Truly sad if it is another pointless complication to malfunction.
It makes some people comfortable because it seems more like the transmissions they are used to. Manufacturers probably received enough complaints that they included simulated hints to sell more cars. You probably know that, but you asked.
Also, robots are rational, people are often not. This is especially true when buying cars and trucks. There are a lot of pickup trucks in my neighborhood. Only one is a work truck.
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It turns out that it doesnât work well anyhow, but it is needed for mountain descents
Because the transmission and engine are computer controlled anyway, adding a âshiftâ algorithm probably makes no difference in reliability.
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If this had existed in the 1950âs, Buick would probably still be selling Dynaflow.
In an older CVT like the one in my 2014 Subaru, anytime you add a little pressure to the go pedal, the engine RPMs rise just like a bad clutch. You have to get used to this, it is not slipping, it is just changing ratios.
But manufacturers ALWAYS take the easy way out which is to program in artifical shifts which now remove the advantage of the CVT. Now they could easily program in 10 or 12 different ratios to get some of that advantage back instead of just 6.
They also could keep the ultra smooth continuous variable on acceleration, but when at speed and you add a little more downward motion on go pedal, hold the ration for a few seconds then make a âdownshiftâ like a geared transmission would, or for just minor depression, just hold the higher ratio like most would do with a manual transmission.
The car I bought new last weekend has a CVT
it doesnât use âartificial shiftsâ as you call them
I am accustomed to driving vehicles with a 3-speed or 4-speed automatic transmission. I would never buy anything with a CVT, dual-clutch âautomaticâ, or any of these other silly ideas which add complexity and increase the likelihood of co$tly transmission problems. I remember the days when you could get at least 200,000 miles out of a Torqueflite 3-speed automatic, with reasonable care. I donât see any of these new high-tech transmissions giving that kind of longevity.
Hereâs someone that has had several Priuses with more than 300,000 miles before they were retired. Prius uses a CVT.
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Most Prius cars use a planetary power splitter, not a cone and belt CVT. Iâm not sure about the latest version.
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What brand was that? I didnât know anyone had a smooth CVT anymore.
2025 Toyota Camry LE
Camrys are all hybrids now, as of the 2025 model year
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My brothers 2nd gen Tacoma with the A750E 5 speed automatic transmission has well over 200,000 miles on it and has only done what the dealer recommended services are and no transmission issues so far⊠He is going for 500,000 milesâŠ
Some of the 3rd gen Tacomaâs with the AC60E/F 6 speed automatics are getting 300,000 miles with no issuesâŠ
The GM 6L80âs 6 speed autos are going the distance as wellâŠ
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The eCVTâs in Toyota Hybrids are different than the regular CVTâs which would include the ones in Subaru, Nissan and Toyota/Honda. The eCVTâs probably last longer than regular automatics.
Toyota has a launch gear in the gas only CVTâs for the newer models which helps for the off the line acceleration and feel.
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