I'm not a mechanic but do you think a CVT vs. a manual or a regular auto extends the life of the engine by keeping rpms "smooth" or constant (more or less)?

Assume you drive like an old lady predictive braking & smooth accelerations at stop lights. Or like you are trying to max MPG.

Also do you like the downhill engine braking effect from the CVT?

 

All things equal, it seems logical to me that a modern CVT will deliver better MPG than either a manual or automatic. This might also be true for engine life, but I am not certain.

 

The downhill braking effect is not tied specifically to the CVT. It is a programmed software thing, and was in my '04 SL, which had a five speed auto. When I first drove my '04, I didn't know what was going on with the downhill braking. But as I became used to it, I grew to love it, so continue to love it in my '09.

Judiciously driven, the CVT will give better gas mileage than either a manual or auto, but I would think it would probably have very little effect on the life of the engine. I think that factor depends on the way we drive, the way we maintain our car, and maybe lady luck. But then I could be wrong . . .

 

No effect on engine life.

 

If the car is driven hard i could see it cutting down on the engine life somewhat. When the throttle is held wide open the engine stays just below redline until the throttle is lifted. I could see that being an issue with the life expectancy of the engine.

 

I could see the constant revving of a CVT shortening engine life if anything

 

loltherebefailing

 

Bigger engines tend to outlast smaller engines, just for example V6 Altimas should outlast 4cylinder because the V6 is normally not working as hard to do the same job.

What makes the engine last are 2 important things, how well it's built and how well it's maintained

The VQ is built well so that eliminates the 1st one, so just use a good synthetic and change the oil every 5k, and let the engine warm up, you don't have to sit for 20 minutes at idle, some probably will depending what frigid state you live in but 2 minutes and normal driving will be perfect, remember hard driving on a cold engine can cause 500 miles of premature wear on and engine.

Same goes for the trans, some believe that they never have to change the fluid, they just have to keep an eye on it, whatever the hell that means, keep an eye on those individuals and they are the ones who are eventually *****ing about the cost of a trans replacement, have the dealer change the fluid every 30k like recommended.

 

+1
It stays near redline constantly when ur accelerating hard. Also when u just keep it floored the engine it turning at a much much higher rpm constantly compared to a conventional tranny

 

I thought 04 SL's only came with a 4 speed auto, and the SE's had the 5 speed auto...

 

I still want to drive a CVT. I heard they are soo different then anything else driven. I wonder how they are when you gun it. lol

 

I think the late 04s switched to the 5spd autos.

 

Changing your oil, performing maintenance at the manufacturers reccomended intervals, and smooth driving will account for longer engine life and durability.
The transmission itself wont effect engine life drastically; unless its a manual and you stay in a lower gear at high speeds. ( your engine wont last very long )

 

i've heard they've been having longevity problems w/ the trannies themselves... maxima engines are pretty strong in my experience.