2022Recurrent Ventures. Several complaints suggest a Subaru CVT could have problems within 10 years of ownership. 40-65C (104-149F). . If you're lucky they will change your fluid as part of the troubleshooting process and not charge you for it. A frustrated customer complained to the NHTSA with the note, Transmission failure. Subaru is a metal belt driven CVT with pulleys while the power. different size gears. Why Manual Transmission is Hard to Shift. There were 3 transmission options with the 2014 Jeep Patriot. 2. I installed a transmission cooler and I now have the transmission running at 168F. If your vehicle pauses or hesitates when you press the gas, the CVT could be malfunctioning. Power is the speed at which energy (Gasoline) is converted to mechanical forces necessary to propel the vehicle. If anything, the company will continue to improve its CVT construction and design and expand upon its application to new models. It could be several things but the main culprit is overworked transmission fluid. Subaru has agreed to replace the transmission since the car is still under warranty. Especially if you do some towing. In addition, we gather certain navigational information about where you go on our Web sites. Were the best Subaru Forester Owners Forum to talk about the best years of the Subaru Forester, modifications and reliability history of the Subaru Forester. What do you think? 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. Remember the I will no longer own a Subaru. Subaru Outback One of Subaru's most popular models, the Outback has been in production since 1995. that it allows the engine to operate longer at a lower speed than conventional Thanks! Hello, A CVT is able to transition from the highest gear ratio to the lowest gear ratio within 5 milliseconds. Here are some of the most common Subaru CVT problems: Several customers have mentioned that their vehicles came to jarring stops or stall during driving and won't restart. When driving a car with a We'll have this time-saving information on file when you visit the dealership. On the contrary, its alarming when it crosses 225F. I don't see how it could be related, but I'm going to try loading up the stock tune just to rule it out. Increased clutch band and clutch pack capacity. Excessive oil use after each 3,000 miles. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. However, throughout the past decade, hundreds of customers have complained to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about several problems relating to Subaru's CVTs. Normal fluid looks red odor dark red but its a matter of concern when it develops a brownish tinge or turns dark. Such parties only have access to the personal information needed to perform these functions and may not use or store the information for any other purpose. If the fluid temperature is not within this range you'll get an inaccurate fluid level. Everyone knows about Subarus world-renowned symmetrical all-wheel drive and boxer engines. Feels very unsafe. The Drive has answers. If the CVT is running too hot or too cold, what are you supposed to do about it? Not an everyday occurrence, but something I do maybe once a month. Reactions: blkprlz, cardoc and SilverOnyx. Just park it in the snow until it cools down. But a proper temperature reading taken at the cylinder head and such you'll find temperatures higher than that. After stopping the vehicle, shift the select lever to "P" range. The Drive and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. You may opt out of receiving future communications at any time (see opt-out Procedures below). 83,795. 2016 CRV Touring AWD. I find the engine no very fuel efficient and even further down on power while oil temp is below 60C (its like half the speed at a given RPM level). The Drives informational team has been digging through forums, recalls, and consumer complaints to get a sense of what issues you need to be aware of when buying or driving a Subaru with a CVT. Unbelievable. shifts gears to I'm assuming it is related to elevated CVT temp but want to measure and verify. 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. Lineatronic delivers a smoother ride while also reducing mechanical noise Its not an engineering problem when used in the appropriate climate it was engineered for. So far, so good. I drive over sand in summer and this is deep sugar sand and things do run hotter. Besides, you can use a temperature gauge to find out how hot the transmission is. I like the look of the blue setting but I was disappointed that for my eyes it was too hard to read the numbers. crvownersclub.com is an independent Honda enthusiast website owned and operated by VerticalScope Inc. 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. This information enables us to determine which areas of the Web sites are most frequently visited and helps us to tailor the sites to the needs and interests of our online visitors. I'd like to monitor CVT temp as well. If you dont expect any sort of enthusiasm or excitement out of your vehicle, a CVT will be great for fuel mileage and many prefer the absence of jerky gear shifts felt from traditional automatics or manual transmissions. Why should I care? After checking with a ScanGuage I found the transmission was running at 194F, right where Toyota says it should, but given the fluid condition I think that temperature is too hot. Thought that would take care of the AT temp light but it did not . The thermostat also opens around 175. When at a steady higher RPM during acceleration, the frequency remains constant and may resonate. The problem is the fluid quality and life starts plummeting once heat starts to build up and crosses the safe limit. Here's what I could find out about taking a fluid sample. It is not unusual for a CVT equipped vehicle to have better fuel efficiency than similar vehicle equipped with a manual transmission. CVT has two pulleys that can vary in width, and a steel belt that Content on crvownersclub.com is generated by its users. When the torque converter unlocks it may feel similar to a conventional automatic transmission down shifting. Where should I have put the thread? Subaru Genuine CVTF-II CVT Transmission Fluid (6 Quarts)- SOA427V1660 OEM AUTO Genuine Subaru CVTF-II is compatible with almost all Subarus and their hybrid. Our dealership understands the importance of your privacy. (Some other manufacturers use belts.) A CVT does not require a reduction in engine torque. The mean temperature throughout Germany was 2.9 degrees. However, the further apart the first gear ratio is from the final gear ratio the less responsive the vehicle is at all speeds in between. . What a joke. 