I need to research our CVT on how it actually makes a false shift. Does it work like a manual clutch? I can’t imagine engaging and disconnecting the power/load to have less consumption than a continuous connection. (Highway vs. City Driving in a Manual)
Don’t worry, I know all that. There are no clutches in the power ratio section of the CVT. It’s a direct link always connected up to the AWD clutches (which are a large, multi-plate, computer-controlled assembly that allows 100% power shifting to the front or rear).
This is a simulation TR690 in action (starts about 10 seconds or more)
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This is one TR580which you will notice has smaller gears, smaller chain, smaller pulleys, etc.
Ours is the high torque TR690. The TR580 is for other applications like the naturally aspirated 2.5L in the Outback, Legacy, etc.
So to change “gears”, our CVT changes the pulley ratios to correspond with our artificial gear (a Forester XT or WRX has different ratios programmed in). It simply “jumps” the chain up or down. This is also why it can feel “slippery” when you skip cogs – because it’s really just a matter of the pulleys being pumped up/down, so the chain moves up or down the cones for an extended distance.
Now, add our slight turbo lag and the engine speed that has to catch up to the increased RPM needs (for example, when you put it on the floor), and there seems to be a drop in load.
But the way you can best feel the CVT smoothly changing the “gear” ratios is to put the ACC in a high gear (one that matches the speed limit, of course) and stop the car. Then, press the “reset” button for the ACC and watch it change gears smoothly. The RPMs will also stay in the torque range.
It’s downright awesome what the TR690 can do when it’s not working to “appease reviewers who don’t like the rubber band effect ironized in electric cars and demand fake shifting.”
Talk to someone with a 2010-2011 Outback with a CVT (any engine). It’s a TR690 with no dummy shift. Better yet, drive one if you can. One day, I hope we can disable fake switching.
Forward report is between 3.227 – 0.467
The opposite ratio is fixed 3.136
The variable ratios of the 8-speed artificial gears are:
- 3.227
- 2.100
- 1.535
- 1.191
- 0.933
- 0.749
- 0.602
- 0.467
