question about CVT in RX,GS, and LS
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
question about CVT in RX,GS, and LS
Sorry might be a dumb question but i was wondering. Not entirely sure about the CVT in the hybrid Lexus models but a salesman told me that they dont have gears, like you know a 6 speed automatic. Well i see in the hybrid RX that it doesnt have a sequential shift, instead it has "D" and then after that a "B" i think. Well i see in the GS 450H and LS 600H that it has a sequential gearbox, why does it have one if it doesnt have gears in it? Is it something like you can just tap the lever up to go faster or something? 
Sorry really confused about this one, could someone explain it to me?
Thanks AJ
Sorry really confused about this one, could someone explain it to me?Thanks AJ
CVT can vary its gear ratios on the fly without shifting, it will feel like one gear the whole way, not positive on the technical workings exactly. But there are no shift points, powerband is uninterupted
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/cvt.htm
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/cvt.htm
Last edited by 4TehNguyen; Jun 5, 2006 at 08:03 PM.
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,283
Likes: 363
From: Canada
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,629
Likes: 280
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
A true CVT does not have stepped gears....it is essentially two opposing cone-shaped pullies with a belt between them, but you can give them so-called " gears " or driving ranges ". This, in a nutshell, is really done more with the final-drive unit than the transmission itself. The " gears" are actually two ( or more ) different final drive ratios, with the CVT working normaly through each.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,246
Likes: 275
Originally Posted by AJL0365
Sorry might be a dumb question but i was wondering. Not entirely sure about the CVT in the hybrid Lexus models but a salesman told me that they dont have gears, like you know a 6 speed automatic. Well i see in the hybrid RX that it doesnt have a sequential shift, instead it has "D" and then after that a "B" i think. Well i see in the GS 450H and LS 600H that it has a sequential gearbox, why does it have one if it doesnt have gears in it? Is it something like you can just tap the lever up to go faster or something? Sorry really confused about this one, could someone explain it to me?
Thanks AJ
Sorry really confused about this one, could someone explain it to me?Thanks AJ
B in RX400h is for engine braking, which Hybrids dont have (its called coasting, and engine gets turned off).
GS450h also has two "gear ratios" that RX400h does not.
In lexus hybrids, it is really not an true cvt - it is power splitting device (engine/motors) that has planetary gearsets and works similar to cvt.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
oh, well i have the concept of it a lil' but still confused, thanks for the input. why do u think they decided to make it different in the RX and the GS rather than making it the same unit, or such?
Trending Topics
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: CA
The RXh system is designed for more fuel economy than the GSh system, which is designed for more performance. The GSh system has a "torque multiplier" that the RXh system doesn't have.
In both systems the B or +/- positions turn on engine braking. The positions don'tt correspond to particular gears because there are no fixed gears. The positions are useful when going downhill when you want to slow down without being on the brake constantly. If you are not going downhill or wanting to slow down then there is no benefit to being in those simulated gear positions and it will only hurt fuel economy.
In both systems the B or +/- positions turn on engine braking. The positions don'tt correspond to particular gears because there are no fixed gears. The positions are useful when going downhill when you want to slow down without being on the brake constantly. If you are not going downhill or wanting to slow down then there is no benefit to being in those simulated gear positions and it will only hurt fuel economy.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)
Brett Foote
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
