What is better: variator or automatic transmission? Variator, mechanics or automatic. What's better? That reliable automatic or variator reviews of owners

15.11.2020

Now you will not surprise anyone with an automatic transmission, and even more than the variator. Which gearbox is better than they differ, their advantages and disadvantages, we will look at our article.

Immediately clarify such a fact: two pedals are an automatic transmission switching box, the operation of which is provided by two components: a hydrotransformer and gearbox. The torque converter is responsible directly for switching speed, i.e. Performs all clutch functions, and reducer - for the constant joint work of the gear. Previously, the automatic transmission was four-stage, but now the engineers went further and released the eight-speed automatic transmission.

The variator gearbox is a gearbox in which mechanics and machine gun are combined. This is a stepless checkpoint, allowing you to always keep the engine in readiness for movement. As a rule, cars on which the variator are equipped with a very powerful hydraulic system. This is necessary in order for the cost of the pump drive to be less, allowing you to save.

Usually this option is more like the female half of the population, since the complexity of the driving of the car with the automatic transmission is minimal. It can be completely confident that the car will not stall, if you quickly release the clutch, because it is not necessary on the automatic transmission, the car independently switches the speed. This is the main advantage of this type of checkpoint.

Differences of the automaton from the variator

Visually to distinguish the automaton from the variator is impossible, since there is no difference in the placement of the lever. It can be located like a steering wheel and in the familiar place of placement of the box. The difference can be felt only when moving: On the variator box, the transmission switching is very smoothly, it is practically inspiring, it is possible to understand that the speed is switched only by the sound of the engine. On the machine, the speed is switched through a light jerk. On the latter generation automatic transmission, switching occurs very smoothly, especially if the box is equipped with two clips, for example, DSG automatic transmission about Volkswagen.

In addition to the sound of work and the sensation of switching, the variator automatic boxes are distinguished by the structure. Thus, the basis of the variator is a mechanism that allows you to change the speed between the leading and slave disk. This is happening by a belt or circuit that connects discs with each other. For variants, several different types of drives are provided.

A car having a variator as a transmission switching box has a much smaller overclocking time, while the acceleration occurs very smoothly and is practically imperceptibly. Such gearbox entered industrial production relatively recently. The design also has a smaller weight and is considered very reliable. To clearly see how the variator works, we suggest watching video:

As for the structure of the machine, it is somewhat different from the variator. The action of the machine is provided by gears, the operation of which is responsible for the gearbox. Due to the clutch of these gears, there is just a light jerk when switching transmissions. Also, the boxes differ in the structure. An experienced driver will be able to distinguish the variator from the machine from the first time, looking only for their structure. On the video you can see how the automatic transmission works:

So, it is possible to distinguish the variator from the machine to the following features:

marking on the engine and description in the documents. As a rule, the automatic transmission is denoted by a or at, and the variator transmission is CVT;
shocks when switching speed. On the machine they are, on the variator - no;
overclocking The machine, which has a variator box, with a sharp press on the accelerator pedal, is accelerated smoothly, without twitching. The machine will give a little forward, and you will feel acceleration;
climb. If on the machine automatic transmission, then when climbing, if you pressed the gas pedal, and then let go, the car will not roll back, which cannot be said about the variator gearbox.

Important! If you still have not figured out, view the documents and check the label on the engine, it must match the documents.

It is important to take into account that the electronics is responsible for the work of both the variator and the machine. Therefore, the engine flashing is extremely not recommended, otherwise all the electronics can earn incorrectly or rushing. Even if you plan to flash from a professional, it is better not to do that, since the repair will cost very expensive.

Advantages and disadvantages

Consider first the machine with all its advantages and minuses, let's start with the advantages:

lightweight control of the car, especially in traffic conditions;
it is almost impossible to stall;
saving the engine, since smooth switch saves it from wear, providing long work;
less fuel consumption than on a manual transmission.

Now consider the minuses:

a small loss in dynamics - speed switches slightly slower than on the variator. However, models with two clips switchable speeds much faster than variator gearboxes;
very costly repair;
frequent oil change;
several prolonged warming during cold weather.

Sometimes the car begins to accelerate sharply, it is explained by the fact that the speed switching system spends a certain time to realize what you want to switch to the transmission.

In fact, there are no critical drawbacks, so if you like the car on the machine, you can safely acquire.

