What happened to automatic transmission in cars?

debodun said:
Now cars have something called CVT. How is it different from the automatic trans?
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Is CVT or automatic better?



Image result for CVT


Depending on the vehicle and the driver, a CVT can provide a smoother driving experience when comparing it to a traditional automatic. According to Carfax, one of the most significant advantages to having a CVT is that they are often more fuel-efficient than a regular automatic.
 
I have a Subaru Outback that has the CVT transmission. I like it and it is interesting to drive. When it is in automatic mode there is no feeling of the transmission shifting gears. There is also the manual mode that you can put the transmission in. Then you select the gear ratio you want the transmission to lock into by using paddles just under the steering wheel. There is a gear ratio indicator like 1-2-3-4-5.

I have used the manual mode while driving on muddy roads when coupled with the all-wheel drive “AWD” it is easier to control the vehicle through the mud or snow. I would not recommend using a Subaru to tow a trailer with because they are just people movers. But if you had your Subaru towing a trailer or caring a heavy load you could put it in manual mode to drive up and down steep hills. Or just for the fun of it.
 
I had several Toyota Camry Hybrids with the CVT transmission. They take a bit to get used to because they don't shift but they deliver better gas mileage than the regularly geared automatics. A computer constantly monitors conditions and selects the best gear ratio for the scenario.
 
Lawrence said:
I have a Subaru Outback that has the CVT transmission. I like it and it is interesting to drive. When it is in automatic mode there is no feeling of the transmission shifting gears. There is also the manual mode that you can put the transmission in. Then you select the gear ratio you want the transmission to lock into by using paddles just under the steering wheel. There is a gear ratio indicator like 1-2-3-4-5. I have used the manual mode while driving on muddy roads when coupled with the all-wheel drive “AWD” it is easier to control the vehicle through the mud or snow. I would not recommend using a Subaru to tow a trailer with because they are just people movers. But if you had your Subaru towing a trailer or caring a heavy load you could put it in manual mode to drive up and down steep hills. Or just for the fun of it.
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That's what I have too. This is my second Subaru Outback and probably my last car. I think that Subaru had trouble with some of their earlier cars and the CVT transmission. I know some people still won't buy one but I really like mine.
 
I've never owned a car with CVT but have driven both a Nissan and a Mercedes and didn't like the feel. I am currently shopping for a new SUV and want a Subaru Forester with the Wilderness package but that transmission keeps giving me pause. I will probably get it and hope I get use to it.

Another thing I hate are many of the cars shut off when you stop and then restart. As a guy who's spent his life around machines and equipment hearing a starter kick in so often bugs the hell out of me. At least Sabaru let's you disable that function.
 
The CVT tranny is automatic in so much that you don’t have to shift gears, however, it takes a specialist to wok on this type of transmission because it contains belts, pulleys, internal clutches, torque converter, solenoids and sensors. It’s not anything like the automatic transmissions of yesteryear.

For all you gearheads out there, remember when you would open up the case of an automatic transmission and springs and washers would be the first thing to come rolling out, followed by clutch plates and bearings. When I rebuilt my first auto tranny out of a ‘54 Buick Special, it was so dang heavy, it took 2 men and a boy to lift it.
 

Disadvantages of CVT​

While the lack of upshifting and downshifting is considered an advantage of the CVT, some drivers miss the sensation of the vehicle moving through the shift points. If you prefer a sportier driving experience, then the lack of fixed gears makes the ride less engaging.

Another complaint that drivers tend to make about a CVT is the loud droning sound that occurs during acceleration. This happens because the CVT forces the engine to continuously run a constantly high rpm as it gets up to speed. As Car Engineer explains, the general public has been less accepting of the CVT due to the difference in noise perception from mechanical or step automatic transmission.

CVTs can be expensive to repair or replace when compared to a conventional automatic transmission. (Yay!!!)

Some of the common problems that owners run into include overheating, slipping, and sudden loss of acceleration. Shuddering is also a common problem.

Since CVTs depend on the belts to operate, if these suffer from excessive stretching or too much wear, the transmission can completely fail.

AutoDNA explains common CVT Cons include:

  • They have no feeling of connection between the accelerator and the engine during acceleration.
  • There are limits on the engines that can work with a CVT in terms of power and size.
  • They don't last as long as a conventional transmission.
  • OldFeller comment: (Oh, so the new Honda's won't last like they used to)
  • CVTs are harder to work on. Even basic maintenance often needs to be done by a trained mechanic.
Does it sound like a good idea? This CVT thing?

