Honda CVT transmission concerns, have you had any? How did the dealership handle it?

[_Qwerty_]

1. 19,6xx kms / Honda BRV S / Dec. 2016 / no problem / yes did 2 years cvt fluid change
2 - 6. N/A
7. changed battery already, wala namang ni reset.

[17Sphynx17]

Own 11 year old Honda City i-Dsi CVT. # of times replaced CVTF, twice only. I do not follow the 2 year interval "required" by Honda, but that is I feel okay for my use case since it is not normally stuck in bumper to bumper traffic, and usage is around 8k to 10k kms over 12 months to 15 months (variable).

1) Never experienced CVT issue specifically but the first CVTF change I did was on it's 6th year (2014), and the next CVTF change was just this year (2019). Total mileage accumulated now is around 85k kms.
2) For major concerns when it was already outside the warranty, that was when I bring it to Honda Casa (Q Ave specifically). Starting on the 6th year of ownership, it was no longer under annual PMS of Honda. But I have adjusted a regimen of only bringing it to Honda every "3rd year interval" for now. The rest, I was fine with Shell/Payless Car Care Center for the Annual PMS.

5) Answered in # 1, but I also didn't use the Manual Mode of the CVT, just to clear up this item since there is a known issue with weakness in the belts when using manual mode for this specific model design of the City (at least that's what I recalled).

6) I don't advice this personally. Best to leave it to Honda so you don't risk damaging your transmission just to save a few bucks.

7) For my case, when replacing the battery, I specifically run the car first before the battery is removed so that all electronics are running off the alternator, avoiding any electronics to suffer a reset or "error" (just to be on the safe side). On my first battery replacement, I didn't know about the CVT might needing to be reset so I didn't start it before. So I did bring it to Honda to have it reset as I felt it was not "performing" the same (shifting wise) after my first battery change. Succeeding battery replacements, I made sure to start the cars (be it AT or CVT) after that happened, never had any issues after. If the battery is already dead, I have the new battery just connected to the old battery terminals so I can start the car when they are connected in series. Car starts, assuming no other issue is causing the "unable to start" issue.

This is my own personal experience with Honda CVT specifically and what I've done during its life. Still own and use the vehicle daily.

[Vodka]

7) For my case, when replacing the battery, I specifically run the car first before the battery is removed so that all electronics are running off the alternator, avoiding any electronics to suffer a reset or "error" (just to be on the safe side). On my first battery replacement, I didn't know about the CVT might needing to be reset so I didn't start it before. So I did bring it to Honda to have it reset as I felt it was not "performing" the same (shifting wise) after my first battery change. Succeeding battery replacements, I made sure to start the cars (be it AT or CVT) after that happened, never had any issues after. If the battery is already dead, I have the new battery just connected to the old battery terminals so I can start the car when they are connected in series. Car starts, assuming no other issue is causing the "unable to start" issue.

this is not recommended

[Athrunzala]

Sabi ni Scotty Kilmer sa Youtube, worse daw ang CVT ng Nissan, at ang mas maganda ay ang sa CVT ng Toyota

[dr. d]

Sabi ni Scotty Kilmer sa Youtube, worse daw ang CVT ng Nissan, at ang mas maganda ay ang sa CVT ng Toyota

ibalik ang 4AT !

seriously, what real advantage does cvt have over the traditional AT ?

[Egan101]

ibalik ang 4AT !

seriously, what real advantage does cvt have over the traditional AT ?

Serious, why would you go back to the archaic 4AT tranny? The newer 6AT trannies are much better.

CVT offers better fuel efficiency over the older 4AT and 5AT trannies, as what most manufacturers claim.

[dr. d]

CVT offers better fuel efficiency over the older 4AT and 5AT trannies, as what most manufacturers claim.

is it a claim, or is it real?

[jojopad]

ibalik ang 4AT !

seriously, what real advantage does cvt have over the traditional AT ?

1. Compact design
2. Stepless acceleration
3. Fuel efficiency (most compelling advantage imho)

source: Advantages and disadvantages of continuously variable transmission | Profolus

[Jun aka Pekto]

ibalik ang 4AT !

seriously, what real advantage does cvt have over the traditional AT ?

Personally, my main beef with CVTs is the long-term durability because I tend to keep my cars until they either fall apart or quit running (usually 13-15 years). Otherwise, I find the CVT great when using cruise control on road trips. Perhaps, I'm wrong. But, the CVT is always at the most optimal/efficient setting of the RPM range which is not the case with conventional AT. An AT is prone to gear hunting during a climb with roughness and speed loss/compensation. With a CVT, assuming a climb the CVT can handle, the speed remained constant with smoother adjustments. It really surprised me (in a good way) the first time I encountered it.

