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vrg3 wrote:The Prius does not have a CVT. It's not even really a transmission.

toyota's website wrote:Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT)

???

Believe who you want. In this case, I'm more right than Toyota's marketers.

I was just looking for a technical explanation, not trying to call you out, Vikash.

Oh.

Well, it's hard to explain, so you're better off Googling for it, but basically:

It has a planetary gearset that acts more like a differential than like a transmission. Depending on how fast each motor is run and which of the various clutches are locked up, different speed relationships can be created, but the torque relationship is always the same. This setup is an essential part of the "Hybrid Synergy Drive" since it allows power to be shared between the internal combustion engine and the electric motors and the wheels, seamlessly.

That's actually a pretty good explanation.

This might help too.
http://www.cleangreencar.co.nz/page/pri ... nical-info

Yeah, I always heard the ECVT preaching when I worked at Toyota myself.

I had always assumed it was; I never got curious enough to find out more, especially after I heard that the hybrid batteries - the big ones under the seat that drive the electric motor - are good for about 5 years, conveniently once the Toyota warranty expires, and cost about $5,000

Aren't they NiMH? Those suck.

Technically, a transmission is the link between the engine and wheels, right? Hence the name. So the only cars I can think of without a separate transmission would be most steam cars and some electrics with the motor in the wheel hubs. Sorry for the bout of anality.

I think Transmission is a misnomer at times. A differential performs the same job (though under different circumstances) and falls under a different name.

Attach an electric limited slip differential to an engine. One outut of that diff goes to a generator. The other goes to the differential at the wheels. If you vary the resistance at the generator, you vary the RPM of the opposite output.

If you stop one wheel of a car with an open diff, the opposite wheel spins at twice the RPM with the same torque applied to the input.

The hybrid synergy drive system has an 8-year warranty, longer than the rest of the car.

NiMH is actually well-suited for this purpose. Very high power density, and capable of moving that power.

The longevity and weight isn't as good as lithium ion, which is the only thing I'd even consider. Subaru feels the same way according to their show car press releases. IIRC, the NiMH also have more problems with memory, (though nowhere as bad as NiCad). It may have a better temp range tolerance, but it's been about 8 years since I researched this stuff so my memory may be fuzzy.

The power-to-weight may seem better on paper, but the higher internal resistance presents a problem when trying to draw enough power to, say, move a car. To make Li-Ion work well for this purpose you'd actually need a lot more of it, so the weight concern actually favors nickel-metal hydride.

when driving around in town when I'm in no rush I will be in 4th gear before 25 mph..

on the highway I might wind it up to 5500 before I shift to 2nd..


for fun one day I took it to the red line for the 1-2-3 shifts when time came to back down and shift to 5th.. or at least i thought I was in 5th I let the clutch out and the engine shot well over 6500 (my red line is 6K) I clutched back in for a good 6 seconds trying to get the shifter back into 4th and let the clutch back out and kept checking my rear view to see if anything was smoking...

I was ok but a person gave me a tip to shift open handed and that helped out a bunch.

I need to work on my downshifts... i've been working on it.. sometimes I will downshift to the gear I want and blip the throttle and let the clutch out so the car wont jerk forward as much as if I just picked the gear and let the clutch out.

when i drive im very easy on my motor. ill shift around 3-3.5k. and im trying to keep my tranny together.


i dont drive my legacy like i used to. i was always really hard on my motor but i was also very strict the maintenance.


and after spending over 10k into your car, you tend to treat it with a lot more car.

Yeah, things have changed since I first replied to this thread.

I drive however fast I feel like driving without attracting too much attention. I don't unnecessarily beat on the vehicle, but I wear out tires and brakes exceptionally fast, and I frequently go into the higher revs of whatever I'm driving.

And I definitely blare the horn at any incompetent moron who gets in my way.

On top of it all, I still get at least the EPA rating or better for fuel mileage.

ya i didnt realize that there was more pages lol.

Ahh I don't have a Leggy just yet but my driving style hardly changes from car to car.

I have to alter it a bit for some things (torquey car vs high revving peak hp car) but the style stays the same.

I'm always paying close attention to weight transfer, I do a lot of "limo stops" which requires progressive loading of the brakes when you begin, and progressive release of them as you slow. It keeps the suspension settled and in a mid-compressed range (where it works better). A very good technique when it comes to racing! I also focus on precise heel toe-ing (I do that all the time coming up to stops under braking) and rev-matching - ie: when I go down a gear to pass. It sounds quite lovely when you have a nice exhaust mods and saves wear on the ol' clutch.

When other people are in the car with me, I try to accelerate and decel better than an automatic. Seamless shifts is what I look for without upsetting my weight transfer. A brilliant way to judge this is by the head movements of the passenger in the front seat. If they jerk around a lot (because they are not anticipating loads), you're doing it wrong.

Lines of course, even when not at the limit. Hey I take proper racing lines when I'm shopping with the shopping cart, okay?
Sure people look at me crazy if they catch me, but I'm guess who is going to get that last loaf of bread, huh?

Haha other than that, I love to anticipate the actions of other drivers in traffic or on the freeway. It's a fun game that actually makes you safer - as in - what will I do if they move here? or where are my escape routes if this asshat does this and completely cuts me off? Or - they're going to go into the carpool lane. Yep. Went into the carpool lane. Haha. Otherwise I pay attention to traffic flow so I can move seamlessly and use brakes less - maintaining momentum.

In this way, my driving is never dull! I always have fun... even if it has to be in a hand me down Geo Prism.

One thing I like to do as well (when I'm not driving but my friends are) is shift for them from the passenger seat. A-la RHD... I want one so bad. That's the least expensive way of going about it. They know me as a really good shifter. Grr......now I want to go driving! Thanks OP

I usually shift around 3K because I don't see the need in putting extra wear and tear shifting at 4K or 5K RPM.

If I am accelerating out of a driveway or something like that then I will probably shift at 3500 RPM to make sure my speed is high enough for the next gear.

And coasting up to a light is the best..I use my brakes less and I'm off the throttle. Ditto with engine-braking down a hill.

Manual transmission FTW!