Why does Nissan use Continuous Variable Transmission

[enchantedsky]

.....in many of their cars, yet Honda uses a standard automatic transmission? Does it really make a difference?

A mechanic once told me that CVTs are harder to repair and are more of an annoyance at his car repair shop. This is actually one reason why I favored a traditional automatic transmission in the Civic.

Here is a Youtube video demonstrating CVT transmission in a Nissan Altima: (Pay attention to the tachometer)

[FijiBlueFG2HT]

Honda has a CVT in the HCH.

/thread

But I don't understand how CVT is not bad for fuel economy. Constantly keeping the rpms up, seems to me, like you'd constantly be using as much fuel as necessary.

[humboldt1498]

Originally Posted by enchantedsky

.....in many of their cars, yet Honda uses a standard automatic transmission? Does it really make a difference?

A mechanic once told me that CVTs are harder to repair and are more of an annoyance at his car repair shop. This is actually one reason why a favored a traditional automatic transmissions in the Civic.

Here is a Youtube video demonstrating CVT transmission in a Nissan Altima: YouTube - 0 to 120 MPH 2007 Nissan Altima 3.5 V6 with CVT transmission Pay attention to the tachometer.

I think it mostly has to do with manufacuring costs. CVT transmissions are the way of the future. As the technology becomes cheaper you will start seeing it in more cars. CVT transmissions allow for almost optimal acceleration because of the fact in never has to shift and constantly keeps the motor at peak HP. It also delievers great MPG because it can keep the motor at perfect RPM for good economy.

[aac0036]

Originally Posted by humboldt1498

I think it mostly has to do with manufacuring costs. CVT transmissions are the way of the future. As the technology becomes cheaper you will start seeing it in more cars. CVT transmissions allow for almost optimal acceleration because of the fact in never has to shift and constantly keeps the motor at peak HP. It also delievers great MPG because it can keep the motor at perfect RPM for good economy.

Exactly. Nissan is the best at making CVT's right now, they've mastered it the best so far.



I don't like CVT's at all though

[DanLexani]

i have cvt.....its pretty sweet never feel any shifts or have any rpm drops when it does it. its like one giant gear.

[ryker]

During normal use the cvt keeps the engine under ideal load and torque band for maxium MPG. A perfect designed cvt would outperform a manual trans. there good now just not perfect. refer to the charts and illustrations in the sticky thread about horsepower.

[ryker]

On that you tube vid the car would be faster if it stayed in peak engine torque band not at peak hp. Once again refer to the horsepower sticky thread.

[bro2snakeaterblk08]

^Link?

[xheartcore_boyx]

I hate it, my brother got it in his 09 Altima, it doesnt make any change in engine noise, so boring, or i am just a ricer

[bro2snakeaterblk08]

^you're just used to the engine tone changing with each gear shift. <--That and the fact that you're a ricer

[FijiBlueFG2HT]

Yeah that would be annoying.

I would just end up speeding all the time, not realizing I'm accelerating.

[InfamousN]

Originally Posted by xheartcore_boyx

I hate it, my brother got it in his 09 Altima, it doesnt make any change in engine noise, so boring, or i am just a ricer

you are addy. you are. just kidding.

i had a cvt equipped altima as a rental while my civic was being repaired and while it was nice i didn't have that head jerk motion, it seems overly complex.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by InfamousN

you are addy. you are. just kidding.

i had a cvt equipped altima as a rental while my civic was being repaired and while it was nice i didn't have that head jerk motion, it seems overly complex.

I despise CVT's...don't want the head jerk? Get a manual and master heel/toe and double clutching or buy a car with an automatic that has rev matched downshifts as a built in feature.

I do think it's funny though to see cars like the Lancer (non EVO models) offer the CVT transmission with paddle shifters...as the car is only creating the illusion that you're changing gears.

[skinsfn36]

CVT is very strange to driver. Before getting my Si I test drove an altima with it. I was a little freaked out at first. I like the idea. But don't like it's execution.

[crazyazn]

Are there any CVTs designed for performance? It would be even better than DSG wouldn't it? Seems like they're all for fuel economy so far...

[Poweraide]

In the Murano its nice. I wouldn't like it in a smaller car

[aac0036]

Originally Posted by crazyazn

Are there any CVTs designed for performance? It would be even better than DSG wouldn't it? Seems like they're all for fuel economy so far...

Shouldn't the one in the Maxima be "for performance?"
I mean, it's a 4DoorSportsCar right? That car makes no sense to me.

[RJJensen]

smooth like a golf cart...no up or down shifts?? no thanks.

[EyeDoc14]

I drove a Lancer GTS before I got my Si and it had the paddle "shifters"...it wasn't too bad but fairly slow acceleration. But it did have a helluva system in it, the Rockford Fosgate setup bumped

[ridenrunwv]

A friend of mine has a CVT v6 Altima Coupe and I have driven it some. The transmission doesn't rev high like that when you are just driving around. It is so smooth in normal driving because of the lack of shifting.

The manual shift actually shifts quicker and with less lag than I expected also. I drive an Si and personally feel that the Altima with a cvt is comparable as far as being fun to drive.