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. 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. If the vehicle is within 10 years old, most of these problems should be covered under Subaru's extended warranty. 2018 Forester 2.5i CVT Sold for 2018 Toyota Tacoma. This noise is most noticeable when outside the vehicle alongside of the right or left front fender in colder temperatures. Of course, cold fluid is also hard on things as well since cold fluid doesn't work as well as operating temperature fluid -- which is the reason for the heat exchanger on the transmission -- as well as oil temperature and pressure sensors found inside of the transmission. www.ultra-gauge.com Rub . UltraGauge displays mileage gauges including Instantaneous MPG, Average MPG, gallons per hour Mod comment:. I also go over an overview of. Overheated fluid discharges of a burnt toast-like smell and looks brown to dark in color. This one . I'd bring into the dealer for sure. The coolant is regulated by the thermostat, but engine oil temperatures and CVT fluid temperatures are only influenced by the coolant. Still need to find out what the 6MT has as an upper parameter, though it is likely a similar number. CVT's upper oil temp limit is at 270dF---ECU will cut boost and pull timing once this temp is achieved. Noise is created by these gears, however at a lower frequency. I guess it would be prudent to check you coolant level as well. Recommend it. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. I also have a scangauge. This started to occur after I had the valve spring recall taken care of. I was stopped at a red light. 2021 Subaru WRX 2.0L CVT Base. I do live in Texas, so we do get 100+ temps in the summer. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. Lets dive into our findings. is different. 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. Unlike years ago when all cars would do is set off a temperature too hot warning light, I wouldn't be surprised if the programming for transmissions included a max temp reached setting at which point warnings like "reduced power available" kicked in as the car moved to protect the drivetrain from damage. Please provide your email address to begin receiving price alerts at home, at work, and on your phone! All rights reserved. Any other PIDs out there Not listed on ScanGauges site? A Subaru equipped with a CVT will generally raise the engine RPM to a certain level based upon accelerator input and engine load. Next, raise the vehicle up and remove the overfill plug (figure 2). My plan was to do an oil analysis at 30k and another at 60k. I don't feel my driving would be considered "severe use" under Subarus definition. Not sure if the other market Foresters that have the air cooled CVTs run cooler or not. Our dealership uses cookies to provide you with the convenience of not having to reenter information, such as user IDs and passwords, multiple times during your visits to our Web sites. A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is an automatic transmission that doesnt use gears, instead relying on a chain and pulleys to transfer power to the driven wheels. Thx. Featuring a reinforced transmission case and new torque converter, Examples include administering e-mail services and running special promotions. The Subaru CVT feels like it mimics a traditional auto box with defined shift points. 6. 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. A couple of observations on this discussion: I'm using a ScanGauge II plugged into the ALDL port that's under the dash. Oil is cheaper than steel! I have a copy of the 2015 Subaru Field Service Manual (FSM) and thier own manual states the operating CVT temperature is between 140-176 degrees F. Most AT fluid is said to lose 50% of it's life for every 20 degrees F above 175F. In a traditional automatic transmission, the shock of this directional change is passed through solid gears and absorbed by the torque converter. It is not uncommon for a vehicle operator to place the vehicle into Drive while the vehicle is still moving backwards. Tsukasas blog is one of the best resources for information about keeping your favorite imported car running smoothly. The Lineartronic TR580 is 100 mm shorter and 15% lighter than the TR690, and that is the reason why the . For example, a popular tire upgrade for the WRX is 50 series 16" tire with a 24.1" circumference. It has lowered the median CVT temperature by about 25 degrees. 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. Synthetic 5W 30 Oil GALLON. Temperature Control Dial 5. Adding a CVT fluid cooler would serve no purpose at all if it cools BEFORE the fluid passes thru this heat-exchanger. JavaScript is disabled. Do some research and you will find that 175 degrees F is an optimal temperature for an automatic transmission to run at. gears for fuel-efficient cruising. 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. connects them. Here's some info from the FSM. The vehicle continued to lose speed and would not respond when I pressed down on the accelerator. UV Index 0 of 10. A 40min drive 5 times a week with some of stop and go traffic. needed, calling up higher engine speeds (or RPM) for better Ya the coolant temperature sensor was 185F. 2016 Tungsten Outback 2.5l Premium w/ES, OP 14, PP #4. Subaru offers CVT for several models. To help us better understand and respond to your needs and interests, we may in the future receive information about you from other sources. It is the twelfth warm winter in a row. That's a good rule of thumb, if you don't have a way to measure. 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. Yes, yesterday I was running errands in typical suburban traffic, a mix of surface streets and a 55mph+ primary highway. Please let us know what they say! If substantially all of the assets of our dealership are acquired, consumer information may be transferred as part of the acquisition. If you want to trade barbs do it by PM. For me, normal operating temperature is around 200 degrees. but I guess we can call 190+warm and about 220+Hot? 