Loud CVT whine when using paddle shifters in S mode ('19 Sport Hatchback)

[raulnor516]

I'm not sure if this is an issue or normal operation, but I figure it can't hurt to ask. When I'm driving my hatch in "manual" mode using the paddle shifters, the transmission seems to be excessively loud. I can especially hear it above 3000 rpm, but it gets increasingly loud as revs increase, regardless of "gear" selection. It doesn't seem to be depending on temperatures, I only put it in S after the engine is warmed up and it makes the noise regardless of outside temps.

I've got less than 10k miles on the car, and there's no mods or flashing done to it. I do drive pretty aggressively but I've never launched the car or done anything stupid like holding down the brake. The car was test driven before I got it, I think it had around 50 miles on it when I bought it? Does this seem like a normal behavior or should I be concerned about damage to the transmission?

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[zspeed]

Do you have a sound clip or video so that we know how it really sounds like?

 

[raulnor516]

I can get one tomorrow sure.

 

[Civii]

Mine gets loud too but AFAIK that’s normal for a CVT. They’re pretty loud. Someone else with more experience might be able to chime in and correct me.

 

[Feddy_Ace]

I’ve experienced this too and only after aggressively driving a long time. I believe it’s from the CVT fluid getting too hot and not working as well to lube the internals. It doesn’t sound good and results in some sluggish acceleration.

If this happens once in awhile, then it’s not a biggie, but if you experience it more often then it might mean your fluid got cooked too much and you should change it.

That’s what happened to me. I changed my fluid and the bad noises stopped even when I drive like an asshole.

 

[gtman]

OP, hopefully this puts your mind at ease:

https://www.civicx.com/forum/threads/cvt-noise-when-hot.31922/

 

[xjoshuax89]

Yeah curious about the sound. Got any clips? You also sure its the CVT not the engine?

 

[raulnor516]

It's high pitched enough that my phone camera doesn't seem to capture it well. It only happens in manual mode, the same revs in D or normal S don't cause the sound. I wonder if it might be the transmission complaining because it can't shift the cones around?

 

[BarracksSi]

OP, hopefully this puts your mind at ease:

https://www.civicx.com/forum/threads/cvt-noise-when-hot.31922/

Thanks for the thread, and also for that thread's OP, @Adil , finding the Subaru CVT info:
https://www.subaru.ca/WebPage.aspx?WebSiteID=282&WebPageID=21813

I noticed it myself the other day and started to worry. Never hear it in normal modes, just while in paddle-shift "S" mode, and then only sometimes after beating on it.

 

[FK7DEMON]

I noticed it when reversing up a driveway.

 

[fkseven]

The cvt is noisy. It’s normal it happens all the time when I put it into S and use paddle shifters. Doesn’t happen at WOT with and without paddles.

 

[GermanCivic]

@raulnor516

Does the whine sounds like this? (Timecode 2:37)

 

[BarracksSi]

@raulnor516

Does the whine sounds like this? (Timecode 2:37)

That's pretty much what mine sounds like, although maybe quieter. I hardly drive with it in manual "S", though, so I'll need to pay attention the next chance I get.

 

[GermanCivic]

@raulnor516
@BarracksSi
How is the CVT whine? Did it went away after a CVT fluid change?

 

[BarracksSi]

@raulnor516
@BarracksSi
How is the CVT whine? Did it went away after a CVT fluid change?

Hmm -- I don't remember if I've gotten my CVT fluid changed yet. Probably not.

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