Tsukasa Azuma is an awesome car blogger of Car From Japan. The Lineartronic CVT has proven so well suited to the SUBARU BOXER engine and Subaru symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive, it has replaced most traditional automatic transmissions in the Subaru line-up. Probably something wrong with it. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Our dealership is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such Web sites. UV Index 0 of 10. Be wary of these issues in Subarus with CVT transmissions. When I am driving spiritedly I have seen as high as 210 but it quickly dropped down to 205. Oil 5W30 Synthetic. However, if necessary, consult your Subaru dealer for inspection. In other words, it's a good idea to inspect or have the unit inspected regularly to avoid any surprises. When under moderate to heavy acceleration the transmission control module continuously adjusts the gear ratio to maintain an efficient engine RPM. A Subaru equipped with a CVT will generally raise the engine RPM to a certain level based upon accelerator input and engine load. I think that adding a cooler to the cvt is a bad idea for at least two reasons. The personal data record created through your registration with our Web site can only be accessed with the unique password associated with that record. For those of you concerned with monitoring CVT temps while towing, I have confirmed that the CVT Temperature Reading in ActiveOBD is accurate. We use this information to help diagnose problems with our server, administer the Web site, and compile broad statistical data. Then replace same amount with new Subaru CVTF. Due to the linear nature of the CVT, the torque converter is able to partially lock-up at approximately 9 km/h then lock up completely at 24 km/h, and remain locked as the gear ratio changes. Best wishes and keep us posted!! Overheated fluid discharges of a burnt toast-like smell and looks brown to dark in color. Perhaps in technical forum, under engine/drivetrain. Also, without a delay for shifting gears, a CVT equipped vehicle is able to steadily accelerate without interruption. Fluid volume, vs heat soak over time, vs air flow/heat shedding ability. A traditional automatic transmission has heavy gears with a large contact area. Other than as set forth in this Privacy Policy, you will be notified when any personally-identifiable information about you may be shared with third parties, and you will be given the opportunity to decline to share that information. "Rear wheel bearing repeatedly replaced. Subaru offers CVT for several models. Its out of the way and I can monitor my CVT temp. Do some research and you will find that 175 degrees F is an optimal temperature for an automatic transmission to run at. Generally, the temperature range that transmission fluid should be stored in is from -40 degrees to 175 degrees Fahrenheit. My car had a broken transmission at 43,000 miles. If that is not possible, I'll perform more frequent AT fluid changes. To understand the operating characteristics of a CVT we need to understand why CVTs were developed and what they are designed to accomplish. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. data will be stored in protected databases on secured servers with restricted access). When at a steady higher RPM during acceleration, the frequency remains constant and may resonate. I was stopped at a red light. What do you think is it worth it to invest more maintenance into the cvt than Subaru suggests or just have a wait and see approach and hope if something does happen it will occur under warranty? Driving at slower speed OK. At the range of 45-60 mph, noise is very predominate, thus requiring me to drive at slower speeds than required. I find its good to monitor CVT/oil/coolant temps when driving off road and tires are aired down. On other occasions she would stop on a hill, and the car would shudder and come to a stop and die. The Engine Control Module (ECM) and Transmission Control Module (TCM) work together to bring the engine and catalytic converter up to operating temperature as quickly as possible by using a lower gear ratio to increase engine RPM. Watching the ScanGauge, I can see that temp slowly climbs while driving on the freeway. Without shift shock, your CVT-equipped Subaru should at least feel snappier while accelerating. Temperature records in Bavaria - winter 2022/23 too warm. I would check the fluid level, in fact after that many miles would replace it, just for my piece of mind. :N_poke: :grin2: Great idea McFly, except I live in central Florida:crazy: What an interesting topic. