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Why Does Toyota Use CVT?

The type of transmission system your car is using is important. It will determine how reliable the car is. 

Toyota chooses to use a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) in their vehicles. But why does the company opt to use this system?

Toyota uses CVT because it offers a wide range of advantages. This includes increased fuel efficiency, smoother driving, and better performance. 

Plus, the Toyota CVT is known for its reliability. It should last for around 300,000 miles.

CVT transmissions continue to be widely used as in Toyota vehicles. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about this type of transmission.

What Is CVT?

Let’s start by talking about what this type of transmission is and how it works. A transmission system aims to maintain the right rev-band. 

Traditionally, there were only a limited number of gear ratios to choose from. For example, in a manual car, you have to shift through five gears to reach the top speed.

The CVT, though, is infinitely variable. As a result, it acts as a universal gear, working at all speeds. To do this, it will work to keep the RPMs lower. 

This is when the engine is the most efficient. 

From there, it will be able to keep the car at this lower RPM, regardless of the speed that you are traveling at.

The Benefits Of Using CVT

The reason why Toyota chooses to use the CVT system is because of the number of benefits it can provide. These include:

Improved Fuel Efficiency

One of the things that attracts people to Toyota is how affordable their cars are. This isn’t just part of the purchase price. It extends to how much it costs to keep the car running. 

CVT is designed to offer maximum fuel efficiency. This will save you money at the gas pump time after time. This is because cars that use this system tend to be lighter and also keep the RPMs at the most optimal level. 

Better Performance

Part of the appeal of the CVT system is that you will be able to get improved performance. It is designed to make sure that your engine is always running at lower RPMs regardless of how fast you are traveling. 

This is the level at which it will provide the best performance. This also makes it easier for the car to handle difficult terrain.

Smoother Drive

Other transmissions can produce a lunging sensation when it moves from one gear to the other. However, on the CVT, you won’t get this. 

It will flow smoothly from one gear to the next. This creates a smoother driving experience.

Downsides Of A CVT

No method of transmission is perfect. Some of the downsides that can come from using a CVT include:

  • Noise. The car is always working to find the best gear. Because of this, some drivers complain about the engine making a droning noise. But this is easy enough to ignore.
  • Lack of gear shifting. Sometimes, a driver might miss the sensation of being able to change the gears. It can sometimes make the drive feel a little less engaging. Newer Toyotas solve this problem, replicating a gearbox.
  • More expensive repair bill. The CVT system will rely on belts. These can wear out, requiring you to repair them. They are also more complex than traditional automatic transmissions, so you will need to seek out someone with enough experience to fix them. Compared to automatic transmissions, the CVT will also need more regular maintenance.
  • Might struggle at lower speeds. Traditional gearboxes will allow the car to get off the line faster. This allows them to get up to speed quicker. It will also perform better in a low-speed environment.

Is The CVT Reliable?

When you are buying a new car, you want to make sure that you are getting a reliable model. The good news is that the Toyota CVT has a reputation for lasting a long time. 

Typically, a CVT will last for around 100,000 miles before it will need to be replaced. However, some vehicles, like the Toyotas, are doing far better than the average. They will last for around 300,000 miles before they need to be replaced.

Like most vehicles, the best way to make sure that your Toyota CVT will last for a long time is to perform regular maintenance. If you start to experience issues, like the car shuddering, it could be a sign that something is going wrong. 

As a result, you should take it to the mechanic. They will be able to help you address this issue.

Another benefit of going with a major brand, like Toyota, is that they have a lot of resources at their disposal. Because of this, they can dedicate time to improving their designs, making the CVT even better. 

A good example of this is the new launch gear. This operates like the first gear on a bike, helping the vehicle get up to speed more quickly. This is starting to be rolled out across the Toyota range, starting with some 2020 models.

CVT Vs. Manual Transmission

One of the most popular transmission systems for car lovers is the manual. There are a few big differences between these approaches. 

The traditional manual gearbox only offers a set number of gears to choose from. You’ll then be required to change gears. As I mentioned, the CVT will provide more options, so the car is always in the ideal gear.

This gives the CVT a lot of advantages that can’t be matched by the manual. I mentioned some of these benefits earlier. 

However, some people prefer to use a manual car, for the following reasons:

  • They are given more control, deciding when they want to change the gears.
  • The driving experience is more engaging.
  • Manual gearboxes are easier to access, so they will be less expensive to maintain.

Ultimately, whether you want to drive a CVT or a manual will depend on you. 

Some people enjoy the more relaxed approach of driving a CVT, knowing they don’t need to worry about changing the gears. Other drivers will want the control of a manual car. Toyota makes both varieties.

Final Thoughts

Car manufacturers are always experimenting with design options. Because of this, Toyota has decided to use the CVT. 

This will bring a range of benefits to drivers, including increased fuel performance, better performance, and smoother driving. 

Because of this, the CVT will continue to be used in Toyotas for the foreseeable future.