How is the quality of Geely's CVT transmission?
3 Answers
Geely's CVT transmission is of excellent quality, and its lifespan largely depends on the service life of the steel belt. With ordinary material pressure steel belts, the designed service life can reach 30 years or more. For a well-maintained CVT transmission, it can generally last for 200,000 to 300,000 kilometers or about 15 to 20 years. Below are some methods to extend the transmission's lifespan. 1. Replace the transmission oil according to the specified time or mileage: Although many manufacturers claim that the transmission is maintenance-free for life, the replacement cycle for transmission oil is between 60,000 to 80,000 kilometers (varies by model). After the first maintenance, it is recommended to replace the oil every 40,000 to 60,000 kilometers to prevent the transmission oil from deteriorating. 2. Avoid keeping the gear in D for extended periods while driving: Keeping the gear in D means the transmission is working, with internal parts rubbing against each other and stirring the oil, which raises the transmission's temperature. Over time, this can cause the transmission oil to degrade prematurely, reducing its lubrication or cooling effectiveness, thereby increasing transmission wear. 3. Pay attention to daily driving habits: Gear and speed should match; avoid high speed in low gear or low speed in high gear. Also, avoid coasting in neutral, as a vehicle without power not only interrupts the transmission's oil supply but can also easily damage internal parts.
I've been driving for ten years and have used two Geely cars equipped with CVT. Overall, Geely's CVT is much more stable now compared to before, especially the ones used in new models. The smooth transmission and fuel efficiency are impeccable, making it particularly comfortable to drive in traffic jams. However, there are a few things to note: first, there might be occasional sluggishness during cold starts, but it improves once the oil temperature rises; second, the engine RPM can be a bit high during rapid acceleration, which sounds noisy but delivers quick power; third, some owners of older models reported issues with belt wear and noise after 100,000 kilometers, but the newer models have seen significant improvements. My advice is to change the dedicated transmission fluid on time, avoid stomping on the accelerator too often, and drive gently—there's generally nothing to worry about in daily driving.
I'm quite interested in studying transmissions. Geely's CVT technically uses Bosch's steel belt technology and is intelligently tuned to match their own 1.5L engine. I've driven my friend's Emgrand CVT version, and you really can't feel any shift shock - it's much more comfortable in traffic without constant gear changes. However, two points should be mentioned: during prolonged steep hill climbs, you can feel the transmission searching for the optimal gear ratio with some rpm fluctuation; also, I've heard the cold weather protection is quite noticeable in northern winters, requiring longer warm-up time. Overall, it's perfectly adequate for daily commuting, with lower maintenance costs than dual-clutch transmissions, and its reliability is above average in its price range.
