Transcription
For most people, buying a car isn't just about the design. It turns out that some people also prioritize the drivetrain in their car. However, besides the drivetrain, people also sometimes consider the transmission. For those in areas with steep inclines and declines, they will usually choose a manual transmission. And yes, a manual transmission is the best choice for most people. Why? Because with a manual transmission, the purchase price of the car is certainly cheaper. Manual transmissions also rarely break, only wear out, and importantly, their maintenance is quite easy and simple.
But nowadays, not everyone wants to own a car with a manual transmission, especially those living in urban areas. They only want an automatic car. Interestingly, there are many types of automatic transmissions, but basically, they are all divided into two: CVT and AT. For conventional AT transmissions, there's no doubt. This transmission has been tested by time, and its maintenance is also quite simple. And importantly, the durability of this transmission is also okay. With AT, the driving sensation and car power can still be felt, just like a manual car.
Whereas with CVT transmissions, this transmission is known for its extraordinary driving smoothness. And yes, with CVT, you won't feel gear shifts like in an AT transmission. But unfortunately, this comfort has to be paid for dearly because CVT transmissions are known to be sluggish. Okay, sluggish, we can accept that. But besides being sluggish, CVT is also known to break easily. This is what makes one nervous. And unfortunately, the majority of new cars all use CVT transmissions.
But why do manufacturers use CVT? So, according to several manufacturers, including Toyota and Daihatsu, they use CVT because, in their opinion, CVT is superior in converting engine rotation into wheel rotation. So, no engine power is wasted, and there's no delay after shifting like in AT. Besides that, CVT is also used for fuel efficiency. Is it true? Yes, with CVT, cars will have better fuel efficiency than AT. Why is that? Of course, because no power is wasted. Moreover, nowadays, manufacturers are always pressured to make cars with high fuel efficiency.
Furthermore, CVT also has unlimited gears. What does that mean? So, CVT uses pulleys, which means the number of gears can be adjusted according to needs. Whether the manufacturer wants six gears or seven gears, it can just be adjusted. And finally, why do most new cars use CVT? Of course, its production is simpler and less complicated compared to AT. If that's the case, its production will also be cheaper.
Furthermore, CVT has an advantage that AT transmissions definitely don't have: weight. Yes, the weight of a CVT transmission is lighter than AT. And this is one of the reasons why manufacturers use CVT in small cars. Oh yes, there's one more reason that's no less important: emission regulations that are increasingly strict in various countries, including Indonesia. The government is getting stricter in regulating vehicle emission standards. Interestingly, with CVT, which can keep engine RPM low, exhaust emissions become lower compared to other transmissions. That's why many hybrid cars use CVT because the transmission is very suitable for integrating power from gasoline engines and electric motors. With all that, there's no other reason for manufacturers not to use CVT. So yes, CVT is very ideal for use in new cars.
But unfortunately, many say this transmission is sluggish. Is the answer yes? Yes, but actually, there are several reasons why CVT transmissions have a stigma as slow or sluggish transmissions. First, it's about the performance characteristics of CVT itself. As we know, CVT is designed to keep the engine RPM at the most efficient point, not the most powerful. This means that when the accelerator pedal is pressed, the engine will sound like it's roaring, but the car's speed won't increase quickly. Why is that? This is what is often called the "rubber band effect," meaning there's a kind of delay between engine rotation and vehicle response, making the driver feel their car is sluggish.
Besides that, CVT naturally doesn't provide direct control like manual or automatic transmissions with manual mode. Because in a regular transmission, the driver can shift gears as they wish to get faster acceleration. Whereas in CVT, everything is controlled by an automatic system that prioritizes efficiency. With complex electronics in CVT, ultimately, many manufacturers tune their CVTs to focus more on efficiency and driving comfort. As a result, they deliberately reduce aggressive acceleration response so that the car feels smoother and more fuel-efficient. With these factors, of course, CVT will feel more sluggish.
