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Continuously Variable Transmissions?

F

Ferocious

Diamond Member
Ever drive a vehicle with one of these? I don't know anyone who has. I read about them and it seems like it would be VERY weird. 🙂

I'll will be test driving one soon, but I was just wondering what others thought.

(I have never been a big fan of traditional automatics....and have usually owned manuals. So I wonder if I will like CVT's.....or if I will like them even less than regular automatics??)

 
There was a thread about the new Altima where I think it may have been the OP that talked about his experience. Will look.

Here's what one person said in the thread:
I think the biggest change I had to get used to was the CVT. Not being able to coast down hills and actually having to push on the accelerator to go the speed limit down a hill feels really weird and I'd assume it will negate a decent amount of the bonus mileage you get from the CVT's constant "gear changing."

Another:
I rented a Ford 500 with a CVT and hated it. I also had a Nissan Murano loaner with the CVT and though it wasn't as bad as the Ford, I still didn't care for it. It's like am extra slushy slush box.

Thread is here
A bit long and not all about CVT but they talk about it here and there.
 
CVT = automatic = teh suck

My mother has a prius (they all have cvt's) and it doesn't really feel any different then the automatic rental cars I've had. Push on the gas, the car goes /shrug
 
Originally posted by: Dudewithoutapet
Here's what one person said in the thread:
I think the biggest change I had to get used to was the CVT. Not being able to coast down hills and actually having to push on the accelerator to go the speed limit down a hill feels really weird and I'd assume it will negate a decent amount of the bonus mileage you get from the CVT's constant "gear changing."
Click to expand...

I have a 2007 Nissan Altima 3.5SL (comes standard with the CVT) and that was the biggest problem that I had. It's so awkward to be in an automatic and feel like you're in a standard.
 
I've heard it best described as "motor boating." As in a motor boat, the engine RPM is mostly a function of throttle position, not vehicle speed. So if you push it hard, it will rev up high and stay at that one RPM as the car accelerates. It gives you a feeling of having the car "catch up" to the engine speed, which is why some people describe it as "super slushy slushbox." it's not actually any slushier than a regular automatic, but because the engine speed isn't locked into the car's speed, it definitely produces the same sensations as a really poor automatic. You also end up with a really annoying engine drone because the engine RPM has a tendency to remain constant, unless you change the throttle. It's certainly different than what we are all used to, and it's probably never going to seem as exciting to hear as a normal transmission, but it does have advantages in terms of efficiency and performance.
 
I had a rental '07 Maxima with the CVT and had no complaints. It was smooth as buttah. My wife drove it for about a week and really enjoyed it. Even though I've driven manual transmissions for years I'm not an elitist when it comes to the number of pedals a car has. CVT's offer better acceleration and better economy than traditional geared transmissions. They also are smoother due to no shifting.
 
i don't see what's the problem with better mpg and continuous power delivery.

although i foresee that it'll cost more to maintain...
 
Originally posted by: thomsbrain
I've heard it best described as "motor boating." As in a motor boat, the engine RPM is mostly a function of throttle position, not vehicle speed. So if you push it hard, it will rev up high and stay at that one RPM as the car accelerates. It gives you a feeling of having the car "catch up" to the engine speed, which is why some people describe it as "super slushy slushbox." it's not actually any slushier than a regular automatic, but because the engine speed isn't locked into the car's speed, it definitely produces the same sensations as a really poor automatic. You also end up with a really annoying engine drone because the engine RPM has a tendency to remain constant, unless you change the throttle. It's certainly different than what we are all used to, and it's probably never going to seem as exciting to hear as a normal transmission, but it does have advantages in terms of efficiency and performance.
Click to expand...

Well, my car at least can be shifted manually if you want. But the damn points are so close together ... so close that my car will put me into 5th gear if I go from auto to manual mode while going 30mph.
 
Originally posted by: Ferocious
Ever drive a vehicle with one of these? I don't know anyone who has. I read about them and it seems like it would be VERY weird. 🙂

I'll will be test driving one soon, but I was just wondering what others thought.

(I have never been a big fan of traditional automatics....and have usually owned manuals. So I wonder if I will like CVT's.....or if I will like them even less than regular automatics??)
Click to expand...

It is at first, but you can't beat the smoothness of a CVT. Nissan's, i think, have better CVT transmissions - especially the sport-tuned ones. The Audi CVT feels a little awkward to me and really feels like it's sapping a lot of power from the engine. Toyota's are okay but still feels a little odd as well.

You'll especially realize how nice CVT's are when in stop/go traffic. You won't feel the gear hunt/switch while speeding up and down. That almost ensures a much more enjoyable experience (relatively speaking, considering you are in traffic).

Granted, it's nothing like driving a 3-pedal manual, but then again they both have their pros and cons. It just comes down to what you want out of your vehicle and your driving style.

I suggest driving down to your nearest car lot and test drive one. If you're feeling casual, try the Murano. If a little sporty, still the Murano but leave the shifter at "S", if you want to step it up a notch check the Altima SE and leave the shifter in auto-manual mode. (Even in full-auto it still feels relatively sporty due to the differences in tuning and mapping).

 
The Dodge Caliber we rented in Florida had a CVT Transmission. Was pretty nice(not the Car, the Tranny), just punch the Accelerator and it would just pull faster at a nice constant and smooth rate.
 
Originally posted by: Dman877
CVT = automatic = teh suck

My mother has a prius (they all have cvt's) and it doesn't really feel any different then the automatic rental cars I've had. Push on the gas, the car goes /shrug
Click to expand...

EDIT: The Prius isn't exactly a CVT...

It is quite interesting, however 😱
 
Originally posted by: Dudewithoutapet
There was a thread about the new Altima where I think it may have been the OP that talked about his experience. Will look.

Here's what one person said in the thread:
I think the biggest change I had to get used to was the CVT. Not being able to coast down hills and actually having to push on the accelerator to go the speed limit down a hill feels really weird and I'd assume it will negate a decent amount of the bonus mileage you get from the CVT's constant "gear changing."

Another:
I rented a Ford 500 with a CVT and hated it. I also had a Nissan Murano loaner with the CVT and though it wasn't as bad as the Ford, I still didn't care for it. It's like am extra slushy slush box.

Thread is here
A bit long and not all about CVT but they talk about it here and there.
Click to expand...

That was me. I don't care for CVTs and I will avoid them. Give me a decent 5 or 6 speed manual gearbox any day.
 
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