Toyota cars are incredibly popular among drivers. This brand has gained a strong leading position. There are quite a few factors contributing to this effect. However, the positive impression was formed primarily because of the incredible reliability.
Toyota cars rarely break down. They are able to withstand serious loads. The company pays special attention to the development of various components and assemblies. Such high results are achieved through a multi-stage quality control procedure. This can also be seen in the reviews of the Rav 4 variator. The unit is reliable. Moreover, the efficiency of its operation was not even affected by the serious complication of the design.
Review of the Rav 4 variator: reliable, but I didn’t have enough
I owned a Rav 4 with a CVT for about a year. Then I sold it and bought the same device, but with a gun. In general, the impression of use was only positive.
I bought the car secondhand. Of the minuses of this car, I will name only 2 factors:
- mileage of 50 thousand km;
- interior is a little shabby.
Well, apparently, the car was used harshly before me. I myself drive a lot; in a year of ownership I have driven about 40 thousand km. I don't have any complaints about the box. My review of the Rav 4 variator is extremely positive. Switching is quite quick. The machine never stalled.
However, there are also disadvantages. I didn't have enough power when accelerating. Acceleration seemed slow to me. I waited like this for a whole year, as a result of which I decided to sell.
Overall, I recommend buying the car. I myself have only positive impressions. There were no breakdowns or other “joys”. The reason for changing the car was indicated above. If the car picked up faster and was revvy, I would leave it.
What is a variable speed drive (CVT)?
Direct Shift-CVT
The CVT is a continuously variable transmission type. Another name for the device is the English abbreviation CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) , which translates as constantly changing transmission . In the operation of the mechanism, a change in gears is observed that differs from the traditional scheme, which involves sequential gear shifting.
The operation of the variator is controlled by electronics, which is responsible for transmitting traction in automatic mode. Which allows us to classify CVT as an automatic transmission, but there are differences. Among them:
- Smaller dimensions and weight.
- The ideal ratio of the gear ratio, which shows the ratio of the speed of rotation of the crankshaft and wheels, with the current load on the power unit.
- Transmission design close to ideal.
Despite the listed qualities of the Rav 4 with a variator, you should carefully study all the nuances in order to make a final conclusion about the reliability and service life of the mechanism.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the Toyota Rav 4 variator include:
- acceleration dynamics relative to automatic transmission;
- lower fuel consumption;
- smooth change of gear ratio;
- increased efficiency (5-10%) compared to automatic transmission.
There are also disadvantages:
- complex and expensive repairs;
- maintenance: frequent oil changes (30,000 km);
- complex circuit of the electronic control unit.
Rav 4 3 after restyling in 2010, then the 4-automatic transmission was replaced by a CVT
Tools:
We place a board under the pallet and, using a hydraulic jack, slowly raise the engine until the tensioner bracket bolt passes between the cushion and the spar. All the bolts were pulled out... Jack, jumper to the pit. We take out the tensioner bracket with the roller at the top, clamp it in a vice, and unscrew the roller bolt.
Large ratchet, Torex E20 head, vice. Now this is perhaps the most valuable information! Inside the roller there are two sealed single-row ball bearings. Buy Koyo, Nachi or NK and you will be happy.
We press out the old ones, press in the new ones. The belt is very easy to change.
The right wheel is removed, the fender liner protection is small, the crankcase protection is removed, the belt is tensioned using a hydraulic shock absorber, to loosen it, just throw a wrench on the top bolt that holds the shock absorber and tighten it smoothly without jerking, thereby compressing the shock absorber and voila, the belt is free. I bought the pump for something other than original. As for the tension roller, there is a small problem.
I was unable to unscrew the roller itself without the pad; it was tightened very tightly. To unscrew it, I had to unscrew the bolt that holds the platform on which this very roller is located, but the bolt is very long and rests against the body.
Here I had to cheat a little and remove the engine mount, the one that is located under the coolant barrel. The barrel itself had to be removed, after draining all the liquid from the system; the tap is located under the battery.
Then, jacking up the car, placing a stump under the crankcase and raising the engine a little, it took a couple of centimeters to unscrew the bolt from the tension roller mounting area. I didn’t change the roller itself, the craftsmen suggested that it was enough to replace the bearings in it, there are two of them, the name “” in the bearing store understood me.
Rav 4 continuously variable transmissions
The Toyota Rav 4 uses CVTs, which are reliable. find out which continuously variable transmission is on your Rav 4 on the information sticker . It is located on the driver's door pillar .
