On 12/20/2012 11:51 AM, Robert11 wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I have always had cars with automatic transmissions.
>
> If I remember right, only some of,the Nissan's had a CVT type in the "past".
>
> Now, two cars that I am considering apparently have CVT type.
> An Accord and the Subaru Outback.
>
> Know nothing re CVT transmissions.
>
> Might someone please outline for me the pros and cons of a CVT vs the regular kind of transmission.

pros:
cheap, reliable, efficient, offer great fuel economy.*

cons:
if you believe the motor press, people don't understand that they're
"continuously variable" and apparently need education that they don't
naturally have "shift points".


>
> e.g, reliability, smoothness in shifting, etc.
> Why don't all cars of this size use fhem ?

they could, and usually do in every other global market except the u.s.
but we seem either to have an acceptance problem [per the above, but
the massive popularity of the toyota prius with true cvt shows that to
be untrue] or the oilcos hate the prospect of significantly reduced fuel
economy. so either we stick with older style fixed ratio transmissions
with their torque converter losses, or we fudge cvt's by programming
artificial "shift points" into them, thus reducing their efficiency.


>
> Thanks,
> Bob


--
fact check required