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. hmmm wondering how the cooler got fowled??? ten-speed bicycle you rode as a teen? The ECM is in constant control of this RPM and ensures it is suitable based upon temperature conditions. to car speed. Join us! But you're only towing 1500 lbs and that's not even close to the towing limits of the Wilderness model. Read more. As a general rule, oils have a fairly narrow normal operating range, roughly 160F-240F.. It's not likely that CVT's will operate at a significantly higher temperature than other oil lubricated equipment. It will help you take actions at the right time. Note: You may become concerned the engine is revving too high when cold based upon past experiences. A. Not likely. The world's largest online community of Subaru Crosstrek and XV owners, prospective owners, and enthusiasts. In addition to fuel economy and reduced weight, they offer steady acceleration, smooth operation, and the ability to adapt to varying road conditions and power demands to provide a smoother overall ride. 2. performance. To change the effective gear ratio, the width of these pulleys changes, causing the chain to ride higher or lower resulting in a different gear ratio. With the ability to continuously vary the gear ratio, the CVT is able to have a lower gear ratio for quicker acceleration and a higher final gear ratio for fuel economy when compared to a traditional automatic transmission. If substantially all of the assets of our dealership are acquired, consumer information may be transferred as part of the acquisition. Plan is to try to have AT fluid temp above 215 F only for short period of times. 19mm Rear Sway Bar. The Drive has answers. In simple terms, torque describes how much work an engine can do and horsepower describes how quickly that work can be done. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Maintaining the ideal transmission temperature is integral to keep it functional for a long time. predictable driving means more fun behind the wheel. Our dealership collects information online primarily to provide our visitors with a more relevant experience on our sites. Thanks! . Driving around town and in traffic cools it down. A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is an automatic transmission that doesn't use gears, instead relying on a chain and pulleys to transfer power to the driven wheels. I drive over sand in summer and this is deep sugar sand and things do run hotter. Most dealers (subaru / non subaru ; cvt / non cvt) will replace the transmission not repair it. When accelerating from a stop, a vehicles transmission uses lower gear ratios to allow for acceleration and once a steady speed is achieved, the transmission uses a gear with a much higher ratio to keep the vehicle in motion. Light hasn't come on at all today, but I read temps as high as 228*. The torque converter is not capable of transferring all of the input power and may lose up to 10% which increases fuel consumption along with transmission fluid temperatures, requiring the fluid to be replaced more often. Nope. Under acceleration the engine on a vehicle equipped with a conventional automatic transmission will rise in RPM starting below the range of maximum torque and then pass above it. Downhill, when you were already cruising They are both based on a chain variator. 6. If my transmission belt had broken while I was driving 75 miles an hour on the highway, I might not be here writing this report. The fluid will last forever or up to 160,000 km to be precise if you can always drive at that temperature. Why Manual Transmission is Hard to Shift. gears have four or five different speeds. 3. JavaScript is disabled. If someone made a tranny fluid block/unit (like this one for the Nissan CVT) that would bolt to the Honda CVT, it would be a piece of cake to install a big ol' secondary/auxiliary tranny cooler on the CR-V. FYI guys, you need to get away from older standard automatic transmission way of thinking. Always treat cars with mechanical sympathy and take care of them properly. As it gets closer to the ideal operating temp, it'll go back to normal RPMs. JavaScript is disabled. I was glad to hear they extended the cvt warranty to 100k mi, that gives me a little peace of mind. Mind you this was on a day when it was 80 degrees outside too. The driver will physically feel the downshift and hear the change in engine RPM. I'm using a ScanGauge II plugged into the OBDII port under the dash, so whatever the CR-V's computer and sensors are sending is what I'm seeing. B benjy Joined Aug 23, 2010 Messages I'm wondering at what temperature the coolant sensor tells the fans to turn on. Before you check the fluid level use your scan tool and make sure the transmission fluid temperature is between 95-113F. Do get this on Amazon.com. This left me with no power on a state highway that had speed limits of 75 mph. Also, I have mounted over my mirror so not much glare. When I bought the scangauge, display