I am not very familiar with the CVT system, and am not really clear on it's benefits/drawbacks. I read that it's smooth and durable, but then hear it's noisy and revs at high RPMs when pushed. Why was the technology originally developed - just for the sake of a longer trans life? Are the accelerations slow and controlled, or will the smaller patriot feel zippy with passing power?

Sorry for all the questions, does anyone know a good online resource that might clarify?

The Patriot uses a Jatco transmission (model # JF011E). The same transmission is in Nissan Lafesta, Nissan Serena, Mitsubishi Outlander, Suzuki Landy, Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass.

Generally, a CVT has a wider gear ratio range, which is supposed to improve acceleration and fuel economy. It also eliminates the "step" feeling you get when a conventional automatic changes gears (which apparently bothers some people).

Personally, I would prefer the tried & true conventional automatic, since I don't think CVTs have been around long enough to have proven themselves. But, I really like the Patriot, so in this case I'm willing to try the new technology.

The best way to decribe how a CVT operates (at least to me) is to think of the gears on a 10 speed bike and the chain that connects them.

You use the two smaller gears and get fast acceleration but low top speed.
Now if you replace one of the small gears with a larger gear you get more speed but slower acceleration
And finally you have to very large gears that give you top speed and minimal accelleration

A CVT acutally consists of two cone shaped pulleys and a kevlar belt connecting them. Both of the pulleys are completely smooth without any gears cut into them and change in diameter depending on the vehicle speed and acceleration requirements....

You can also read up on CVT hat Wikipedia - CVT Transmissions explained (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuously_Variable_Transmission)

I am not very familiar with the CVT system, and am not really clear on it's benefits/drawbacks. I read that it's smooth and durable, but then hear it's noisy and revs at high RPMs when pushed. Why was the technology originally developed - just for the sake of a longer trans life? Are the accelerations slow and controlled, or will the smaller patriot feel zippy with passing power?

Sorry for all the questions, does anyone know a good online resource that might clarify?


In theory it should be smoother and be capable of better gas mileage. In the PM/MKs so far it is smoother, but I dont think it does much for gas mileage. The noise isnt from the trans, its the engine, just a little louder in the PM/MK because the engine is usually revving higher when you accellerate. The engine is smooth, we have had no problems with them so far, Ive ahd a few torn down at the training center and it looks like a good design it just sounds different. Accelleration is smooth, but feels slow because there is allmost no feel to it. The first few times I drove a Caliber or Compass I felt like I was crawling, looked in my mirror and saw traffic was way behind me and then looked at the speedometer and found myself doing 60 when I thought I was only up to 40 or so. Takes a little getting used to, if you floor one it will rev to redline and just stay there until you let up or you get going fast enough for aerodynamic drag to start slowing your acceleration.

I test drove a Patriot this past weekend and had prepared myself for all of the horror stories of a high revving noisy beast of a little vehicle. What I heard and felt was none of that. I live in Indianapolis, so there are no hills to climb, but getting on some of the onramps to the interstate around here have a decent grade. I picked one of these to get a good feel. I took off from the light like I would in my Dakota (2wd V6). The engine never revved higher than 3500 RPM and I was up to 70 MPH before I got to the end of the ramp (Dakota would be at 55). Yeah the revs did not change but I did not have to endure the "slamming" of gears. In terms of perfomance this little "truck" beats my Dakota easily. It was also quieter. Several times I found myself doing 75 in a 55 because it was so much smoother, quieter, and decievingly powerful (All of this with the sales guy in the front seat). CVT will be way of future (and is has been around for a long time, just not utilized). Companies are now using 5, 6, or more speed automatics to get fuel economy but just changing to a CVT accomplishes the same thing with less parts. Another advantage of a CVT that no one seems to be talking about is the ability to adapt the software to match driver preferences (this has not been done yet, but should be easy to do since CVT is computer controlled).

if anybody could clarify what RPMs they get at say 55, 65, and 75mph that would be great.

CVT will be way of future (and is has been around for a long time, just not utilized). Companies are now using 5, 6, or more speed automatics to get fuel economy but just changing to a CVT accomplishes the same thing with less parts. Another advantage of a CVT that no one seems to be talking about is the ability to adapt the software to match driver preferences (this has not been done yet, but should be easy to do since CVT is computer controlled).

In theory the CVT should get better gas mileage, in practice it doesnt. They usually get 1 or 2 mpg better on the EPA test, but end up 1 or 2 worse in real world driving. They do seem to post slightly better numbers on accelleration. While in theory it can provide infinite gear ratios, it is still limited to a set lowest gear and highest gear by pulley size. They do seem smoother, but not sure how important that is too many people especially since a lot of 5, 6 and 7 speed automatics are also pretty smooth. A lot of what the CVT gains in "efficiency" with the gearing may be getting taken back by the pump, the CVT runs at about 800 psi and it takes some power to run that pump.

I think they are ok, and wouldnt let a CVT stop me from buying the car I wanted, but given the choice I would rather have more gears in a conventional automatic. Even better a dual clutch manumatic.

if anybody could clarify what RPMs they get at say 55, 65, and 75mph that would be great.
Off-hand I can tell you that at 70mph the engine purrs between 2000-2200rpms.
The more I drive mine, the more I love it.

at about 75mph my Pat revs around 2500 RPM's, doing 55mph it revs around 1800 RPM's