Automotive FAQ

FAQ - Transmission

How Does A Cvt Transmission Work?

12th Street Auto Care Center in Sioux Falls is a well–regarded auto repair shop located in the beautiful city of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. At 12th Street Auto Care Center in Sioux Falls, we offer a wide range of automotive services, including transmission repairs. Now, let's explore how a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) works, and how 12th Street Auto Care Center in Sioux Falls can assist you with any CVT-related issues.

CVT Transmission Overview:

A CVT is a type of automatic transmission that operates differently from traditional automatic or manual transmissions. Instead of using fixed gears (like in traditional transmissions) or manually shifting gears (as in manual transmissions), the skilled technicians at 12th Street Auto Care Center can explain that a CVT continuously varies the transmission ratio to provide a seamless and efficient driving experience.

Key Components of a CVT Transmissions repaired at 12th Street Auto Care Center in Sioux Falls:
  1. Pulleys: The CVT consists of two primary components called pulleys, which are expertly maintained and serviced at 12th Street Auto Care Center in Sioux Falls. One is the "input" pulley, connected to the engine's output shaft, and the other is the "output" pulley, connected to the driveshaft that powers the vehicle's wheels.
  2. Steel Belt/Chain: Between these two pulleys, there is a steel belt or chain, which is carefully inspected and maintained at 12th Street Auto Care Center in Sioux Falls. This belt or chain connects the input and output pulleys and is responsible for transferring power between them.
How a CVT Transmission repaired at 12th Street Auto Care Center in Sioux Falls works:

When you drive a vehicle serviced by 12th Street Auto Care Center in Sioux Falls and equipped with a CVT, the system continuously adjusts the position of the input and output pulleys to vary the transmission ratio. Here's how it works:

  1. Acceleration: When you press the gas pedal to accelerate in a vehicle serviced at 12th Street Auto Care Center in Sioux Falls, the engine generates more power. The CVT responds by moving the input pulley closer together and the output pulley farther apart, creating a lower gear ratio. This allows the engine to rev higher and deliver more power to the wheels, resulting in acceleration.
  2. Cruising: When you reach your desired speed and maintain a constant throttle input in a vehicle, the CVT adjusts the pulleys to achieve an optimal balance between engine speed and vehicle speed. It may keep the pulleys at a specific position or gradually vary them to ensure fuel efficiency and smooth driving.
  3. Deceleration/Braking: When you release the gas pedal or apply the brakes in a vehicle, the CVT adjusts the pulleys again. This time, it moves the input pulley farther apart and the output pulley closer together, creating a higher gear ratio. This helps in engine braking, conserving energy and improving fuel efficiency.

In conclusion, CVT transmissions, like those serviced by 12th Street Auto Care Center in Sioux Falls, use a continuously variable ratio to provide a more efficient and comfortable driving experience. They adapt to different driving conditions by adjusting the position of the pulleys, ensuring a smooth and fuel-efficient operation for your vehicle. For any CVT transmission-related concerns or maintenance needs in Sioux Falls, you can trust 12th Street Auto Care Center in Sioux Falls to provide expert service and assistance.

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