@dagosa I do have personal experience with CVT’s. My office got a Prius as a company car. In addition to the other things I disliked about that car, I disliked the CVT immensely. From a driving perspective, there is something to be said for being able to downshift when you’re braking. And from a repair perspective, yes, CVT’s have been out for a good amount of time now, but so have Wankel engines and it’s hard to find mechanics who will work on those too.
Help! House on the 3rd steepest city street in the COUNTRY - 34% grade - AWD? hp.? performance tires
@shadowfax I know that is one of the universal complaints of CVTs, that they are not “fixable” as we know it. Well, how many modern transmissions are ? The new Honda Pilot will come with a 9 speed automatic. I can not imagine anyone but a factory trained tech can evaluate it and only the factory will supply a fix for a major repair that amounts to a replacement.
So yes, the cvt probably will be that way too. I don’t think the comparison between a Wankle and a cvt in general is valid unless it means that only Mazda or just one major manufacturer is using it. Has Subaru dropped below sea level in reliability ? Well, we are still worrying about their head gaskets and not their transmissions.
A CVT with shift paddles (like my Insight) can be “downshifted” for engine braking.
like to pull down a gear or two on a steep grade myself,but it makes me cringe to see someone downshifting to slow the car to a stop,it just doesnt make sense @Insightful,I’m not implying you do so,by the way is there any advantage to having paddles over say a shift lever?
Only that you can pretend you’re a F1 or Indycar racer. I rarely use the paddles, though, kind of a gimmick.
Downshifting to control speed ? Good…but just to stop ? Both my truck and my wife’s car will down shift automatically when in cruise control to control speed down hill. Funny thing, when you brake quickly from an intermediate, above 45 to higher speed, the vehicles down shift too. So even though we don’t think it’s good Idea to do it, the computer on many cars does. The auto shifts around a lot more then I thought and often it is totally out of my control.
My problem with CVT is that its theoretical efficiency advantage over a manual transmission by being in the optimal ratio at all times is essentially negated by the need to run a high pressure pump that’s required to clamp the belt or chain that transmits power. Paying an extra thousand more for a transmission that isn’t more efficient than existing technology and requires a regular exchange of special elixir to survive doesn’t make sense to me. A manual transmission is somewhat more tolerant to neglect and is cheaper to buy and maintain. An AMT would help the driver shift to the optimal gear when the driver is not inclined to. As a side note, according to a Honda power train engineer, a manual Civic Hybrid can potentially achieve higher mileage than the CVT automatic.
The only reason why I’d put my money on the Subaru is because of the constant all wheel drive system. It has nothing to do with my opinion on the CVT
No,@Dag,I was referring to the clowns around here that use a manual transmission in lieu of the service brakes.
As a side note, according to a Honda power train engineer, a manual Civic Hybrid can potentially achieve higher mileage than the CVT automatic.
People don’t want manuals. They want automatics that get as good mileage as manuals.
I gave up driving manuals for daily transportation when I moved to the right coast. Too much traffic…creeping along in a manual is torturous around here.
I guess I’m one of those clowns that really likes engine braking. Primarily on my hot rods but often on daily drivers too. Just to be clear, I’m quite conscious about others, not bombing around being obnoxious and disturbing the peace…
I have never once had to replace a single one of my own clutches or service the synchros in the trans on a daily driver. One car had over 275k miles on the original clutch/trans and was used for daily commuting in suburban/city driving (not a lot of expressway). Either very lucky or technique plays a significant role.
I recently revived an old Chevelle w/custom semi-automatic transmission. I built it for drag racing but for years afterward just used it to hop around town occasionally. The trans is set up to freewheel in all but final gear (let off gas, engine goes to idle immediately). I had forgotten what a huge bummer to drive this big block motor on the street and not be able to get that low rumble on slowing down. It coasts to a stop quieter than a Cadillac (well almost). Nearly motivating enough to tear it out and put in that M21 just laying around into it…
@kmccune I probably wasn’t clear enough Kev. I am in complete agreement with you.
Between you and me, I find it difficult to get the message though to my wife. She does a great job of trying to take all my suggestions to heart, but sometimes fills in the blanks with other ideas instead of asking. Here new car ( new used) has a six speed auto with a sport shift mode that alows you to shift manually. When it looked like she was down shifting just to stop on a flat surface, I subtly suggested she just let up inthe gas little earlier.
Over the years, I have found that though a manual has the potential to be more efficient. It seldom is in practice. Drivers just don’t react quickly or as oftenI s a computer. Isn’t that why we by iPads to begin with…less thinking.
Is anyone familiar with these two problems on new Forester CVTs? Stalling suddenly in traffic and excessive oil consumption?
Try this website for details on Subaru’s
Thanks @keith - didn’t find anything there but there are a number of complaints about these issues on consumer reports. I so don’t want a lemon!
Just for the sake of comparison, try out a Venza v6.
@dagosa - we would but 189" is just too big for city parking. 180" is as big as we’re able to go realistically without having to park in garages = expensive!
I’ve found some complaints about both on http://www.subaruforester.org/ but so far with almost 5,000 miles my 2015 Forester hasn’t had either problem.
@wolyrobb - which model do you have? Manual or CVT? XT?
Non Turbo CVT Premium
@wolyrobb - I was hoping you’d say the turbo. You must be one of the lucky ones. It would seem that most people become aware of the problem very early, around 1200 miles.