Ron Schenone

Do You Own A Car With A CVT Transmission? – Opinions Please

Posted by on Jun 20, 2009 | 27 Comments

As I have previously mentioned I purchased a 2009 Nissan Rogue last month that came with a CVT transmission. Nissan provides this type of transmission with several of their different models and the CVT has become standard equipment on some of their models.

What is a CVT transmission? Over at HowStuffWorks they provide diagrams and this description:

Peer into a planetary automatic transmission, and you’ll see a complex world of gears, brakes, clutches and governing devices. By comparison, a continuously variable transmission is a study in simplicity. Most CVTs only have three basic components:

  • A high-power metal or rubber belt
  • A variable-input “driving” pulley
  • An output “driven” pulley

CVTs also have various microprocessors and sensors, but the three components described above are the key elements that enable the technology to work.

The car itself is easy to drive and for a four banger has plenty of poop for passing and climbing hills. Compared to the Kia Sportage we previously had that groaned climbing hills, the Rogue’s engine is barely noticeable climbing the hills where we live. On the freeway the vehicle passes easily around slower traffic and overall is a pleasure to drive.

But from a dead stop when you hit the accelerator there seems to be a lack of immediate response. On Friday I pulled out into a center lane trying to merge into traffic. I hit the gas while a jerk speed up not allowing me to merge. The response felt like I was missing a gear during acceleration. What I had forgot to do was turn off the over drive which seems to kick the car into fast mode.

So if you own a car with a CVT tranny let me know what your experience has been. My wife says the car drives fine, but she drives less aggressively than I do. LOL

Comments welcome.

HowStuffWorks site.

  • Ian

    I have a Nissan Xtrail, (australian name) 2008 model with 23000 ks (4×4 vehicle similar to honda)
    Car drives ok but agree with your notes that appears sluggish, however, I also have what appears to be something like gear slip on acceleration and de accel, which sounds like there is a shaft or gear take up problem, sounds a bit like a popping noise. Nissan australia say this is common in the vehicle I have.
    Not totally happy with the reply so starting to look for others with similar problem.
    Still waiting for more info from Nissan aust,

  • litesong

    Bought my Dodge Caliber in Sept. 2006 & I love the CVT for its elegant smoothness. However, both the Nissan Versa & Caliber CVTs drive similarly (Nissan CVT in both cars) & seem that the computer control is slow to respond at low speeds. You need a strong amount of anticipation sense at low speeds. Saying that tho, I do love the CVT in slow stop & go traffic. Micro changes in speed are excellent in crawling mode. The CVT is also excellent in the mountains with all the varying mountain slope adjustments perfectly matched with the nearly infinite number of gears available with the CVT. Because of the matching gear-mountain slope ability, MPG seems quite adequate in the mountains. With careful driving on flat highways, I get 35+MPG. In 4000 foot mountain passes, I can still hold a carefully driven 32 to 33MPG.

    Yes, do NOT get the computer controlled CVT if you want low speed acceleration. Once speed is above 30 MPH, passing acceleration is OK, improving as the speed increases above 30 MPH. Just heard Nissan is working on improving CVT response, & may be due out in 2010 or 2011.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hello litesong,
    Thanks for the information. I didn’t know that the Dodge Caliber had a CVT. I agree about the sluggish acceleration under 30. But once she is rolling it rocks. Agree about the mountain driving as well.

    Regards, Ron

  • Jenn

    I had a 2004 saturn Vue with the CVT. The CVT was replaced once and I was about to do it again but I decided to go after GM for the failed transmission as well as MANY other people. It went once at 30,000 miles and then again at 69,000. A new one will cost $6,000. Used ones are hard to come by. I would NEVER by another car with this type of transmission again.

  • Mike

    Bought a 2010 Nissan Maxima SV. The engine has excessive vibration at idle and car vibtates between 20 and 45 MPH. when you lightly giving it the gas. Its a high frequency vibration and it is very anoying. At high speed is smooth as silk. I hate to drive the car. Sent registered letter to Nissan and they are sending some expert to check it out on 16 Aug 2010. When you took your car in for the vibration did they have a fix for it?

    • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

      Hi Mike,
      Nope. I got the ‘ everyone is having the same issue’ speech.

  • Mike

    Hi Ron and thanks for the fast reply. What are you going to do. Do we have a lemon law issue here. I will try to return the car and get my money back. This is my fifth Nissan since 92 and my third Maxima. I know how they should perform. The CVT is a failure and it will cost Nissan dearly.

