Hybrid Transmission Reliability Question

[My1stFord]

I've had two automatic transmissions fail on me.
A Jeep YJ 3 speed auto failed, rebuilt, failed again. Big tires and it's a Jeep so understandable.
A stock Tundra, early noughties, began to fail before I sold it.
Granted I'm not the best about transmission flushing but it got me thinking about the Hybrid I may one day recieve. Does it even have a transmission? Did I just purchase a vehicle that doesn't have my least reliable part? That could be a win.
If someone has a link that explains how this ecvt works is appreciate it.

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[LessFrequent]

 

[MLowe05]

It is a planetary gear set. It is neither a traditional automatic or a traditional CVT and it should be far more reliable than either.

 

[My1stFord]

For clarification, I thought when on electric it's simply an electric motor turning the diff or whatever for the front wheels. In ICE mode, the planetary gear set is simply a regular automatic? I must have something wrong as there aren't discreet gears. I understand the normal CVT with a belt and adjustable pulleys. This one is a black box to me.

 

[kcamp317]

Im not sure how easy it is to drain and fill the fluid in one but I'd say frequent fluid changes would be the key to long life especially in a CVT type trans. I would never stick to the manufacturer recommendation of "lifetime fluid" in things like transmissions and PTU/AWD units if you plan to keep them for a long time. I haven't been under my wife's Escape 2020 2.5 hybrid with the same trans yet to look for a drain plug. Its only on its second oil change and they are still free at the dealer so I haven't had a reason to. I know its super easy on my '16 escape with the 6f35 to drain and fill cause it has a plug on the bottom and with a long skinny funnel you can refill easily. DIY things like that obviously are becoming more and more rare as cars get newer.

 

[My1stFord]

Great video, thanks. Definitely have a stronger grasp on this thing. It seems similar to a center diff only there are two inputs and one output instead of two outputs and one input.
I still don't understand how it varies the gear ratio. Is that the invertor/convertor that does that? If not, I'm thinking the ICE never actually drives the tires, only charges the battery and the traction motor is what constantly drives the vehicle.

There's a question buried in there if anyone can assist, I'd be thankful.

 

[Darnon]

Great video, thanks. Definitely have a stronger grasp on this thing. It seems similar to a center diff only there are two inputs and one output instead of two outputs and one input.
I still don't understand how it varies the gear ratio. Is that the invertor/convertor that does that? If not, I'm thinking the ICE never actually drives the tires, only charges the battery and the traction motor is what constantly drives the vehicle.

The starter/generator which drives the sun gear of the planetary gearset is able to run at variable speeds (and even direction) which in differential modifies the functional ratio of the ICE to the ring gear.

The ICE can either directly drive the wheels mechanically and/or be producing power through the starter/generator which is then directly routed to the traction motor.

 

[Mymaverick2021]

Im not sure how easy it is to drain and fill the fluid in one but I'd say frequent fluid changes would be the key to long life especially in a CVT type trans. I would never stick to the manufacturer recommendation of "lifetime fluid" in things like transmissions and PTU/AWD units if you plan to keep them for a long time. I haven't been under my wife's Escape 2020 2.5 hybrid with the same trans yet to look for a drain plug. Its only on its second oil change and they are still free at the dealer so I haven't had a reason to. I know its super easy on my '16 escape with the 6f35 to drain and fill cause it has a plug on the bottom and with a long skinny funnel you can refill easily. DIY things like that obviously are becoming more and more rare as cars get newer.

I'd say next oil change at the dealer just ask the service manager what's the deal with the transmission fluid change, Then you'll be able to sleep at night

 

[MLowe05]

OP you've only had 2 automatic transmissions fail on you? My 2002 Acura TL had 3 fail during my 2-year ownership..

 

[bombast]

OP you've only had 2 automatic transmissions fail on you? My 2002 Acura TL had 3 fail during my 2-year ownership..

You guys have some weird failure rates. That's not an auto problem, someone is selling you trash.

 

[TCK]

Wow- what are you guys doing? Never had one fail. Had a torque converter on an old dodge that had the ring gear welded to it shatter, but that was a long time ago, and once we found the part (thanks Dodge) it was an easy fix.

 

[MLowe05]

You guys have some weird failure rates. That's not an auto problem, someone is selling you trash.

Anyone who knows anything about 1998-2005ish Honda V6 automatics would not be surprised at my failure rates. The transmissions had a design flaw that could not be fixed.

 

[BILLNOROVILLE]

Most of us know that a manual transmission will outlast most automatics. They are becoming a thing of the past. 8 and 10 speed automatics are very complex computer-controlled masterpieces when new but sometimes not engineered for durability (and not tested enough I think) in the real world.

Take the ECVT, less parts and electric motors. We all pretty much can agree electric motors tend to last a long time. Ford and Toyota got together and designed the ECVT that is in the Maverick. One only needs to look at major cities and see how many Prius cars that are now Cabs and really going high mileage.

I have 65k on my 2016 Prius. No repairs only regular service. And yes, I have had automatics fail on old used cars I bought like my 1958 T-Bird, my 68 Ranchero so not too bad.

I worry more about electronics/computers that are in cars now failing. Some of them cost almost as much as a transmission repair.

 

[Criss944]

 

[Maverstang]

Great video, thanks. Definitely have a stronger grasp on this thing. It seems similar to a center diff only there are two inputs and one output instead of two outputs and one input.
I still don't understand how it varies the gear ratio. Is that the invertor/convertor that does that? If not, I'm thinking the ICE never actually drives the tires, only charges the battery and the traction motor is what constantly drives the vehicle.

There's a question buried in there if anyone can assist, I'd be thankful.

Your differential analogy is pretty good expalantion!

The variable ratios are effected by the two motors working together with the engine. It can be hard to grasp, but think of it as balancing the speed of three things, an engine and two motors (one of which is connected to the wheels). One could go up, others could go down… even to a stop. It’s an infinite combination of those three.

It’s a super simple transmission with few moving parts. No bands or frequently used clutches to contaminate fluid over time either. No external starter motor with gears or alternator with belts either. There is literally nothing to wear out on this system, other than maybe a shaft seal.

This power split planetary system is also much simpler and more efficient than many other hybrids using a regular geared transmission with a motor slapped on the front.

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