Toyota Corolla is one of the most popular cars out there. They are known for being highly reliable, affordable, and, most importantly, easy to maintain. But is the case the same for the Corolla CVT? Is the Toyota Corolla CVT reliable?
The Toyota Corolla CVT is exceptionally reliable. It has advanced safety features and is pretty convenient to drive. Considering that, you could say you will not go wrong if you pick the Corolla CVT over the others.
But that is not all you need to know about the Toyota Corolla CVT. If you have been eyeing CVT, there are some other crucial factors that you should know about. And you can learn them all by reading through this discussion.
How Does a CVT Transmission Work?
With a CVT transmission, the vehicle spends most of its time at the lower and steady revs. It reduces overall fuel consumption. Along with that, the emission rating drops down significantly. However, that does not mean you can not get high performance from the transmission.
When you need to push the vehicle, the transmission will ramp up, making the engine work harder. And even when you move the car’s performance, the fuel efficiency stays praiseworthy.
The CVT transmissions enhance other factors too. Thanks to its high refinement, it does not exhibit any slamming or lunging sensations familiar to conventional transmission. And this tuning makes the Toyota with this transmission comfortable to drive.
Is the Toyota Corolla CVT Reliable?
Toyota Corolla CVT features a lot of parts that Toyota makes. And if you have a fair knowledge of Toyota parts, you might already know that they are known to be more reliable than the others.
In addition to that, the CVT comes with a lot of advanced features. Those enhance the vehicle’s safety and allow the driver to ride the car with little to no worries. Not to mention, the Toyota CVT has many unique technologies. Those enhance the reliability even further.
Highlighted Features of Toyota Corolla CVT
- Smooth and quiet transmission
- It has a unique pulley system
- Allows acceleration at a steady pace
- Long drive friendly
Special Technologies of Toyota Corolla CVT
The Toyota Corolla CVT comes with a ton of particular technologies. Let’s talk about each to give you a better idea about CVT.
Smoother Drive and Better Overall Transmission
First and foremost, you should know that the CVT is a simple automatic transmission that Toyota has converted. And during the conversion, Toyota put much effort into making the transmission better gas mileage and offering a better experience.
The driving experience is also better on the CVT due to having no shifting. It offers a steady acceleration, which feels much better than shifts. And the improvement will seem more noticeable when driving through the city roads.
Control Units and Programming
Toyota has integrated complex programming and control units into the CRV. That makes the CRV more capable of handling challenging scenarios. Also, the control units are relatively better at offering better overall driving performance.
Adjustable Pulley-Based System
The Toyota Corolla CRV can change the diameter of the two-pulley based on the absorbed electrical power. And this comes in handy in most driving scenarios. For example, when you start the vehicle, the pulley connected to the wheel and engine will get more power. How so?
Well, the diameter of the pulley will increase, which will output more power and usually allow the vehicle to start. On the other hand, the pulley diameter will decrease when the engine has a stable speed. Therefore, the efficiency of the car does not decrease.
Special Pulley Design for Better Efficiency
Toyota has utilized a unique pulley system for the CRV. The arrangement is in a pyramidal pattern. And the design is linked by a chain. This overall contraption allows the vehicle to save more fuel. Wondering how?
As a driver, you will have the ability to adjust the gear ratios. And if you select the right one during the driving sessions, the vehicle will not consume a high overall fuel during the driving sessions. So, you do not have to spend too much on fuel for the Toyota Corolla CVT.
How Many Miles Can You Expect from a Toyota Corolla CVT?
Now that you know that the Toyota Corolla CVT is highly efficient, you might wonder what mileage it can offer. Well, the average mileage of the CVT is 120 thousand miles. However, you should properly maintain the engine or transmission to get that number.
The average mileage will decrease if there are underlying transmission or engine issues. For example, if the transmission has a thick fluid, old oil, or becomes damaged at any point, you might get only 40 thousand miles.
In addition, the mileage of the CVT relies on the hands of the driver. Depending on your skills, you can use the correct gear ratio to bring up the overall mileage of the transmission. For example, bringing the mileage to 160 thousand miles is possible.