  • david

    Like all autos to take off from standstill smoothly a higher ratio gear than first is engaged (usually 2nd) and even the CVT does the same, even though it hasn’t any fixed ratios it doesn’t start from the lowest ratio otherwise it would be too fast and not as smooth. So yes it can be sluggish unless you put your foot to the floor then it senses you want to pulll away fast and it chooses a lower ratio. Many people pull away with a manual in 2nd gear to get a smoother pull away after all. If you have a sport mode on the box then if you choose that then it already knows you want to pull away fast, so it will choose a lower ratio. If you don’t then use the following technique. I do and even I use it. Plant you foot on the floor then backing off quickly its the best way to take off fast.

    • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

      Thanks David.

  • Bob

    I have the 2007 Ford Freestyle (circa 100,000 miles) with the CVT 30 tranny (uses a chain drive instead of a belt drive in othe CVTs, including the Ford CVT 20 tranny used on the Escape, to handle the V6 torque).

    The Freestyle is a huge vehicle, more like a Ford Explorer, but the biggest surprise was getting 24 mpg while driving locally vs 28 mpg while driving the Expressway. This tranny is smooth and virtually silent through all speed ranges

    I have not experienced any of the lag that Nissan owners describe. The instant I touch that throttle, the RPMs jump to some computer predetermined speed and the car quickly and smoothly catches up. A couple of times I have needed to merge quickly and a 3/4 push on the throttle brings it up between 3500 an 4000 RPM and the car takes off sounding like a dragster (It will kick up to 80-85in an instant) and have to quickly drop back to highway speed. I don’t do that often, because I’m sure every excessive stress will shorten the drive chin’s life.

    The two biggest annoyances with the Ford CVT are:
    1 Not knowing what speed you are at from the engine RPM (I could be going 40 MPH or 65 MPH at 1500 RPM.
    I am almost forced to utilize the cruise control function to make sure I maintain a legal speed.
    2 Very little engine braking when I take my foot off the throttle … until the computer decides I have had my foot off long enough that I really do want to slow down, then it will keep changing the ratio, increasing engine speed to slow me down. To their credit, Ford put massive brakes on this vehicle because you need to use them to slow down without engine braking.

    • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

      Hi Bob,
      Thanks for the information. I did not know that Ford even used a CVT.
      Regards, Ron

  • http://DavisAssociatesConslting.com Bob

    Hi Ron,

    CVTs, another Leonardo da Vinci concept were used as early as 1910 in the Zenith V twin motorcycle as Gradua-gear,.eventually barred from racing so other manufactures had a chance to win. Same thing With the Whitworth motorcycle with Multigear.

    In the 1950s, Van Doorne Automobile Fabrique was born and made it’s own DAF. Later, VDT sold it’s patents Volvo, who used it in the Volvo 340.

    On the Japanese front, Fuji Heavy Industries came out with the electrically controlled CVT on the Justy in 1998. Subaru (Fuji) still sells this tranny to many Japanese manufactures, including Nissan until they produced their own toroidal roller CVT to market. That is not what is on their US vehicles. Nissan’s best design is a high torque load steel belted design for the Maxima and Murano.3.5l V6 engines.

    I became aware of the Ford/Van Doorne/Fiat steel belted CVT on rental cars in Germany circa 1987. The German Fiesta and Fiat have been using CTX (CVT) trannys in Germany for years, but we are dealing with 1.6 liter engines.

    GM introduced a CVT on ther Saturn models in 2002 and quickly withdrew thm after high failure rates.

    Ford introduced its chain-driven CVT known as the CFT30 in their 2005 Ford Freestyle, Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego. The transmission was designed in cooperation with German automotive supplier ZF Friedrichshafen and was produced in Batavia, Ohio at Batavia Transmissions LLC (a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company) until March 22, 2007. The Batavia plant also produced the belt-driven CFT23 CVT which went in the Ford Focus C-MAX. Ford also sold Escort and Orion models in Europe with CVTs in the 1980s and 1990s. Unfortunately, Batavia Transmission now only offers the 6 speed automatic.

    Side note: CVTs were banned from Formula 1 race cars in 1994 because they made the cars too fast.

    I got into this blog because I was searching for present production cars utilizing a CVT and reliability for my next purchase since Ford stopped producing their tough V6 capable CFT30 tranny which I usually push to 2000 RPM (optimum combustion for gasoline and Diesel cycle engines) to accelerate to desired speed and optimum fuel consumption.

    From this blog it would appear I need to wait a while to see how the Murano CVT (which should be an excellent design) shakes out.

    • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

      Hi Bob,
      Thanks for the information. It was very informative.
      Nissan now provides a 10 year, 120k warranty on the CVT. They made this retroactive on my
      2009 Rogue.

  • http://DavisAssociatesConslting.com Robert Davis

    Hey Ron,

    That is great news. I think Nissan really wants to keep the CVT line going to meet the stricter CO2 emissions and improving their CAFE rating!

    • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

      Hello Robert,
      I believe that is what Nissan is hoping for.
      Thanks for stopping by.

  • Robert Singleton

    I am driving a 2007 Murano that I purchased new. I would have to agree to earlier comments about the slightly delayed response to quick acceleration, but it poses no problems for me … it is just a matter of readjusting your driving habit. The main reason I got the Murano was because I was tired of the annoying, constant, shifting of my Mercedes standard transmission when driving in the mountains of western North Carolina. I love the CVT for its smooth transition when going up and down the steep grades, and I am convinced that it also adds a few percent to fuel economy.

    • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

      Hello Robert,
      The CVT does shine going through mountain areas. :-)

  • Joe

    I have a 2010 Murano.
    I was wondering why the gear goes to neutral when you push it up without pressing button on the side.
    Is it ok to gear D to N and back and forth?

  • Fred

    Recently bought a 2009 Mitsi Colt 1.5 ltr for the daily 50km each way commute..
    Very nice and smooth. great with the stop start stuff.
    Sport mode is excellent for climbing a steep hill.
    Car is a bit short on features – but there we go..
    5.54 liters to the 100km commute – no complaints there.
    Engine turns at 2000 revs at 100 k p h – no complaints there.

    The only gripe is that Mitsi has made the 10 year power train warranty non transferable. Do they have faith in their product?
    Our first auto car and yeah would probably buy another

  • http://www.thejazzgirlsandtheflyboy.com allen

    I am driving a 2010 Nissan altima with about 20k miles and I love the CVT except for the whinning noise at low speeds . I put about 10,000 miles driving in Colorado mountains this past summer and was absolutely amazed at the cars performance. It works just as good going down hill as going up hill , I mean the transmission slows you down safely preventing over use of the brakes.

    It is fast as hell from a dead start though not fast on the initial jump , but then when the CVT catches it accelerates the car as if you had an additional 50 horsepower. I can not believe how fast this little 2.5 mortor is. And from 40 to 70 it blows everything off the road with a four cylinder.

    So I love it , but must find out how to quiet down that whining noise. Oh the fuel economy is excellent also . I am looking into noise blankets to wrap around the CVT to kind of quiet it down. few Transmission have a 10 yr 120 k mile warranty.

    I saw one taken apart they look like a little tank , very heavy duty. Nissan is a smart company ,

    • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

      Hi Allen,
      Agree about the whining noise at low speed. It is annoying at times. But like yourself, I am starting to love the CVT.
      I was returning from Texas last week coming through the Ozark Mts., in Arkansas. The area is very hilly with extreme ups and downs.
      While others were forced to brake going downhill, I let the CVT work its magic. It really does slow you down and you don’t need to
      use the brakes as much as others do. But the amazing part is the passing ability that the CVT affords. Some sections of the road were
      single lane, but would open to 2 lanes for passing. The little 4 banger acts like an 8 when passing and is amazing. I also think that
      Nissan is doing a great job with this transmission. I also like the fact they have extended the warranty to 10 years, 120,000 miles. :-)

  • Bob van Goethem

    I have a Ford 500 AWD with CVT; would prefer not to go back to other auto transmission – when the Ford starts costing me $$ to repair I will trade and CVT is the deal breaker. Thus far I have 140,000 km (almost 90,000 miles) and have never had a problem – the Ford is a 2005 model. Mileage in canadian gallons is 8.2 liters per 100 km (34 miles per gallon) regular gas (87 octane). One thing rthat’s neat is cruising along at 70 mph, stepp down and you have power to pass. I can do the same thing at 80 or 90 -plenty of accelleration. Another thing that’s fun is shifting down from drive to low at 70 to 80 mph and decellerate without using brakes – I still havent had a brake job!!. Great winter car, very solid. Criticism about “anemic performance” with the 3 liter engine is nonsense. At the lights I can stay with all other V6′s and a lot of V9′s (excepting turbo-charged – you know, those guys that can only run on premium gas).
    Love the car and will kepp it as long as I can.
    Cheers

    Bob

    • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

      Thanks Bob for sharing your experience as well.
      I am becoming a believer that the CVT is a winner.

  • bruce stables

    BUYER BEWARE………………………………………………………….bought 2007 sentra had 160,000 miles cvt went out replaced trans at cost of 4700 dollars drove 60,00 miles and trans went out again. bought 2008 sentra and just paid 3900 dollars for cvt trans with 170,000 miles on it. nissan will not give any consideration because of milage. i am an independant contractor and buy a new car apprrox every 3 years and always got over 300k on all my cars except for 1 merc sable i replace trans at 220k and drove it for another 150k. some of the other cars were 2 ford escorts a ford ranger, chev impala and chev cavalier

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