What Year Did Honda Start Using Cvts (and Are They Reliable?)

Japanese automaker Honda started utilizing continuously adaptable transmissions (CVT) successful nan 1996 Civic HX Coupe, earning it nan favoritism of being nan first automatic car to make it to nan EPA's apical 10 database of astir fuel-efficient cars that year. It came successful 2nd spot to nan Geo Metro, a conveyance that those who are aged capable to retrieve was nan epitome of cheap, fuel-efficient, yet somewhat crappy transportation.

The Metro earned nan EPA's first-place motion by registering an fantabulous 44 mpg metropolis and 49 mpg highway. Meanwhile, nan CVT-equipped Civic HX Coupe, caller from its sixth-generation EK-Series debut (the champion Civic successful my book, chiefly for being nan past Civic to person double wishbones successful nan beforehand and rear), tin execute 35 mpg metropolis and 41 mpg highway. What's more, nan Civic HX accelerates from zero-to-60 mph successful 9.4 seconds, which happens to beryllium faster by astir 1.1 seconds than a Civic sedan pinch a accepted four-speed automatic gearbox.

The CVT has been astir for a amazingly agelong clip (having been invented by nan British successful 1923), and it useful otherwise than a accepted gear-driven automatic. Since launching nan Civic HX CVT successful 1996, Honda's CVT has migrated to its different offerings, peculiarly nan CR-V, HR-V, and Accord – Honda moreover made a CVT for bikes – but does it bring nan committedness of reliability that customers expect from nan Honda badge?

The reply is simply a mixed bag. Imperial Valley Honda said: "Some Honda owners pinch CVTs person knowledgeable issues not constricted to 1 generation, for illustration fluid leaks and overheating, but astir drivers tin fix, prevent, aliases moreover disregard insignificant issues." Moreover, it adds: "Despite their durability, Honda CVTs tin brushwood issues; however, pinch due care, they tin thief owners transcend 300,000 miles connected their vehicles." The Reddit organization has a fewer things to opportunity astir Honda CVTs. A 2016 HR-V proprietor had to switch nan CVT, and according to Honda technicians, blown CVTs are communal successful cars often launched astatine stoplights. As agelong arsenic you support it steady, extremity ignoring work bulletins, and debar treating your Honda for illustration a getaway vehicle, owners tin expect hundreds of thousands of trouble-free miles from their CVT gearboxes.

However, nan r/cars subreddit has a different take. There's a 2013 Accord Sport that nan proprietor bought new, but they had to switch nan CVT astatine 90,000 miles, though nan Honda Care warranty covered everything. On nan flip side, a 2016 Civic pinch 85,000 miles hasn't had a azygous rumor and is ticking for illustration a clock.

The constituent is that immoderate machine, whether an soul combustion motor aliases a CVT transmission, requires periodic maintenance, including regular inspection, draining, and replenishing of nan CVT fluid. Similar to automatic transmission fluid (ATF), CVT fluid won't past everlastingly and will yet degrade to a watery, sludgy mess, astir particularly aft succumbing to galore power cycles. When it does, symptoms for illustration slipping, juddering, delayed acceleration, and different noises will emanate from nan CVT, which are telltale signs of imminent failure.

Besides not driving for illustration a loon and not treating stoplights for illustration a individual resistance strip, Honda recommends CVT fluid changes each 25,000 miles, but that number is for vehicles that acquisition dense use. However, Honda dealerships would typically urge a fluid alteration each 30,000 miles aliases erstwhile each 40,000 miles, depending connected nan car and really it's driven. Maintaining nan integrity of nan CVT fluid is captious to keeping your Honda CVT performing its best, and nan aforesaid applies to immoderate car pinch a accepted automatic, CVT, aliases dual clutch transmission. Things to debar see utilizing nan incorrect type of fluid, which will severely harm your Honda CVT.

When thing goes wrong, Honda CVTs person a "limp home" mode that illuminates a check motor light to pass nan driver and forestall much harm to nan CVT. When this happens, bring your car for servicing instantly to diagnose nan responsibility and reside nan rumor earlier thing arsenic trivial arsenic a CVT fluid alteration turns into a wallet-busting, CVT replacement.