A CVT or Continuously Variable Transmission seamlessly shifts through an unending range of effective gear ratios while you drive; whereas other kinds of mechanical transmissions offer a fixed number of gear ratios and have hard shifts between each. 

CVT transmission systems are also known as single-speed, shiftless, and stepless transmissions.  Basically, the shiftless nature of a CVT makes for smoother acceleration and offers enhanced fuel economy.   

Leonardo DaVinci designed the first CVT in 1490. It wasn't officially patented until 1886 by Daimler and Benz, however it only gained popularity with recent design changes that increased the efficiency of operation and performance.

In 1910 Zenit motorcycles built a CVT model that was so efficient it got banned from hill-climbing competitions. Subaru introduced the CVT into the mainstream automotive business in the late 1980’s.  Since then almost every manufacturer has at least one model with a continuously variable transmission.

Traditional transmissions use many parts and gears to shift between a range of gears for the most efficient operation at varying engine rpm’s.

Most CVT systems work through a pulley system.  Inside the transmission are a set of cones at each pulley that are connected via a chain belt. The cones can move to increase or decrease the belt diameter to change gear ratios.  This results in quicker shifts into the best ratios for increased power, and better fuel economy.  One pulley is connected to the engine and the other directs power to the wheels. The width of these pulleys changes based on the needed power; as one gets larger, the other gets smaller. This allows a CVT to deliver strong and seamless acceleration.  Another, less common type of CVT uses discs and rollers, but operates on similar principles.

Despite there being no gears in a CVT, some simulate a more traditional changing of gears in that the belt-and-pulley system is designed to move to preset points by using a traditional shift lever or paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

Click on the Picture above to watch a video about how CVT’s operate.

Automotive manufacturers eventually realized that CVT’s work well for their main customer base consisting of people that drive cars with smaller, more powerful engines. 

A CVT gets as much power as possible out of a smaller engine resulting in quicker and smoother acceleration, offering the average driver a better driving experience.

A CVT offers a wide range of benefits to the average driver:

Driving uphill is easier with a CVT.  A typical transmission has to work harder to find the right gear ratio for the driving conditions, whereas a CVT finds the exact ratio needed almost immediately, allowing the engine to seamlessly provide power without hard shifting.

Due to a lack of hard gear shifts, CVTs also allow for smoother driving and acceleration at any speed.  They also eliminate abrupt downshifting when you're trying to get additional power for passing on the highway.

CVT systems are generally more costly than traditional counterparts and repair costs are higher.  CVT systems don't generally last as long as traditional systems. They can fail around 100,000 miles, while a traditional transmission can last up to twice that.

Note:  It is extremely important to use a premium CVT fluid in your CVT transmission for the best performance and longest life.

CVT ’s work very well for the average driver, but they can’t handle the high performance, high horsepower operating conditions generated by sport and performance cars.

The driver noise perception is also much different than a standard automatic transmission or mechanical transmission which is disconcerting to some owners.

While shifting between park, drive, and reverse a delay in the shift more than a second or so can indicate a CVT that made need repair.

CVT’s are naturally louder than their traditional automatic transmissions, but they shouldn't be so loud that humming and whining are normal. If you hear excessive noise when accelerating, that's a red flag.

Slipping:  When you accelerate, you should experience a continuous, seamless acceleration. If it slips or momentarily loses power, the CVT may be faulty.

Jerky shifting:  Shifting should never jerk or jolt the vehicle.

Inconsistent rpm:  A CVT should remain consistent, so if you notice a fluctuation in rpm while you're driving at a steady speed, that may indicate a problem.

Dirty transmission fluid:  If the fluid is dirty it could indicate an issue with the CVT, among other problems. Often a change to a new premium 100% synthetic CVT fluid will take care of the above mentioned problems.

Bottom Line:  CVT transmissions are especially useful in mountainous regions because of their efficient operation on hills and steep inclines and offer a smoother driving  experience for the average motorist. 

Just remember that these transmissions can come with a hefty price tag on both the initial purchase and for repair costs so make sure it's covered under warranty.

The CVT ’s simplicity of design is one of its main advantages. Compared to the complex array of hundreds of components in a traditional transmission, a CVT consists of just a belt, a driving pulley, a torque-sensing pulley, and a few microprocessors and sensors. This makes the CVT more adaptable than its traditional counterparts, allowing for a smooth ride and seamless acceleration despite varying road conditions.