I'm still driving a 2006 Accord. When I first bought it (used) the transmission was banging a little so I had the Transmission fluid changed and the problem went away.
 
Here's a video that shows how CVT transmissions work:

When I worked as a mechanic way back in the 1980s, I worked on Bobcat skid loaders that used the same concept with a huge v-belt.
 
debodun said:
Now cars have something called CVT. How is it different from the automatic trans?
Click to expand...
Not all new cars have the CVT. You still have choices.

Acura: Only the Integra comes with a CVT.
Audi: No modern Audi is equipped with a CVT.
Alfa Romeo: No modern Alfa Romeo is equipped with a CVT.
BMW: No modern BMW is equipped with a CVT.
Buick: The Encore (AWD only), Cascada, LaCrosse, Regal, Enclave and Envision are not equipped with CVTs.
Cadillac: No modern Cadillac is equipped with a CVT.
Chevrolet: The Bolt, Camaro, Corvette, Cruze, Impala, Sonic, Volt, Blazer, Equinox, Tahoe, Suburban, Trailblazer, Traverse, Trax, Colorado and all Silverados are not equipped with CVTs.
Chrysler: No modern Chrysler is equipped with a CVT.
Dodge: No modern Dodge is equipped with a CVT.
Fiat: No modern Fiat is equipped with a CVT.
Ford: Every Ford except the Escape and Fusion hybrids and their truck lineup (except the Maverick hybrid).
Genesis: No modern Genesis is equipped with a CVT.
GMC: No modern GMC is equipped with a CVT.
Honda: The Civic Type R, Honda Fit (with the manual option), Honda Passport, Pilot, Ridgeline and the Odyssey are not equipped with CVTs.
Hyundai: The Sonata, Ioniq, Veloster, Palisade, Santa Fe and Tucson are not equipped with CVTs.
Infiniti: The QX30, QX60, Q50, Q60 and QX80 are not equipped with CVTs.
Jaguar: No modern Jaguar is equipped with a CVT.
Jeep: No modern Jeep is equipped with a CVT.
Kia: The Cadenza, Optima, Stinger, K900, Sportage, Niro, Sorento, Telluride, Sedona and Forte (Optional) are not equipped with CVTs.
Lamborghini: No modern Lamborghini is equipped with a CVT.
Land Rover: No modern Land Rover is equipped with a CVT.
Lexus: Every non-hybrid is not equipped with a CVT.
Lincoln: The non-hybrid Corsair and non-hybrid MKX are not equipped with CVTs.
Maserati: No modern Maserati is equipped with a CVT.
Mazda: No modern Mazda is equipped with a CVT.
Mercedes-Benz: No modern Mercedes is equipped with a CVT.
Mini: No modern Mini is equipped with a CVT.
Mitsubishi: The Mirage with the manual option is the only non-CVT car from Mitsubishi.
Nissan: The 370Z, GT-R, Leaf, Armada, Frontier and the Titan are not equipped with CVTs.
Porsche: No modern Porsche is equipped with a CVT.
RAM: No modern RAM is equipped with a CVT.
Subaru: The manual Impreza and the BRZ are the only non-CVT cars from Subaru.
Tesla: No modern Tesla is equipped with a CVT.
Toyota: The 86, Avalon (non-hybrid), Mirai, Supra, 4Runner, Highlander, Camry (non-hybrid), Corolla (manual only), Yaris (manual only), 4Runner, Highlander (non-hybrid), Land Cruiser, rav4 (non-hybrid), Tacoma and Tundra are not equipped with CVTs.
Volkswagen: No modern Volkswagen is equipped with a CVT.
 
Manatee said:
When CVTs first appeared they got a lot of bad press, have they become more reliable?
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Apparently so. I believe it was Subaru that first began the ubiquitous use of CVT transmissions for efficiency while the other auto manufacturers instead were equipping their vehicles with six speed automatic transmissions that basically accomplished the same thing but with gears. That's what a car salesman told me, anyway. The rationale was that CVT transmissions weren't reliable and one speck of dirt in the transmission could wipe it out because the tolerances were so tight.

That was maybe ten years ago. Now, all the major manufacturers have gone the way of CVT transmissions. I guess they got the reliability thing worked out.

Theoretically, CVT transmissions should be cheaper than gear transmissions because there are far fewer moving parts. In reality, auto manufacturers will charge whatever will reward them with the greatest profits.
 
DAF had a car called Daffodil, it was produced between
1961 & 1966, these cars had the first CVT and it was a
great success, it consists of Cone shaped wheels that
controlled the speed, by changing the gap holding the
drive belts, people were a bit sceptical because of the
belts.

