Honda makes a very good CVT. Not only are they very easy to service, but they also feel seamless. You will not be disappointed
Of course, there are still a few manual transmissions available, if that will work for you
What new vehicles are available WITHOUT a sealed transmission?
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Honda makes a very good CVT. Not only are they very easy to service, but they also feel seamless. You will not be disappointed
Of course, there are still a few manual transmissions available, if that will work for you
There are filters for the DSG and the Aisin 09M/G transmissions.
When you drop the pan on the Aisin 09M/G, there is a filter you can replace, but VW only advises drain & refills only.
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I think you are out of luck on this one unfortunately. I too don’t like technology advancements and that’s coming from me who is 19 and is supposed to like technology. I just like everything to stay the same and be simple. Now if it’s for the better I sometimes accept it and agree with it but not always and that’s is one thing I do wish they’d bring back is a dipstick. It looks like the Honda that is listed above or a manual transmission would be your best bet. As long as you keep the manual transmission maintained it will do fine. I check the transmission oil levels in all of mine regularly usually each oil change or so.
There is no filter in the pan on either Aisin 09 transmission I service. There is a diverter only without any filter media, they look like your picture, it looks like some brands may have a screen by looking at google images but the ones I have purchased have had a hollow can only. There is a cartridge filter on the DSG's that require a battery tray removal to replace. I have now done this DSG service of drain and top fill about 4 times after doing the bottom fill method 3 times. If interested I can invite you over to take a look next time I have an 09G/M on my lift for service. Two days ago I changed the alternator on a '14 Jetta TDI. Took 3 hours. If I had to do it again I think I could get it done in less than 2. This is on the cjaa engine. The dealer quoted the gal that owns the jetta $800 for the alternator R&R. I was all in for $268 dollars for alternator from db electric and belt and tensioner from Gates via amazon. I am pretty proficient working on VW's and now own a plethora of VW specific tools and software. It is wholly possible that you have knowledge and skill that outpaces mine in the area of automotive expertise but I know what I know. I stand by what I said above. The 09G/M is bottom filled only.There are filters for the DSG and the Aisin 09M/G transmissions.
When you drop the pan on the Aisin 09M/G, there is a filter you can replace, but VW only advises drain & refills only.
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The definition of a sealed transmission varies quite a bit, for instance the Chrysler NAG1 (aka Mercedes 5G Tronic) is called a sealed transmission yet servicing it is not difficult since it has a drain plug (most of the time), has a filter, has a reusable transmission pan gasket but does require that you buy a dipstick "tool". Many modern automatic transmissions don't have old school filers and it isn't really an issue, I personally prefer them as it often means you can avoid the mess of dropping the pan.
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Fair point...
I just am looking for a car made this decade that has:
1) A dipstick under the hood;
2) A fill tube under the hood;
3) An easily droppable pan with easily replaceable filter; and
4) A drain plug in the plan for those time you just don't feel like dropping the pan.
You could always get a mid-2010s Versa or Yaris that has a 4-speed automatic. They meet all of those requirements
2013 was the last year that Subaru used a spin-on transmission filter. You only need to replace it if it's damaged.
Is a manual transmission acceptable?
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By this decade, I meant 2020 or 2021.You could always get a mid-2010s Versa or Yaris that has a 4-speed automatic. They meet all of those requirements
2013 was the last year that Subaru used a spin-on transmission filter. You only need to replace it if it's damaged.
Is a manual transmission acceptable?
With regard to the manual transmission, sadly that would be a non-starter, because the wife would be driving it most of the time.
Wife (who is wonderful and hardly ever asks for anything) wants 2020/2021 features and does not want a manual transmission.
Since my number one rule in life is: "If mamma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.", I am likely going to have to give up my search for an old fashioned dipstick and pan non-CVT transmission... I was just hoping there might be an option I had not considered...
I do appreciate the suggestions...
No no no, too modern. He's looking one that can still be hand cranked.
OP, what mileage do you usually get rid of your vehicles at?
New new or new to you? Any Chrysler with a 545RFE/65RFE transmission has a dipstick. Vehicles with the 62TE don’t have one, but others have pointed out how to make one and it’s fairly easy.
If I was the OP I would look for vehicle with a good track record on lack of repairs and healthy warranty beyond that. I would shy away from too much electronics if possible because they aren't usually carried very far under warranty. Toyota? Honda? It may or may not have a CVT, which I hate personally but are a reality in many cars today. I'm thinking only the Europeans are using scheduled maintenance on automatic transmissions anymore. Seems domestics and the Japanese/Koreans have made it "Lifetime" in most cases.
Same here. "No thank you" to CVTs.
You said "family hauler"....SUV? Toyota 4Runner as well as Honda Pilot & Passport all have regular automatics that are pretty easy to service. The Hondas are a very easy drain & fill; Toyota you need to get under or have a lift but it's by no means difficult.
Wasn't there a post here about a 400,000 mile Mitsubishi Mirage? Doesn't someone here have a 300K+ mile Altima. I've had a few 200K+ Hondas.
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At least 250,000 miles, which is about 15-20 years for us... we live in the north, and rust gets my cars before the engines or transmissions goes.
love my wife’s 2.5 outback cvt. what is the deal with the cvt hate? great fuel economy, no problems. what’s not to like?
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This thread is quite judgmental … we went from a dipstick with hot/cold levels (and fill tube) to getting under a vehicle with a laptop … making sure you do or don’t have a routing valve … while engine running shift in/out of gears for this/that amount of time … arms/hands next to exhaust … Oh, and only use the $30/quart fluid which is nothing special in terms of base stock … and that’s technology … Ok, got it 
(and I own this one too) …
(and I own this one too) …
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And we went from cable shifter to electronic selectors, to big honkin’ 4, 5, & 6 speeds to 8, 9, 10’s speeds... even in small transverse mounted front wheel drives... and trans that “are what they are” to ones that at the push of a button can change shift points for eco, touring, and sport modes based on what the drive wants... yes, technology.This thread is quite judgmental … we went from a dipstick with hot/cold levels (and fill tube) to getting under a vehicle with a laptop … making sure you do or don’t have a routing valve … while engine running shift in/out of gears for this/that amount of time … arms/hands next to exhaust … Oh, and only use the $30/quart fluid which is nothing special in terms of base stock … and that’s technology … Ok, got it
Now the over priced fluid isn’t. But since most are “lifetime” now that means most people don’t change it any more... manufacturers are charging more for something people really don’t buy anymore... And frankly they probably don’t want you to buy. Hoping the tranny goes out and you buy a new car. That part does suck for sure. But companies like more money... shocker, I know. Anytime I get salty about things like this I just open up my investments and look at all the growth. And remember, oh yeah, that’s my money those “greedy companies” want... but that is also my money that is benefiting financially from those “greedy companies” growth and profits.
Time marches on. Technology advances. Things change. The young think the old are stupid. And old think the young are stupid.... and so it goes.
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Because we are looking for something that doesn't exist. It's like asking apple to bring back the home button.This thread is quite judgmental … we went from a dipstick with hot/cold levels (and fill tube) to getting under a vehicle with a laptop … making sure you do or don’t have a routing valve … while engine running shift in/out of gears for this/that amount of time … arms/hands next to exhaust … Oh, and only use the $30/quart fluid which is nothing special in terms of base stock … and that’s technology … Ok, got it
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