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Continuously Variable Transmission

See Continuously variable transmission output ratios that are taken to the extreme with IVT's, resulting in a 'neutral', or non-driving 'low' gear limit.] Generally, the usage of the term 'CVT' is not used for Infinitely Variable Transmissions because most CVT's are not IVT's.The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) should not be confused with the Power Split Transmission (PST), as used in the Toyota Prius and other hybrid vehicles that use two or more inputs with one output. PST's are not CVT's, despite some similarities in their function.CVT's are not intrinsically automatic, nor do they intrinsically include zero or reverse output. Such features may be adapted to CVT's in certain specific applications.Other mechanical transmissions only allow a few different discrete gear ratios to be selected, but the continuously variable transmission essentially has an infinite number of ratios available within a finite range, so it enables the relationship between the speed of a vehicle engine and the driven speed of the wheels to be selected within a continuous range. This can provide better fuel economy than other transmissions by enabling the engine to run at its most efficient speeds within a narrow range.

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Last updated on Friday January 26, 2007 at 23:12:10 PST (GMT -0800)
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