CVT Transmission

[Muscle Master]

How does a CVT transmission works, I'm under the impression that its a advance 4-speed ?

anyone wanna input

[Brokinarrow]

NECRO THREAD GOOOOOO!

Ok but seriously, I just had the same question pop up. I was looking at one of the Jeep Patriots and reading some reviews online; one of the main complaints was the CVT transmission, so I'm wondering what makes it le suck?

[Sax1031]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continu...e_transmission

[Stew]

Originally Posted by Brokinarrow

NECRO THREAD GOOOOOO!

Ok but seriously, I just had the same question pop up. I was looking at one of the Jeep Patriots and reading some reviews online; one of the main complaints was the CVT transmission, so I'm wondering what makes it le suck?

They are noisy, actually cost performance, and the MPG is worse than with the 5 speed stick. The auto being a CVT is the big reason I ended up with a manual It is annoying when you accelerate and it revs up to 6k rpms and sits there. I am hoping they ditch it in the Patriot for the 6 speed automatic and add anouther 30 or so HP, might trade this one in then LOL.

[DGthe3]

A CVT is less efficient than a manual or traditional automatic, but it lets the engine operate in its most efficient range so overall, its more effient. Thats the good part. The bad part is that they tend not to react as well to quickly changing demands (such as needing more passing power). Thats the main complaint I've heard about them.

Originally Posted by Sax1031

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continu...e_transmission

How Stuff Works is sooo much better: auto.howstuffworks.com/cvt

[Mr. Wyndham]

They also have very limited torque-handling abilities....not suitable for high-power applications. The only version I've ever heard of needs a belt. A belt acting as my transmission makes me nervous.

Characteristically, it makes your vehicle accelerate almost identically as a similarly-powered electric version would.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

They also have very limited torque-handling abilities....not suitable for high-power applications. The only version I've ever heard of needs a belt. A belt acting as my transmission makes me nervous.

Characteristically, it makes your vehicle accelerate almost identically as a similarly-powered electric version would.

turns out there are numerous other types, check out the howstuffworks.com link. I didn't know there was anything besides the double cone+ belt system either

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

turns out there are numerous other types, check out the howstuffworks.com link. I didn't know there was anything besides the double cone+ belt system either

I do remember the toroidal system, now...I had forgotten all about that.

Seems so alien...heh. A transmission that doesn't shift.

[LS1owner]

I have the 2009 Maxima and the CVT is actually pretty smooth.

[Number 3]

Can you say snowmobile?

Essentially a belt on two adjustable pulleys providing variable ratios.

GM had one for a very short while. I had a CTF VUE with a CVT.

[Brokinarrow]

Cool, thanks for the answers everyone!

Oh and Stew - How do you like the Patriot?

[Stew]

Originally Posted by Brokinarrow

Cool, thanks for the answers everyone!

Oh and Stew - How do you like the Patriot?

It has been a really good little vehicle, only warranty repairs were a speaker and a wheel center cap. Trouble free driving for 2 years and 50k miles so far.

Anyways, just to give you an idea of what I have. It is an 07 4x4 Sport with the 5 speed manual, 17 inch wheel/tire package, 25e convienence packge (power windows, locks, flat folding passenger seat, reclining rear seats, stain repellent fabric, AC).

The highs are:

The ups are the passwnger room, easily holds 4 adults,

Best winter driver I have ever owned

Decent offroad espcially considering it is not the off road package

Love the ability to lock the 4WD on it

reclining rear seats are great!

Comfortable trip vehicle

Good gas mileage (I average around 26MPG in mixed driving)

neat features that have actually come in handy: plastic textured load floor instead of carpeted, rechargable flashlight,

Extremely maneuver and almost crazy small turning radius.

decent mid/top range power

Super easy to work on. You basically just have to reach under the front end to get to the oil drain plug and oil filter, and even the spark plugs are easilly accessible for a change (right on top of the engine).

cold ac, burn you up heater, seriously I don't think I had to scrape my windows at all last winter LOL, just cranked up the defroster for a couple minutes.

Decently sprightly road manners.

Price: I got it it for around 20k out the door and that without any available factory cash, sticker was around 23k I believe and they have 1500 cash back or low APR on them right now too.

Cons.

Mine being an 07 it has the plasticky interior. THe 09s got a complete interior redesign that is actually very sharp.

A bit of wind noise, also fixed on the 09s.

Some wandering by the front end, also fixed on the 09s

Wish I had cruise which is actually part of the 25e package now

While cargo room is decent, it is definatly a small vehicle

If you are tall have to kinda duck down at stoplights to see them if you are the front car at a red.


backdraft off of large trucks will knock you areound some, though the 09+ may have taken care of this, not sure since IMHO it probably has a lot to do with the shape and relatively light weight

wish it had a little more ground clearance

wish you could get the offroad package with the manual

Wish it had lowrange (see above the low range that is part of the off road group is actually part of the cvt transmission).

Engine could use more low end grunt.

Prices have went up some and can get pricey (high 20k range) if you check all the boxes (limited, navigation, media center, etc, etc)

Honestly it has done everything I asked of it plus a whole lot more. I can easily suggest this vehicle to anyone, especially the 09+ models which take care of like 90% of the gripes. I have honestly considered trading for a 10 with offroad group since they have good incentives right now. I would have to get the CVT, but most owners say that you get used it quickly. it does have an autostick mode on 2wd and the FD1 4wds with 6 gears programmed in. They have a latiude package right now that is prettynice. for 23k you get the AWD, all the features of the 25e, heated seats, the wheel and tire package, cruise, badging, and a few other thinks and the sticker for the ones locally with the auto is around 23k, negotiate the price and with either the 1500 cash back or the 0% financing you get a hell of a deal right now!

[LS1owner]

CVT is a smooth quiet tranny, I think its great for a luxury type car that you want a smooth powerline etc. its not a sportscar.

[Brokinarrow]

Awesome, sounds like a good lil vehicle, thanks Stew!