For front-wheel drive models, the K310-K111 CVT , which has been tested since 2000. With their help, Toyota tried to impose competition on the Jatko JF011E CVTs, which were produced by Nissan.
the K110-112 continuously variable by Toyota for cars with engines of more than two liters began in the late nineties. K110 movement was put into mass production in 2000. Subsequently, the series was modernized, which led to the release of the following models:
- K111 – 2004;
- K112 - for cars with engines of no more than 2.4 liters. At the same time, it had a long service life and withstood harsh operating conditions. The CVT K112 entered serial production in 2005.
Due to the success of this series, two more modifications of the variator were produced - K114, K115 . They differed in electronic and software equipment, which were selected for a specific brand of engine.
K112
CVT K210 series was launched in 2002, but it failed to gain a foothold in the automobile market. Since 2003, a model of the continuously variable transmission K310 , which is designed for engines 1.5 and 1.8. The service life of the Toyota CVT is at least two hundred thousand kilometers. Reliability is ensured by eliminating all characteristic defects, which made it possible to use CVT on the international market, including on the 4th generation Toyota Rav 4.
Toyota designers have achieved better CVT reliability indicators in comparison with Nissan models.
This was achieved due to the following indicators:
- limited acceleration from the start , which saves the life of belts and cones;
- use of Direct Shift-CVT gears , which provide acceleration without the use of belts and cones.
Direct Shift-CVT
What spare parts may be needed for repairs?
| Name of spare parts | price, rub. |
| Belt | from 25 000 |
| Pump | from 18 000 |
| Restoring cones | from 7 500 |
| Set of rubberized pistons | from 6 000 |
| Bearing kit | from 4 000 |
| Repair kit (set of gaskets and seals) | from 10 000 |
| Filter - cartridge | from 700 |
| Prices vary depending on the make and year of manufacture of the car, check with the manager. |
Weaknesses, problems of variators
Problems may occur in the operation of the Toyota Rav 4 variator:
Belt and cones - as the belt slides along the cones, especially during the initial movement, gradual wear of the notches is observed. They are located on the inside of the belt and serve as a working surface that provides the necessary grip on the cones. If the notches wear significantly, the vehicle's traction will decrease.
Step motor - used to change the gear ratio. works no more than six years. When the step motor fails, it feels like the CVT is operating in single gear mode.
Belt wear (https://www.transakpp.ru/uslugi/cvt-ill.html)
Bearings - the destruction of bearings is accompanied by an increase in vibration, extraneous noise and the hum of a continuously variable transmission.
Pump and valve - malfunction occurs due to the use of low-quality or contaminated oil. First of all, wear of the valve is noted, which begins to jam, hang, knock, and then the pump may fail.
Heat exchanger – over time, there is a decrease in the efficiency of oil cooling in the CVT. This is due to the gradual clogging of the heat exchanger, which also leads to a decrease in efficiency.
You can increase reliability and delay repairs of the Rav 4 variator by timely replacement, maintaining cleanliness and oil level.
Signs of a CVT failure
You can identify an impending breakdown of the Rav 4 variator by the following signs:
The car jerks when starting or moving , even when you gently press the accelerator pedal. This sign indicates a stuck oil pump valve.
The appearance of extraneous noise due to bearing failure. The decrease in their resource can be affected by:
- use of transmission oil that does not meet the specifications;
- overheating of the continuously variable transmission;
- use of defective or low quality bearings after repair;
- electronics failure due to failure of any sensor;
- operation of the machine under high load conditions.
Variator belt (https://www.transakpp.ru/uslugi/cvt-ill.html)
Regardless of the reason that led to the formation of extraneous noise, to identify a damaged bearing you will need to disassemble the Rav 4 variator.
What type is installed and its uninterrupted service life
The 2013 and 2014 models are equipped with the “Aisin” K111F V-belt variator, also called. The operating principle of a V-belt variator is based on pulleys, which contain two disks. They are connected using . The conical disks formed by the pulley can move or move apart, thereby changing the diameter of the pulleys. The cones are brought closer together by centrifugal force or hydraulic pressure.
The modern Toyota Rav 4 variator is equipped with a metal belt, which is made of several layers of a special steel alloy. The design of such a belt is divided into shaped parts, which are connected into “butterflies”. This device provides greater flexibility, reduced noise, and also increases the durability of the structure and its reliability.
V-belt variator “Aisin” Toyota Rav 4
If you compare modifications with an automatic transmission and a CVT, with the same engines, you can observe differences. The continuously variable converter shows better dynamics and reduced fuel consumption, and the car also starts more smoothly. Due to the fact that V-belt transmissions are usually installed in cars with relatively low engine power, a continuously variable transmission remains in service for a long time.
