CVTs work with a range of engines, from compact 2-liter models to bigger 3.5-liter setups. They can transmit high torque while delivering smooth, swift acceleration. This combination makes CVTs a popular choice for drivers who want both efficiency and responsive performance.
Nevertheless, representatives from Za Rulem, a long-standing and trusted automotive publication in Russia, explain that sudden shocks from a standstill can damage the variator and lead to costly repairs. This caution comes from years of testing and field experience, underscoring the need for mindful driving habits with CVTs.
Indeed, the variator dislikes abrupt jolts. Such shocks can cause the belt or chain to slip on the pulleys. Remember that the variator operates on friction rather than hooks: a taut belt unwinds with one cylinder and rotates the other, enabling smooth gear changes without traditional gears.
Slippage is not a cosmetic issue. It can create grooves in the belt surface and contaminate the oil with metal particles. This contamination is dangerous because it can quickly affect key components, including bearings, the hydraulic pump, and other critical mechanisms inside the transmission.
Further context on CVT behavior and control can be found in the expert commentary by Aleksey Revin and Mikhail Kolodochkin from Za Rulem, summarized as “How Drivers (and Heat) Kill CVTs: 5 Fatal Mistakes.”
A picture: Subaru [Cited from Za Rulem experts, with attribution to Revin and Kolodochkin]