| Author | Message | ||
     Ulywife |
Everything else is discussed here, so let's see who has experience or an opinion about servicing a CVT Tranny. We have a 2007 Jeep Compass with the CVT. This is our first vehicle with this type of tranny. We've had the vehicle for almost a year. It's got 106,000 miles and runs good. There seems to be a difference of opinion between the owner's manual and two service writers when it comes to servicing the Jeep. The owner's manual recommends service at 60,000 miles. Service Writer #1 says 100,000 miles and then Service Writer #2 says, it's a sealed unit, don't open it up unless it starts to have issues. Thoughts, suggestions, experience? | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
As long as the recommended fluid it's being used there is no reason to believe it would hurt it. I tend to service early and often if for nothing else but peace of mind. Dad used to work for ups when they bought the sprinters same deal sealed unit, literally sealed. They wound up breaking the seals to change fluids as a part of the PM program, better safe than sorry. | ||
| Oldog |
I disagree with Writer #2 if it were a sealed unit the factory would have put that in the manual, In My experience the service intervals would seem to replace filters and fluids before totally depleted / worn out in either case for best life.. it is a good idea to have the unit serviced by both estimate and book its over due. the only problems I have ever had with any automatic transmission were due to running the fluid low or too long say Hi to Carlost for me =) | ||
| Ulywife |
by both estimate and book its over due. That we are unsure of. If it was serviced at 60,000 miles it was with the previous owner. It had 97,000 miles when we purchased it. | ||
| Oldog |
I presume that the unit was not serviced and the Jeep is in the shop for an issue related to it. | ||
| Jb2 |
Kristi,I just talked to our guy at Ray Harris Chrysler/Jeep. He says 60,000 miles is optimum service interval. There is an exception to go up to 100,000 miles but that is under the very best usage conditions. If you make frequent stops, short trips, if you ever drive at below 32 degrees or above 90 degrees then the extended interval goes out the window. Considering you bought it with 97,000 miles I'd get it done. | ||
| Ulywife |
Jeep is not in the shop. I have a relationship with the SW since I handle all maintenance with the patrol vehicles. He felt 100,000 miles was appropriate service mileage. Then he talked to another SW who had the "don't open it" opinion. Compass is running fine. Think we're leaning towards the service, just wanted to see if anyone here had an experience with a CVT tranny. Since Carlee is the primary driver, we only drive it 1-2 times a month just to make sure all seems ok. | ||
| Nukeblue |
service it at 60k. the fluid will be brown & stink. new stuff is green. we see those tranny's explode now and then, i'd change it! edit: it's real easy to service. the gasket is rubber coated steel. but the fluid is expensive. & takes almost 2 gallons (Message edited by nuke-blue on August 17, 2012) | ||
| Griffmeister |
I think the biggest issue on servicing any tranny with no dipstick (ie: a sealed unit} is getting the proper fluid level after the service. Try to get the proper info on how to set the level and you should be okay. You can't just go by stated capacity, must be at certain temp, level ground, running, etc. | ||
| Thumper74 |
I do extended warranty adjudication and have done so for 6 years. I see these fail pretty commonly. I would recommend servicing them more than the manual recommends. As far as servicing them at home, it can be difficult. Many of the new Chryslers aren't 'sealed' they just don't have dipsticks. and if they aren't leaking, it's assumed that the fluid level is correct. When serviced or filled after work, they use a graduated dipstick and the fluid must be checked after the transmission is at a predetermined temperature that is read with a live data scan tool. I have been told that this is because they had issues with people using the wrong ATF in the previous generation vans. Other 'sealed units' like the ZF transmissions in Land Rovers, Mercedes, Benz, etc. do not have dipsticks, but fill holes in the side similar to manual transmissions. Fill it up until it runs out of the fill hole. I would do the service. Skip any kind of flushes or cleaners in the transmission, just do a filter/fluid change. | ||
| Thumper74 |
IIRC, they run about $3500.00 for the part. | ||
| Gian4 |
Not trying to hijack this thread but I'm considering a used 2011 compass but have concerns about the durability of CVT transmission in general. Do any of you guys have experience with them? Would you own one? Thanks Gian4 | ||
| Thumper74 |
Id pass. Great engines, poor transmissions. | ||
| Spikey |
I have an 08 Dodge Caliber with the cvt tranny, 63000 miles and no problems so far. My Caliber is an R/T all wheel drive and I'm pretty hard on it in autostick mode, especially in winter, it's so much fun drifting around corners on slippery roads! I think it is the same tranny that is in the compass but I'm not sure. | ||
| Thumper74 |
It should be with some calibration differences. We see issues with final drives more than we do with the pump, valve body, etc. It seems to manifest itself in a whine on coast down. I know a guy with a 750 hp Caliber SRT4 and it's nuts. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Personally I've never been a fan of CVT, I just can't get on with the way the power is delivered & the engine sound is all wrong to my ear. As with any vehicle, if you've not owned it since new try and check it's service history, & do anything that's outstanding or nearing it's service interval, even if it's only for your peace of mind. I do all my own servicing & never do a full major service, constant tinkering means I've usually got a pretty good idea of the state of my vehicles at any time. The last time I didn't follow this was when the wife was living on the other side of the country & I didn't get to see the car. Cost me an engine! Just remember, early servicing can't harm, late servicing can cost plenty. | ||
| Nukeblue |
the service fill is 7 liters. remove the pan, replace the filter, install new gasket on the pan and put 7 liters in it. don't worry about not having a dipstick. ( you can thank diamler for that!) |