[Vodka]

Personally, my main beef with CVTs is the long-term durability because I tend to keep my cars until they either fall apart or quit running (usually 13-15 years). Otherwise, I find the CVT great when using cruise control on road trips. Perhaps, I'm wrong. But, the CVT is always at the most optimal/efficient setting of the RPM range which is not the case with conventional AT.

exactly. the CVT computer could probably pick between a thousand different "gear ratios"

[17Sphynx17]

this is not recommended

It may not be written in the manual, but i rather not rrisk running the transmission while there could be an error in the computer box after battery removal (without running off the alternator).

Im just saying what i do to avoid needing a cvt reset.

I also own a sylphy cvt. When nissan serviced the sylphy, they removed the battery over the course of repair work (i posted this in the thread for sylphy).

When i got the car back, the transmission was behaving differently. I brought it back for a reset. Nissan doesnt have the same like honda. So they installed the latest firmware they had on hand for the cvt. Basically equivalent to a reset.

The transmissiom behaved the same after it as well.

So, you could see it as anecdotal. But that has been my personal experience with cvts and i would rather not risk it.

[Vodka]

It may not be written in the manual, but i rather not rrisk running the transmission while there could be an error in the computer box after battery removal (without running off the alternator).

Im just saying what i do to avoid needing a cvt reset.

I also own a sylphy cvt. When nissan serviced the sylphy, they removed the battery over the course of repair work (i posted this in the thread for sylphy).

When i got the car back, the transmission was behaving differently. I brought it back for a reset. Nissan doesnt have the same like honda. So they installed the latest firmware they had on hand for the cvt. Basically equivalent to a reset.

The transmissiom behaved the same after it as well.

So, you could see it as anecdotal. But that has been my personal experience with cvts and i would rather not risk it.

what you're doing is risky as well. the battery buffers the raw output of the alternator, protecting all your electronics from spikes etc

the proper way is to use a memory saver cable. plugs to OBD2 port.

[17Sphynx17]

what you're doing is risky as well. the battery buffers the raw output of the alternator, protecting all your electronics from spikes etc

the proper way is to use a memory saver cable. plugs to OBD2 port.

I am honestly curious why it would be dangerous, if you are not connecting the positive and negative terminal together or 'completing a circuit' that should not be completed?

I would like to know where info would be on this matter is could be read up? It would be helpful.

Https://mechanics.stackexchange.com/...car-is-running

In the link above, the guy saying the same thing was basically just promoting his own ebook, as noted by another user.

Replacing the battery while it is running shouldnt take longer than a minute or two and everything else is technically off, other than the car idling.

The battery is there to start the car, the alternator to run it, right (as well as keep the battery chsrged as best it can)?

As for the obd memory saver, it might not specifically pertain to the time you need to replace just the battery but since it is reading material, il link it as well as a source

Memory savers not recommended by industry experts | Search Autoparts

Again, id like to reiterate, they were just mentioning in when discussing other work like needing to weld or repair the car and not just swap out to a new battery.

Thanks for taking time to reply.

I am curious, but i dont see a valid reason yet for why it should pose a problem to start the car and swap out with a new battery under 2 minutes.

[17Sphynx17]

Here is a link that says what you mentioned to support use of the memory saver.

Using a Battery Code Saver? — Auto Expert by John Cadogan - save thousands on your next new car!

But also, looking at the post. It does mean thst if you unplug the batteries from a 'dead' car, you need to have it reset and recalibrated which most regular owners dont do, i think.

[Firefox2007]

[QUOTE=17Sphynx17;3077334]It may not be written in the manual, but i rather not rrisk running the transmission while there could be an error in the computer box after battery removal (without running off the alternator).

Im just saying what i do to avoid needing a cvt reset.

I also own a sylphy cvt. When nissan serviced the sylphy, they removed the battery over the course of repair work (i posted this in the thread for sylphy).

When i got the car back, the transmission was behaving differently. I brought it back for a reset. Nissan doesnt have the same like honda. So they installed the latest firmware they had on hand for the cvt. Basically equivalent to a reset.

The transmissiom behaved the same after it as well.

So, you could see it as anecdotal. But that has been my personal experience with cvts and i would rather not risk it. [ “ lately my honda cvt 2014 behave diffently after the battery was disconnected , during downhill it reduces cvt setting to lower setting causing high revs ranging from 3000-4000 rpm & on straight highway its rpm goes up & down at speed more than 80-100kph. I brought it to honda casa & they test drive it , after that they recommend to change transmission!!! Im insisting if they can do first to reboot or update the ecu but they not considering my opinion, my gash new transmission will cost 360K��. Has any one of you do the ecu update on thier honda cvt? Please kindly inform me , id like to have a second option. Thanks for any one who will response and will give me positive feedback�� “ ]

[Walter]

7) For my case, when replacing the battery, I specifically run the car first before the battery is removed so that all electronics are running off the alternator, avoiding any electronics to suffer a reset or "error" (just to be on the safe side). On my first battery replacement, I didn't know about the CVT might needing to be reset so I didn't start it before. So I did bring it to Honda to have it reset as I felt it was not "performing" the same (shifting wise) after my first battery change. Succeeding battery replacements, I made sure to start the cars (be it AT or CVT) after that happened, never had any issues after. If the battery is already dead, I have the new battery just connected to the old battery terminals so I can start the car when they are connected in series. Car starts, assuming no other issue is causing the "unable to start" issue.