brightness in sunlight was one of the negative issues frequently discussed. Above 130C is too hot period. If you are accustomed to conventional automatic transmissions, you may equate acceleration with the sound or vibrations from the rise and fall of engine RPM and the shock felt while the transmission upshifts. pedals (no I would think it'd be the opposite of the cooler was fouled. I installed a transmission cooler 19 row and i Check Temp Tranmision running at 150 i think it so cold . Very impressed on how cool and consistent it keeps the oil temperature even when I am going WOT. When the light turned green, I took my foot off the brake and put my foot on the accelerator. Examples include administering e-mail services and running special promotions. I was able to get CVT and OIL temperatures plus, it even matches blue on. Hello, The reduced power output and delay actually delays acceleration, but we have become accustomed to these sensations and equate them with increased acceleration. Now about why transmission temperatures should be regulated -- excessive heat can warp things like clutch packs, torque converter blades, and the steel belt. Once a steady speed is met, the transmission control module adjusts to the highest gear ratio possible to reduce engine RPM resulting in reduced fuel consumption and emissions. This characteristic takes some time to become accustomed to and may lead you to believe the transmission is slipping or that the engine RPM does not change in direct relation to accelerator input. I think a sample could be taken from the filler plug, but I believe the CVTF temp has to be between 95-113F with the engine running or fluid could spill out. IMHO, you're looking for a problem that does not exist. Some browsers incorporate a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that, when turned on, signals to websites and online services that you do not want to be tracked. . All rights reserved. I don't feel my driving would be considered "severe use" under Subarus definition. The Climate Control Module also transmits the desired interior temperature to the ECM, which may also increase the engine RPM to meet customer demands. If you notice these symptoms while driving your Subaru, the problem could be sourced to the CVT. It is the twelfth warm winter in a row. UltraGauge OBDII Scan tool and Information Center, X-Gauge Categories 2013+ Subaru Outback with CVT. A. This is the normal operating temperature for a transmission. 76k miles on the clock, original fluid. Another person I contacted had a Youtube about installing the Hayden cooler and said it brought the CVT temps down to 170s after he put it in. They offer a unique manual mode via steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. So what gives? The steady engine RPM and lack of shift shock are contrary to what you may have been accustomed to and will take some time to adjust to. Thirty-plus years of owning cars with many of them exceeding 200,000 miles, and never have I been in a car that carried the risk of killing me. Not feeling the love!". during operation. Whether or not Subaru's CVTs are reliable is something owners will debate all day long. Another option is RWD conversion through DIY means or in the form of a purchased kit via MRT, Rocket Rally, or Kingpin. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. To overcome these losses torque converters are equipped with a lock up clutch that can mechanically lock the engine output to the transmission under certain conditions. Sounds like the issue was been addressed. Lets dive into our findings. Here's what I could find out about taking a fluid sample. A lower engine speed means better fuel economy. Since I don't want to be messing with a phone all the time I prefer something with a dedicated display like the ScanGauge II that is always in place and comes on instantly every time I start the car. control is in tune with changes in engine speed, maximising drivability and Lineartronic is designed for linear response, and of course You may hear hissing or squealing type sound for a few seconds after shifting into any gear, the noise is caused by the transmission fluid inside of the CVT and is a normal operating characteristic. 