Corolla Transmission ECT vs CVT, Visual Inspection - How to tell if it is CVT or not

[fahad.hasan1]

Corolla Tranny - superECT vs CVT Visual Inspection,
I want to try and purchase a Corolla 1.6 CVT transmission, mainly for better fuel consumption.

Super ECT rolla has labels on the boot below the brake lamp and the special edition just have their golden label.
I would like to know how to visually tell what gearbox in installed, if I could get help or pointers with that.

Pakwheels, a lot of the ads of rolla's state CVT but they are not, and people, advertisers just sate something silly ' thats the option that came up... '
I telephoned Toyota but they are useless just wanted to sell something. they don't even have technical knowledge, such people make me sad.

CVT transmission is across the range, Yaris and Grande has it and now the 1.6 rolla.

Perhaps another thread idea to discuss ECT vs CVT which is longer lasting, reliable one to have

Thanks in Advance
Fahad

[Xulfiqar]

Check the build plate on the car body, its the silver plate in engine bay. It has transmission ID too.

Any seller that is acting as smart as a box of rocks?? Simply ask for a picture of that plate.

[capsat]

if there is no ID plate in engine bay check trunk some PKDM Corollas have ID plate in trunk - Please Check Trans/Axle code and google.

[omarabdullah022]

Hello
The easiest way to tell is by looking at the gear selector. The 4speed auto has P-R-N-D-3-2-L and the CVT gear shifter goes P-R-N-D-M with the manual mode that comes with the 1.8 cvts.
I get great fuel economy from the 4 speed and a torque convertor transmission is usually more robust than a CVT. I'd actually still prefer the old auto transmission but maybe thats just me who doesn't like the way CVTs drive.

[Xulfiqar]

but maybe thats just me who doesn't like the way CVTs drive.

you are 100% OK - no one likes the drive of a CVT.

[arslan.v8]

Pakistanis pay extra extra for cvt transmissions, yes people are that delirious. If you tell someone it has an old automatic transmission, they would walk away and opt for a cvt car instead. CVTs are garbage, and I've driven my fair share to state that.

[haseeb.basharat]

K313 cvt will be written on a cvt corolla. There is no oil gauge for a cvt transmission car, and you will find gauge for old 4 speed transmission. Cvt gear in console have P, R, N, D, M+/- which is a tiptronic.

How much mileage you wanna put on your car?
I have a 1.8cvt rolla and I have covered 175000kms, and it will last with the same cvt as long as it's with me.
Just a regular oil change by the book and you're good to go. Plus I stop car completely when I want to change gear from D to R. Also, when ever I am parking my car I put it in neutral, pull the handbrake, and leave the brake. Then I move the stick to P. One should do it in all auto transmissions.

Get a cvt tranny one. You will love a very smooth drive with very good power delivery and fuel economy. I still get 11-13 within city and 15-17 on long. That's for 1.8, I have heard 1.6 cvt does even better then that.

Always perform service from dealership, don't fiddle with your car and it will last a decade. My car is 7 years old, and Alhamdullilah still running strong.

[fahad.hasan1]

Yes of course, most of the details are stamped there
Thank you

[fahad.hasan1]

This is the visual difference easily spotted, this is great thank you
ECT does have its advantages

[fahad.hasan1]

Shall remember that, if not the engine bay try the boot

[fahad.hasan1]

Comprehensive information straight to the point.
I just don't understand the oil gauge part.

Our mileage is about average, so the present Rolla, bought new, we have is a 1.3 manual and in ten years have clocked 130K. Oil changes n filters every 5K,
I know what you mean by the selecting Neutral then handbrake followed by P, this takes away pressure on the interlocking part, in the tranny, I forget the name of the part.

I look forward to our cvt purchase,
Thanks for the detailed info

[haseeb.basharat]

I just don't understand the oil gauge part

There is no oil dipstick (not gauge) for k313 cvt transmission.
There is one coming right from the gear in super ect 4 speed.
If it was a 6speed auto transmission vs cvt then I would have clearly asked you to go for 6 speed, but 4 speed is old school. It's laggy, jerky and gives bad fuel economy.
It's a robust cvt if you follow regular mantainance for it from the dealership, check your manual for cvt service intervals once you'll get it. I know people who are still driving with their original cvts at 350k kms on odo.

[Xulfiqar]

I think its better to use the actual term than “gauge”

@fahad.hasan1 , what our member @haseeb.basharat is saying is that the old 4 spd auto has a dispstick to check oil level, its in engine room.

The cvt unit has no stick and the transmission oil level is checked from under the car.

[haseeb.basharat]

gauge

My bad, sorry.
Yeah, Xulfiqar Sir is right, dipstick

[Xulfiqar]

In my circle of friends it has several names. None of them being dipstick or gauge

[fahad.hasan1]

oil gauge, dipstick and many others, I can imagine a few.
I get it, Just went and checked on a four speed, This is excellent knowledge

@Xulfiqar @haseeb.basharat This thread has been informative and fun
...' box of rocks '... remember this from earlier describing sellers
Thanks guys

Thanks to all who contributed