Honda SWRA

Transmission general data

HONDA SWRA / SWSA / SLTA / SLSA / SYEA / SYFA / SFBA / SFCA

The CVT Honda Multimatic SWRA / SWSA had been installed on right hand drive cars Honda Fit of the first generation (produced from 2001 till 2007) for the domestic market of Japan. It should be pointed out that Honda Fit cars for the American market were equipped not with CVTs, but with common automatic transmissions. Therefore, transmissions for Japanese and American models of Honda Fit are not interchangeable.SWRA is a continuously variable transmission produced by Honda. This transmission is used in some Honda cars (Civic, Jazz, Logo).

CVTs SWRA / SWSA differ from each other not by engines (with which they operated), but by the purpose of CVT model (for FWD or AWD). In other words, Honda Fit cars with L13A and L15A engines were equipped with the same transmission SWRA / SWSA, but there was an important difference:

- SWRA – 2WD

- SWSA – 4WD

As the right hand drive Honda Fit of the first generation (produced from 2001 till 2007 ) served as a basis for other cars («Honda Airwave», «Honda Mobilio», «Honda Mobilio Spike»), then CVTs for these cars were slightly upgraded (the main difference lied in the housing mounting). These CVTs received new model names:

· Honda Airwave (from 2005 to 2007) 2WD – SLSA

· Honda Airwave (from 2005 to 2007) 4WD — SLTA

· Honda Mobilio/Mobilio (from 2002 to 2005) 2WD — SYEA

· Honda Mobilio/Mobilio (from 2002 to 2005) 4WD — SYFA

· Honda Mobilio Spike (from 2002 to 2005) 2WD — SFBA

· Honda Mobilio Spike (from 2002 to 2005) FWD – SFCA

· Honda Fit Aria / Honda City (from 2002 to 2009) 2WD — SERA

In fact all these car models were equipped with the same CVT. Transmissions differed only in the drive mechanism (FWD or AWD) and in holders for the CVT case. AllothercomponentsoftheseCVTsareabsolutelyidentical. Therefore, these CVTs may become interchangeable with the help of several minor modifications. Modifications usually consist in replacement of holders and some sensors.

According to Honda’s manual, SWRA / SWSA transmissions require ATF change вариатора (CVT) every 45 thousand kilometers. When the car operates in harsh conditions ATF should be changed after 22,5 thousand kilometers.

Harshconditionsusuallyinclude:

1.Frequent and short drives - no more than 8 km in the summer time or 16 km in the cold season (at negative air temperatures).

2. Operations under conditions of high temperatures (above +32 °C).

3. Long engine operation at idle speed, driving with frequent stops in traffic jams. Towing of the trailer or running on mountainous terrain.

4.Driving on dirty, dusty roads or on the roads which are subjected to treatment with anti-icing compound.

Honda Fit cars of the first generation equipped with CVTs SWRA / SWSA often face problems with the CVT mount, which tears after the car mileage reaches 50-60 thousand kilometers. Symptoms of this problem include the following: increased vibration, kicks at starting from rest/braking. Visual inspection helps to detect this problem. The mount is oil-filled, therefore transmission specialists recommend using original spare parts.