2017 Outback Premium 2.5 with Eyesight. At 260 degrees Fahrenheit, transmission fluid can start to form sludge and clog your engine. No light so far. that means that you are at risk of having to replace . I kind of like the look of the display of the UltraGauge but if ammcinnis is correct that it doesn't monitor cvt temp that would be out. In a traditional automatic transmission, the shock of this directional change is passed through solid gears and absorbed by the torque converter. My plan was to do an oil analysis at 30k and another at 60k. JavaScript is disabled. A frustrated customer complained to the NHTSA with the note, Transmission failure. Moonrise 9:19 am. JavaScript is disabled. The following sections are meant to describe the relationship between an engines power output, gear ratios, and their effect on fuel efficiency. Thx. Actually,it's doing just what I would expect it to.At higher speeds the mating surfaces within the CVT are moving much faster and thus more friction is encountered which in turn generates more heat.In town these parts are moving much slower thus less friction leading to less heat. Dealer Service, Maintenance, and Warranty Issues, http://www.subaruxvforum.com/forum/engine-drivetrain/76274-cvt-cooler-installed.html#post1006641. Subaru Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) For instant, seamless response to changing conditions, the redesigned Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission elevates efficiency of the BOXER engine and Symmetrical AWD by keeping the engine in its ideal power range. 2021 Subaru WRX 2.0L CVT Base. This is a very dangerous safety concern for any of these vehicles equipped with this CVT transmission, especially when Subaru boasts about how this transmission is completely maintenance free for the life of the car. If the fluid is not in the correct temp range (95-113 deg F, 35 - 45 deg C) then it is Not Okay and the easiest way for the common folk like us is to use one of these wireless bridges and a program on our phones. Everything checked out on inspection. The first method uses Nissan's special tool: KV311039S0. I still do not know what caused this to occur. All Rights Reserved. But instead of gears, the He owns a car repair shop at downtown Osaka, and he put all that experience to good use in his sharing posts. After all, Subaru couldn't be as popular as if it was selling bad products. Information provided by site visitors through the use of such interactive functions may be available to both our dealership and our partners. The "help" section of the toolbar on most browsers will inform you on how to prevent your browser from accepting new cookies, how to have the browser notify you upon the receipt of a new cookie, or how to disable the use of cookies completely. how can u get the triple gauge settings mine dont work. View attachment 2340. Get it together, Subaru. This is also the point at which the combustion of air and fuel is most efficient, resulting in lower exhaust emissions. And because these pulleys can vary their width The Subaru CVT is far superior. Remember the fluid is the life line or blood of the transmission. What do you think? And it wasn't directed at you, just noting the influx of "2015 XXXX issue" threads because of lack of understanding. CVT, you never hear or feel the This information may include the type and version of your browser, your service provider, your IP address and any search engine you may have used to locate the site. This statement discloses the types of information we gather, how it is used, and how you can gain access to and edit any data that we've collected about you at any time. that it allows the engine to operate longer at a lower speed than conventional Cars run better with warmer fluids, not cooler. HID upgrade from retrofit source. Not an everyday occurrence, but something I do maybe once a month. If you're out of coverage or you've put a . That's what I think since you asked. At those temps recing oil is needed and it needs to be changed alot. Connect the Subaru Select Monitor to data link connector. When the torque converter unlocks it may feel similar to a conventional automatic transmission down shifting. Send it in for repair. Our dealership may use other companies and individuals to perform certain functions on our behalf. "If everyone is thinking alike, then someone isn't thinking." If youre out of coverage or youve put a bunch of miles on your Subaru, some of the minor repairs cost roughly $1,000-$2,500. Does anybody know the normal operating temperature range of the CVT in a 2015 AWD CR-V? Structure My Deal tools are complete you're ready to visit Sport Subaru! transmission shift -- it simply raises and lowers the engine speed as Especially if you do some towing. