The trend of the modern automotive industry is such that the most famous manufacturers are increasingly equipping their cars with CVTs or continuously variable transmissions. Despite the fact that the variator is an excellent technical solution for a comfortable and safe ride, many, mainly domestic motorists, are afraid to deal with it.
It is widely believed in numerous automotive forums that the service life of a continuously variable transmission is just over one hundred thousand kilometers. Believe it or not such a statement is a purely individual matter, but nevertheless the variator is a very complex mechanism and requires careful and timely maintenance. Therefore, having opted for a used car equipped with a variator, you should not rush to buy. First you need to find out more about the technical condition of the vehicle.
Mileage
It's no secret that on the odometer of each of the cars on the market in neat, even rows, far from the most realistic mileage is indicated. It follows from this that the odometer readings should never be trusted, moreover, when buying a used car with a CVT.
It must be remembered that there are no miracles in the automotive market and the seller is by no means a kind wizard, but a person who is capable of any tricks, just to quickly hand over the documents for a faulty car to a gullible and inexperienced buyer.
Fortunately, the newer the car, the more difficult it is to hide its real mileage, since the mileage data is stored on a special electronic control unit that comes with the vehicle.
Engine operation and oil condition
In order to make sure that a car with a continuously variable transmission is working, you should listen to the sound of the engine running. During a test drive, the car should move smoothly, and gain speed without jerking and suspicious noise. The presence of sounds uncharacteristic of a running engine may indicate wear of a particular part. Ideally, the sound of a running engine should sound like a powerful fan.
It is important to know that a car with a CVT is designed for quiet and not too fast driving. Harsh braking as well as fast driving on rough roads can significantly shorten the lifespan of the continuously variable transmission.
Checking the oil in the variator is another important point when diagnosing a car before buying. It should be borne in mind that the color of the oil should not be dark and should not have a pronounced burning smell. The oil should be checked in two modes - with the engine running and with the engine off.
Alternatively, in order to check the condition of the oil in the variator, you can use a thick, white sheet of paper. After putting a few drops of liquid on the paper, you need to check for dark dots or lumps in it. If there are any, this indicates that the oil in the variator has not been changed for a long time.
