# How Is Simulated Shifting CVT Not Insane? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [February 22, 2025, 6:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-is-simulated-shifting-cvt-not-insane/199240 "2025-02-22T06:41:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![auto-owner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/50afbb/32.png) [@auto-owner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/auto-owner)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 6:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-is-simulated-shifting-cvt-not-insane/199240/1 "2025-02-22T06:41:44Z")
Truly sad if it is another pointless complication to malfunction. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 1:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-is-simulated-shifting-cvt-not-insane/199240/2 "2025-02-22T13:16:49Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![sestivers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@sestivers](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sestivers)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 1:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-is-simulated-shifting-cvt-not-insane/199240/3 "2025-02-22T13:53:53Z")
It turns out that it doesn’t work well anyhow, but it is needed for mountain descents ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 3:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-is-simulated-shifting-cvt-not-insane/199240/4 "2025-02-22T15:52:47Z")
Because the transmission and engine are computer controlled anyway, adding a ‘shift’ algorithm probably makes no difference in reliability. ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 4:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-is-simulated-shifting-cvt-not-insane/199240/5 "2025-02-22T16:16:51Z")
If this had existed in the 1950’s, Buick would probably still be selling Dynaflow. ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 7:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-is-simulated-shifting-cvt-not-insane/199240/6 "2025-02-22T19:03:54Z")
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 “downshift” like a geared transmission would, or for just minor depression, just hold the higher ratio like most would do with a manual transmission. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 9:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-is-simulated-shifting-cvt-not-insane/199240/7 "2025-02-22T21:12:03Z")
> [@keith](#): > > 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 The car I bought new last weekend has a CVT it doesn’t use “artificial shifts” as you call them ---
**Author:** ![bcohen2010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bcohen2010](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bcohen2010)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 9:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-is-simulated-shifting-cvt-not-insane/199240/8 "2025-02-22T21:59:36Z")
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 “automatic”, 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 don’t see any of these new high-tech transmissions giving that kind of longevity. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 10:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-is-simulated-shifting-cvt-not-insane/199240/9 "2025-02-22T22:48:36Z")
> [@bcohen2010](#): > > I don’t see any of these new high-tech transmissions giving that kind of longevity. Here’s someone that has had several Priuses with more than 300,000 miles before they were retired. Prius uses a CVT. > **[Driver With 1 Million Driven Toyota Prius Miles & Owner of a 300,000 Mile...](https://www.torquenews.com/1083/driver-1-million-driven-prius-miles-owner-300000-mile-toyota-prius-shares-high-mileage-secrets)** > > Have you ever wondered what owners of extremely high mileage cars do to keep them running smoothly? One Toyota Prius owner tells all. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 11:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-is-simulated-shifting-cvt-not-insane/199240/10 "2025-02-22T23:44:56Z")
Most Prius cars use a planetary power splitter, not a cone and belt CVT. I’m not sure about the latest version. ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2025, 1:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-is-simulated-shifting-cvt-not-insane/199240/11 "2025-02-23T01:26:10Z")
What brand was that? I didn’t know anyone had a smooth CVT anymore. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2025, 2:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-is-simulated-shifting-cvt-not-insane/199240/12 "2025-02-23T02:53:20Z")
2025 Toyota Camry LE Camrys are all hybrids now, as of the 2025 model year ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2025, 4:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-is-simulated-shifting-cvt-not-insane/199240/13 "2025-02-23T04:37:28Z")
> [@bcohen2010](#): > > I remember the days when you could get at least 200,000 miles out of a Torqueflite 3-speed automatic, with reasonable care. I don’t see any of these new high-tech transmissions giving that kind of longevity. 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 miles… Some of the 3rd gen Tacoma’s with the AC60E/F 6 speed automatics are getting 300,000 miles with no issues… The GM 6L80’s 6 speed autos are going the distance as well… ---
**Author:** ![galant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@galant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galant)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2025, 6:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-is-simulated-shifting-cvt-not-insane/199240/14 "2025-02-23T06:24:24Z")
The eCVT’s in Toyota Hybrids are different than the regular CVT’s which would include the ones in Subaru, Nissan and Toyota/Honda. The eCVT’s probably last longer than regular automatics. Toyota has a launch gear in the gas only CVT’s for the newer models which helps for the off the line acceleration and feel.