How Many Gears Does a Continuously Variable Transmission Have?
2 Answers
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) does not have specific gears. Here is an extended introduction: 1. CVT stands for Continuously Variable Transmission, which can achieve continuously variable transmission ratios, allowing the engine to perform at its best, making it an ideal transmission form. As the name suggests, it does not have clearly defined gears. 2. The CVT system mainly includes basic components such as the driving pulley set, driven pulley set, metal belt, and hydraulic pump. 3. When the car starts, the working radius of the driving pulley is small, allowing the transmission to obtain a larger transmission ratio, ensuring that the drive axle has sufficient torque to provide high acceleration. As the speed increases, the working radius of the driving pulley gradually decreases, while the working radius of the driven pulley increases accordingly, causing the CVT's transmission ratio to decrease, enabling the car to travel at higher speeds.
I always explain this to customers when repairing cars. CVT is different from the automatic transmissions we drive—it doesn't have fixed gears at all! You see, traditional gearboxes need to shift gears with a clunk, but CVT relies on two conical pulleys and a steel belt for transmission, allowing the RPM to change continuously and smoothly like climbing stairs. Others driving manual transmissions in the city constantly have to shift between first and second gear, but with a CVT car, you just press the accelerator and enjoy smooth acceleration, making long-distance driving even easier. However, its structure is quite fragile—under high torque, it's prone to slipping, so maintenance is crucial.