How long and trouble-free the Toyota Rav 4 variator will serve depends on the operation of the car. Considering that the Rav 4 is declared as a crossover, operating the car to its full capabilities may affect the durability of the unit. Similar units are also installed on passenger cars that do not have the off-road capability of a crossover. Therefore, the operation of the CVT box is more careful, and the resource is limited to 100–150 thousand kilometers.
The main reason for the malfunction of the Toyota Rav 4 variator is scuffing or wear of the pulleys with broken metal bands. Premature lifting of pulleys can be prevented by:
- do not start by pressing the pedal all the way;
- do not tow too much;
- Do not engage or disengage reverse gear until the car comes to a complete stop.
Of course, there were some defects in Toyota's all-wheel drive CVTs. The housing flange, which contains splines, tends to collapse, resulting in lubricant leakage. If measures are not taken to eliminate a possible defect, the flange is completely destroyed, fragments of which can get into the gears. This subsequently leads to complete failure of the transmission.
Another defect is in the primary and secondary pulleys. More precisely, the support bearings of the shafts of these pulleys wear out quickly. This often happens during the first few tens of thousands of kilometers. It is because of these factory defects that the reliability of the Rav 4 variator is significantly reduced, despite the predicted service life of 150 thousand kilometers.
Maintenance of the Toyota Rav 4 variator includes replacing the working fluid. In the operating manual, the manufacturer does not recommend filling the continuously variable transmission with oils other than Toyota Genuine CVT Fluid TC or Toyota Genuine CVT Fluid FE. Using a different transmission fluid may cause poor transmission shifting, vibration, seizure, or complete damage to the unit.
How to extend the operation of a continuously variable transmission?
The main disadvantage of the Toyota Rav 4 CVT is its service life. The manufacturer claims a service life of two hundred thousand kilometers.
In fact, reliability depends on operating conditions and modes of operation. For some drivers, the transmission lasts 300 thousand km, while for others it lasts less than a hundred. Expensive maintenance is also noted.
You can read more about maintenance (oil change and level checking) of the CVT Toyota Rav 4 here.
CVT belt (https://www.transakpp.ru/uslugi/cvt-ill.html)
To maintain the reliability and smooth operation of the CVT, you should adhere to the following recommendations:
- Periodically check the oil level and cleanliness .
- Perform preheating at subzero temperatures .
- Do not load the variator until reaches sixty degrees .
- Avoid overheating of the transmission mechanism, especially those that have served most of the resource declared by the manufacturer. To solve the problem, you will need to install an additional radiator.
- Do not pull other cars on a cable and do not tow the Rav 4.
- Adhere to posted speed limits.
- In accordance with technical recommendations and when primary signs of malfunction appear, change consumables .
We serve
Changing the transmission oil
The car owner can perform a partial replacement of the transmission fluid independently. Below are instructions from expert mechanics on how to change the lubricant for beginners. You will definitely need:
- original oil;
- filter and gaskets;
- gloves;
- container for draining;
- funnel for filling lubricant.
Procedure steps:
- Warm up the CVT of the vehicle Rav 4.
- Drive into a pit or overpass.
- Remove the protection and unscrew the drain plug in the CVT pan.
- Place a container for drainage with measuring marks.
- Wait until the oil has all flowed out and unscrew the sump bolts.
- Carefully remove it and pour the remaining oil into a container. Wash the tray and magnets from metal shavings.
- Remove the old filter device and replace it with a new one.
- Install a new gasket on the pan and put it in place.
- Tighten its bolts and drain plug.
- Unscrew the dipstick and insert a funnel to fill in the lubricant.
- Fill in as much lubricant as drained.
- Reinstall the dipstick.
- Start the engine and warm up the box.
- Check level.
This is how the transmission lubrication from Toyota Rav 4 is changed.
Toyota RAV4 Maintenance
Highly qualified craftsmen
Use only original parts
- Only high-quality, certified products with a manufacturer's guarantee.
- Genuine parts are parts that have passed multiple levels of testing to ensure they meet Toyota standards for quality and safety. Marriage is completely out of the question.
Carrying out work using special equipment
- The service center has all the necessary special tools and diagnostic equipment to service Toyota cars
Quality Standards
- Clear regulation of all service work
Work guarantee
- Maintain factory warranty
- 1 year warranty on original Toyota spare parts
- Guaranteed correct installation of parts by mechanics who have undergone professional training at the .