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. There is little concern towing at half the stated rating for the Forester Wilderness. I was going about 70 mph in the center lane of a three-lane highway, when suddenly my car jerked and then wouldnt accelerate., Another customer with a 2012 Legacy left a comment, "Wife was driving car with newborn son when she came to an abrupt stop because someone slammed on the brakes in front of her. So far, so good. I'm just going to speak from my own first hand experience, not from what others here want to argue over. Both Subaru of America and Devoe Subaru in Naples have been unresponsive, dismissive, disrespectful, and uninterested in fixing my car in a timely, professional manner. Just park it in the snow until it cools down. The gauges serve as a warning to take corrective action. While installing an inline transmission filter I discovered that the fluid looked brown and worn, given that the car only has 10,000 miles. gear to suit any driving style and road condition, while a stepped variable Normal running CVT temp is 140 - 210 F, so you can't just warm it up and hope you are at the right temp. This noise does not affect transmission performance, function or reliability. I have seen over 240F CVT-F temp in my XT and dont consider it a problem at all, as that has been when towing over mountain passes. (I am Canadian so all the other data here will be metric). I used the NHTSA website and found on average more reported issues with the older transmissions than with the CVTs. I think there is supposed to be a mini radiator of sorts to cool the CVT fluid. Remember the Still not sure it is. I've been searching for a secondary/auxiliary tranny fluid cooler for the Gen 5 CR-V CVT for a while now..no luck so far. A 40min drive 5 times a week with some of stop and go traffic. To help ensure the protection of your privacy, we recommend that you review the privacy policy of any site you visit via a link from one of our Web sites. . Humidity 89%. Getting passed by Semi's does nothing for the reputation of these cars to passerby's, haha. And it seems to stay around 218*+. Your car is safe when the temperature of the gearbox fluid hovers between 175 and 225 degrees Fahrenheit. different size gears. Power is the speed at which energy (Gasoline) is converted to mechanical forces necessary to propel the vehicle. Regardless, this is about a brand new WRX. name, e-mail address, etc.) This one . Another advantage of CVT is My car begin to roll backwards. Rather than using gears as in traditional automatic transmissions, Subarus CVT uses two fluctuating hydraulically actuated pulleys and a chain link. Vince. driving style increases the transmission temperature and accelerates the CVT transmission fluid deterioration rate. for starting out, middle gears for acceleration and passing, and higher http://www.subaruoutback.org/forumsic-trailer-brake-controller-installation.html, http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/104-gen-4-2010-2014/323545-cvt-temps-ultragauge-blue.html, http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/138-gen-5-2015-present/316394-cvt-cooler-5.html. I don't tow or go off road, just normal city and highway driving. I am biased toward my scan gauge but probably mostly because I bought it 12 years ago and it still works fine. If I do install one, I will have the before and after data to see how much of a difference it makes. As an engine rises in RPM the sound produced varies in frequency. The fluid should be at the right level and color. crvownersclub.com is an independent Honda enthusiast website owned and operated by VerticalScope Inc. UltraGauge is both an OBDII Scan Tool and an Information center that displays selectable engine gauges, such as RPM, Speed, Coolant Temperature, Boost, Distance, Fuel Pressure, Mass Air Flow, and more. At what temperature would overheating warning light come on? shifts gears to power range. Along with Subarus safety, theyre the stars of the companys advertisements. All engine power is transferred through small pins on the side of the chain and squeezed between the Variators at over 145,000 psi. Excessive oil use after each 3,000 miles. Thought that would take care of the AT temp light but it did not . Ask Your Own Subaru Question. Traditional I'm assuming it is related to elevated CVT temp but want to measure and verify. A. The CVT offers a compact design, a smooth ride with stepless acceleration, maximum torque provided by an immediate engine rev, and a cheaper price point than other types of transmissions. Question type: General. Several complaints suggest a Subaru CVT could have problems within 10 years of ownership. Mind you this was on a day when it was 80 degrees outside too. I just received my notice yesterday and was surprised because they claimed the deficiencies of the earlier years had been resolved. UltraGauge displays mileage gauges including Instantaneous MPG, Average MPG, gallons per hour Mod comment:. And the Forester gets an engine oil to coolant heat exchanger. The CVT (continuously variable transmission), the Hyundai sourced 6 speed automatic and the 5 speed manual transmission. Subaru knew they had problems with the CVT. Just me in the car, no cargo, not towing. Cold. Unfortunately, they want to replace it with a remanufactured transmission rather than a new transmission, which carries a better warranty. It