90k miles. CVT been “slipping” when its cold outside and its doing this for the 6yrs Ive owned it but never breaks down. Only when you first go from a cold start below 50 degrees, revs high, few minutes later CVT starts acting normal. At this point it must be a feature and not a bug. Is this a programmed feature to heat up the clutch/cvt? Anyone have this feature?

 

I have a 2016 LX CVT with 115K miles. Never slipped. Lived in the upper midwest for awhile with long stretches of subzero temps, so it got much colder than Orlando.

As far as whether it's baked into the software, my guess is no. Then everyone would be experiencing it, and I don't.

As far as your vehicle, possible causes - dirty, low or incorrect CVT fluid, worn belts or software issue.

I'm assuming you don't have any dash warning lights or error codes here. If you do, different story.

Might be worth a call to your Honda dealer or independent. I'd also verify what their fee would be for diagnosing, because a lot of places don't necessarily tell you upfront.

 

Id be willing to bet theres a TCM code in there somewhere. CVT slip is not normal whatsoever.

 

Although I don't have the mileage you have, my 2018 Fit runs in temperatures from -30°F to +100°F with no slippage whatsoever. Not a "feature".

When was the last time your CVT fluid was changed?.

 

I am reminded of the NPR Car Talk show, which I used to listen to every Saturday morning. It seemed like the regardless of the problem the caller had, when asked how long it had been going on they would say "a couple years."

If you haven't been worried enough to get a potential issue checked out over the past 6 years, why are you worried now?

 

2016 EX owner since 2018, just started happening to me too, and yes, it seems to happen when it's been sitting overnight/cold, but very briefly it revs. Also continues a few minutes into driving from the driveway. Since I've owned it, I only had one recent transmission oil change Dec 2024 - after adding roughly 80k miles, so I think pretty overdue, esp for cvts, as I have read elsewhere.

 

Thanks ya no warning lights ever. I call it “slipping” but the belt is not slipping, no grinding, no codes. Its just reving a little higher when cold for a few minutes.

 

I have a couple code readers but never a code or engine light.

 

Every 30k, Honda fluid. The belt isnt really slipping its just reving high for a few minutes when cold.

 

lol fair enough. Im just curious.

 

Interesting. I dont think the belt is slipping so thats good, its just reving a little high when cold so we are calling it “slipping.” Just keep up with with the maintenance and drive it till the wheels fall off!

 

Are you sure the engine isn't just running at a high idle during warmup? Does the higher revving stop when the cool temperature light goes off after the engine is hot?

 

Idle is normal. Only when driving off. Since I looked into CVT design I wonder if the male/female cylinders that slide the walls of the CVT is slightly out of tolerance so when below 50 degrees it doesnt slide out so easily and thus I have this sensation that its reving higher(belt wont go higher); then it warms up allowing the walls to move more allowing the belt to shift up. I dont think it will hurt anything which has been true for years now so Ill just carry on.