
Under normal driving conditions without aggressive acceleration, the CVT transmission of the Teana generally poses no issues up to 200,000 kilometers. Here are some relevant details: 1. Principle of CVT transmission: It mainly consists of two conical pulleys and a steel belt or chain. The two conical pulleys can be tightened or loosened via electronically controlled hydraulic mechanisms, changing the diameter of the steel belt wrapped around them, thereby altering the transmission ratio. During startup, the driving pulley has the smallest diameter while the driven pulley has the largest. At high speeds, the driving pulley's diameter increases, and the driven pulley's diameter decreases. The entire diameter-changing process is continuously controlled by a computer, enabling seamless and stepless adjustment. 2. Advantages of CVT transmission: Since CVT transmissions lack mechanical gears, the driving experience is exceptionally smooth with almost no noticeable jerking. CVTs have fewer components, typically only a few hundred, which contributes to their higher reliability.

I'm a Teana CVT owner with five years and 80,000 km of driving experience, and the transmission hasn't had any major issues. My daily driving is mainly city commuting with occasional highway trips, and I find the smooth start quite fuel-efficient. The key is regular maintenance—I strictly change the dedicated transmission fluid every 40,000 km, which costs a few hundred yuan. I avoid aggressive driving like sudden acceleration or towing heavy loads, and everything runs fine. A friend's older Teana CVT had overheating issues, but my 2019 Nissan model has improved design and is more reliable now. Overall, with proper use and maintenance, it's quite durable—don’t believe every rumor; personal experience matters most. Consider that Nissan sells so many CVT cars globally with decades of technical expertise, and the Teana is a mid-range model with a relatively low failure rate. The focus is on developing good driving habits to extend its lifespan.

Working at the repair shop, I've seen many Altimas with CVT issues. The most common problems are transmission slippage or overheating within 100,000 km, and replacing one costs over ten thousand yuan – really expensive. Early Nissan CVT models had weak materials; the oil pump tends to fail easily in hot weather or during frequent stop-and-go traffic, not being very durable. I recommend owners check the CVT fluid quality every three years or 50,000 km, looking for darkening color, as early replacement can save major repairs. In cases I've handled, one guy frequently braked hard while hauling loads, and his transmission gave out. The newer Altimas now use an improved chain design, which is a bit more durable, but still more delicate compared to traditional automatics. If you're driving mountain roads daily or under heavy loads, the CVT might not hold up. Overall, durability depends on maintenance and driving habits; with good care, it's okay for city use.

My Altima's CVT just went out of warranty recently, and the transmission started making strange noises, costing me thousands in repairs which was heartbreaking. After asking around in several owner groups, it seems this is a common issue, especially for pre-2018 models which generally aren’t durable—problems often arise after just 50,000 to 60,000 kilometers. Nissan's CVTs have numerous design flaws, like faulty control valves or loose chains, resulting in high failure rates. I drive gently, but frequent city traffic takes its toll—the acceleration is smooth but the transmission can’t handle heavy use. A friend who bought a used model of the same car had it worse, spending even more on two repairs. Online complaints are rampant, with reliability far below Toyota or Honda CVTs. Overall, it feels like these transmissions have a shorter lifespan. If you’re considering an Altima with a CVT, think twice or opt for a different transmission version.


