4 ms·

Most cars with a CVT are configured from the factory to have "gears". Even though the transmission is continuously variable, it is made to quickly move between

Most cars with a CVT are configured from the factory to have "gears". Even though the transmission is continuously variable, it is made to quickly move between distinct ratios. This is mostly because with a true CVT acceleration is very smooth and difficult for the customer to perceive. So the graph looks almost identical.

NikolaNovak 10y ago
This is fascinating: This is mostly because with a true CVT acceleration is very smooth and difficult for the customer to perceive. Can you provide any more insight or further reading? I am considering a CVT (Subaru XT), and smooth acceleration without jumps is precisely what I would be looking for (which I believe was provided by my Scooter with a CVT as well). If companies are adding artificial jerks to a technology that is designer for smooth experience, I'm not sure whether i'd laugh or cry, but I feel I'd like to know more :-/ Thanks!
- beamatronic 10y ago
  >> I'm not sure whether i'd laugh or cry Exactly... for me it's the same with electric cars that make fake engine noises. But that one I grudgingly accept, in parking lots, for safety reasons.
  - bunderbunder 10y ago
    I'm pretty OK with electric cars making fake engine noises. The Prius owner in my neighborhood would be semi regularly creaming people if they didn't have any auditory indication that he was about to come cruising out of the alley without slowing down to check for pedestrians. It doesn't have to be engine noises, it could be playing some sort of crazy "woop woop woop" sound for all I care, but I'm guessing the owner would prefer it be something a bit less embarrassing.
- mutagen 10y ago
  My 2012 Subaru accelerates smoothly without jumps unless I switch it to 'manual' mode. Throttle position determines engine RPM and the CVT smoothly tracks acceleration, no artificial jerks. It was an eerie transition from shifting transmissions. I wouldn't mind seeing similar graphs of CVT cars, where there wouldn't be distinct lines but patterns of typical driving behavior may still be obvious.
- bmm6o 10y ago
  People have come to associate things like the kick of shifting gears or the sound of the engine revving very closely with acceleration. So much so that if they are missing, they infer that the car is less powerful. Accelerating with a CVT, the car has the option of placing the engine in the max torque range and adjusting the gearing as speed increases to keep it there. If you take your cues from the first set of behaviors, this might not give you the same sense of acceleration. (I have a 2008 Altima)
gxs 10y ago
I don't think this is accurate. Most cars with a CVT don't have this but tout gearing as a special, unique feature. Often costing more than the same vehicle without. Case in point: Subaru Forester. All but the most bare bones models come with a CVT. But it's only on the XT turbo charged model that you get a CVT with fake "gearing" and it is touted as a special add-on feature. Other cars that come to mind with a CVT without gearing: the rest of the Subaru line, Nissan Versa, Nissan Sentra, etc.
mywittyname 10y ago
I'm not sure I'd say most anymore. Ten years ago that was the case, but not anymore. People are just use to the idea of CVTs. A few have the option for virtual gears or a manual shift mode, but default to normal CVT behavior. But there are several that have no option for shifting beyond normal and "low" gearing for engine braking, just like traditional automatics.

NikolaNovak 10y ago

This is fascinating: This is mostly because with a true CVT acceleration is very smooth and difficult for the customer to perceive. Can you provide any more insight or further reading? I am considering a CVT (Subaru XT), and smooth acceleration without jumps is precisely what I would be looking for (which I believe was provided by my Scooter with a CVT as well). If companies are adding artificial jerks to a technology that is designer for smooth experience, I'm not sure whether i'd laugh or cry, but I feel I'd like to know more :-/ Thanks!

beamatronic 10y ago
>> I'm not sure whether i'd laugh or cry Exactly... for me it's the same with electric cars that make fake engine noises. But that one I grudgingly accept, in parking lots, for safety reasons.
- bunderbunder 10y ago
  I'm pretty OK with electric cars making fake engine noises. The Prius owner in my neighborhood would be semi regularly creaming people if they didn't have any auditory indication that he was about to come cruising out of the alley without slowing down to check for pedestrians. It doesn't have to be engine noises, it could be playing some sort of crazy "woop woop woop" sound for all I care, but I'm guessing the owner would prefer it be something a bit less embarrassing.
mutagen 10y ago
My 2012 Subaru accelerates smoothly without jumps unless I switch it to 'manual' mode. Throttle position determines engine RPM and the CVT smoothly tracks acceleration, no artificial jerks. It was an eerie transition from shifting transmissions. I wouldn't mind seeing similar graphs of CVT cars, where there wouldn't be distinct lines but patterns of typical driving behavior may still be obvious.
bmm6o 10y ago
People have come to associate things like the kick of shifting gears or the sound of the engine revving very closely with acceleration. So much so that if they are missing, they infer that the car is less powerful. Accelerating with a CVT, the car has the option of placing the engine in the max torque range and adjusting the gearing as speed increases to keep it there. If you take your cues from the first set of behaviors, this might not give you the same sense of acceleration. (I have a 2008 Altima)

gxs 10y ago

I don't think this is accurate. Most cars with a CVT don't have this but tout gearing as a special, unique feature. Often costing more than the same vehicle without. Case in point: Subaru Forester. All but the most bare bones models come with a CVT. But it's only on the XT turbo charged model that you get a CVT with fake "gearing" and it is touted as a special add-on feature. Other cars that come to mind with a CVT without gearing: the rest of the Subaru line, Nissan Versa, Nissan Sentra, etc.

mywittyname 10y ago

I'm not sure I'd say most anymore. Ten years ago that was the case, but not anymore. People are just use to the idea of CVTs. A few have the option for virtual gears or a manual shift mode, but default to normal CVT behavior. But there are several that have no option for shifting beyond normal and "low" gearing for engine braking, just like traditional automatics.