Mike.Daf CVT 1961 - 1966.jpg Daf CVT How it Works.jpg
 
OldFeller said:

Disadvantages of CVT​

While the lack of upshifting and downshifting is considered an advantage of the CVT, some drivers miss the sensation of the vehicle moving through the shift points. If you prefer a sportier driving experience, then the lack of fixed gears makes the ride less engaging.

Another complaint that drivers tend to make about a CVT is the loud droning sound that occurs during acceleration. This happens because the CVT forces the engine to continuously run a constantly high rpm as it gets up to speed. As Car Engineer explains, the general public has been less accepting of the CVT due to the difference in noise perception from mechanical or step automatic transmission.

CVTs can be expensive to repair or replace when compared to a conventional automatic transmission. (Yay!!!)

Some of the common problems that owners run into include overheating, slipping, and sudden loss of acceleration. Shuddering is also a common problem.

Since CVTs depend on the belts to operate, if these suffer from excessive stretching or too much wear, the transmission can completely fail.

AutoDNA explains common CVT Cons include:

  • They have no feeling of connection between the accelerator and the engine during acceleration.
  • There are limits on the engines that can work with a CVT in terms of power and size.
  • They don't last as long as a conventional transmission.
  • OldFeller comment: (Oh, so the new Honda's won't last like they used to)
  • CVTs are harder to work on. Even basic maintenance often needs to be done by a trained mechanic.
Does it sound like a good idea? This CVT thing?

I'm still driving a 2006 Accord. When I first bought it (used) the transmission was banging a little so I had the Transmission fluid changed and the problem went away.
Click to expand...
I drove 4 different Camry Hybrids, all with the CVT. I wanted to comment on a few of your thoughts as follows:
  • Another complaint that drivers tend to make about a CVTis the loud droning sound that occurs during acceleration.
    • This is true of many cars, particularly the smaller underpowered vehicles that require higher RPMS to develop HP & Torque. It's true that if you "floor" the accelerator the computer will take the engine to maximum RPMs and keep it there until you let off the pedal. However, in just about any vehicle, "flooring" the accelerator, or even requesting brisk acceleration will result in more engine noise.
  • There are limits on the engines that can work with a CVT in terms of power and size.
    • Agreed, I don't think CVTs are appropriate for the larger SUVs and trucks. They will not thrive under the high HP & torque required for larger vehicles. I believe that's why we mostly see them in smaller, economy-type vehicles.
  • They don't last as long as a conventional transmission.
    • I drove each of the Camrys I mentioned to 100,000 miles (they were fleet vehicles). I never had a single transmission issue, not one. This was typical of these vehicles. The company used dozens of them. In my experience, the vehicles to watch out for in terms of transmission issues were the Dodge Caravans. They seemed to have a much higher transmission failure rate and they were not CVTs (that's just my experience).
  • OldFeller comment: (Oh, so the new Honda's won't last like they used to)
    • Possibly, I don't have much experience with the Honda CVT system but a relative is on his second one, so far with no issues.
  • CVTs are harder to work on. Even basic maintenance often needs to be done by a trained mechanic.
    • Just my opinion but I wouldn't let any mechanic that's not specifically trained in transmissions (CVT or geared) work on one of my cars if the transmission were to fail. I'm not a mechanic and won't dispute your comment but I think all transmissions are fairly complex and require specialized training.
  • They have no feeling of connection between the accelerator and the engine during acceleration.
    • This was not my experience. The feeling between the CVT and the geared transmission is different but I quickly became accustomed to the change.
  • Since CVTs depend on the belts to operate, if these suffer from excessive stretching or too much wear, the transmission can completely fail.
    • Any mechanical device can fail, geared transmissions use clutches that can wear and fail, but if you read car forums, consumer reports, JD Power, Etc. CVTs are not failing at significantly different rates than geared transmissions.
The CVT delivers both better mileage and better acceleration. Many auto manufacturers are attempting to mimic the CVT by adding more gear ratios to their transmissions. GM and Ford collaborated on a 10-speed automatic. Honda has a 9-speed in their SUVs and the Ridgeline, and 8-speed automatics are the norm now. A big change from the days of the old GM 2 speed "Powerglide".

Having said all this, I prefer a geared transmission, I had a Ford Mustang with the 10-speed. The crisp shifts often accompanied by a chirp of the tires was delightful. You will not experience that with a CVT. Of course, if you're not a "car person" you probably won't notice or care about much of this.

Interesting discussion!
 

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