Cvt Gearbox.

[22926322]

I run an Avensis with a CVT gearbox which I am very pleased with. I am considering upgrading to a latter model. Looking at adverts from several Toyota Dealers there are adverts which read CVT transmission and some that read Tiptronic transmission. Are these one and the same or is Toyota now using 2 different types of auto transmission. anyone used tiptronoc and what is the difference.

[Raistlin]

Purpose

A Tiptronic transmission is an automatic transmission that can be controlled like a manual transmission. In a standard automatic transmission, a computer selects which gear the car should operate in, but a Tiptronic transmission gives this control to the driver. The name "Tiptronic" was created by Porsche, who made the first such transmission, but it also can refer to similar transmission systems from other manufacturers.

Automatic With Manual Feel

The purpose of the Tiptronic transmission system is to give the driver more control of the car's performance and approximate the feel of a manual transmission while keeping the car as easy to drive as an automatic. Car makers had attempted to design a manual transmission that performed like an automatic, but the Tiptronic approach was more successful.

Operation

In ordinary driving, the Tiptronic transmission functions like an automatic transmission and can shift gears without driver control. When the driver activates the Tiptronic system, the transmission ceases to shift automatically and relies on the driver to change gears. Usually the driver controls the gears with paddle-shifters, which are small levers located on the steering wheel. One paddle shifts gear up to a higher gear, while the other shifts to a lower gear.

Driving With a Tiptronic

Tiptronic transmission systems often feature special settings, such as a performance setting in which the automatic transmission shifts gear at higher RPMs to simulate the feeling of a sports car. Many major manufacturers use a Tiptronic transmission or a similar system in some of their models.

[FROSTYBALLS]

Tiptronic is actually a registered trademark owned by Porsche.

The Avensis automatic option is a CVT, which has steering column mounted paddle shift controls.

Tiptronic is used by some to describe an automatic transmission that gives the driver the option of a manual upshift and downshift control - such as the paddle shift controls on the Avensis.

[Heidfirst]

Currently the petrol engined Avensis use the CVT gearbox but diesel autos use a conventional torque converter box (& as in the UK you can now only get a new diesel auto with the 2.2 D-CAT I wouldn't recommend it from a fuel economy pov).

[22926322]

Thanks for the information. Sounds as if its the same gearbox with the option of controls on the steering wheel.in place of the manual control on the gear knob. Had my present car a 2010 .avensis 1.8 petrol CVT.For 18 months now and I love it, I find it's best to put it into D and let it look after itself. Hoping to get the facelife model at some time. I mainly use it for short trips so prefer Petrol.

[Mike169]

Hi, my 2.2 D-Cat Rav4 2012 diesel automatic is has the tiptronic type gear box, and to be honest i don't really use it as it's just a manual over ride to the auto box. In reality i only use it to make the car down shift as i live close to a steep long hill as you can control the cars speed using the engine as a brake, but of course it increases the rpm significantly which saves me holding the speed back on the brakes only to and therefore running the risk of overheating the brakes/brake fluid.

Dunno if you watch 'Top Gear' but Jeremy Clarkson is always moaning about flappy paddle gearboxes as they are known and some cars, even 'super cars' only have the paddles and nothing else.

The paddles are more of a toy if a car has a auto gear stick as well as in reality you just put the car in D and let it sort itself out. Cars with paddles and no other way of shifting the gears can be more awkward to park for some people as on most designs the paddles are attaches to the rear of the steering wheel therefore they go round and round as you turn the wheel to park up.

Raistlin's explanation about these gearboxes is very good.

Mike169