Hydrostatic or manual??

[RayH]

Not what you think.
Those are your choices in the new Nissans. Nissans CVT Transmission. (continuously variable transmission).
Im not sure but this sounds like a hydrostatic transmission.
Whats next, cars tghat park themselves.
WHAT!!! They already exist!

 

[ScottAR]

Not hydraulic, variable diameter pulleys and a steel "belt". Like a snowmobile or a polaris ATV transmission but larger.

 

[RayH]

Are you sure about that? Im not saying that to be smart because I truely dont know. I did go to their site and the way it is explained is that the car sets an optimum RPM for the engine, it always runs at that RPM. and the tranny continuoisly changes to meet power needs.

 

[tallyho8]

Sounds like the same setup I had on my 1958 Simplex motorbike.

 

[RayH]

Not hydraulic, variable diameter pulleys and a steel "belt". Like a snowmobile or a polaris ATV transmission but larger.

Scott, you are correct, like you didnt already know.
It does use a multi sectional steel belt. I had to look it up, not that Im thinking of getting one. They seem to have too many moving parts to be reliable years down the road

 

[ScottAR]

One of the european car companies played with these type trans. for a few years in the late 90's. I lost track of who and what happened but I don't think anyone besides Nissan are using them currently.

 

[Egon]

Do a google search on CVT transmissions. Lots of hits and diagrams. There are different types.

One site: http://http://auto.howstuffworks.com/cvt.htm

 

[N80]

I've got a Nissan Murano with the CVT transmission. Its my wifes. The European automaker you are thinking about was probably Renault. Renault is now part owner of Nissan. My Murano is a little over 3 years old, 50K+ miles on it. No problems with the tranny. Sounds like a sewing machine when you get on the gas. The rpms do not drop when it changes gears so acceleration is very smooth. Has a 'sport' switch that allows you to run the revs up a lot higher. This car has a 240 hp engine but acceleration off the line is not very impressive. Once you hit 30mph it is quite impressive, all the way up through 90+. And this is a fairly big vehicle. However, other than not having brief rpm drops, I don't really see the CVT bringing much to the table, especially considering its complexity and probable expense. I have no way to verify this but I suspect the CVT is from the Renault enfluence....and I hate the thought of owning anything made by Renault or in France in general. But, no complaints with the tranny or engine so far.

I will say this: I have owned Nissan vehicles since 1984 and they have all been superb, from the 720 4x4 pickup, to my wife's 96 Maxima and a '90 Pathfinder they have been almost flawless and all went well over 150k with no significant repairs or defects. This Murano is a little different. No drive train problems. One electrical problem fixed under warranty. But, the fit, finish and interior materials in this car are poor. Everything feels a little cheap (the car cost approx $30k) and there are lots of little rattles and clicks. The sun visor went floppy and cannot be adjusted, the replacement is over $200. It was out of warranty but I raised Cain and they fixed as a warranty item.

I have a very, very low tolerance for $30k cars with cheap interiors. We'll drive it til it falls apart, which is what I do, but it will probably be my last Nissan. I bought Nissans for quality, durability and ergonomics. I think the quality has taken a hit and the ergonomics in this car are so-so.

May be time to start looking at Korean cars.

 

[AndyM]

One of the european car companies played with these type trans. for a few years in the late 90's. I lost track of who and what happened but I don't think anyone besides Nissan are using them currently.

Ford Five Hundred and Freestyle have a CVT. I know of several people who own them, but have heard them complain of any downtime due to transmission problems.

I remember Subaru trying it in the late 1980's, but I never knew anyone who had one.

 

[TiminMN]

The 100 HP+ Agco tractors have a cvt transmission as a option. About 10% of the power goes thought a hydrostatic system the other 90% is mechanical. This give the advantage of a hydrostatic without the power lost.

 

[RayH]

.

May be time to start looking at Korean cars.

We bought a Kia last year. Of course we looked at Honda, Toyota, Ford, Nissan, VW and Mazda. We ended up with the Kia because it seemed to be just as much car for a lower price and with a better warranty. I feel we took a chance, it may pay off and it may not, time will tell.
Its got 18000 on it with no reliability or fit and function problems. It has had an intermitant check engine light/loss of power issue. Its happened 3 times in 18000 miles while driving it for just a couple of seconds per occurance. The dealer cant find the problem. Other than that, so far so good.

 

[turnkey4099]

The original CVT (belt driven) was the DAF, not sure what country but I think it was Dutch.

I drove a 500 with one while my 500 standard tranny was in the shop. Would take some getting used to as the mechanical sounds are strange in that the engine maintians the same rpm (and sound) regardless what is happening to road speed.

The advantage to the CVT is that the engine runs at optimum settings and can be tuned for max mileage and cleanest burn. Doesn't have to allow for changing rpm conditions.

Not an engineer but I can't see that manufacturing them wouild be any more costly or complex than a stick or auto is.

Except for sport type cars, I think CVT will be pretty much standard before long.

Harry K

 

[N80]

The gas mileage think is puzzling. The gas mileage on our Murano _stinks_. We never break 20 mpg. Again, it isn't a small car and the engine has pretty good hp, but 19 mpg highway is just awful. Maybe it would be less with a standard auto tranny?

 

[3RRL]

I just got a new Jeep Compass Sport with the CVT in it. Pretty cool little SUV. Mine is a 178hp 4cyl 4x4 (no transfer case) and gets great mileage. So far 25.1mpg average over 2980 miles of all kinds of driving including a little off road. I had to get used to the CVT.... you floor it and it revs to 6000rpm and stays there. You go faster and faster and faster....weird man.