Complete Guide to Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

• CVTs use a belt and pulley system to provide an unlimited range of gear ratios for seamless acceleration without traditional gear shifts.
• By keeping the engine in its ideal RPM range at all times, CVTs maximize fuel economy and power delivery more effectively than fixed gears.
• The lack of physical gear changes creates a smooth, linear driving experience, with many modern versions simulating shifts for a more familiar feel.
• CVTs are purpose-built for daily commuting and city driving rather than high-performance racing or heavy-duty towing.
• While modern CVTs are highly durable, they require regular maintenance and specific transmission fluids to prevent overheating and ensure a long lifespan.

A CVT, or continuously variable transmission, is a type of automatic transmission that uses belts and pulleys to change gears. This gives it an infinite number of gear ratios, whereas traditional automatics are limited to a fixed number of gears, usually between 5 and 10.

Because they lack gears in the traditional sense, CVTs offer smooth acceleration with no steps or shifts in forward motion. A CVT’s main goal is to keep the engine RPM in its optimal range to maximize fuel efficiency and acceleration when required.

CVTs are used extensively in the automotive industry in many common passenger vehicles, chosen for their excellent efficiency, smooth acceleration and minimal learning curve as they operate like any other automatic transmission.

CVTs have much fewer moving parts compared to a geared automatic transmission, which can consist of hundreds of complex bits. CVTs are also much simpler, typically consisting of two cone-shaped pulleys connected by a metal or composite belt. One side can move back and forth, moving the belt up and down the walls of the pulleys, altering the gear ratios. This is why a CVT is said to have an unlimited number of gear ratios.

The advantage of this system is that the engine can operate in its most efficient range to deliver maximum power, but also maximum efficiency. On the highway, a CVT will keep engine revs low to maximize fuel economy, and it also avoids gear hunting when accelerating uphill by always keeping the engine in the optimal rev range.

If coming from a regular automatic, there might be some differences in the way the engine sounds and responds, but the operation is the same.

CVTs have come a long way, and newer designs have made significant improvements in durability and driveability. Today, they can be just as durable as regular automatic transmissions.

The dreaded rubber band effect, where the engine revs hold at a certain RPM and don’t correspond to throttle input, has been greatly minimized or eliminated in many cases.

Some drivers who like performance cars might not prefer a CVT’s stepless shifting, but many new CVTs today, including those from Mitsubishi Motors, can simulate gear shifts just like a traditional automatic, making them very similar in operation.

• CVTs, like the ones used in the Mitsubishi Outlander, Eclipse Cross and RVR, have greatly improved over the years and are durable.
• CVTs can simulate the gear shifts of a regular automatic transmission thanks to clever programming.
• CVTs and geared automatic transmissions can both last a very long time with regular maintenance.
• CVTs are perfect for the daily commute, city driving and those who are fuel conscious.
• CVTs always keep the engine in its most efficient power band, so almost always offer better fuel economy than traditional automatics.

Modern CVT transmissions can last just as long as regular automatics and have come a long way in terms of durability and reliability, but there are still a few things to remember.

They are built for maximum efficiency and aren’t designed for performance driving; they benefit from gentle acceleration over aggressive throttle inputs. It’s generally not recommended for rapid acceleration or hard braking and can overheat with heavy-footed driving.

CVTs benefit from regular fluid changes and making sure the correct type of transmission fluid is used to maintain proper operation and avoid overheating.

Like any automatic transmission, a CVT can be expensive to repair, but the costs to fix either are very similar.

CVTs are perfect for daily commuting, city driving, and even long road trips, but might not be the best choice for performance driving or towing.

A CVT transmission is a very common choice for many automakers, including Mitsubishi Motors, when it comes to the majority of passenger sedans and SUVs, thanks to their smooth operation and efficiency.

Using a pair of cone-shaped pulleys bound together with a belt provides infinite gear ratios and maximizes fuel efficiency by keeping the engine in the optimal RPM zone.

CVTs are best suited for daily driving and even long road trips where comfort and efficiency are the priority. Traditional geared automatics are better for performance cars and sporty driving, and where fuel economy isn’t the priority.

Mitsubishi Motors equips the RVR, Eclipse Cross and Outlander SUVs with CVT transmissions and uses the latest technology to make them as smooth and seamless as possible. The company also backs them with a 10-year powertrain warranty, one of the best in the industry.