Pruis CVT Continuously Variable Transmissions
Continuously Variable Transmissions have a low gear ratio and a high gear ratio with a mechanism that allows a seamless and infinitely variable amount of ratios in-between. One advantage of a CVT is the ability to keep the power plants RPM’s (revolutions per minute) in it’s most efficient power output range for all operating conditions.
Most Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, and Nissan CVT’s use a drive belt and two variable size pulleys to deliver power to the transaxle final drive planetary gear set.
The Toyota Prius with Hybrid Synergy Drive, Toyota Camry HV with HSD, Toyota Highlander HV with HSD, Ford Escape Hybrid, and Mercury Mariner Hybrid use a gasoline engine and two electric motor-generators (MG1 and MG2) connected to a planetary gear set called the “Power Split Device” to deliver power to the transaxle final drive planetary gear set.
CVT’s have not been successfully developed for light duty pickups and large SUV type vehicles yet. They are available to the construction industry for some of the tremendous equipment used for road work and large construction. The term transmission in the case of construction equipment can apply to any device that needs a transmission to ”split” power or ”transfer” power from devise to devise.
The idea of CVT is not new either. When I was about 10 years old (in the early 60’s) my dad bought a riding lawnmower. I remember the transmission. I know now it was a very simple CVT design using a large drive wheel mounted to the output side of the engine which turned a smaller rubber drive wheel that was on the input side of the CVT.
Since a CVT has infinitely variable gear ratios, it should never have an amount of gears attached to the name. For instance, a 3 speed or 5 speed CVT. No such thing.
It is all the more important to take care of your CVT because of the lack of qualified vendors. The GotTransmissions.com tech staff recommends following the factory guidelines for maintenance to a tee. Going as a far as using the factory CVT fluid upon maintenance. Call us @ 866-320-1182 to address your questions about transmissions from an expert.