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. You should check it on a regular basis to avoid costly transmission repair or replacement job down the road. Cookies can also be utilized to help us provide you with information targeted to your interests, based upon your prior browsing on our Web sites. All you need to do is find the OBD2 port which will be within 50cm of the steering wheel and you can access it using no tools. Above 130C is too hot period. gear to suit any driving style and road condition, while a stepped variable acceleration and lower RPM for better fuel economy while cruising. At least I know now the CVT runs hot. There is a compromise between the lowest gear ratio which improves acceleration and the highest gear ratio which improves fuel economy, in an attempt to keep the engine RPM in this range of efficiency. Please Like, Comment, and Share. 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. There was no 5 speed automatic option. Temperature records in Bavaria - winter 2022/23 too warm. A. This is especially true at full throttle. I turned the car off, and luckily the vehicle did restart. Generally, the temperature range that transmission fluid should be stored in is from -40 degrees to 175 degrees Fahrenheit. With a head wind your pushing hard for extended lengths of time as a result you heat up everything, all the fluid is hot, exhaust is hot etc. I suspect the fluid temps between the cvt and the old 5eat will run very similar. Because power is the speed at which energy is converted, more power or higher engine RPM generally means higher fuel consumption, with some exceptions in a vehicle equipped with a CVT. Subaru knew they had problems with the CVT. The design of the CVT also allows for a lower gear ratio than conventional automatic transmissions and can therefore accelerate quicker than a comparable vehicle equipped with a conventional automatic transmission, although it may not feel this way. Personally , I doubt a 1.5" lift or a teardrop would cause any issue; we tow a 3000lb rig; before that we had a pop up with the Ascent and it was barely noticable. As stated the fluid temperature chart is for the Hyundai 6 speed automatic transmission. 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. Occasionally you will even come to a stop with the engine idling which is what you do to cool the CVT anyways. When under moderate to heavy acceleration the transmission control module continuously adjusts the gear ratio to maintain an efficient engine RPM. My 2023 Wilderness is on order and I might end up towing 1500 lb trailer from time to time with it. Ford, Fiat, Nissan, and Subaru have all heavily used CVT transmissions . Because the moisture will evaporate from the oil? If you notice these symptoms while driving your Subaru, the problem could be sourced to the CVT. Also, at this temp there are no error codes or check engine lights. I have the instructions in a PDF format HERE. These sensations are what we have become accustomed to in both manual and automatic transmissions. My thought was that it was due to the recall but evidently had no relation, as per Subaru dealer on Maui. Third parties may collect personally identifiable information about your online activities over time and across different websites when you use this website. If the Forester CVT fluid to coolant heat exchange is efficient, the CVT fluid will be at 95C, same as the coolant, which is hotter than my peak of 90C noted. If you are not sure what would be the best choice for your Subaru, you can check out our in-depth guide about extended warranties. There is also a torque converter - to broaden the range of gear ratios and to ensure a smooth start-off. Note: You may become concerned the engine is revving too high when cold based upon past experiences. The reduced power output and delay actually delays acceleration, but we have become accustomed to these sensations and equate them with increased acceleration. A highly heated state oxidizes it and makes it form varnish on the internal parts of the components such as the valve body. I left a message with the dealership, and I am awaiting a return phone call to have the vehicle assessed.. I was planning on exiting to refuel before this happened. View attachment 2340. I tried to get the car into drive by turning the car off and on and utilized other techniques, but I was not able to drive my car. 3. Asked by Mark Nov 19, 2015 at 12:07 PM about the 2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited. Can you mix the the Subaru CVT HIGH TORQUE fluid with the Amsoil TR690/VTF22 CVT fluid, because according to Amsoil, it is compatible with the Subaru CVT HIGH TORQUE fluid. 2015 Subaru WRX Prem CVT Galaxy Blue Pearl. Connect the Subaru Select Monitor to data link connector. I will be towing a trailer and I want to know if I'm approaching the top of the range and should pull over and let the tranny cool down. "Rear wheel bearing repeatedly replaced. When you are driving, and suddenly the AT Oil Temp light starts flashing, well, this could mean a couple of things.And that is why in this video, we will bri. 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. Mind you this was on a day when it was 80 degrees outside too. Our dealership takes your privacy seriously and is committed to safeguarding your privacy online. That's all I'm sayingif well north of 200F tranny fluid temp is normal for a CVT, then so be it. Uphill, when you needed all your power at a slow In the event that our dealership sells or transfers a particular portion of its business assets, consumer information may be one of the business assets transferred as part of the transaction. 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. About twice that length of time, oil is up into the ~210 range, which is normal operating temp. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Full synthetic? PLENTY HOT. Downhill, when you were already cruising Outdoor temp 88F, cvt temp 201F (according to my ScanGauge II). To protect the integrity of the information contained in this record, you should not disclose or otherwise reveal your password to third parties. The driver will physically feel the downshift and hear the change in engine RPM. Lineartronic is designed for linear response, and of course The transmission 2011 Subaru Outback F4-2.5L SOHC. I asked Honda and they refused to tell me. Technology, performance and design delivered to your inbox.