Now consider the advantages and disadvantages of the variator. Let's start with positive qualities:

fast smooth overclocking without harm to the engine, as well as a smaller time required for overclocking;
reduced fuel costs;
optimal engine operation mode;
longer use;
reliability.

Positive aspects, almost completely coincide with the machine, this is not surprising, because the principle of work is almost the same. Next, consider the negative sides of the variator:

expensive repair;
frequent belt replacement, approximately every 90-120 thousand kilometers;
special oil designed for variastors.

Cons of the variator, of course, significant, but it is much more reliable, and the service life is higher than that of the machine. Another important point, it is unlikely to be attributed to advantages or disadvantages, it is the impossibility of towing and using the trailer. The structure of the box itself does not allow these actions. It is not worth experimenting, as the repair of an automatic transmission is very expensive.

Important! The most frequent breakage on the variator is a belt that connects the pulleys. To protect it from rapid wear, you can use a special tool that provides an additive and does not give a belt quickly.

So that your swallow with an automatic transmission serve you for a long time, we recommend that the rules described below are:

warming up cars in the cold season;
control over the level of fluid in the box and its timely replacement;
smooth acceleration during smooth braking;
frequent inspection of the gearbox and attentive tracking of sensor indicators;
timely appeal to a hundred.

Important! If an uncharacteristic sound appeared in the car, immediately refer to the specialists for diagnosis.

What option is better?

Only the driver can answer this question. But if you do not know which criteria choose, you can find them below:

master ride. If you drive quickly, the variator is the best option for you. If you do not enter sharply in turn and do not drive extremely, then the machine is suitable;
specifications. If you need a machine with a smooth switching of speeds, then the choice is a variator, if it is not fundamentally for you, the main thing is not to press the clutch pedal, both options are suitable;
the service life of the CAT. Of course, the variator box will serve you much longer with proper care, in contrast to automatic;
repairs. The variator box is not so popular as a machine, so it takes it not every hundred, while the machine can be repaired almost everywhere;
mode of operation. Modern gearbox offer different box switching modes. Three are distinguished: economical, comfortable and sports. In economical mode, the system itself selects the optimal version of the engine, trying to switch to increased gear. Sports regime, in contrast to economical, translates the engine to reduced transmission, thereby ensuring the presence of power reserve in the engine. Comfortable mode provides the most smooth switching of transmissions;
speed \u200b\u200bswitching method. In modern automatic transmission, there is a function of manual transmissions. It is convenient for those drivers who want to always keep the car under control and independently switch speeds. This species is most often used on those models of cars, on which the mechanics are not foreseen.

To say which gearbox is better, it is impossible, since each driver chooses exclusively for yourself.

Important! If you have not figured out which transmission box is more reliable, contact specialists for any service station, they will provide you with all the information you are interested in.

What box do you choose, solve exclusively to you. Therefore, before choosing a car, carefully examine all the pros and cons of different gearboxes and choose exactly the one that is suitable for you.

When someone begins to talk about their car in the company of motorists, one of the first is always naturally the question sounds: "What is the transmission, automatic or mechanic?". Indeed, after all, even choosing a car for yourself, a person, especially if it is his first car, has, as a rule, only 2 selection criteria for the gearbox: automatic or manual.

As for the varieties of the box itself, such, for example, as a variator, not everyone thinks. Some in the process of pre-sales inspection of the car will find out what it is what is the difference between the variatorfrom classical automatic transmission. Sometimes similar ignorance leads to a subsequent disappointment in choosing a car. To prevent this and always be able to choose a car according to your own requests, you need to know difference variator from automatic transmission.

The main components of the automatic transmission a total of two are a hydrotransformer and gearbox. The first is responsible directly for switching speeds - gear. The design of the hydrotransformer is a fully sealed shell of heat-resistant metal, inside of which are the main elements that ensure its normal functioning.

Inside the torque converter is filled with special oil for Automatic, To lubricate each part of the mechanism. The working fluid is necessary because during the operation of the part is subject to the effects of temperatures close to critical. Their interaction between themselves without lubrication can lead to erasing and subsequent breakage and need to replace. As for the gearbox, it provides a reliable trap of all gear in a complex mechanism, making it fully completed.

