While driving at typical cruising speeds, the car occasionally (every 30 seconds to every 5 minutes) will have the engine rev for a quick second, and when it comes back to a normal rpm there will be some sort of belt squeal. This has been happening for the last 3 months and typically more after the car has been sitting for several hours.  Any ideas on what could be causing the problem before I bring it in?

 

Thanks!

Hows the fluid level? Condition? How many miles on the car? Has the fluid ever been changed? 

Is this the 5 speed auto or the CVT trans? 

+1 to what he said. 

 

While driving at typical cruising speeds, the car occasionally (every 30 seconds to every 5 minutes) will have the engine rev for a quick second, and when it comes back to a normal rpm there will be some sort of belt squeal. 

Thanks!

 

In genearal - Possible transmission issue:  Check fluid level.

Hows the fluid level? Condition? How many miles on the car? Has the fluid ever been changed? 

Is this the 5 speed auto or the CVT trans? 

 

The car has the CVT transmission and currently has 120k miles. I am not sure on when the last time the transmission fluid was changed. I did look at the manual and there seems to be no way to check the fluid level on the CVT transmission.

Flare and or shudder, with a terrible metallic screech likely means the chain in the CVT is slipping.  Prepare your wallet for a new trans.