But manufacturers are aware of this. That's why in most CVT cars, these cars usually have a sport button or what can be called a "boost" button. The purpose of this button is to increase RPM so that the transmission can be forced to chase performance, usually for overtaking other vehicles ahead. As for inclines, of course, CVT will feel heavy too. If your car is FWD and has a CVT transmission, it's a nightmare. The car will be very heavy to climb. But it doesn't mean it's not strong. It's strong, but it's slow.
So, is CVT sluggish? The answer is yes, compared to AT. That's why there are no performance cars that use CVT transmissions. Besides being sluggish, is CVT prone to damage? Actually, not really. It all depends on your maintenance. But if we're talking about lifespan, CVT's lifespan tends to be shorter than AT. Why is that? Of course, it's all from the construction of the CVT itself. Looking at the CVT construction, there are input and output pulleys that can move forward and backward, connected by a belt. This can produce infinite ratios. But this system will continuously experience friction between the pulleys and the belt. This means that no matter what gear it's in, the belt and pulleys will always work. Because basically, CVT doesn't have gears, the wear and tear on a CVT transmission will always be greater than a conventional automatic transmission.
But why do many break down faster than they should? The answer is usage. Using a CVT car cannot be the same as using a manual or AT car. This means the accelerator pedal must be pressed gradually. If possible, just use your thumb to press it. Why is that? This is to prevent the belt from stretching and shrinking constantly. Because by pressing the accelerator gradually, the stretching will be more relaxed. By using this driving method, the CVT's lifespan can be extended, even though eventually, it will still need to be replaced or break.
Besides that, avoid kickdown. But the manual says to use kickdown if more power is needed. Of course, manufacturers provide that. Kickdown can be done, indeed, but it's not recommended too often. Because if done too often, again, the belt experiences constant rapid tension changes, which ultimately causes the belt to break. If it breaks, the repair is very expensive. If you go to the dealer, they will definitely tell you to replace the whole unit because, in essence, CVT is not meant to be repaired.
But nowadays, many workshops can repair CVTs part by part. For example, if the belt is worn, only the belt can be replaced. If the variator is worn, just replace the variator and so on. But usually, if one part is worn, the others will automatically be worn too because they all move together. Ultimately, replacing the whole unit is more recommended. But again, adjust it to your budget. Are you willing to replace a CVT for tens of millions of rupiah when servicing it only costs around 7 to 10 million rupiah? It's better to just service it, right?
But interestingly, in the world of CVT today, CVTs have developed very rapidly. Nowadays, CVT is no longer a monotonous transmission. For example, Toyota has successfully developed Direct Shift CVT and Dual Mode CVT or D-CVT. What is that? So, Direct Shift CVT is a CVT system combined with a planetary gear as a launch gear or low gear. The planetary gear will work from zero speed up to a certain speed, and then at higher speeds, the CVT takes over. Examples of Toyota cars using this system are the Foxy, Camry, and Kijang Innova Zenix. That's why these cars are not too sluggish.
Then, Dual Mode CVT. This CVT is the opposite. This means the planetary gear in Dual Mode CVT is placed in the high gear. So, when the vehicle starts moving, of course, it's with the CVT. Then, at a certain high speed, the planetary gear takes over. And examples of cars that implement this system are the Avanza and Raize. That's why the Avanza and Raize have a sluggish initial acceleration. With the development of CVT, the characteristics of current CVT cars are indeed different. And in my opinion, the most sluggish of all cars is definitely the Livina L11. It's incredibly sluggish. Besides that, there's also the Xpander. The Xpander, as I feel it, is quite sluggish compared to cars in its class.
So, are there any CVT cars that are not sluggish? The answer is yes. Almost all of Toyota's latest lineups have better and more responsive transmissions compared to other cars. Besides Toyota, Honda's CVTs are also quite responsive. So, the conclusion is: is CVT sluggish? The answer is yes, compared to manual and AT. Is CVT prone to damage? The answer is no, if maintained properly. But it does have a shorter lifespan than AT. And finally, CVT repairs are quite daunting compared to AT repairs. That's the most comfortable transmission, CVT, which has to be paid for dearly. What do you think? Comment in the comment section below, and see you in the next video. [Music]