Thats so cool! In ways it felt funky because it wasnt switching gears when I would expect, yet it felt so smooth all thw time. This explains everything. So when in "L" does it only keep the car geared lower? Or does it also affect the torque band?
Thanks
Hi, maybe gearing is the wrong word to use. Since CVT uses a steel belt between two clutches - a primary and secondary.
The primary clutch is an advanced form of centrifugal clutch and is typically mounted to the output end of the engine crankshaft. The clutch has two sheave faces; one that is laterally fixed (stationary sheave), and one that can move in and out to engage the belt (moveable sheave). In most systems, at idle the sheave surfaces are spread at their widest spacing, the belt is riding on the post or shaft at the smallest diameter of the clutch, and the belt is not pinched by the sheave faces. This provides a “neutral” position that allows the engine to idle without transmitting power to the wheels.
The secondary clutch is mounted to the input shaft of the transmission, transaxle, or the like. In modern CVT systems such as those used in recreational vehicles, the secondary clutch has two functions: as a “slave” to the primary clutch and to provide a torque sensing element.
The belt in most CVT systems is a heavy duty “V-belt” which is V-shaped in cross section. They are made of rubber components reinforced with Kevlar and other materials to enhance durability.
So in "L", it positions the belt to a point where it revs high but your speed is slow. I think you can hit 6K rpm at about 20 or 25KM per hour type thing. It would be the equivalent to "1" in a normal Auto.
See this link for a .pdf document that explains Nissan's CVT in more details with pics.
http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/DOCUMENT/PDF/TECHNOLOGY/technology_overview/CVT_Apr.06E_A4.pdf
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