Does anybody have a vehicle with a CVT (continuously variable transmission) and can help me with my question. If you drive in a manual shift mode (paddle shifting / or using the gate on the stick) and "downshift" do you get engine braking like you do with a traditional automatic with the manual shift mode or a manual transmission?
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Anybody drive a vehicle with a CVT?
- Thread starter skijay
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Puck it
Well-known member
I don't but this is one of the flaws in some CVT's. They do not allow coasting. There are a number of articles on this. So, the answer is the CVat does it without even downshifting.
fbrissette
Well-known member
Yep. You do have engine brake (Subaru outback). Not as much control as a stick, but still useful when driving downhill in slippery conditions.
what cars have CVT? I'm pretty sure my mother in laws Nissan Altima has it.
Puck it
Well-known member
If new it does.
Never driven a car with CVT. Question? When passing in automatic or manual mode how do you get more torque if there isn't a lower "gear" to grab?
fbrissette
Well-known member
Not a specialist, but AFAIK, in manual mode, there are set definite ratios for the manual speeds so the transmission won't adjust continuously. It works although it's far from being like a true standard transmission.
ctenidae
Active member
Almost every car magazine article I read that mentions CVT has a bit of anger in it. Not, apparently, their favorite innovation.
Puck it
Well-known member
The major gripe is the software control not the hardware.
ctenidae
Active member
That makes sense- seems the hardware should allow for electric motor-like near continuous torque, if handled right.
I have a Lexus 2008 RX400h with CVT. My transmission only has D(rive) and B(raking). The B setting does act like driving in a lower gear, but it is not as effective as, say, driving in 2nd with a multi-speed transmission.
I love the CVT for acceleration, but I would prefer a multi-speed for those times driving downhill in slippery conditions. I do switch to 4 Blizzaks from November to April, which helps a lot with traction.
ScottySkis
Well-known member
Cars are evolving to glorified golf carts that we won't even have to drive.
Perfect way to get to Maine or Northern Vermont resorts. I can do what ever in the car, no worries it drive at 300 mph and I get to ski the best resorts in the east coast. This is my dream.
Cornhead
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CVT's are the first autotragics I've ever seen rated higher for mpg than the manual variant. I wonder how much longer true manual transmissions will be available? I think owning both, if possible, is the ideal situation. I love me an auto occasionally, it's so much more relaxing to drive, especially in stop and go traffic.
I've owned two Taurus SHO's, one auto, one stick. I think the auto was more suited to the car. It was a pretty big car for a stick. The auto was the ultimate highway cruiser, I could do 100mph all day long in it, comfortably. The Yamaha engine was a work of art, aesthetically, and mechanically.
Driving on highways will be like taking a train in the not too distant future. Computers will control vehicles, it will be much safer than it is today. Hey, it'd be great for long distance ski trips. Get on the highway, go to sleep, wake up at the mountain, well close to it anyway. :wink:
I've owned two Taurus SHO's, one auto, one stick. I think the auto was more suited to the car. It was a pretty big car for a stick. The auto was the ultimate highway cruiser, I could do 100mph all day long in it, comfortably. The Yamaha engine was a work of art, aesthetically, and mechanically.
Cars are evolving to glorified golf carts that we won't even have to drive.
Driving on highways will be like taking a train in the not too distant future. Computers will control vehicles, it will be much safer than it is today. Hey, it'd be great for long distance ski trips. Get on the highway, go to sleep, wake up at the mountain, well close to it anyway. :wink:
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Thanks for the information. I'm going to request to take out one of their inhouse rental cars for a weekend and drive it around hilly terrain to see if I like the idea of the CVT. I did test drive it but flatland driving. The worst case secenario is I'll buy the 6 speed manual model. This is my work car and I don't drive more than 4,000 miles a year with it.
Geoff
Well-known member
Cars are evolving to glorified golf carts that we won't even have to drive.
I sure hope so. I'll be able to drink all I want at the bar. I can watch a movie during that boring drive up I-89. When I'm old and senile, I'll still be able to get around town.
I've driven a few. The only one I've felt "rubber banding" in was a Subaru.
I've driven CVTs in a newer Altima and Maxima. I think the v6 does a bit better. But in the 4cyl it wasn't bad. I found the "buzz" from the 4 more noticeable vs any quirks from the CVT. I thought it worked well in the Maxima. I had a stretch of clear road and was able to open the car up from a stop. It was a pretty neat sensasion to have the car smoothly pulling, while the tach just kinda hovered at one level.
I've driven CVTs in a newer Altima and Maxima. I think the v6 does a bit better. But in the 4cyl it wasn't bad. I found the "buzz" from the 4 more noticeable vs any quirks from the CVT. I thought it worked well in the Maxima. I had a stretch of clear road and was able to open the car up from a stop. It was a pretty neat sensasion to have the car smoothly pulling, while the tach just kinda hovered at one level.
bigbog
Active member
Not advertised as CVT but Nissan Xterra has a variable gearing(little button on Auto gearshift). Strange how the 2000's setting starts out in afterburner = if driver doesn't know how to enable.
bigbog
Active member
Cars are evolving to glorified golf carts that we won't even have to drive.
I know it...talk about dumbing down. To combat dimentia, alzheimers..etc....the people who've faired the best were the ones that drive manually as much as possible = aware of multiple issues OTHER THAN carrying on conversation/distracted...etc.
You'd think by now that engineering would recognize the need to modify SOME things, but not throw the baby out with the bathwater because it's easy to do...
Cars are evolving to glorified golf carts that we won't even have to drive.
Sad but true...
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