The Japanese company has been producing the X-Tronic Jatco JF015E (or CVT-7 RE0F11A) since 2010 and installing it in many models with engines up to 1.8 liters and torque up to 160 Nm. This transmission is known as the DK0 in Renault vehicles and as the F1CJB and W1CJB in Mitsubishi vehicles.
Specifications
| Type | CVT (continuously variable transmission) |
| Number of gears | ∞ |
| Type of drive | front / all wheel |
| Engine volume, l | up to 1.8 |
| Torque output, Nm | up to 160 |
| Recommended oil | Nissan CVT NS-3 |
| Oil capacity, liter | 7.2 |
| Replacing the oil | every 40 000 km |
| Replacing the filter | every 40 000 km |
| Gearbox lifespan, km | ~160 000 km |
In 2010, Jatco introduced a new transmission for models with engines up to 1.8 liters, essentially a hybrid of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a two-speed automatic. The two-speed planetary gearset allowed for smaller cone sizes, reducing the transmission’s weight and dimensions. However, the increased design complexity compromised reliability.
Theoretically, the CVT’s two forward gears should have eliminated the transmission’s most challenging conditions, where the belt is positioned at the edge and center of the cone. However, the opposite occurred: this CVT became the most unreliable in the series. Furthermore, the use of solenoids in the valve body instead of conventional ones exacerbated the situation.
Gear ratios Jatco JF015E
Using the 2012 Nissan Juke with a 1.6-liter engine as an example:
| Forward | 4.006 – 0.550 |
| Reverse | 3.771 |
| Final Drive | 3.754 |
Using
The transmission was installed on:
- Chevrolet Spark 3 (M300) in 2011 – 2015;
- Dacia Logan 3 (LJI) in 2020 – …;
- Dacia Sandero 3 (BJI) in 2020 – …;
- Dacia Sandero 3 Stepway (DJF) in 2020 – …;
- LADA Vesta sedan 2180 in 2019 – …;
- LADA Vesta Cross 2180 in 2019 – …;
- LADA Vesta SV 2181 in 2019 – …;
- LADA Vesta SV Cross 2181 in 2019 – …;
- LADA X-ray Cross in 2019 – …;
- Mitsubishi Lancer 10 (CY) in 2011 – 2017;
- Mitsubishi Mirage 6 (A00) in 2012 – …;
- Nissan Cube 3 (Z12) in 2010 – 2019;
- Nissan Juke 1 (F15) in 2010 – 2019;
- Nissan Latio 2 (N17) in 2012 – …;
- Nissan March 4 (K13) in 2010 – 2019;
- Nissan Note 2 (E12) in 2012 – 2020;
- Nissan NV200 1 (M20) in 2013 – …;
- Nissan Qashqai 1 (J10) in 2012 – 2013;
- Nissan Qashqai 2 (J11) in 2013 – …;
- Nissan Sentra 7 (B17) in 2012 – 2017;
- Nissan Tiida 3 (C13) in 2015 – 2016;
- Renault Arkana 1 (LCM) in 2019 – …;
- Renault Clio 5 (BF) in 2019 – …;
- Renault Fluence 1 (L38) in 2013 – 2017;
- Renault Kaptur 1 (H5) in 2016 – …;
- Renault Logan 2 Stepway (L52S) in 2018 – 2022;
- Renault Megane 3 (X95) in 2013 – 2016;
- Renault Megane 4 (XFB) in 2016 – 2020;
- Suzuki Alto 7 (HA25) in 2011 – 2014;
- Suzuki Alto 8 (HA36) in 2014 – 2021;
- Suzuki Solio 3 (MA26) in 2015 – 2020;
- Suzuki Splash 1 (EX) in 2010 – 2015;
- Suzuki Swift 4 (NZ) in 2010 – 2017;
- Suzuki Swift 5 (RZ) in 2016 – 2023;
- Suzuki SX4 2 (JY) in 2013 – 2021.
Disadvantages of the Jatco JF015E gearbox
- Let’s be clear that this CVT was upgraded in 2015, and its service life was increased. However, before that, serious breakdowns were common after only 30,000 to 50,000 km. At this mileage, service technicians regularly encountered critical cone wear, belt stretching, and a clogged oil pump relief valve.
- The sun gear, which is responsible for shifting forward and reverse, cracks along the weld. This causes the car to move forward but not in reverse, or vice versa. Since 2015, they’ve installed an updated sun gear with a thicker area in the problem area.
- As we’ve noted before, the CVT valve body has sensitive solenoids that are sensitive to dirty oil. Sometimes flushing the valve body helps, but more often replacement is necessary.
- A humming noise in the transmission indicates wear in the cone bearings of the drive or driven shaft. The bearings were replaced during the 2015 upgrade, but their service life has not increased significantly.
