CVT Automatic Transmissions

rwh
rwh Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited August 2015 in Towcars & Towing #1

Does anyone have experience of towing with CVT automatic transmission as in Toyota RAV4, Nissan Qashqai, Subaru Forester, and others? In particular, performance, noise and most importantly, reliability.

Comments

  • Qashqai66
    Qashqai66 Forum Participant Posts: 551
    edited May 2017 #2

    Just found this post.  Two months ago we took delivery of a new Nissan X-Trail 2 litre 4X4 with CVT.  Only towed new van back form the dealer - 60 miles - last week so early days.  however, it performed faultlessly.  We have a 100 mile journey with van this w/e so will see how it goes.  So far we like the CVT.

  • tigerfish
    tigerfish Forum Participant Posts: 1,362
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2017 #3

    I think that the question has to be, will it perform faultlessly under adverse conditions?  I know that my car will pull a heavy van up from the Med coast to Clermont Ferrand, pulling hard up seemingly endless hills, and in high temperatures, without any sign of stress.

    I like the products from Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen and Skoda (especially the Kodiaq)  but they have all got CVT, and the service manager of one of the dealership's screwed up his face and sucked his teeth a little, and then admitted it would do it, but that it was right on the upper limit of that box's capabilities.

    I won't take that risk and will stick to a proper tough fluid flywheel box with a cooler.  Have seen too many cars stranded at the side of the road in such conditions to leave it to chance!

    TF

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
    500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited May 2017 #4

    Tiger....

    but they have all got CVT,

    I wasn't aware that VW  ( & therefore Skoda) did any CVT auto's I think they will all be the DSG boxes......

    VW DSG's have mixed reviews depending whether they are wet/dry or 6/7 speed etc from looking at the forums.....

    but I suspect are used by many members on here with generally fine performance...??

    Given the thread is 2 years old I doubt the OP is that concerned with any replies now...undecided

  • Vulcan
    Vulcan Forum Participant Posts: 670
    edited May 2017 #5

    Tigerfish, I think you are getting confused. CVT is completely different from DSG which is used by the Volkswagen group.CVT usually utilises a steel belt running between two variable diameter pulleys to vary the gear ratio, DSG is usually an automated manual utilising two clutches, one for even gears and one for odd gears. I agree that I would certainly not pick either to replace a torque converter box.

     

  • bigherb
    bigherb Forum Participant Posts: 65
    edited May 2017 #6

    VAG did have a CVT called the Multitronic but it has not been fitted since the old shape Audi A4 and it's Seat clone. DSG automatic has taken over.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2017 #7

    CVT autos are a variation on DAF's Variomatic from  eons back. Audi's used electrickery to give the impression of gear changes. Ford's version in their Fiesta from years back wasn't  popular & short lived and was strange to drive to say the least.

  • tigerfish
    tigerfish Forum Participant Posts: 1,362
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2017 #8

    Vulcan,  Thanks for that input.  I agree that there is really nothing as effective as a proper Torque converter box!

     

    TF

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2017 #9

    i think cvt boxes have some sort of torque converter as its needed for smooth start off. this is why the dmf's are fitted to nearly all cars nowadays so less stress on the clutch plate springs

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2017 #10

    <panto mode on> Oh no they don't! wink They're a rubber band drive. Out put speed is varied by altering the pulley diameter on the input.

    Re your Jeep. On the other thread you mention your car's  CVT  ...... I've not looked, but think you're mistaken. If not, you've helped me cross another possible 'new' tow car off my list

  • Qashqai66
    Qashqai66 Forum Participant Posts: 551
    edited September 2017 #11

    Love our CVT X-Trail - fabulous transmission.

  • Phishing
    Phishing Forum Participant Posts: 597
    500 Comments
    edited September 2017 #12

    Have a look at this for best explanation I have seen for choosing your transmission type.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OSDw-uyP98

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2017 #13

    A good video ..... confirms all my prejudices of anything but a slushbox auto cool

  • harrib0
    harrib0 Club Member Posts: 70 ✭✭
    First Comment
    edited September 2017 #14

    Maybe it's different for the Aussie market, but my Ford PowerSh*t gearbox is most certainly a dual wet clutch not dry

    (his cut away picture even shows an oil filter top right?)

    Yes they are not without their quirks but I think he being a bit harsh, true they will never be as good as a "slushbox" auto but I've never had it sh*t itself reversing a 1500kg van into a tricky pitch surprised

    Must be an Aussie thing innocent

    (never driven a CVT so can't comment -- sorry)

  • Phishing
    Phishing Forum Participant Posts: 597
    500 Comments
    edited September 2017 #15

    I have had a powershift and a number of DSG, never had any issues. I think there were durability issues for both when they first came to market. The latest 8 and 9 speed ones are supposed to be superb.

    Have a proper auto now, only way to tow!

  • oldmanmille
    oldmanmille Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited September 2017 #16

     I tow my Swift with a Lexus RX450h and its superb - fuel consumption is damn awful though at 17mpg!

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2017 #17

    MM. there not a rubber band they are a steel band. look it up on youtube. the gearbox on the jeep/landrover/jaguar etc etc have this box but they have 3 drive dogs and various gears that engage at various revs and speed and also have a torque converter which most autos have. perhaps you've appeared in to many panto's.

    The ZF 9HP is a nine-speed automatic transmission built by ZF Friedrichshafen AG subsidiary ZF Transmissions in Gray Court, South Carolina.[1] It is a front-transverse transmission, used in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles. ZF claims that it is able to save an average of 60% in fuel compared with current 6-speed automatic transmissions. The gear ratio spread is 9.81:1. The transmission has a torque range between 280 and 480 Nm.[1]

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2017 #18

    I know they use a steel belt, but the originals ie DAF used a rubber belt as they do in industry. I don't need You tube, I've replaced loads of rubber bands on these kinds of transmissions at work. 

    Torque converter autos & these variable cone type transmissions are completely different beast ...... gearboxes have one or t'other, not a combination of both.

  • Vulcan
    Vulcan Forum Participant Posts: 670
    edited September 2017 #19

    Jaguar/Land Rover have never used a CVT auto.

Categories