Speaking about the variator, despite the fact that he acts as a type of automatic transmission, it is necessary to understand its main constructive feature - gear as such this type of transmission does not provide. The switching mechanism in the variator is carried out through the gear ratio, which is transmitted by two parallel to the driven and the leading - conical pulleys. Meetwork the pulleys is sealed with a strap made of special metal or chains - depending on the type of variator box.

Box Variator and Agreement What Difference And what is better? If you carry out the parallel between these two transmissions and during the choice of the car to compare, whose features are more beneficial from the point of view of the consumer, there is no definite answer. None of these mechanisms cannot be called technically simple and cheap in service - no, the repair of such designs takes a lot of time and costs as much money.

Name one of the presented checkpoints more reliable than analogue, it would also be incorrectly - the resource of any car component primarily depends on which care for it was made throughout the entire period of operation. Unified official statistics confirming its results an obvious advantage automatic transmission Or, on the contrary, indicating that the variator is still better, does not exist.

Features of the automatic transmission and variator during operation

The most objective to compare the variator and the machine installed on various modifications of the same body of one brand of car. In this case, it is possible to carry out a thorough comparison on a number of factors and make the appropriate conclusions:

1. Movement / start from the place. At the time of start no differences box automatic from variatorin terms of the functioning of the transmission and sensations of driving as a whole, since at this stage the constructive differences still do not show themselves. With a neat work with the accelerator pedal, cars equipped with both gearbox starts smoothly and without jerks;

IMPORTANT:at the very first variators of representatives of the German automotive industry, it missed in the form of an unnecessary slow switching, and as a result, the inconsistencies of real data on the acceleration of those that were declared in the vehicle passport. Subsequently, this problem was eliminated by engineers, and in its technical characteristics, the variants ceased to play the automatic transmission.

2.D. visibility in the city cycle / movement along the highway. According to this criterion, the variator is slightly ahead of the analogue, but this does not mean that it is a discomfort for cars with a machine gun. Contrary to many speculations, the automatic transmission does not have any incomprehensible jokes when switching - the speed changes occur unnoticed for the driver, regardless of the situation in which the car is operated.

The exception is only faulty instances. The same goes and the box of the variator. They were designed and released to increase the smoothness of the course and with their task they coped successfully, because the switching is not formally occurring at all;

3. Fuel. There is an opinion, allegedly on cars with an automatic box, this indicator is always greater, if you compare with analogs, including with a variator. As practice shows, the difference in fuel consumption, especially in cars with old atmospheric and compressor engineers, is due to almost completely only the engine of the engine itself. If there is a distinction between the variator and the automatic transmission, which is 0.3-0.5 liters of fuel consumed at 100 kilometers, in favor of the first, then this is rather an error than an objective difference;

4. Dynamic characteristics. According to this indicator, it is still necessary to recognize some superiority of an automatic box over the variator, because a kind of "push", given by the car with automatic transmission with each subsequent switching, makes it accelerate faster. However, it can not be denoted as a plus, nor as minus the variator, since it was originally developed for a comfortable and measured ride and integrated into cars intended, in the overwhelming majority, for quiet family trips;

Thus, driving a car with automatic transmission will still be differfrom driving on the same instance, but with a variator. However, the differences will be imprisoned only in some dynamic characteristics that for most auto users are not so important.

However, for lovers to use their car as a sports will be preferable to the automatic transmission as faster. For those who prefer comfort, smoothness and switching, the variator will be the choice more optimal.

It is not possible to identify the unequivocal leader for the listed criteria - this is a subjective selection of each car owner with similar transmissions.

Conclusion: What type of transmission is preferable

Despite the fact that it is objective to identify which gearbox: a variator or machine is better, it is impossible, the public apparently made its choice in favor of classical automatic transmission. Variators did not raise popularity, despite the rather progressive system offered by once engineers when cars equipped with these boxes were just started to go from conveyors.

The main reason for the failure of the variator as a transmission may be that it was put on sufficiently volumetric motors, up to 3-3.5 liters. Yes, in terms of fuel flow meters, such copies consumed no more than their analogues, and on the main ride characteristics of questions, in general, did not arise.

However, consumers when seeing such liters, already mentally outlined the picture in his head, as this car is able to quickly accelerate and maintain such a dynamics throughout the required interval. The variator as a gearbox, intended for small cars and a calm ride, can not give such sensations.

