Uh oh. Trans about to go out?

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Jan 14, 2017
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I bought a 2019 malibu last month and everything was good until it got ice cold out. It has a cvt and occasionally when I shift from P to D on a cold start it will jerk or slam into gear. Any idea what the issue could be?
 
its slams into gear because its high-idling and fluid is thick./cold = normal?

Maybe you have a broken mount somewhere?
 
Recently I learned a new term: garage shift. It's what a cold transmission will do when it's first being asked to do anything, like being driven out of a garage. Anyhow. My two thoughts: first, check fluid level. Cold fluid is at its least "large" size, as it shrinks with temperature. Maybe you just have low fluid level. Second, maybe there is an o-ring that needs to warm up a bit, or it is taking a while for the system to pump up. Maybe the pump is on the way out.

Not that it's really relevant, but my old '99 Camry, if I didn't let it idle for about 20 seconds on a cold start, it would go into reverse just fine. But go into drive? it was in some gear between 1st and 2nd. I put over 50k on it, and really, if I just let it idle for 30 seconds before going anyplace, it wasn't noticed. This isn't the same car, so I'd have it looked into.

How many miles on it? If it's overdue for a change then it's a pretty good sign that it's overdue.
 
Mods I forgot there is a transmission sub forums. Move this thread there is deemed suitable
 
I forgot to mention by the time I got home from work (10 minutes of mostly 25mph driving) my temp garage was only at 1/4.
 
These aren't as bad as GM's disastrous Saturn Vue CVT VT-20 but they're not good either.
Quick search shows up a lot of troubles with the VT-40 that you have.
I assume you're past the 60,000 mile GM warranty so it's on your nickel?
After the suggested fluid change, I don't have much to offer as no expertise in these.
But be wary because there's a lot of charlatans in the business and lots of bad information out there.
Best of luck.
 
I forgot to mention by the time I got home from work (10 minutes of mostly 25mph driving) my temp garage was only at 1/4.
That's engine temperature... although most transmissions have a heat exchanger that pushes heat between ATF and coolant.

Hopefully you take it out for some longer runs at times.
 
I have a Certified pre owned warranty but the dealership has proven crooked. Tried to get to purchase 1800 bucks worth of brake parts when all I needed was shaved rotors.
 
That's engine temperature... although most transmissions have a heat exchanger that pushes heat between ATF and coolant.

Hopefully you take it out for some longer runs at times.
I most certainly do. Doesn't help that it's 30 degrees out at 6pm.
 
I bought a 2019 malibu last month and everything was good until it got ice cold out. It has a cvt and occasionally when I shift from P to D on a cold start it will jerk or slam into gear. Any idea what the issue could be?
Oh and also, I know it's a pita to get them to honor this but I also have a limited powertrain warranty for life. I also have gap insurance.

Sounds like it is time to see if the dealers "limited lifetime" warranty is worth the paper it is written on. Maybe "lifetime" means until the transmission or engine breaks! 🤣
 
Sounds like it is time to see if the dealers "limited lifetime" warranty is worth the paper it is written on. Maybe "lifetime" means until the transmission or engine breaks! 🤣
The limited powertrain warranty doesn't take effect until the certified pre owned warranty expires. I believe that's at 100000k miles
 
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