Is the Honda CRV transmission using a steel belt or a steel chain?
3 Answers
Honda CRV transmission uses a steel belt. Below is extended information about the transmission: 1. Depending on the structure of the transmission, transmission fluid is divided into manual transmission fluid and automatic transmission fluid. 2. Manual transmission fluid, commonly referred to as gear oil. It is an important lubricant primarily made from petroleum-based lubricating oil or synthetic lubricating oil, mixed with extreme pressure anti-wear agents and oiliness agents. It is used in various gear transmission devices to prevent gear surface wear, scuffing, sintering, etc., extending their service life, improving power transmission efficiency, and reducing power loss. 3. Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) refers to the specialized fluid used in automatic transmissions. The dedicated automatic transmission fluid serves as the hydraulic fluid for the torque converter, the lubricant for the planetary gear structure, and the hydraulic oil for the shifting mechanism.
I've driven the CRV hybrid for three years and have a deep understanding of its transmission. It uses a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with a steel belt as its core power transmission component, not a chain. Honda has consistently employed the steel belt design since the previous generation CRV because it provides more uniform friction, resulting in exceptionally smooth gear shifts ideal for city commuting. Daily driving feels as smooth as riding an elevator, with almost no noticeable jerking. The steel belt is actually made of multiple layers of steel plates pressed together, capable of handling 400 Nm of torque, which perfectly matches Honda's 1.5T engine. Although steel chains are theoretically more durable, Honda uses special heat treatment to extend the steel belt's lifespan to 200,000 kilometers. My car has run 80,000 kilometers without any issues. Regularly changing the transmission fluid is crucial to protect the steel belt's surface coating.
As a dealership staff member frequently working with Honda vehicles, I've disassembled the CR-V's transmission. The fifth-generation CR-V gasoline version uses a CVT steel belt supplied by Bosch, with steel plates only 0.2mm thick yet remarkably strong. Honda's choice of steel belt over chain has profound considerations: the metal friction noise during acceleration is quieter with steel belts, aligning with family SUV's noise requirements. The steel belt transmission has simpler structure, costing about 15% less to produce than chain systems - one reason for CR-V's affordable pricing. Although some North American models use 8AT transmissions, the Chinese version sticks with steel belt CVT as it better suits China's frequent start-stop road conditions. For maintenance, remember to change genuine CVT fluid every 40,000 km to prevent belt slippage.
