How do Subaru CVT Transmission Issues Affect Performance?

Modern Subaru models have an advantage over older models with their CVT transmission designed to provide smoother rides and better fuel economy. However, due to various reasons, your Subaru could experience CVT transmission problems, affecting the performance of your car.

Understanding the CVT transmission system and recognizing the early signs of a fault is key to finding an effective solution to any problem that comes up. This guide provides useful information on CVT transmission, what it does, and how to fix an issue and keep your Subaru at its best performance.

Your Subaru’s CVT Transmission and How it Works

The transmission in your Subaru helps in speed changing and control and based on your car’s settings, can be manual or automatic. The manual transmission, common to older car models, uses a gear stick for shifting gears and changing car speed. The automatic transmission, on the other hand, provides a smoother and more reliable option.

The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which is common with newer Subaru models, is an example of an automatic transmission. It uses a pulley system and a flexible drive belt rather than the gear train known with the traditional transmission. The CVT provides better rides because a driver does not have to deal with operating the clutch and gear manually. The CVT also does not have a fixed number of gears, making it shiftless and creating a smooth transmission for better acceleration. However, your Subaru could experience some CVT issues due to one fault or the other in the system.

Some common signs of a faulty CVT are:

Overheating

Excessive heat production in the transmission is a common sign that indicates a fault in the CVT.  This usually means a low transmission fluid level or contamination. The transmission fluid plays an essential role in keeping the transmission cool and also preventing friction between the moving parts in the transmission system.

Slipping Transmission

Another common issue or sign of a CVT transmission fault with most Subarus is a slipping transmission. If you notice your car getting slower or more sluggish especially when you have to accelerate, then the transmission could be having issues. It feels as though you are moving your car over an icy surface and if it is not handled immediately, it could affect various parts of the transmission system, leading to a need for costly repairs.

How CVT Transmission Issues Could Affect Your Subaru’s Performance

Here are some ways in which the signs above could affect how your car performs:

Decreased Fuel Economy

One of the things that make CVT popular and well-appreciated is the promise of an improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the transitional transmission.  A working CVT can move at an efficient speed, saving fuel consumption by adjusting the gear ratio, and allowing for a smooth gear transition. If this CVT gets faulty, then your car will consume more fuel to adjust for the defect.

Poor Acceleration

Another performance issue with a car having CVT problems is poor acceleration or power. The CVT, due to its infinite number of gear ratios, can help a car with better and smoother speed. However, once it develops a fault, the car’s speed or performance is affected. It will take longer for the transmission to respond when there is a need for higher speed, thus affecting the performance of the car.

Problematic Rides

A car with a faulty CVT usually has a lower ride quality. Some of the signs associated with a faulty CVT transmission are vibrations, jerky movements, and loud noises, all of which greatly reduce the quality of a ride in the affected car. What is a car’s quality without offering smooth rides and comfort for its passengers?

Where to Go to Fix CVT Transmission Issues in your Subaru

If your Subaru starts to show signs of a transmission problem, you need to get the best help so you can enjoy better performance again. The best place to go is a garage with dedicated technicians, excellent services, and better equipment so you get the best care for your car.

Franklin Automotive is one of the top garages in Alabama. We have several decades of experience in providing top-notch services to car owners in and around Birmingham and we are dedicated towards finding a solution, no matter the problem. We serve the following locations; Hoover, Homewood, Vestavia, Mountain Brook, Pelham, Trussville, and Birmingham, AL.