3,000 and occasionally even more than $5,000. If you drive a Subaru, the price on some models may be closer to $8,000.
2. CVT transmissions will alter the way you drive.
Imagine you are on a two-lane highway and a slow driver is coming up behind you. If you are used to the conventional transmission, you may immediately gun it to pass the car without having to spend much time in the other lane. You need to drive carefully when your vehicle has a continuously variable transmission. Although some vehicles can accelerate and perform better, if you need an immediate adjustment in your driving conditions, you might also experience a delayed response.
As you approach the car you want to pass, you must plan the pass with an acceleration profile. Then, in order to ensure that you can make the pass in time, you must accelerate as you lose the draft. You might not be able to finish it in time if you don’t pick up the pace until after you pull out to pass.
3. The towing capacity of CVT transmissions is lower.
The process of towing with a continuously variable transmission is identical to that with a conventional transmission. Although the actual procedure is the same with this technology (which is a benefit), this choice typically includes vehicles that are designed to carry a little amount of weight. A car that has this option frequently has a maximum towing capacity of 1,000 pounds or less. If your engine is more powerful, you might get up to 3,000 pounds at a higher MSRP, but that is unusual because most CVTs are made to function best with 4-cylinder engines to get the maximum power out of them.
The same as you would with any other transmission, you can mount your receiver or hitch. The outlet might install the trailer for you if you are renting one to tow for a price. Then, unless you are driving on icy, snow-covered, or slick gravel roads, keep the CVT transmission in the drive position. With this choice, a certain gear ratio is not required to be locked in. Make sure you never go above the allowed tow rating, too.
4. If a CVT transmission malfunctions, a total replacement is frequently necessary.
The majority of the Subaru continuously variable gearboxes that need repair90% of themcannot undergo a rebuilding procedure due to the manner they malfunction. Usually, the damage is so severe that installing a new unit is the only method to restore the vehicle’s functionality. Although not often to the same an extent, this drawback applies to Nissan, Honda, and other automakers who utilise this technology.
Even when a rebuild is feasible, you’ll find that the price of the repair can be 50% or even more than it would be to fix a conventional transmission. This indicates that the fuel savings you achieve with this technology do not ultimately pay for themselves by the time a replacement is required.
5. CVT transmissions occasionally become stuck at high RPM ranges.
You can use an endless number of gear ratios thanks to the technology of a continuously variable gearbox to increase performance. You’ll also learn that the CVT gearbox occasionally misinterprets the information it receives from the engine, causing it to believe that you must maintain a higher gear when you actually do not. This drawback will most frequently be felt when driving up an incline.
You can lose your current speed right away because the only method to reset the transmission is to let up on the gas. That necessitates you to step on the gas pedal once more, resulting in higher RPM levels that may hang you up once more. This problem can be really annoying if you’re climbing a steep mountain pass because it causes irregular speeds.
6. CVT gearboxes are significantly louder than conventional ones.
You’ll notice right away that a continuously variable transmission produces sounds that are significantly dissimilar from those you would hear from a conventional unit. Because driving today is so different from driving in the past, many drivers believe that their car is not running properly. Even on flat surfaces, there might be a lot of clunking, grinding, and even shaking from the vehicle. In some cars, adding your air conditioner to this process can exacerbate the problem.
Given that majority of the noises and vibrations originate from behind the seat, the driver is particularly bothered by them. Some models have the ability to produce droning noises that are louder than white noise. This issue will continue to be a drawback unless you get used to it.
7. The expense of routine maintenance is higher for CVT transmissions.
The expense of your routine maintenance will increase by the same percentages, just as you’ll spend 50% to 100% more trying to fix or replace a continuously variable transmission that breaks down. The price range for replacing the transmission fluid at the dealership is normally $250 to $350. If the pan and filter need to be updated as part of the servicing, it might even be higher. You must budget for this investment depending on what your manufacturer advises because you cannot delay your maintenance program owing to the high cost of replacement.
Working with a mechanic or independent service specialist to complete this task is an option if you don’t want to take your car to the dealership. In most cases, the costs are still much greater even then.
8. To minimize the possibility of damage, CVT transmissions demand safe driving practices.
You need to be cautious with your shifting techniques when driving a car with a continuously variable gearbox. The worst scenario is when you are backing up and immediately put the car into drive after shifting out of reverse before you have totally stopped your momentum. This behavior has little practical benefit and can be quite difficult on the CVT. In order to lessen the strain on the structural integrity of your car, you should also apply the parking brake after shifting into park when you come to a halt.
A Final Thought on the Pros and Cons of CVT Transmissions
Leonardo Da Vinci drew the first representation of a continuously changing transmission in the late 15th century. The initial CVT innovations were patented in 1886 by Daimler and Benz. This transmission option was used by Zenit to build bikes in 1910, and it was such a successful design that competition organizers had to forbid the use of it since it could outperform the standard versions of the time.
Although the continuously variable transmission has only recently begun to experience commercial success, this technology has a 30-year track record of reliability. While certain models perform better than others, most automakers provide at least one model with CVT technologies to increase your fuel efficiency.
Cost plays a role in both the benefits and drawbacks of CVT transmissions. Using this technology will increase your overall cost, but it will also provide you a big power gain in difficult driving situations. The majority of the problems that one can run into with this technology become, at best, mere annoyances if you can figure out how to reap the benefits that are potentially available.
Toyota uses CVT transmissions, right?
Toyota’s Direct Shift CVT is a completely new invention that results from CVT Launch Gear. Toyota refers to the advancement as the CVT “Release Gear. With the introduction of this transmission, engineers have essentially chosen the most effective parts of both traditional and CVT transmissions and combined them into a single unit.
The end result is Toyota’s brand-new Direct Shift-CVT, a first-of-its-kind concept that enhances the CVT on all fronts by incorporating first gear from the traditional transmission. The new gearbox functions just like a standard CVT, but only uses one Launch Gear, which is equivalent to the first gear in a traditional transmission “bicycle gear that is simple.
How does Toyota’s Direct Shift-CVT Transmission work?
Launch Gear is only used to assist the vehicle in more rapidly and effectively accelerating up to speed after stopping. It is engaged when the vehicle is at rest. The launch gear is disengaged and the transmission behaves like a CVT after the vehicle has reached a speed where the CVT transmission is more effective.
How can I extend the life of my CVT?
- It’s crucial that your car has enough fluid because overheating is a key risk with CVTs. However, you must make sure that the amount of fluid you add doesn’t exceed 75%, or around 3/4 of the reservoir. It must be exactly where the cross-hatch marks are. The problem will worsen if your transmission reservoir is overfilled. Your transmission will last longer if you have it serviced by a trained mechanic on a regular basis.
- Fluid replacement schedule: The fluid replacement schedule mostly depends on the type of car you drive, however most cars require a change after 100,000 miles. For a precise range, consult your owner’s manual or stop by a nearby auto repair shop.
- Overloading: Avoid overloading your car because the added heat will put a lot of strain on the CVT belt. Keep to the recommended factory set weight for your car, if at all possible.
- Mudguard: In a car with a CVT transmission, the front mudguard plays a crucial role that is often overlooked. Make sure it’s positioned properly because it helps keep your CVT from accumulating dust.
- Adopt safe driving practices. Instead of using the throttle to support oneself while driving up a hill, press the brakes to prevent rolling backward. Then, after releasing the brake, hit the throttle again. Do not neutral stop your car, as you would with any other automatic transmission vehicle, since this could harm the CVT.