What causes the jerking sensation when accelerating at low speeds with a CVT?
2 Answers
CVT low-speed acceleration jerking may occur because the transmission fluid inside the CVT has not yet reached normal operating temperature, or it could be due to prolonged lack of transmission fluid replacement in the CVT. The CVT transmission is a relatively simple automatic transmission in structure, consisting internally of only two pulleys and a steel belt. Relevant information about transmissions is as follows: Introduction: A device that changes speed ratios and the direction of motion. It is used to alter the torque, speed, and direction of motion transmitted from the driving shaft to the driven shaft under different working conditions. Gear-driven transmissions generally consist of a housing and several gear pairs. Function: While driving, to adapt to different conditions, the vehicle's driving force and speed need to vary within a certain range. Since the existing engine's torque and speed variation range cannot meet this requirement, a transmission is thus installed.
I drive a CVT car, and recently it often jerks when accelerating at low speeds, making the car feel like it's hopping around, which is quite unpleasant. After talking with friends, this might be related to the internal structure of the CVT transmission. Unlike traditional transmissions with fixed gears, CVTs use a belt or chain that slides between conical pulleys. If the belt is worn or slips, it can easily cause jerking during low-speed acceleration. Aging transmission fluid is also an issue—if the viscosity is too high or too low, it can affect oil pressure stability, leading to uneven thrust. Last time I went to the repair shop, they used diagnostic equipment and found that the oil pressure control valve was stuck, causing the computer to malfunction. After replacing the valve and fluid, the problem disappeared immediately. Now it drives much smoother. I recommend car owners regularly check the CVT fluid condition and replace it every 40,000–50,000 km to prevent similar issues. Ignoring this could damage the entire transmission system, and the repair costs won’t be small.
