Trying to do some research... How reliable are the CVT trannies? I know there'* probably no one on the forum that has one, but have you heard anything about them? Just curious...


*for those that don't know, CVT stands for Continuously Variable Transmission*

I've wondered this myself. If they are as reliable as the 3.5 that they are mated to (at least on the Maxima) I'd be sold some day.

i've, as well as my boss have questioned that too, it seems like the internals are a bunch of belts and clutches almost like a snowmobile clutch/belt set-up, i would think the belts would eventually wear out

I don't like it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXokc-lMqm0

I could get used to it

The thing keeping them out of higher HP cars has been torque handling. I think the one that Nissan uses on the VQ is the strongest one on the market ATM.

I think most of them have more of a metal/chain belt and cones that move as opposed to rubber belts. I prefer my DSG though for now...

Engines will definetly need to be optimized for this. Holding @ redline like that is a lot more stress than rowing through a few gears, oil flow, cooling, etc all need to be setup properly to keep the engines at the same reliability as a conventionally geared car. Some CVT'* have paddles to "shift" to a few preset places on the gearing, but kinda a gimmick IMO..

But I am glad car makers are looking at new transmission technologies, such as the sequentials in a lot of sportier cars, the DSG in my car, or the similar SST in the new EVO... In 5-10 years, torque converter transmissions wont be on most models i'm willing to venture.

From personal experience, the Audi my parents own has never had tranny problems, and I've put a beating on that car personally. The CVT does well in sporty situations (of course, could be better) and feels very clean. The thing I love is the continuous power band, and the amount of acceleration when you're going 80 and want to hit 120.