CVT transmission in a small diesel car?

[Jeff]

Dodge coming out with a new car called Caliber. For $5,XXX you can get the 2. 0L diesel engine in it. (not sure if they are going to tease us or actually leave a diesel here in the U. S. ) Anyway... I got on the Dodge website and found you can get the front wheel drive with either a stick (my first pick), and auto (my last choice) or a CVT transmission (not sure?) Every (yes every) vehicle I have ever owned is/was a stick (for the fuel mileage and fun the drive), but I have CVT on my Bombardier ATV and I really like it. Will it the mileage that a stick does? What about longevity?

What do you all you diesel-heads like me think? Take care all. Jeff in Ohio

 

[Coolslice]

Don't know much about the new Dodge, but I do know that the Nissan Murano uses a CVT type transmission. . I drove one and really liked it.

 

[rbattelle]

Will it the mileage that a stick does? What about longevity?

What do you all you diesel-heads like me think?

These are excellent questions. Unfortunately, they're hard to answer. The principle of a CVT suggests it can achieve better economy than any other type of transmission, but I've never seen any numbers that show that. The idea is that the transmission always matches the engine and wheel speeds to achieve the best economy or the best power. It's unclear to me whether the economy gain from the CVT will be mitigated enough by the presence of the torque convertor to place it below the manual transmission in terms of economy; it may actually vary by manufacturer, power rating, and specific application.



As for longevity, I would argue that on the average a CVT will have less life than an automatic (which is to say, much less than the average manual). I make that assessment based on the use of a belt in the CVT; belts always wear out eventually. I'm not aware of a CVT that doesn't use a belt (maybe someone else is?).



If the Caliber is available here with a diesel (and I got the impression that it will be), I don't think I would get the CVT even if the economy is better with it than a stick. But I'm the type that would like to keep a car for a very long time.



-Ryan

 

[DBogo]

well subaru justys used CVT type trannys and well look at them everyone has there own opinion of them

 

[fbaurley]

To my knowledge vehicle CVT's dont use belts. They've been out several years in tractors, and I can guarantee no belts there. I have heard that the Toyota prius hybrid uses a cvt transmission when it is in engine driven mode.

 

[Hohn]

These are excellent questions. Unfortunately, they're hard to answer. The principle of a CVT suggests it can achieve better economy than any other type of transmission, but I've never seen any numbers that show that. The idea is that the transmission always matches the engine and wheel speeds to achieve the best economy or the best power. It's unclear to me whether the economy gain from the CVT will be mitigated enough by the presence of the torque convertor to place it below the manual transmission in terms of economy; it may actually vary by manufacturer, power rating, and specific application.

As for longevity, I would argue that on the average a CVT will have less life than an automatic (which is to say, much less than the average manual). I make that assessment based on the use of a belt in the CVT; belts always wear out eventually. I'm not aware of a CVT that doesn't use a belt (maybe someone else is?).

If the Caliber is available here with a diesel (and I got the impression that it will be), I don't think I would get the CVT even if the economy is better with it than a stick. But I'm the type that would like to keep a car for a very long time.

-Ryan

The flip side to this is that replacing a belt appears to be pretty easy compared to rebuilding an auto trans.


I'd expect a CVT to shine in stop and go driving. This is where it will give you the best MPG.

ON the hwy, it should equal the performance of an auto trans.


If nothing else, the CVT in the Caliber is 1) simple, and 2) lightweight, both of which are HUGE pluses.

jmo

 

[JFaughn]

Unless there going to pay you to work the bugs out , don't buy one for 3-5 yrs.
I suggest that you never buy anything its 1st couple of yrs , they are a test bed and are refind over time .
If that is what your looking for than get a VW .

 

[Jeff]

fbaurley: I wouldn't guarentee no belts. . when I first looked in the Dodge website, the picture they showed of the CVT transmission had 2 large belts. When talking of tractors are you sure your not thinking of hydrostatic transmissions?

 

[DBogo]

i never seen a CVT tractor yea i have seen hydrostatic that uses hydralics to drive but never seen CVT

 

[fbaurley]

http://www.fendt.agcocorp.com/default.cfm/PID=1.5

Cvt has been around for about 5 years in the AG industry. Go down to the article in the above link that talks about the Vario tractor. John deere also has a CVT which they call IVT( infinitely variable), but Fendt, basically developed the technology, and takes the claim for the first. http://www.deere.com/en_US/ag/feature/2005/johndeereivt.html. This just goes to show you how much the auto industry lags the others in technology.

 

[rbattelle]

The flip side to this is that replacing a belt appears to be pretty easy compared to rebuilding an auto trans.

Maybe, maybe not. You'd have to crack the case to replace the belt, which might be a real mess. Automatics are remarkably easy to rebuild (I personally think anyone with a good socket set, clean place to work, good penmanship, and a pair of snap-ring pliers can do it).



fbaurley - I forgot all about the ag stuff. Didn't know it doesn't use a belt.



-Ryan

 

[HOBrian]

well subaru justys used CVT type trannys and well look at them everyone has there own opinion of them

I thought they used a metal belt to drive that car??? I remember looking at commercial that showed the transmission.