CVT Transmission Problems

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CVT transmission problems are getting less and less common in passenger cars today.  While the idea of a CVT transmission has been around for a long time, it wasn’t until recently that they began being used as standard equipment in cars.  

CVTs made a late entrance into the automotive industry party due to a lack of reliability when coupled with anything other than small engines but mostly because they just weren’t needed.  CVTs work great in lower horsepower applications but it was a challenge for automakers to create a CVT transmission that could handle the amount of power today’s passenger cars make while lasting as long as a standard automatic transmission.  The cost of research and development of automotive CVTs just didn’t make sense until fuel efficiency standards forced a little creativity.  

A CVT or continuously variable transmission has an infinite number of gear ratios available between it’s highest and lowest ratio.  That means if it’s controlled properly it can keep your car’s engine at exactly the right speed for maximum efficiency and maximum. Another plus is that CVTs transfer power more efficiently than a standard automatic transmission so less engine power is wasted on just moving parts inside the transmission.  With these benefits also come some drawbacks which you can learn more about from Carfax.

As with any new technology, different automotive manufacturers have had problems with the reliability of their new CVTs at first so it’s important to check up on recalls, technical service bulletins, and consumer reviews before you buy a used car to make sure you’re not inheriting someone else’s CVT transmission problems.

Like any transmission, CVTs are susceptible to leaks at the seals and gaskets due to lack of use, overuse, overheating and even normal wear and tear.  Spotting a leaking CVT can be more difficult than finding a leak in a traditional automatic transmission because the fluid is usually not a bright red color to distinguish it from other fluids.  Many CVTs will use a pale-colored fluid that is almost clear, gold or green. Check with your manufacturer to be sure, but to spot to leak you will probably need to get under your car and inspect each seal or gasket in your transmission to identify the leak location.

If you do find a leak, add BlueDevil Transmission Sealer to your transmission fluid to seal the leak, then check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to find out how to set the transmission fluid level to make sure you’ve got the right amount of fluid keeping your transmission safe.

You can pick up BlueDevil Transmission Sealer at one of your local auto parts stores like:

  • AutoZone
  • Advance Auto Parts
  • Bennett Auto Supply
  • CarQuest Auto Parts
  • NAPA Auto Parts
  • O’Reilly Auto Parts
  • Pep Boys
  • Fast Track
  • Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts Specialists
  • S&E Quick Lube Distributor
  • DYK Automotive
  • Fisher Auto Parts stores
  • Auto Plus Auto Parts stores
  • Hovis Auto & Truck Supply stores
  • Salvo Auto Parts
  • Advantage Auto Stores
  • Genuine Auto Parts stores
  • Bond Auto Parts stores
  • Tidewater Fleet Supply
  • Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts
  • Any Part Auto Parts
  • Consumer Auto Parts

Pictures Provided By:

CVT.jpg – By LucaLorenzelli – Licensed by Getty Images – Original Link

 

BlueDevil Products can be found on Amazon.com or at AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts, NAPA, and other major auto parts retailers.

16 responses to "CVT Transmission Problems"

16 Comments

  1. Jeffery Laws on June 29, 2019 at 11:43 pm

    1997 Ford transmission slip motor revs up and goes into low gear hard but it goes in gear it don’t slip can you tell me what causes this it is a 4.6 l 4 speed automatic with the push button overdrive on the gear shifter

    • BlueDevil Pro on July 1, 2019 at 12:38 pm

      Jeffery-

      It is possible that normal wear and tear has left metal shavings, or other debris, floating around in the transmission and impeding flow. The best place to start would be to flush your transmission, change the fluid along with the filter and then double check to make sure the fluid level is correct. Having dirty/old transmission fluid or the fluid level too high or too low can cause the transmission to act up and not function properly. If you are still experiencing the same shifting issues after changing the fluid and filter and topping it off to the proper level then you may want to have your vehicle looked at by a transmission specialist.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  2. Benjamin on May 3, 2020 at 3:45 pm

    I am just curious. Can premature transmission problems or failure in Nissan vehicles with CVT’s be averted by adding additional transmission coolers and following a religious fluid service schedule? Do the Nissan CVT’s have a filter that can be changed, or are they like the Ford 6F where there is a filter, but it is not accessible without disassembling the transmission?

