I’m planning to buy a Camry, and I like doing my own car repairs once the warranty ends. My current car, a Chrysler Sebring with 250,000 miles, has been pretty easy for me to fix myself. I want to make sure the next car I buy can last over 200,000 miles and won’t be too hard to maintain.
I’m not familiar with eCVT transmissions. Are they easy to work on compared to regular automatics? Any advice would be great!
From what I know, eCVTs are super reliable. You probably won’t ever have to deal with major issues.
Alden said:
From what I know, eCVTs are super reliable. You probably won’t ever have to deal with major issues.
The eCVT is basically a planetary gear system with two motor/generators. No clutches or wear items, and fewer moving parts than the engine.
@harry
Exactly. These things are built like a tank.
Yeah, you can drive it forever. Just change the fluid every 60k miles to be safe. It’s a simple drain and fill process where you fill it until it starts dribbling out of the plug.
I’ve worked in Toyota service for 19 years and haven’t seen a hybrid transmission fail in ages.
@vinic
Any good recommendations for an aftermarket OBD scanner? Something like VCDS/Vagcom for VW/Audi? I heard Techstream isn’t supported anymore, and people used to recommend Mongoose. Thanks!
Remington said:
@vinic
Any good recommendations for an aftermarket OBD scanner? Something like VCDS/Vagcom for VW/Audi? I heard Techstream isn’t supported anymore, and people used to recommend Mongoose. Thanks!
Go for a Mongoose cable with GTS+.
@vinic
Appreciate it! I didn’t think GTS+ was available to non-dealers. My goal is just to handle diagnostics and repairs myself. I found a site selling subscriptions for GTS+ but might need to explore further.
@Remington
If you want an alternative, the Autel TS608 does most dealer functions (except some customizations), works on other vehicles, and even has a TPMS reader. It’s worth a look.
vinic said:
@Remington
If you want an alternative, the Autel TS608 does most dealer functions (except some customizations), works on other vehicles, and even has a TPMS reader. It’s worth a look.
Thanks for the tip! What exactly do dealer functions include? I’m trying to figure out how much functionality I’d lose without paying for updates. I mainly need something for diagnostics and occasional repairs.
@Remington
Dealer functions cover bidirectional controls. For basic diagnostics and repairs, you should be fine with less frequent updates.
vinic said:
@Remington
Dealer functions cover bidirectional controls. For basic diagnostics and repairs, you should be fine with less frequent updates.
Good to know! Do you think the TS608 is the best option? I’ve been looking at models like the MX808 too, but I’m worried about being locked into expensive update fees.
@Remington
I’ve been using a TS608 at work since 2021 without updating it, and it’s still working great.
vinic said:
@Remington
I’ve been using a TS608 at work since 2021 without updating it, and it’s still working great.
That’s awesome to hear. I’ll look more into it. Also considering the XTool D7, but I’m hesitant to try something less proven.
@Remington
I’ve heard good things about the TS608. The MX808 is solid too if you don’t need advanced features.
vinic said:
@Remington
If you want an alternative, the Autel TS608 does most dealer functions (except some customizations), works on other vehicles, and even has a TPMS reader. It’s worth a look.
Thanks again! Found some links for the TS608, but I’ll need to check compatibility for newer models like the 2025 Corolla Cross Hybrid.
We’ve got a 2006 Prius with just under 200k miles. The only major fix was replacing the hybrid battery at 96k, which Toyota covered under warranty. My brother-in-law does most of the basic maintenance like oil changes and brake pads, and it’s been super reliable.
The eCVT is even better since it uses gears instead of belts. Maintenance is just a drain and fill every 60-90k miles. No real issues expected with it.
eCVTs are low-maintenance, but working on one yourself might be tricky because of the high-voltage components. Aside from the transmission and battery, though, everything else is just as easy to fix as a regular car.
The worst thing you can do to a hybrid is let it sit unused for too long.
@Felix
Not much tricky about it. Hybrid batteries are easy to rebuild if you’ve got the time. Tons of guides online, and ChrisFix has a good video. It’s easier to just buy a refurbished pack, though.
People keep spreading misinformation about hybrids, but the tech is over 25 years old now. Nothing dangerous as long as the system is de-energized.