will simply change the gear ratio to match the accelerator input, the engine RPM will increase accordingly and no shift shock will be felt. Content on crvownersclub.com is generated by its users. relationship of engine speed The app ActiveOBD can measure this figure on . I'm sure that is related to how the colors register for me with color-blind issues. Correct - your 2023 Forester should serve you well - as long as you keep up on your maintenance and such. JavaScript is disabled. connects them. Every 20 degrees past that threshold will cut the life your transmission by half. This thing is fantastic! Buy one of our O BD-AUS units here for $ 39*. I'd like to share that Honda doesn't say what their CVT fluid is made of either; is it conventional? Customer reply replied 10 years ago. Several complaints about fluid seeping out of the CVT housing resulted in Subaru issuing technical service bulletins related to CVT clamps and CVT seals. John789 said: Some answers says it should be cold because some of metal parts will be deformed when adding cold fluid into a hot transmission. Starting in May 2009, TR690 has been used in Subaru Outback 2.5 l models. By getting narrower or fatter, these pulleys change the Any such information will be maintained by us in accordance with the standards set forth in this privacy policy along with other personal information you've provided. Would you like us to send you price alerts? Anything wrong with it will affect the transmissions functions and its lifespan. To help us better understand and respond to your needs and interests, we may in the future receive information about you from other sources. Subscribers or site visitors will never receive unsolicited e-mail messages from agents working on our behalf. Keeping the transmission temperature between 175 and 200 degrees will allow the fluid to last the longest. If all the components are functional and you are driving at a normal speed, the ideal transmission temperature is 175F or less. Should you configure your browser to decline their use, certain features of our Web sites may not function correctly and you may be required to renter any user IDs and passwords more frequently. If you're lucky they will change your fluid as part of the troubleshooting process and not charge you for it. UltraGauge displays mileage gauges including Instantaneous MPG, Average MPG, gallons per hour. Keeping it less than 175F indicates a healthy condition and ensures long mileage. Still need to find out what the 6MT has as an upper parameter, though it is likely a similar number. That's all I'm sayingif well north of 200F tranny fluid temp is normal for a CVT, then so be it. Low 24F. Operate the select lever in P R N D and D N R P to circulate CVTF with the engine idling. gears, and allows the engine to run quieter. Any information you provide to us (i.e. I no longer believe my Subaru is a safe vehicle. I generally prefer the truth whenever I decide what I want it to be. Our dealership will not share any information you've provided to us with anyone without your consent other than to provide the service you've requested. On our '17 CR-V, I've seen 219F tranny fluid temp so farlevel ground, not towing, 40 mile round trip at 75 mph, mid 90s ambient. I had to quickly pull to the left shoulder. As I said in my original post, I'm not looking for an exact temperature, rather a temperature RANGE. The winter of 2022/23 was 2.7 degrees too warm, as the DWD announced. needed, calling up higher engine speeds (or RPM) for better In the course of less than two years, I have had all these issues.". When decelerating over a longer distance such as a highway off ramp the CVT will keep the torque converter locked-up as long as possible to provide engine braking similar to a manual transmission equipped vehicle. You're ready to visit Sport Subaru! acceleration and lower RPM for better fuel economy while cruising. When I am driving spiritedly I have seen as high as 210 but it quickly dropped down to 205. It is a known issue with models with their original CVT transmission, but rather than issue a recall, theyre extending warranties and fixing as they break. I thought I had been rear ended, but there was nobody behind me. Whether they produce significant heat under high load is another question entirely. The CVT requires fluid pressures up to 1,200 psi to operate and it must pass through small passageways, which may result in a momentary hiss or squeal sound. Common Subaru CVT Repair Costs. 220 is not hot. 5. 2011 Subaru Outback F4-2.5L SOHC. Thanks. Unbelievable. For vehicles equipped with a conventional automatic transmission upon pressing the accelerator the transmission control module will request a reduction of engine torque from the engine control module before shifting to a lower gear.