CVT? What the hell is it?
Discussion
CVT = Continuously Variable Transmission. An auto transmission that uses something similar to two opposingly arranged cones and a metal band between them to provide a input/output drive ratio. Some Leyland vehicles used them as did the earlier auto BMW Minis, interestingly the Minis engine ECU would make the engine jerk to fake an auto gearchange. Your E39 will NOT have CVT though I can gaurantee that.
More common now that autos with a large number of gears are popular. Electrically controlled CVTs tuned to give the power delivery of a torque converter auto or 7-speed manual. Excellent in theory, quite heavy difficult to execute in practice, but we're getting there.
One of the best is the 6/7-spd auto fitted to A4/A6 audis. Audi have long kept the fact that it is CVT on the down low, and nobody really took any notice.
One of the best is the 6/7-spd auto fitted to A4/A6 audis. Audi have long kept the fact that it is CVT on the down low, and nobody really took any notice.
I once drove a Nissan Primera 2.0 ltr CVT.
What a disappointment - all it did was hold full revs and gradual increase in road speed. It wouldn't hold any "gear" instead max revs which made you look like a boy racer all the time.
Maybe things have improved since then but I'd not touch one personally.
What a disappointment - all it did was hold full revs and gradual increase in road speed. It wouldn't hold any "gear" instead max revs which made you look like a boy racer all the time.
Maybe things have improved since then but I'd not touch one personally.
Welshbeef said:
I once drove a Nissan Primera 2.0 ltr CVT.
What a disappointment - all it did was hold full revs and gradual increase in road speed. It wouldn't hold any "gear" instead max revs which made you look like a boy racer all the time.
Maybe things have improved since then but I'd not touch one personally.
Not max revs. Theyd hold the point of where max torque was being made. Around 4 and 5 k iirc. Sounds better on paper but sound terrible when its holding revs.What a disappointment - all it did was hold full revs and gradual increase in road speed. It wouldn't hold any "gear" instead max revs which made you look like a boy racer all the time.
Maybe things have improved since then but I'd not touch one personally.
nails1979 said:
Not max revs. Theyd hold the point of where max torque was being made. Around 4 and 5 k iirc. Sounds better on paper but sound terrible when its holding revs.
It wasn't good at all. Now if they made a diesel CVT which holds revs at peak torque that would make a lot of sense and revs would be below 2k so not a boy racer issue. Also point of maximum rate of acceleration. Result
mcford said:
The Daf 66 was available with a CVT, it had a wierd side effect in that it could go as fast in reverse as it could going forward.
My grandfather bought a brand new daf back in the 60's and shortly afterwards loaned it to my parents for a week. My father discovered that it would outrun almost anything off the lights if he held one foot on the brake and the other on the accelerator until the lights went green.
The daf dealer admitted they'd never seen the transmission fail so quickly on one of their cars, and promptly replaced it under warranty.
Welshbeef said:
I once drove a Nissan Primera 2.0 ltr CVT.
What a disappointment - all it did was hold full revs and gradual increase in road speed. It wouldn't hold any "gear" instead max revs which made you look like a boy racer all the time.
Maybe things have improved since then but I'd not touch one personally.
Nope, they are still like that, as the 2011 Prius I drive at work attests. When you strap a CVT to a harsh, noisy and unrefined engine like that lump of sWhat a disappointment - all it did was hold full revs and gradual increase in road speed. It wouldn't hold any "gear" instead max revs which made you look like a boy racer all the time.
Maybe things have improved since then but I'd not touch one personally.
t in a Prius, you have a recipe for disaster. Unpleasant, intrusive noise (the Prius is extremely quiet once cruising at speed, getting there is a different story) and glacial acceleration.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff