CVT Transmission

Amy bought a new car this weekend a Nissan Versa. The picture to the left is not hers but it is that car. One of the things that is interesting about this car is. It has what is called a C.V.T. Transmission. ie. Continuously Variable Transmission Another words there are no set Gear Ratios. Her dad drove the car and wanted to know why he could not feel the car "Shift" gears and the engine RPM's stay more constant.

Well below is just part of the entry I found on Wikipedia

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is a transmission which can change steplessly through an infinite number of effective gear ratios between maximum and minimum values. This contrasts with other mechanical transmissions that only allow a few different distinct gear ratios to be selected. The flexibility of a CVT allows the driving shaft to maintain a constant angular velocity over a range of output velocities. This can provide better fuel economy than other transmissions by enabling the engine to run at its most efficient revolutions per minute (RPM) for a range of vehicle speeds.

There are more and more Vehicles coming on the market with this type of transmission.


CVTs have been used in aircraft electrical power generating systems since the 1950s and in SCCA Formula 500 race cars since the early 1970s. More recently, CVT systems have been developed for go-karts and have proven to increase performance and engine life expectancy. The Tomcar range of off-road vehicles also utilizes the CVT system.

• CVTs can compensate for changing vehicle speeds, allowing the engine speed to remain at its level of peak efficiency. This improves fuel economy and by effect, exhaust emissions.

• CVTs operate smoothly since there are no gear changes which cause sudden jerks.

• Very few problems have been reported with the CVT transmission, lowering the cost of ownership.
  

• There are 25% fewer moving parts to a CVT transmission.
  

• They are also cheaper, but still expensive to repair.