CVT Transmission Pros and Cons
Wondering about CVT transmission pros and cons? Is your car equipped with a CVT transmission? Here is some information on the pros and cons of CVT transmission.
A CVT, or continuously variable transmission, is a type of automatic transmission that provides an unlimited range of gear ratios. CVTs were once used in industrial applications, but car manufacturers such as General Motors, Nissan, Audi, Ford and Honda now use the technology in their cars. CVTs use very few components and have a simple design, and with their ability to provide unlimited gear ratios they have some clear advantages over conventional transmissions. If you are planning to buy a car with a CVT, it is a good idea to understand both how it works and its pros and cons.
CVT Transmission: How It Works
A CVT uses a pulley-and-belt system to provide an infinite number of gear ratios between a maximum and minimum value, unlike a conventional automatic which has a set number of ratios selected by shifting gears. Its components include a high-density rubber or metal belt, a driving pulley actuated by a hydraulic cylinder, a mechanical torque-sensing pulley, sensors and microprocessors. The transmission has two variable-diameter pulleys: the input pulley connected to the engine and the output pulley connected to the drive wheels. One side of each pulley is fixed while the other is movable, driven by a hydraulic cylinder that changes the space between the two halves. When the halves come closer together, the belt rides higher on the pulley, increasing its effective diameter; for a low ratio the input pulley is smaller and the output pulley larger. In this way the ratio changes continuously — altering the relationship of engine speed to car speed — rather than in stages.
CVT Transmission: Advantages
The unlimited gear ratios bring several benefits. They help maintain a steady cruising speed, cut fuel emissions and improve fuel economy, since the CVT can keep the engine in its optimum power range at all times, increasing gas mileage and efficiency. A CVT also provides quicker acceleration than a conventional automatic, with a smooth transition while accessing maximum power.
CVT Transmission: Problems and Disadvantages
The technology also has drawbacks. The most common complaint is that it may not provide the driving feel of a conventional automatic — cars with a CVT tend to make an irritating noise when accelerating, produced as the transmission adjusts the engine speed, that can sound like a slipping clutch. Because the CVT allows the engine to rev at any speed and offers such a smooth transition, some drivers get the impression of a lack of power or of the car being slowed down, which has been attributed to the lower torque capacity of a CVT, and it can take time to adjust to the dynamics. Another issue is that you cannot check the transmission fluid level yourself — it must be checked by the dealer — and the fluid is more expensive than that of a conventional transmission. Long-term reliability is also an aspect worth looking into.
Because many owners are simply accustomed to the feel of a conventional automatic, manufacturers are working to make CVTs feel more familiar — some now offer a "manual" mode and other features that create a resemblance to a conventional transmission, along with a refined torque-converter-like driving feel. If you are planning to buy a car equipped with a CVT, be sure to go for a thorough test drive first to check your comfort level. Despite its drawbacks, a CVT offers superior fuel economy and better acceleration — just make your choice after driving one.
