NewsReporter
04-20-2004, 07:18 AM
General Motors says it has fixed problems with the continuously variable transmission it uses in the Saturn Ion and Vue, and is offering an extended warranty to ease buyers' fears.
GM extended the warranty coverage on the transmission from 3 years/36,000 miles to 5 years/75,000 miles.
GM yanked the fuel-saving one-speed gearbox from production in January because of durability problems with the steel belt inside the gearbox that connects to pulleys. GM did not say what the problems were, and would not say how many it had replaced or repaired under warranty.
Because the steel belt is under extreme stress, it is the most crucial - and potentially troublesome - part of the transmission. Developing reliable belts that can handle high torque loads and run quietly is a problem that has dogged automakers trying to develop CVTs.
GM is scheduled to resume installing the CVT in the Vue SUV in mid-May, GM Powertrain spokeswoman Debbie Frakes said. Production of the gearbox resumed in March on the Ion coupe.
The transmissions are built in an Adam Opel AG plant in Szentgotthard, Hungary.
The new warranty covers all CVT-equipped Saturns produced since the summer of 2002, a total of about 82,000. Saturn sent letters to owners of CVT-equipped Saturns notifying them of the extended coverage.
Source: Auto Week
GM extended the warranty coverage on the transmission from 3 years/36,000 miles to 5 years/75,000 miles.
GM yanked the fuel-saving one-speed gearbox from production in January because of durability problems with the steel belt inside the gearbox that connects to pulleys. GM did not say what the problems were, and would not say how many it had replaced or repaired under warranty.
Because the steel belt is under extreme stress, it is the most crucial - and potentially troublesome - part of the transmission. Developing reliable belts that can handle high torque loads and run quietly is a problem that has dogged automakers trying to develop CVTs.
GM is scheduled to resume installing the CVT in the Vue SUV in mid-May, GM Powertrain spokeswoman Debbie Frakes said. Production of the gearbox resumed in March on the Ion coupe.
The transmissions are built in an Adam Opel AG plant in Szentgotthard, Hungary.
The new warranty covers all CVT-equipped Saturns produced since the summer of 2002, a total of about 82,000. Saturn sent letters to owners of CVT-equipped Saturns notifying them of the extended coverage.
Source: Auto Week