Drawbacks of Toyota Corolla CVT
Although the Toyota Corolla CVT is an excellent performer, it’s imperfect. Like any other transmission out there, it also associates with some drawbacks. For example, you can not fully match the transmission with a high-performance car. And this is why you do not see it in sports cars.
Other than that, this transmission takes a reasonable amount of time to get used to. So, do not expect to get the most out of it right after purchasing the vehicle.
Toyota CVT Common Problems
There are some CVT issues that you need to know about. This information will let you properly tackle tricky situations when they come up.
Toyota CVT Overheating
Overheating is the most common issue of the Toyota CVT. And the main reason behind this problem is the transmission lines getting overloaded. Besides that, leak in the belt unit and putting excessive pressure on the vehicle can also result in overheating.
Toyota CVT Control Module Error
As mentioned earlier, the control module of the Toyota CVT is pretty complex. That is why a small error in the control module can make the whole vehicle malfunction. And it is not easy to diagnose the control module issues of the Toyota Corolla CVT.
But what causes the control module to encounter errors? Well, overheating is the most common reason why the module can malfunction. Also, errors can come up due to the belts and pulleys rusting and damaged.
Toyota CVT Making Clunking Sounds
CVTs also associate with clunking sound problems. However, the actuator can have significant issues if the clicking sound is frequent. But what causes the CVT to make clunking sounds?
Well, the transmission might have the wrong fluid. Additionally, when the transmission is overfilled with the fluid, it will exhibit this issue.
Toyota CVT Slipping
When there is a slipping problem with the Toyota CVT, you will notice that the RPM is rising and falling, but the speed is not changing. It indicates that the gearbox is sliding, which you should not take lightly.
The chain can break if you ignore the issue, making the vehicle stop entirely. In this case, you should get the CVT gearbox checked up. And when there is something severely wrong with it, you need to replace it.
How to Make the Toyota Corolla CVT Last Longer
Did you know that you can enhance the lifespan of the Corolla CVT? Yes, it’s possible! All you need to do is keep these points in your mind:
Do Not Drive the Vehicle Roughly or Aggressively
Rough and harsh driving leads to transmission problems. And Toyota CVT is not an exception in this regard. You should drive slowly if you want to make the CVT last for an extended time.
Mind the Gear Ratio
Do not manipulate the gear ratio without having proper knowledge regarding it. Short halting will damage the CVT. And if you continue to operate the gear ratio incorrectly, the CVT might break down permanently.
Make Sure to Use the Correct Oil
Oil is one of the essential factors of transmission. It ensures that all the parts have proper lubrication, lowering friction and preventing damage. So, keep the right amount of oil inside the transmission. Also, when flushing the system, only use the recommended oil inside.
Do Frequent Checkups
The transmission must be in the proper state. Otherwise, the vehicle will not function optimally. And to keep the transmission in good condition, you must carry out frequent checkups. Do not ignore anything that seems wrong during the checkups. Instead, you would want to take action as fast as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Toyota Corolla Use CVT Transmission?
The CVT transmission is available for the Corolla models. However, if you are in the UK, you might not be able to find CVT Corollas.
- What Does CVT Mean on Toyota Corolla?
CVT stands for Continuously Variable Transmission. It is a special type of transmission. And you can get to know all about it by watching this YouTube video:
- What are the 3 Benefits of CVT?
The three significant benefits of CVT are superior fuel economy, lighter weight, and smooth overall acceleration.
Conclusion
So, is the Toyota Corolla CVT reliable? In short, it is! Toyota has done a proper job with this transmission. And it is way better than the conventional models out there. Therefore, you do not have to think twice if you want to purchase a Toyota Corolla CVT.
About the author
Marcus Brown is editor-in-chief of The FatMech and is a mechanic with ten years' experience based in London, UK. Having worked for major dealerships for many years, Marcus now works for a local independent garage and has experience working on nearly every make and model of car. Marcus also has a passion for writing and teaching, which is where the idea for The FatMech came from. In his spare time, Marcus enjoys playing golf, doing home renovations and gardening. He lives just outside London with his wife and son.