IMPORTANT: box Variator and automatic: what's the difference? Even with the same characteristics of overclocking, for example, up to 100 km / h, in the form of the same numeric indicators of the automatic transmission will produce much more emotions, as if he reconstructs the atmosphere of participation in the sports competition, while on the variator there will be no relatively fast acceleration So feel. By the way, a similar comparison can be carried out between an automatic transmission and mechanical transmission.

The most important thing is to know what you want from the car, and compare the desired so that he is able to give. In this case, the choice between the machine and the variator will not cause any difficulty.

Before Drivers, defined in reluctance to be distracted by the PPC lever while driving a car, a dilemma appears which type of gearbox to choose. Despite the similarity in driving a car with a hydromechanical automatic transmission and the variator, the operation of each vehicle has its own characteristics. To determine which type of gearbox is better, it is impossible, otherwise the competitive struggle would completely supplanted the loser aggregate from the market. At the same time, it is possible to choose the best transmission option for requests for a particular driver, since each mechanisms have their advantages and disadvantages.

Features of the device of hydromechanical automatic transmission

With the classic design of the automatic transmission in its device, includes:

hydrotransformer;
planetary mechanism.

In the automatic transmission there is a fixed amount of gears defined in pairs of gears. During the acceleration and slowing the machine, a gear ratio with a small kick-down one occurs. This leads to small pauses and shocks, especially tangible on old gearbox.

The torque from the engine on the box is supplied through the transmission oil between the pumping wheel and the turbine, therefore there is no rigid connection between the power installation and automatic transmission. This technical solution ensures the smoothness of the start of movement by car, but the efficiency of the transmission decreases, which causes increased fuel consumption.

Transmission shift occurs under the influence of increasing oil pressure. In the design there are friction clutches. Providing work at the required speed. The entire process controls the electronic control unit receiving information from the sensors.

Subtleties of device variator

The design of the variator allows to continuously transmit engine torque through a transmission. The following types of CVT were the greatest popularity:

klinorenny, who has taken out into the leaders on the background of other systems;
toroidal;
chain.

In the clinoremable variator, two sliding pulleys and a belt, manufactured by a special multilayer technology, are used. During overclocking and slowing the pulleys, it is compressed either squeezed, steplessly changing the gear ratio.

In a less common chain technology, the torque is transmitted by bevered ends of the axes of the chain links. The drawing force is provided by the chain itself. The design is not able to convey a lot of effort, and also creates a lot of noise.

The toroidal variator does not have pulleys and a wedge-shaped belt. It uses cone-shaped discs and rollers. Of all the types of variants, this mechanism is able to transmit the greatest effort, subject to the use of high-strength steel. Expensive materials used in the production of toroidal CVTs affect the price of the finished product.

Breakdown machine gun

Most breakdowns both on classical automatic transmission and variator, due to late maintenance or improper operation of the vehicle. At the same time, the machine is distinguished by characteristic weaknesses:

pollution of hydroblock as a result of low quality transmission fluid;
reducing oil pressure due to the malfunction of the oily pump;
scrolling friction on disks;
car jerk when changing the gear ratio;
depreciation of planetary gears;
disorders in the operation of the sensors;
wear friction linings.

There are still breakdowns. Characteristic for specific auto models. Usually they arise in connection with engineering miscalculations when designing the machine. This problem is most acute in domestic iron horses.

Most frequently found CVT faults

The variator is more demanding on the oil that should be changed exactly on time and only to the one that is recommended by the automaker. An independent choice of lubricant can quickly output the unit fail. The most common breakdowns are:

wear of the oil pump;
strapping;
excessive wear of surfaces;
a belt rupture that causes large-scale damage to the node;
zadira trees.

Choosing that the variator is better or an automatic transmission, from the point of view of the most common breakdowns, the choice is worth making in the direction of the classic automatic transmission. Caused by a smaller number of faults that can cause a complete immobilization of the machine. Also an important nuance is a small number of specialists who can perform a qualitatively to repair the variator.

Resource of automatic transmission and service life of the elements of a stepless gearbox

One of the key factors than the variator differs from the automatic transmission is the duration of operation to overhaul. Unconditional leader here is an automatic transmission. With a timely replacement of oil, it will serve 300-400 thousand km of run. CVT will require the replacement of the belt at a odometer approach to 100 thousand. After replacing the variator will work to 120-150 thousand km. At the same time during operation, a stepless box requires better oil and expensive oil.

