Question about CVTs and long term ownership.

"dinobot666" (dinobot666) 07/09/2014 at 14:14 • Filed to: subaru cvt 4eat 5eat automatic lol the answer is miata serious question time help

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I know that's kind of a vague question, but I'm thinking about a Forester XT with the new high torque CVT as a shared vehicle in the near future. Subaru has a pretty decent track record of making reasonably durable 4EATs and 5EATs that can last 200k miles if they're taken care of. I know I've driven Subaru 4EATs well past 200k miles with no issues.

Currently Subaru is on phase 2 of their own CVT and I've driven a phase 1 and phase 2 Subaru CVT and didn't mind how they operated at all, even when mated to a normally aspirated EJ or F series engine. My ultimate question is, what's the longevity of these CVTs, in particular the high torque CVT going to be like in 100k miles, or 200k miles after the chain has stretched out, or can it stretch out?

Any insight or other techobabble about long term reliability with CVTs would be appreciated.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > dinobot666 07/09/2014 at 14:24

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The way I see CVT's is that they're a magical thing that makes the car make noise to move. I know nothing about them, besides the fact that they're a belt. The Scoobaru fozz XT is a great car though! big and fast and comfy. I still believe that a manual option should exist for the few who would want it.

^TL;DR, I know nothing, sorry.

spanfucker retire bitch > dinobot666 07/09/2014 at 14:31

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This is from Subaru PR, so take it with a grain of salt, but I was told that Subaru uses metal chains (instead of conventional "belts" - I use those terms loosely) so that their CVTs don't need any major maintenance for roughly 100,000 miles.

dinobot666 > spanfucker retire bitch 07/09/2014 at 14:45

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Even a chain will stretch eventually, I've had timing chains stretch on engines before and skip a tooth. I just wonder what happens to a CVT chain if it stretches. Are they serviceable, or do you replace the whole unit?

spanfucker retire bitch > dinobot666 07/09/2014 at 14:47

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I believe the whole unit simply gets swapped out - it's totally sealed. And like I said, take it with a grain of salt as that info was from a Subaru pamphlet when I went out looking for cars a year ago.

dinobot666 > spanfucker retire bitch 07/09/2014 at 14:49

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I know Nissan replaces all of their Jatco sourced CVTs with a new unit if something goes bad.

Lekker > dinobot666 07/09/2014 at 15:56

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All I can really say with actual facts, is that I've had 2 muranos with CVTs (not a whole lotta torque, but still a v6) and one I had until 120k miles, and the other one is going strong at 60k miles. As someone else said, pretty sure Nissan uses brand new units to replace it when something goes wrong, but they're also much simpler therefore not as expensive. Not 100% sure on the cost, tho.