Should I avoid the CVT

[guest5117]

Hi All

I am looking to buy a Honda Jazz 2004-2006. I have just parted with an automatic car. However the different forum posts suggest that there are quite bad problems with the CVT. Should I avoid it and just go for the manual. Is there a mileage after which the CVT starts to misbehave?

Thanks

TKhan

[VicW]

There are many thousands of CVT Jazz's out there that have given no problems at all including two that I have owned over several thousand miles so I would recommend one.
Follow the instructions for the oil change interval.

Vic.

[Ozzie]

I have a Jazz Hybrid that has a CVT gearbox, its as smooth as silk after 128,000 miles in just over 3 years, I would definitely buy another. I have had the CVT fluid changed every 25,000 miles and I have always had it serviced at the main dealers.

[guest5117]

Thanks for your replies guys. How much does an CVT oil replacement cost, getting done at independent garage? I need to factor this in to see the cost of ownership.
Thanks

[bill888]

If you look on Honda UK's website, they quote £75 fixed price for CVT fluid change.  You can buy Honda CVT-F fluid for about £45 (search on eBay).

Worth pointing out that replacing the CVT fluid won't fix a badly worn startup clutch.  I think I've seen quotes posted in this forum for up to £800 to replace the clutch pack if there is no warranty to help with the costs.

[Jazzdriver]

My last car had a torque converter autobox.  It cost a lot to repair.  I asked the autobox specialist what he thought of CVTs.  He said not to touch them, as they cost a fortune to repair if they go wrong.  He then corrected himself and said only have one if it is under warrranty and you sell it before the warranty expires. 

Of course, this raises the question of how often do they go wrong.  I have no idea.  They are quite common now.  Toyota use them and have a 5 year warranty as standard, so if they go wrong it will cost Toyota. 

I bought a Jazz CVT and paid extra for a five year warranty. 

If buying second hand you can try to check when the fluid was changed.  If you are not paying too much, you could see if you could get  warranty or just take the risk.  All second hand cars involve risk. 

I do like my CVT.

[guest5117]

Hi again

I test drove a 2004 CVT with 85K miles on it. Drove fine so I bought it. On my way to work when I stopped at a traffic light and then set off there was a judder. This didn't happen when I was test-driving it. But after words it happened on every stop light. I am guessing that my best shot is to get a fluid flush done on it?

What do you guys think? Any honda techs here?

[Eddie Honda]

Flush it.

PM me your email. I'll send over the PDF I have here.

[guest5117]

Sorry Eddie
I don't know how to PM or I may not have those privileges yet. Can you send it to me on taimur.khan at gmail dot com

thanks

[Eddie Honda]

No problem, okay

[guest5117]

Thanks so much for the PDF and Photos.

[guest5117]

Hi all

I went in to Honda dealers to order some CVT-F fluid and saw thier price for fluid change at £75 and just asked them to do it.

Came back with two bad news.
1. Judder still there but a bit less juddery
2. Honda says rear bearing is shot and needs changing ASAP at a price of £280

Now don't know what to do   

[bill888]

Regarding the wheel bearings, when did your car pass its MoT and was anything mentioned in the Advisories section if it was recent ?

Does your car have rear drum or disc brakes ?

[Eddie Honda]

1. Judder still there but a bit less juddery

Did they change it once or twice? Once will get 60% of the old stuff out.

Honda says rear bearing is shot and needs changing ASAP at a price of £280

Get a second opinion at an independent garage. That 280 is made up of about 180 full price on a Honda bearing assy. and 100 of labour I guess. A gen Honda bearing assembly could be had for about 150 and it should be less than one hour labour to do it. Anything more than that is milking the job. El-cheapo bearings can be had for 30 to your door and mid-price ones somewhere inbetween. For checking, you need to know if it is disc/drum and abs/or not.

On that basis, I'd guess the price at an indy would easily half that of a main dealer.

[DrShockr]

Hi all

I went in to Honda dealers to order some CVT-F fluid and saw thier price for fluid change at £75 and just asked them to do it.

....

I don't understand how a flush could be done for just £75 when each bottle costs £40+ including VAT. They must've just done a drain and refill which would not solve the juddering problem.