Should avoid doing this on modern vehicle withs a lot of electronics ... One spike from the alternator and it might fry a lot of things ...

[17Sphynx17]

Should avoid doing this on modern vehicle withs a lot of electronics ... One spike from the alternator and it might fry a lot of things ...

Automotive Charging Systems - A Short Course on How They Work | CarParts.com

I would like some clarification on this specific topic then.

Documentations I have read always mention that alternators (I assume especially the current car designs) have regulators as all alternators run Alternating Current.

Now, there is a likelihood that the regulator "could fail". But even the documentation here says that if that is the case, lights on the dashboard would shop up indicating such an issue.

So, based on that, my understanding it, don't do it if your car is showing other issues and not just a "dead battery" that needs swapping out. Since current AT/CVT batteries are the maintenance free types, once signs of hard-starting are showing (meaning the car can still turnover) I usually buy new batteries already to change it out.

Thoughts?

EDIT:

1) please consider that all other electrical components are turned off when I'm doing the swap with the car running. A/C, Lights and radio/Head Unit are turned off. No revving of the car engine during the "swap" to a new battery
2) By doing #1, I am not introducing any unnecessary load to the electrical system during the swap. Just need to car to idle "low"
3) the car does not present any other issue when it was in use prior to the "Swap"
4) During the "swap", I will keep presence of mind to keep the battery terminals/wires (positive and negative) completely isolated and separate, and not contact with any other metallic component of the vehicle or tools that could cause a completion of the circuit (other than when they connect with the new battery)

[whiteb16a]

Automotive Charging Systems - A Short Course on How They Work | CarParts.com

I would like some clarification on this specific topic then.

Documentations I have read always mention that alternators (I assume especially the current car designs) have regulators as all alternators run Alternating Current.

Now, there is a likelihood that the regulator "could fail". But even the documentation here says that if that is the case, lights on the dashboard would shop up indicating such an issue.

So, based on that, my understanding it, don't do it if your car is showing other issues and not just a "dead battery" that needs swapping out. Since current AT/CVT batteries are the maintenance free types, once signs of hard-starting are showing (meaning the car can still turnover) I usually buy new batteries already to change it out.

Thoughts?

EDIT:

1) please consider that all other electrical components are turned off when I'm doing the swap with the car running. A/C, Lights and radio/Head Unit are turned off. No revving of the car engine during the "swap" to a new battery
2) By doing #1, I am not introducing any unnecessary load to the electrical system during the swap. Just need to car to idle "low"
3) the car does not present any other issue when it was in use prior to the "Swap"
4) During the "swap", I will keep presence of mind to keep the battery terminals/wires (positive and negative) completely isolated and separate, and not contact with any other metallic component of the vehicle or tools that could cause a completion of the circuit (other than when they connect with the new battery)

Voltage regulators do not output pure DC voltage/current. They can only do so much in converting AC to DC. Your battery as someone here said makes sure that pure DC is fed to your system electronics. Remember also that your ECU is powered electrically. Eventhough you are not turning electrical loads, directly feeding power from the alternator to your ECU without going through the battery may cause problems specially in modern cars. Just my two cents.

[yapoy86]

Voltage regulators do not output pure DC voltage/current. They can only do so much in converting AC to DC. Your battery as someone here said makes sure that pure DC is fed to your system electronics. Remember also that your ECU is powered electrically. Eventhough you are not turning electrical loads, directly feeding power from the alternator to your ECU without going through the battery may cause problems specially in modern cars. Just my two cents.

Conversion of AC to DC of the alternator is done by the rectifier composed of 4 diodes... the voltage regulator controls the DC output to maintain the voltage range not to exceed 14V along the RPM range.

But to be safe, better to turn it off and place a back up battery while replacing the old one..

[17Sphynx17]

During lunchtime been reading up.

There are 2 camps, but with more modern vehicles, yes. They do say just to avoid any issues altogether, don't do it. You could but "why risk it".

So, I guess I'll change the approach and try and see if I can use jumper cables when swapping out batteries instead.

Regarding the memory saver, there are also 2 camps. Most say it is okay while some say it could preserve error codes in the system as some cars do detect battery removal/disconnection. Not sure where I should stand on that department.

Lastly, it still stands, if you do disconnect your battery to change to a new one without doing anything else, go to have your computers reset and recalibrated to be sure everything is running or being run by the computers as it should be. =)