I am not an engineer but I am often asked to research information for my customers and I will make an effort to share what I learn with all my present and future customers. One of the questions I get is about the reliability of Continuously Variable Transmissions. The benefits are that a CVT provides improved fuel economy, saves weight and provides better performance.
Some driving enthusiasts have always loved manual transmissions because they can select when to shift and adjust their driving habits to match their driving mood and style. The same car, with a manual, can be used to be aggressive or economical. Older automatic transmissions lost about 20% of their power through the process of shifting. Historically, automatic transmissions have been one of the more expensive and necessary replacements for cars.
More recent automatic cars use computers to select the shift point and operate somewhat like computer controlled automatic transmissions. These transmissions use computer controlled solenoids rather than springs to adjust shifting. These new five and six speed automatics have greatly improved fuel economy over the four speed automatics found in cars just ten years ago.
The CVT has been around for many years. It is said that Leonardo Divinci sketched the first CVT around 1490. The first cars to use a CVT were introduced in the 1950s. Honda manufactures their own CVT. CVTs create their own gear ratio. When CVTs are used, the sound of the car is somewhat different. The reason is that automatic and manuals reduce the RPM in order to shift gears. The CVT doesn't reduce the RPM. This leads to continuous power rather than a series of drops in RPM prior to each gear change. Some people find the sound of the CVT unusual because they anticipate the car dropping its RPM. A CVT will quickly reach top speed with no drop in RPM through the transition.
The other thing that concerns some people is that the CVT uses belts. They worry is how long will these belts last. There are many belts in a car. Older belts used in the 1960s and 1970s are far different than those used today. Belts are used for car's timing and to drive the air conditioner and the alternator. However, the belt used in the Honda is made from steel.
The video below will talk about the construction of Honda's CVT belt.
Please note that manual transmissions will eventually need a clutch replacement. Automatic transmissions can cost $4,500 to rebuild. According to what I have found on the Internet, the cost of a replacement CVT transmission is $1800 to $2600 for a new transmission (not counting installation).
Consumer Reports surveys their readers to find out what reliability they have had with their cars. Honda automobiles have always been among the most highly rated of all cars in terms of reliability. Most of the articles I read believe that the CVT should be more reliable than a standard automatic transmission.
Bunmi Barnes bunmisellscars@gmail.com
obarnes@hondaofchantilly.com
Main: 703-633-4200
Honda of Chantilly
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Chantilly, VA 20151
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