initial thoughts on CVT

2010 Outback PZEV. It was a demonstrator with 6000kms on it when I bought it, and I just put about 500kms on it on a camping trip last weekend. Car was fully loaded with bikes on the roof. Otherwise, just driving around town.

So far, I'm more impressed with it as time passes. It seems to make intelligent choices such as not changing its gear ratio when I take my foot off the gas to turn a corner. Gas mileage is on the high side of what was claimed, but it's still fairly new and I haven't exactly been driving it gently since I got it. When I stomp on the gas, there is no kick like you get with a typical automatic transmission, but acceleration is still reasonable. It is definitely noisier than my Impreza was when it was new. Lots of random ticking noises, like thermal expansion noises. My only complaint is a slight delay when pulling away from a stop. If I ease onto the gas pedal, it feels like a long delay before the car moves. If I stomp on the pedal more quickly, the delay seems to be less.

I've tried playing with the paddle shifters. They work well, but so far I haven't been able to do much better than automatic mode. I've been trying to downshift coming into a turn so I can accelerate and pull out of it when I'm done the turn, without having the transmission change the gear ratios on me. It kinda works, but there's no space in the city to really try this out.

Those are my initial thoughts. I was looking forward to using this CVT so I might be a little biased to like it. It's not the most sporty drive, but it is what it is. I think it needs a "sport" mode, like I found on the VW Golf's DSG system.

Chicobiker

Reply to
Chicobiker
Loading thread data ...

I've logged almost 5,000 miles on my '10 Outback and I must say the CVT is far better than I could have imagined. We are in the mountains and I can't tell you how much better it is when climbing from 5,000 to 12,000 feet on a highway that varies in slope.

A conventional auto transmission (4-speed w/OD in my '04 Outback) would switch back and forth from 3rd to 4th with the corresponding jerk between gears and the unintentional windup of the engine in the lower gear: up & down & up & down, until the top of the pass.

With CVT, the transmission smoothly adjusts the engine speed as needed to keep the vehicle speed constant. Instead of the jerking, there is only the noticeable change in the engine revs. The engine isn't quiet, but it rarely exceeds 4,000 RPM while keeping the vehicle speed at 65 MPH. This is a very pleasant surprise on our 7% grade roads.

Engine braking going downhill is now a 2-step process with the paddles, but with experience, is no more effort than the old.

I am off faster at the light than I expected, but I also don't get the resumption to full speed after slowing in heavy traffic than I expect. Overall, this vehicle is a noticeable improvement over older Outbacks. Gas mileage is MUCH higher than expected.

Reply to
Bill Radio

Reply to
Chicobiker

Do they only have a 5 year 60k warranty on that CVT? Nissan offers 10 year/ 120k warranty on CVT vehicles. That tells me they are more prone to problems. Subaru is heading in the wrong direction with design and vehicles. From 00-04 the outback was AWESOME- a great handling car that goes anywhere in comfort with good mpg

Reply to
Big Jim

.

Doesn't FHI make BOTH those trannies? Or, maybe they come from the same 'consortium' w'ever in Japan right?

Reply to
1 Lucky Texan

I dont know who makes them but I'd hate to pay for tranny repair at

61k miles!!!!! The justy flopped and had the same thing

...

Reply to
Big Jim

om...

It seems Nissan went their own way on CVTs several years ago. They also have ignored serious complaints about the CVT and that may be why they elected to extend the warranty. They even refused some repairs due to failure by owners to change some fluid - EVEN THOUGH THE SERVICE WAS NOT ON THE SCHEDULE.IN THE MANUAL. You can find a lot of complaints about it. Of course, it doesn't mean Subaru won't have just as many problems with their CVTs. Time will tell.

Reply to
1 Lucky Texan

.com...

Reply to
Big Jim

So your biggest complaint about the Outback is that it's getting bigger and roomier? Oh, the horrors! I still have one of those 00-04 OBW's that you believe are the "epitome of Subaru", and my one wish for it would be to have more passenger space, it's got plenty of cargo space, but who sits in the trunk (other than a dog)? And it gets adequate fuel mileage in the highway, but it's fuel mileage in the city is abysmal, and I had the 5-speed MT version, the auto version might possibly have been worse.

As the OBW gets bigger, it gets heavier and the fact it's getting close to the same mileage as the older, lighter, less-powerful ones is a good testament to the new engineering. Let's hope the CVT holds up long enough. Even on a manual transmission you would eventually have to replace the clutch (had that done this year on my 2000 OBW), or in a fluid box you'd need to change its clutch plates or torque converter. Transmission repairs are normal.

Yousuf Khan

Reply to
Yousuf Khan

Reply to
Big Jim

somewhat off topic but, I think there is an armrest extender for your Outback. If you can't get one from a dealer, or maybe off Ebay, take a look at raising it yourself. probably need some creative thinking but I'm sure you could do it.

Reply to
1 Lucky Texan

There is one for the impreza .I could make something but the car has

93k miles on it and I'm already in new car shopping mindset!

Reply to
Big Jim

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.