Do You Own A Car With A CVT Transmission? - Opinions Please
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As I have previously mentioned I purchased a 2009 Nissan Rogue last month that came with a CVT transmission. Nissan provides this type of transmission with several of their different models and the CVT has become standard equipment on some of their models.
What is a CVT transmission? Over at HowStuffWorks they provide diagrams and this description:
Peer into a planetary automatic transmission, and you’ll see a complex world of gears, brakes, clutches and governing devices. By comparison, a continuously variable transmission is a study in simplicity. Most CVTs only have three basic components:
- A high-power metal or rubber belt
- A variable-input “driving” pulley
- An output “driven” pulley
CVTs also have various microprocessors and sensors, but the three components described above are the key elements that enable the technology to work.
The car itself is easy to drive and for a four banger has plenty of poop for passing and climbing hills. Compared to the Kia Sportage we previously had that groaned climbing hills, the Rogue’s engine is barely noticeable climbing the hills where we live. On the freeway the vehicle passes easily around slower traffic and overall is a pleasure to drive.
But from a dead stop when you hit the accelerator there seems to be a lack of immediate response. On Friday I pulled out into a center lane trying to merge into traffic. I hit the gas while a jerk speed up not allowing me to merge. The response felt like I was missing a gear during acceleration. What I had forgot to do was turn off the over drive which seems to kick the car into fast mode.
So if you own a car with a CVT tranny let me know what your experience has been. My wife says the car drives fine, but she drives less aggressively than I do. LOL
Comments welcome.
3 Comments
Ian
July 13th, 2009
at 9:51pm
I have a Nissan Xtrail, (australian name) 2008 model with 23000 ks (4×4 vehicle similar to honda)
Car drives ok but agree with your notes that appears sluggish, however, I also have what appears to be something like gear slip on acceleration and de accel, which sounds like there is a shaft or gear take up problem, sounds a bit like a popping noise. Nissan australia say this is common in the vehicle I have.
Not totally happy with the reply so starting to look for others with similar problem.
Still waiting for more info from Nissan aust,
litesong
August 6th, 2009
at 11:09am
Bought my Dodge Caliber in Sept. 2006 & I love the CVT for its elegant smoothness. However, both the Nissan Versa & Caliber CVTs drive similarly (Nissan CVT in both cars) & seem that the computer control is slow to respond at low speeds. You need a strong amount of anticipation sense at low speeds. Saying that tho, I do love the CVT in slow stop & go traffic. Micro changes in speed are excellent in crawling mode. The CVT is also excellent in the mountains with all the varying mountain slope adjustments perfectly matched with the nearly infinite number of gears available with the CVT. Because of the matching gear-mountain slope ability, MPG seems quite adequate in the mountains. With careful driving on flat highways, I get 35+MPG. In 4000 foot mountain passes, I can still hold a carefully driven 32 to 33MPG.
Yes, do NOT get the computer controlled CVT if you want low speed acceleration. Once speed is above 30 MPH, passing acceleration is OK, improving as the speed increases above 30 MPH. Just heard Nissan is working on improving CVT response, & may be due out in 2010 or 2011.
Ron Schenone
August 6th, 2009
at 11:43am
Hello litesong,
Thanks for the information. I didn’t know that the Dodge Caliber had a CVT. I agree about the sluggish acceleration under 30. But once she is rolling it rocks. Agree about the mountain driving as well.
Regards, Ron