Benefits of CVT Transmissions

What is a CVT Transmission?

Unlike conventional automatic transmissions that shift between fixed gear ratios, a CVT uses a system of belts or chains and pulleys that can seamlessly adjust to an infinite number of effective gear ratios. Think of it as having one smooth, continuous gear rather than 5, 6, or even 10 distinct gears.
Traditional automatics shift from first gear to second, second to third, and so on – each time causing a momentary interruption in power delivery. A CVT, however, can instantly find the optimal ratio for any driving situation without these noticeable shifts.

How Does a CVT Transmission Work?

At the heart of a CVT are two pulleys connected by a specially designed belt or chain. One pulley connects to the engine, called the drive or input pulley, while the other transfers power to the wheels through the driveshaft. This second pulley is called the driven or output pulley. These pulleys can change their effective diameters by moving their conical halves closer together or further apart. This effectively creates infinite gear ratios.
When you’re accelerating from a stop, the engine side pulley becomes smaller while the driveshaft side pulley becomes larger, creating the equivalent of a low gear ratio for more torque. As you reach cruising speed, the pulleys adjust to create the equivalent of a higher gear ratio for better efficiency.

Benefits of a CVT Transmission

Fuel Efficiency

One of the primary reasons vehicle manufacturers have moved to CVT transmissions is the improved fuel economy they provide. The ability of the CVT transmission to keep the engine running at the optimal engine RPM regardless of vehicle speed provides improved fuel economy over a traditional automatic transmission.

In addition, the CVT transmission has fewer components and does not have a torque converter. This simplicity and lighter weight allow for less rotating mass reducing fuel consumption from mechanical and frictional losses.