Does Nissan CVT have a torque converter?
2 Answers
No. CVT is simply a steel belt transmission device. In terms of technological advancement, Nissan's CVT is the most advanced and mature among all CVT systems. Below is relevant information: Transmission: A transmission is a mechanism used to alter the speed and torque from the engine. It can fixedly or stepwise change the transmission ratio between the output shaft and input shaft, also known as a gearbox. Structure: The gearbox consists of two main parts: the transmission mechanism and the shifting control mechanism. The primary function of the transmission mechanism is to change the magnitude and direction of torque and rotational speed; the control mechanism mainly serves to operate the transmission mechanism, enabling the change of transmission ratios (i.e., gear shifting) to achieve speed and torque variation.
I've been in the car enthusiast circle for a long time and have some understanding of Nissan transmissions. Most Nissan CVT models are equipped with a torque converter, commonly seen in Altima or Rogue. The torque converter is the component that connects the engine to the transmission, making starts smoother and gentler, without the jerky feeling of traditional automatic transmissions. I test-drove a Sentra myself and felt the power delivery was exceptionally comfortable, especially with noticeable cushioning during starts at traffic lights. Some people ask about CVT reliability issues, but the torque converter actually helps a lot by preventing hard impacts, protecting internal parts, and reducing wear. Jatco is the main supplier, designing for driving comfort and fuel efficiency, but maintenance requires regular oil changes—generally, check every 30,000-40,000 km and don’t neglect it. Overall, this setup is great for daily driving, but repairs can be expensive if it fails. I recommend new owners pay attention to maintenance details and avoid long-term aggressive throttle use.
