You’ve heard of manual transmissions and automatic transmissions – but what about continuously variable transmissions? Believe it or not, CVTs are not new, though they are recently gaining in popularity. CVTs come with a lot of benefits, especially for drivers who enjoy off-roading or frequently drive on more hilly or mountainous terrain. There are also several potential downsides to consider if you’re looking at buying a car with a CVT. Let’s take a look at when continuously variable transmissions were invented and why they’re gaining in popularity in recent years.
How Long Have CVTs Been Around?
Believe it or not, the first continuously variable transmission was designed in 1490 by Leonardo DaVinci. Then it was patented in 1886 and became somewhat more widely-known in 1910. Around the 1980s, CVTs became much more mainstream and most manufacturers have at least one model with a CVT in their lineup. Even so, there are many people today who haven’t heard of CVTs – or simply don’t understand them.
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How Does a CVT Work?
While automatic transmissions and manual transmissions operate somewhat similarly, the continuously variable transmission is unique in how it does its job. In a way, it’s much simpler than any other type of transmission, which can be both a good and a bad thing. To give the most basic description of a CVT, it is a transmission without gears – or with an infinite number of gears. Because they operate so differently from other types of transmissions, it’s important to find a transmission expert who can diagnose any potential problems, like the mechanics at AAMCO Minnesota.
A CVT is Most Similar to An Automatic Transmission
With a manual transmission, the driver has control over which gear the car is in at all times. They have to judge when to shift up or down in gears to get the desired power from the engine and transmission to the wheels. However, with both an automatic and continuously variable transmission, the driver does not control gear changes. Instead, the transmission will automatically shift into whichever gear is necessary at any given time.
Picture A System of Pulleys and Cones
The key difference with a CVT is that there aren’t really any distinct gears at all. Instead, it’s a pair of cones, each with its own pulley that slides along it. One pulley is connected to the car’s engine, while the second pulley is connected to the wheels. As one gets longer, the other gets shorter, determining how much power is sent to the wheels.
What Are the Advantages to A CVT?
There are several distinct advantages to having a car with a continuously variable transmission, including how your car rides, the fuel economy, and overall weight of the car. Your mechanic can also go over these advantages with you, but we’ll give a brief overview here.
A Smoother Ride
Because CVTs don’t actually have gears, there’s no halt while accelerating as the transmission shifts up. Instead, the pulley will slide smoothly up or down the cone as necessary, meaning your car will use more or less power – without the jerky ride.
Better Gas Mileage
Similarly, because a continuously variable transmission does not have distinct gears, there’s also less occasion for your engine to rev before shifting to another gear. This means you’ll have improved fuel economy overall.
More Power on Inclines
Other types of transmissions can have difficulty finding the right gear when driving uphill to get the necessary power. A CVT doesn’t have that same issue. Typically, a CVT can find the perfect ratio needed almost instantly in any circumstance.
What Are the Disadvantages to A CVT?
While there are many upsides to having a car with a continuously variable transmission, there are also a few downsides. For starters, they aren’t great for sports cars with more horsepower. They also may be louder than cars with other types of transmissions and even more costly to repair.
They May Be Louder Than You’re Used To
This downside doesn’t impact performance at all but it has made it less popular for some car owners. Because of how they operate, automatic transmissions and manual transmissions tend to be quieter, which is preferred by most people.
They Can Be Pricier Than Other Transmissions
In general, CVTs don’t tend to last as long as other types of transmissions and their repairs can also be more expensive. The initial cost of the car may also be more because of having a CVT. The key no matter what type of transmission you have is to find a trustworthy mechanic to help.
Need a CVT Transmission Repair in Minnesota? Trust AAMCO Mechanics
No matter what type of transmission your car has, the transmission experts at AAMCO Minnesota are here to keep your car running. Our mechanics are all trained on every type of car and transmission so that we’re always able to accurately diagnose and repair any part necessary.
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