Maintaining Your Honda’s CVT Transmission: Service Tips

A continuously variable transmission is specially designed to be more efficient than a traditional automatic transmission, making it an ideal option for eco-friendly vehicles. To ensure your CVT has the best possible performance, it’s important to routinely service the transmission and look out for signs you need to schedule Honda CVT maintenance. 

Maintaining Your Honda’s CVT Transmission: Service Tips

In general, servicing a CVT transmission is the same as servicing an automatic transmission, which means booking service for your transmission every 60,000 miles or so. During this service appointment, a Honda mechanic will examine the transmission for worn parts, as well as flush out and replace transmission fluid. 


The interval for transmission service will vary depending on your driving habits. If you put a lot of miles on your car every year, you frequently haul heavy trailers, or spend most of your time in congested traffic, you may want to have your transmission serviced more frequently to ensure everything is in working order. You can save time by stacking your service appointments, such as by booking an oil change or tire rotation at the same time. 

Signs You Need Honda CVT Maintenance

Aside from the dashboard indicator lights in your vehicle, you can spot early warning signs of transmission trouble if you notice your vehicle seems louder than normal when you accelerate or turn a corner. If it feels like your Honda is taking longer to accelerate, this could be a sign that the CVT is having shifting issues or gears are slipping. Sometimes, your vehicle might not move when it is in drive gear or you may notice a burning smell.


Visible transmission fluid leaks are also a major red flag. Transmission fluid tends to be a bright red color, so if you notice a red puddle beneath your car, your transmission may have a leak. It’s also important to note if the color of your transmission fluid is muddy or dark red, which could indicate the fluid is old or contaminated. 

Consequences of Skipping Service

In addition to a marked drop in the overall efficiency and performance of your Honda, skipping transmission service can spell big trouble down the line. When transmission fluid is too old, it cannot properly protect the transmission from overheating, which can cause major damage and even transmission failure in the future.

To avoid costly vehicle repairs, it’s best to keep up with your Honda’s recommended service intervals for your CVT transmission system. Get in touch with Rick Roush Honda in Medina, OH to book an appointment. 

Tags: Honda mechanic, service center, transmission
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