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Lovert Mafukure
FOLLOWING a series of articles on Honda Fits being the best on my list of what we call fuel savers, I have received numerous calls from people asking me why I think they are the best when everyone else is advising people to stay away from them because they have gearbox issues.
A fellow follower of our column in his bid to acquire a new vehicular object in the form of a Honda Fit was advised “they have weak gearboxes!”
It is apparent that it’s only our third world that is giving bad reviews yet everywhere else world over the Honda Fit has enjoyed positive reviews.
There has to be something we are not doing right and that is embracing new technology with its demands.
Given the price madness going on in this country, I ran into one of the many local parts stores looking for CVT fluid. There, I was received by this sales-guy with a lot of zeal, unfortunately he didn’t have what I was looking for. I found my way out still in search but before I took the fifth step, he asked me for what car I wanted the CVT fluid for, I told him it was for a Honda Fit. With a grin full of satisfaction, he burst into comment mode, “that is the reason why your Honda Fits have issues, you are supposed to use ATF and it’s written on the dip stick!”
He had so much zeal I almost believed him and questioned my own intelligence for a second. However, I politely asked him if he knew what a CVT was and how it worked.
Without giving it much thought he said he didn’t know but all he knew was Honda Fits use ATF and it’s written on the dip stick.
It’s common to make mistakes with these cars, the most common mistake being the use of ATF instead of CVT fluid.
The Honda Fit dip-stick does indicate ATF but it’s a special kind of CVT ATF from Honda which we cannot easily get here hence the need to use generic but trusted brands of CVT fluid that meets the Honda standards. CVT stands for Continuous Variable Transmission, it’s a type of transmission that uses a system of pulleys and drivebelts instead of our conventional automatic transmissions that use gears and hydraulic pressure. This use of the dextron type ATF in the CVT gearbox only invites continuously variable trouble.
First of all, Atf is used in older type automatic gearboxes that have gears, clutches, hydraulic pumps and the like, it will not work in a gearless system that makes use of pulleys and belts or chains.
Atf is mainly there to lubricate vital components of the automatic transmission but CVT fluid has additives that aid friction. As we should know by now the CVT system consists of pulleys driven by a steel belt and friction plays a crucial role in the it’s operation. Use of any other fluid eventually wears the components of the CVT.
A lot of people may begin to notice some symptoms when wrong fluid is added or the gearbox is left unserviced for long. Sometimes they begin to shudder on take-off and give this grinding vibration that’s not very friendly.
The good thing about it is that it’s a problem that can be reversed in the short term or permanent damage may occur and the gearbox may be rendered useless if no corrections are done.
The CVT components are very sensitive and in worst case scenarios what you may experience is loss of drive completely.
Sometimes again, it can be reversed in the short term if the car has not been exposed to serious mileage with the wrong fluid.
If the mishap is caught in time, the car can be put back on the road by correction on the problem.
Dirt on the other hand is another cause of premature failure.
Transmissions need service and dirt particles in the gearbox eventually cause issues and especially in CVT transmission where there are valves that can seize because of debris or wrong oil.
I reckon there are many people who have been ill-advised to use ATF in a CVT Gearbox and it dawned to me that a lot of people are indeed misinformed even those in the position of giving advice. Given his esteemed position as a parts supplier, one wields a lot of seductive power to have people believe what he says.
At the end of the day ignorance is not bliss and is costing people out there gearboxes and costing a good car a good reputation.
-Disclaimer: This material has been prepared with the intent to provide reliable information; no warranty either expressed or implied is made to its accuracy or completeness.
No liability is assumed for any loss, injury to persons, property or other damage resulting from either the use of or reliance on the material presented. Always consult the professionals.
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