    • BlueDevil Pro on May 4, 2020 at 10:42 am

      Benjamin-

      The transmission is very finicky system, especially CVT’s. Continuously Variable Transmissions are very specific as to the type of fluid that is used in them and adding anything outside of CVT specific fluid could cause some serious problems. Manufacturers recommend changing your fluid and filter at regular intervals just like your engine oil. Usually it is recommended at 30,000 to 50,000 miles for transmission fluid replacement.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  3. Ken Murray on December 10, 2020 at 2:41 pm

    How much oil does a transmission 2010
    Nissan tiida hold

    • BlueDevil Pro on December 11, 2020 at 8:23 am

      Ken-

      It appears your Nissan Titan holds about 11.2 quarts of transmission fluid. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  4. TERSIA JACOBS on January 8, 2021 at 2:04 am

    MY HONDA JAZZ WHEN IN D THE VEHICLE JURKS AND CUTS OUT SOMETIMES
    WHEN DRIVING IN S THERE IS NO PROBLEM.
    WILL A OIL CHANGE HELP

    • BlueDevil Pro on January 8, 2021 at 3:27 pm

      Tersia-

      Thank you for asking about your Honda. The most common cause of shifting problems or jerking is a low transmission fluid level. You may try checking the fluid level and topping the system off with your vehicle recommended transmission fluid to get it back to the proper level. Be careful not to overfill the system. If the problem persists, it may be best to take the vehicle to a transmission specialist for a proper diagnosis.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  5. Sharon Nielsen on January 9, 2021 at 12:13 am

    How do you check transmission fluid in Nissan Quest 2007

    • BlueDevil Pro on January 11, 2021 at 9:31 am

      Sharon-

      Thank you for asking about your Nissan Quest. If your vehicle doesn’t have a dipstick, you would need to get the car up on a lift, ensure it is level, and check at the fluid level at the transmission.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  6. Saman bandara on January 21, 2021 at 12:42 am

    I’m my 2017 daihatshu boon type car sometime break and the car does not move forward again.check light does not show and also system is normal .what is the reason?

    • BlueDevil Pro on January 21, 2021 at 8:46 am

      Saman-

      The best place to start would be to flush your transmission, change the fluid along with the filter and then double check to make sure the fluid level is correct. Having dirty/old transmission fluid or the fluid level too high or too low can cause the transmission to act up and not function properly.
      If you are still experiencing the same shifting issues after changing the fluid and filter and topping it off to the proper level then you may want to have your vehicle looked at by a transmission specialist, specifically one for CVT transmissions.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  7. Canna Meinertzhagen on December 19, 2022 at 6:08 pm

    I have a 2017 Honda Civic EX-L. While I was driving it started jerking and then the car wasn’t accelerating at all. I tried to check the transmission fluid level but couldn’t find a dipstick, so I used a stick to check it and it seemed empty. After adding a quart of transmission fluid and waiting nearly 12 hours, the car still isn’t moving. When I press the accelerator it’s only revving. Is there anything else I can try to do to fix it before taking it to a shop?

    • BlueDevil Pro on December 20, 2022 at 10:21 am

      Canna-

      Thank you for asking about your Honda Civic. Unfortunately, if there is no dipstick to check the fluid level, you would need to bring it to a transmission specialist. The vehicle would need to be put up on jacks and the fluid level would need to be checked at the transmission. Also, the vehicle would need to be running to properly check the level. Hope this helps.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  8. Max on August 4, 2023 at 9:32 pm

    Hello. I have a 2006 Nissan Murano with 141,000 miles on it. CVT fluid was completely changed about 10,000 miles ago. (done by a Valvoline place with one of those fluid exchange machines that pulls fluid up through the dipstick). They were able to get nearly all the fluid out and replace it that way, and the fluid looks MUCH better a clean, pale yellow (which is the color of the Valvoline CVT fluid).
    Shifting is fine, no shuddering. But I have a leak. It comes out through the joint between the CVT and the engine. Since it would cost so much to pull the transmission and replace seals, and since the leak is minor enough that I only have to add a little fluid once a month or so, I’d like to try some seal sweller in the CVT first.
    Is the Blue Devil Transmission sealer safe to use? Would it make sense to be conservative and only put in, say, half a bottle and see if that eases the leak? Thank you.

    • BlueDevil Pro on August 7, 2023 at 8:40 am

      Max-

      Thank you for asking about your Nissan Murano. Unfortunately, the BlueDevil Transmission Sealer is not intended for use in CVT transmissions. CVT transmissions require a very specific type of transmission fluid that can not be contaminated with any other type of fluid.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

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