3/31/2023 0 Comments Continuous variable transmission![]() ![]() The most common type of CVT works by using a pair of pulleys that are connected to each other by a belt. the previous standard automatic and manual transmission options.Īs previously stated, a CVT is a type of transmission that does not use a fixed set of gears like a traditional automatic. If you are car shopping for the first time in a while, the CVT may be a new term to you vs. What Is a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)?Įven though continuously variable transmissions have been in use since 1989, it's only recently that they have become common in passenger cars and crossover SUVs. Just make sure you're willing and able to follow the recommended maintenance schedules of the CVT - and in fact the entire car. If you're on the fence, remember that CVT-equipped vehicles often have better fuel economy, so do the math to figure out how much you could save in fuel costs over your ownership of the vehicle. If it has a CVT, make sure you pay attention to the transmission's performance during your test drive to ensure it's something you can live with on a daily basis. The best idea is to choose your ideal vehicle based on other priorities. Automotive manufacturers offer either a CVT or a conventional automatic transmission, but not a choice. In most cases, consumers don't even have a choice about whether to opt for a CVT on the vehicle they're interested in. ![]() The 2021 Nissan Maxima V6 is also equipped with a CVT, which combines the company's Xtronic CVT with a 300 horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 for a blend of sportiness and fuel economy. Though not common in high-performance vehicles, the Subaru WRX is available with a CVT. The main reason for this is that the parts typically fail with too much damage for a repair to be feasible.įinally, a CVT cannot stand up to the demands of a high horsepower vehicle, so they're not used on performance vehicles and are usually not used on bigger-displacement engines (like V8s) at all. Furthermore, when they fail, they typically can't be rebuilt but must be completely replaced. Some CVTs might not even make it to 100,000 miles. In terms of reliability, some CVTs don't last as long as the average automatic transmissions, and they can come with a large repair tag when they do fail. This also contributes to the reputation of CVT-equipped cars as having louder interiors. This can be off-putting if you've never experienced it before. A common complaint is that they give the vehicle a "rubber band" effect of constant acceleration or deceleration, depending on how the driver is pushing on the gas pedal.Īutomakers have recently started to counter this feeling by programming into the CVT false "shift points" that mimic the shifting behavior of a traditional automatic.ĭuring hard acceleration - like an onramp or a steep hill - CVTs can also push the engine to rev higher and louder than many consumers are used to. Some consumers - who are used to the feeling of specific gear changes from their automatic transmissions - don't like the feel of a CVT. This perfect matching of engine power and road conditions may feel strange but is more efficient. ![]() This also allows CVT vehicles to provide very smooth rides as there's no shifting feeling. Instead of feeling a distinctive downshift from an automatic, the CVT will quickly find the ideal ratio to give the vehicle enough power to make it up the incline. ![]() Drivers will often notice this when driving up an incline. The seamless shifting and instant power are other benefits of a CVT. This allows them to achieve greater MPG and fully take advantage of their efficient powertrains. Many hybrid vehicles also use CVTs to transfer power to the wheels, rather than traditionally geared transmissions. Car companies are increasingly choosing CVTs for their lower engineering and manufacturing costs, lighter weight, and ability to stretch fuel mileage. With government regulations requiring increased MPG and lower emissions, CVTs efficiency and lightweight help automakers meet those goals. It is not uncommon to see gasoline-powered, non-hybrid midsize family sedans offering up to 38 MPG, partially thanks to their use of this transmission type. This is because they can continuously adjust the engine speed to match the vehicle's speed perfectly, without wasting gas holding too high or too low of a gear, like an automatic gearbox might. Vehicles that use a CVT are among the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market. There are plenty of pros for CVT transmissions. Instead, they use a pair of pulleys connected by a belt that continuously adjust, depending on engine speed. Known for their improvements to fuel economy, CVTs don't have gears like a traditional automatic transmission. It's a type of automatic transmission that's become increasingly popular on a wide range of vehicles, particularly small to midsize crossovers and small to midsize cars. CVT stands for Continuously Variable Transmission. ![]()
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