Among the four types of car transmissions, Continuously Variable Transmission stands out as being unique because it doesn't have gears at all. It uses a set of pulleys and belts to create a range of ratios for different driving situations. While it may seem like your type of car since you won't be bothering with gears driving this car, some car brands, such as Mazda, are avoiding CVT. But is Mazda avoiding CVTs because they're bad transmissions?
How a CVT works
CVT, or Continuously Variable Transmission, is what this abbreviation stands for. The peculiarity of such a gearbox is that it can smoothly change the rev range. Thus you can avoid the sharp jerks, which are typical for mechanical, and even soft taps - for automatic transmission.
- Animation explains the basic principle of CVTs (continuously variable transmission). Here, we look at the Va.
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Cvt Gearbox Vs Automatic Gearbox
How does CVT control the speed of a car without the use of gears? Well, the CVT system consists of pulleys and cones connected by a chain belt. These cones move closer or further apart raise or lower the diameter at which the belt is operating. By so doing, the engine can shift smoothly into the right gear ratio. You may love this type of transmission because it works just like an automatic engine. But you have to remember that it does not shift gears like the traditional gearbox under the hood of a traditional car.
The pros of a CVT
Fuel economy: Compared to other transmissions, CVTs are more fuel efficient because the system automatically adjusts engine speed in response to the power requirements of the vehicle at that time, as Engineering Explained explains in the embedded video. If you drive a CVT-equipped car at steady freeway speeds, you will realize that the tachometer stays low, which is good for fuel economy.
Optimal power delivery: According to Autoguide.com, this type of transmission ensures that your car is always in the right gear. Consequently, the engine speed of a CVT car is always at par with its optimal power needs. Driving this vehicle, you won't need to keep your eye on the tachometer while accelerating.
Seamless shifting: CVTs save you the trouble of having to reach out for the gear lever while stepping on the clutch to change gears in a manual transmission vehicle because it has no gears. All you have to do is to step on the accelerator and the CVT will move smoothly from idle to peak power.
The cons of a CVT
Expensive to maintain: Despite the unmatched fuel efficiency of CVTs, you may not enjoy a smooth ride for long. Repairing a CVT can be quite expensive because its parts may not be readily available and are expensive to replace. It may also be challenging to find a CVT expert to do the repairs for you.
They are noisy: No driver welcomes extra noise unless they are cruising on a powerful engine. CVTs have the tendency to hang at high rpm, which causes the engine to rev wildly under acceleration. Even if you chose CVT cars programmed to emulate stepped up gears, the noisy operation of the CVT just won't go away.
Poor feel: You won't feel it when the CVT vehicle shifts gears because it has no gears in the first place. It may give you the feeling that something is wrong somewhere and you may misjudge its normal operations to be a sign of unreliability. However, CVT manufacturers have attempted to overcome this problem by simulating a stepped up gear system.
All images provided by the manufacturer unless otherwise noted.
Ever tried to make your transmission shifts feel as smooth as butter?
It's hard to do in a car with a manual transmission, and it's even tricky for an automatic transmission too.
But if you've driven a car with a CVT transmission, you've discovered the smoothest acceleration and shifting possible.
Cvt Transmission Vs Automatic Transmission
To be totally honest, you didn't feel a single shift.
A CVT transmission is totally different from any other automatic transmission because . . . it doesn't have gears!
The Difference Between Automatic and CVT
With your run-of-the-mill automatic transmission, gears change constantly as you accelerate and decelerate.
Hydraulic pressure and computer input – along with your input through the gearshift lever – make the gears change.
A CVT, or continuously variable transmission, is unique.
Inside the transmission, a belt runs between two variable-width pulleys.
One pulley receives power from the engine, the other sends it to the wheels.
As the input pulley spins faster when you hit the accelerator, the pulley squeezes together, taking up more of the belt's motion.
The belt is drawn closer into the output pulley, making it spin faster.
As you slow down, the opposite action occurs.
Is a CVT Transmission Better than a ‘Normal' Auto Transmission?
The two designs are nothing alike but serve the same purpose.
But is a CVT better than a regular automatic transmission?
Automatic transmissions have been refined over decades and are still the best option for large vehicles and hard-working models like utes and pickups.
CVT transmissions are susceptible to slipping under heavy loads.
But for fuel efficiency, quiet operation, and silky-smooth shifting, you can't beat a CVT transmission.
It's constantly finding the optimal gear ratio for the performance you command – that's where the term ‘variable' comes into the equation!
What Can Go Wrong?
Compared to a typical automatic transmission there are much fewer moving parts.
That doesn't mean you can't experience problems, but there's less that can go wrong.
It's possible for bearings in the CVT transmission to become pitted and fail, or the CVT belt can wear, stretch, or even break.
For most CVT concerns, you'll have plenty of advance warning.
Whining and warbling noises when you're driving are a sign the CVT gearbox has something wrong.
You could also feel slipping, jerking, or shuddering.
You may also have a sudden loss of acceleration.
Can a CVT Transmission Be Repaired?
Except in very rare cases, CVT transmissions can't be repaired.
Due to parts availability and the costs associated with a rebuild, most repair facilities won't crack into a CVT.
Instead, CVT transmission replacement is necessary in virtually every situation, whether with a used transmission or a new one from the manufacturer.
What Does It Cost?
The CVT transmission replacement cost varies depending on the make and model.
Between parts and labour, it isn't a stretch to expect between $4,000 and $7,500 to swap it out.
Cvt Gearbox Animation
Routine maintenance is always the best route.
You can keep your CVT transmission working at peak performance simply by changing the fluid every 80,000 to 100,000 kilometres.
Do you feel your CVT transmission starting to fail?
Book it in for an inspection with an expert mechanic through AutoGuru!
Enjoy a quick, easy and hassle free online booking experience and be confident knowing you're booking with a high quality mechanic.
Jason is a Canadian automotive content writer with a background in the auto service industry, but he's been hooked on cars and mechanics since childhood.
One of his first cars was an '80 Mazda RX-7 that's sorely missed to this day. A '68 Ford Torino GT, a '66 Ford Country Squire Woodie station wagon, and a '96 Suzuki GSX-R 750 have spent time in his fleet of cars, bikes, and trucks over the past two decades.
Jason's pride and joy is under construction – a turbocharged '88 Mazda RX-7 convertible. Also on his resume is CASCAR official certification.
