Master Mechanic and shop owner Car Wizard goes over CVT maintenance in his latest video. In the Nissan vehicle (with JATCO CVT) that he personally owns and maintains the fluid was already very dirty after only 20,000 miles (since the last drain and fill he performed) and he claims he drives “normally”! But with proper and diligent maintenance, even these transmissions can last a bit longer.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ILqTMbyeSPI
The car manufacturers motto - Faster and Cheaper
Faster and cheaper and more fuel efficient even if it means scrapping a car years early. Because then They can recycle it into another even worse car.
Very interesting.
What is it about CVT design that makes them more prone to be dirtier? With its relative simplicity, one would think they would be more reliable and less maintenance, but it seems to be the other way around.
There is constant metal-on-metal contact and relative motion of the steel belt against the steel pulleys. The basic operating principle there is friction. Where there's friction, there's wear, and I bet CVTs generate a LOT of metal dust. I think this is why CVTs don't last long and aren't used in heavy duty applications.
Hmmph. Very interesting.
For the sake of argument, assume you change the transmission fluid every 20,000 to 30,000 miles for the CVT. Could it last just as long if not longer than a manual transmission or automatic transmission?
I highly doubt it. No amount of fluid changes will make them last as long.
In other (hot & humid) parts of the world, a lot of Japanese OEMs recommend CVT fluid changes every 20,000 miles. The fluid still consistently comes out dark.. @mmj is right. You can’t win with a CVT, you can only prolong it’s limited lifespan.