Nissan CVT Warranty Extension

About Nissan's Continuously Variable Transmissions (Xtronic CVT)

Nissan has been building Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs) for more than a decade. In fact, today Nissan has more than 3 million CVTs in operation worldwide. In North America, Nissan introduced the advanced Xtronic CVT. The Xtronic CVT provides the performance and fuel efficiency of a manual transmission along with the convenience of an automatic transmission.

How Xtronic CVT Works
A continuously variable transmission transmits power by means of two variable diameter pulleys and a high-strength steel belt instead of fixed gears. One pulley receives the power generated by the engine and the other pulley transmits drive power to the tires.

Both pulleys have V-shaped grooves in which the connecting belt rides. One side of the pulley is fixed; the other side is movable, actuated by a hydraulic cylinder. When actuated by various sensors, the cylinder can increase or reduce the amount of space between the two sides of the pulleys. This allows the belt to ride lower or higher along the walls of the pulleys, depending on driving and road conditions, thereby changing the gear ratio. The gear ratio varies continuously rather than in steps, like traditional transmissions.

On some vehicles, a manual mode allows the driver to choose among six speed ranges for enhanced driver control over transmission operation. The display on the instrument panel indicates which range is selected.

Also, on some vehicles paddle shifters mounted on the steering column allow drivers to shift gears manually without removing their hands from the steering wheel. Advantages Xtronic CVT operates in much the same manner as a conventional automatic transmission, with some key differences.

First, an automatic transmission typically has four to six fixed gear ratios. A continuously variable transmission selects a ratio for every driving situation, continuously changing the ratio as necessary. It eliminates the shift shock that occurs when a conventional automatic transmission shifts from one gear to another. And it eliminates “hunting” for the right gear when driving uphill.
When an automatic transmission shifts gears, engine rpm rises above or falls below the engine’s optimum power and efficiency range. Xtronic CVT continuously adjusts the transmission’s output to keep the engine in its optimum power and efficiency range at all times. This means immediate acceleration for passing because there’s no waiting for the transmission to downshift.
Xtronic CVT is much more efficient at transferring power from the engine to the drive-wheels because it weighs less and has fewer moving parts than a conventional automatic transmission. Customers get the best of both worlds — the performance and fuel efficiency of a manual transmission with the ease of use of an automatic transmission.


CVT Program Details FAQs Included Vehicles About Nissan’s CVT Contact Nissan Consumer Affairs Home Parts and Service Bulletin Transmission Fluid (PDF) Related Sites www.nissanusa.com www.infinitiusa.com	About Nissan's Continuously Variable Transmissions (Xtronic CVT) Nissan has been building Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs) for more than a decade. In fact, today Nissan has more than 3 million CVTs in operation worldwide. In North America, Nissan introduced the advanced Xtronic CVT. The Xtronic CVT provides the performance and fuel efficiency of a manual transmission along with the convenience of an automatic transmission. How Xtronic CVT Works A continuously variable transmission transmits power by means of two variable diameter pulleys and a high-strength steel belt instead of fixed gears. One pulley receives the power generated by the engine and the other pulley transmits drive power to the tires. Both pulleys have V-shaped grooves in which the connecting belt rides. One side of the pulley is fixed; the other side is movable, actuated by a hydraulic cylinder. When actuated by various sensors, the cylinder can increase or reduce the amount of space between the two sides of the pulleys. This allows the belt to ride lower or higher along the walls of the pulleys, depending on driving and road conditions, thereby changing the gear ratio. The gear ratio varies continuously rather than in steps, like traditional transmissions. On some vehicles, a manual mode allows the driver to choose among six speed ranges for enhanced driver control over transmission operation. The display on the instrument panel indicates which range is selected. Also, on some vehicles paddle shifters mounted on the steering column allow drivers to shift gears manually without removing their hands from the steering wheel. Advantages Xtronic CVT operates in much the same manner as a conventional automatic transmission, with some key differences. First, an automatic transmission typically has four to six fixed gear ratios. A continuously variable transmission selects a ratio for every driving situation, continuously changing the ratio as necessary. It eliminates the shift shock that occurs when a conventional automatic transmission shifts from one gear to another. And it eliminates “hunting” for the right gear when driving uphill. When an automatic transmission shifts gears, engine rpm rises above or falls below the engine’s optimum power and efficiency range. Xtronic CVT continuously adjusts the transmission’s output to keep the engine in its optimum power and efficiency range at all times. This means immediate acceleration for passing because there’s no waiting for the transmission to downshift. Xtronic CVT is much more efficient at transferring power from the engine to the drive-wheels because it weighs less and has fewer moving parts than a conventional automatic transmission. Customers get the best of both worlds — the performance and fuel efficiency of a manual transmission with the ease of use of an automatic transmission.
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