Are CVT Transmissions Reliable?

Transmissions, like engines, are critical in generating the power necessary to move your car. While the engine generates power, the transmission transmits it to move the wheels. With modern technologies advancing and car manufacturers enhancing the automobile, CVTs, or continuously variable transmissions, are just another way the vehicle has improved.

CVT or continuously variable transmission is still relatively new so people often have a lot of questions about them, like Are CVT transmission reliable? Do they need more repair? In this blog, we will try to answer these questions. But first, let’s understand what CTV transmission is.

What Are CVT Transmissions?

CVT transmissions, in contrast to conventional transmissions, are devoid of individual gears. But it has a single gear that automatically responds to any driving condition. Although drivers will be unaware of the sensation of shifting gears, but they will notice a rise in engine speed or a change in RPMs, with higher RPMs for acceleration and lower RPMs for cruising.

What’s the Difference Between A CVT And A Regular Automatic Transmission?

Although the majority of automatic transmissions provide a set number of gear ratios, CVTs can change flawlessly across an infinite variety of ratios. CVTs can maintain a constant RPM regardless of the vehicle's speed. CVTs, in general, operate more smoothly than previous generation automatic transmissions. Finally, though these improvements are not seismic, you can think of CVTs as an upgrade over conventional automatic transmissions, and as such, we can see more modern vehicles equipped with CVT transmissions.

What Are Some Common CVT Transmission Repairs?

CVTs tend to be more resistant to a variety of issues that affect other types of automatic transmissions. Given this, we can state with good confidence that CVTs not only do not need more repairs than other transmissions but likely require less throughout their life. Worn-out friction surfaces and overheating issues caused by the lack of transmission fluid continue to be the most prevalent issues. If in case, your CTV transmission is damaged, then you can easily repair it with used transmission to save money on costly repairs. Many drivers unfamiliar with CVTs would assume that they need transmission repair due to the vehicle's unusual noises in comparison to other automatic transmission vehicles they've owned. But that’s not the case.

The Bottom Line: Are CVT Transmissions Reliable?

At the end of the day, the question becomes whether CVT transmissions are more "reliably" easier to drive than manual transmissions, and it all comes down to customer preferences. CVT transmissions have a strict and delicate service maintenance schedule that customers should attempt to follow. Treating a CVT transmission like a usual automatic transmission will result in future reliability problems, making the transmission more expensive to fix than a conventional automatic. If such a situation arises you can look for used transmission with warranty to replace your damaged transmission. Proper maintenance goes a long way toward improving the life of a transmission, whether it is a CVT or a regular transmission.