In the absence of timely replacement of the belt, its gap can occur. This trouble occurs when driving and causes strong damage to the aggregate. Overhaul or replacement of a node in this case is inevitable, so it is decided that the variator or automatic is not so difficult.

Advantages of automatic transmission

Hydromechanical automatic transmission has a number of significant advantages over the variator:

Automatic transmission is reliable, regardless of the operation mode of the car;
repair cost below;
it is easier to find a professional capable of performing quality automatic transmission;
simple vehicle management, especially for drivers, sent from a manual transmission.

Modern automatic transmission allows you to extend the engine resource, optimally choosing a gear ratio depending on the road conditions. The lack of a tight ligament of a motor with a transmission excludes percussion loads. Errors of beginners with incorrect selection of transmission are also excluded.

Pluses stepless box

The advantages that differs the variator from the automatic box:

the best dynamic characteristics, since there is no interruption of the torque supply required in the automatic transmission to change the gear ratio;
significantly lower fuel consumption;
good smoothness of the stroke, since there are no jerks present in automata;
up to 10% higher efficiency.

While driving on a car with a variator, one can notice the monotony of the engine. This is due to the fact that the electronics supports optimal turns corresponding to the necessary torque, and the speed change occurs only with the help of CVT. This property allows you to maximize the service life of the power plant.

Disadvantages of automatic

The difference between the automatic transmission and the variator allows you to highlight the following minuses of the classic machine:

poor overclocking dynamics;
high fuel consumption, since much energy is lost in the transmission of force through the transmission fluid;
the movement is noticeable in motion, with the extent of the exhaust box, the stronger the jerk.

When choosing an automatic or variator, it should be borne in mind that the automatic transmission requires the volume of oil, much more than CVT. Replacing the transmission fluid is necessary regularly, which makes certain financial expenses on the content of the machine. When burning frictional, the entire volume of transmission is also replaced.

Minuses of variator

The list of what the variator differs from the automatic transmission to the worse strand:

very often, high-quality repair can only be performed by official dealers, which increases the cost, and also complicates maintenance in the case of a provincial city;
replacing the belt has a high cost;
electronics is complicated, unlike an automatic transmission, so not so many specialists are taken for its repair and flashing.

During operation it is allowed to fill the oil, only intended for a particular car model. Get it in small cities is a problem. The pouring of similar oil properties can cause reinforced wear and serious malfunctions.

Comparison of the economic component

Transmission fluid in CVT has to change more often and its cost is higher. In this case, the automatic transmission requires almost 2 times the amount of oil during each replacement, therefore, according to this criterion, the box is practically no different.

Economical fuel consumption out of competition from the variator. Despite all automakers attempts to provide automatic transmission automatic transmission, the low automatic efficiency does not allow approaches the indicators of stepless boxes. The main difference between the variator in the form of a sufficiently rigid transmission of effort from the engine to the transmission allows you to save well at fuel refueling.

Repair of automatic transmission is significantly cheaper than CVT. The variator loses both in mileage before repair, and in sensitivity to proper operation. A small number of high-quality specialists in the field of stepless gearboxes is also a factor in the high cost of repair.

In order to decide which transmission is more suitable for a specific car owner, you need to know its main requirements for the car. So, for example, the desire to pay little for fuel is capable of satisfying a stepless gearbox. At the same time buy an iron horse with CVT in a small town without a developed network of service centers worth it, only deciding in advance with the place of maintenance.

If you have any questions - leave them in the comments under the article. We or our visitors will gladly respond to them

What is better - a variator or machine? The question of such a plan is very relevant when buying a car, when there is no desire to continue to constantly click the "handle" and squeeze the clutch. That is why the debate relative to such a dilemma continues.

Automatic

Automatic boxes of classic type - hydrotransformers - invented quite a long time, in the first quarter of the twentieth century. But then it was the constructions far from perfection, which had the entire pair of steps and former not quite "automatic" (clutch pedals were envisaged, etc.). However, during the modernization, the disadvantages were corrected.

At the moment, all automatic boxes of this type consist of 4 main nodes:

The hydrotransformer is a special mechanism that, using a liquid for automatic transmission, ensures conversion and torque transmission. It is located directly on the flywheel of the power unit;
A hydraulic control complex - a set of mechanisms responsible for the correct operation of the planetary gearbox;
Planetary gearbox is the main component of the automatic transmission system. It includes satellites, gears and other parts of the design;

This box poured an exceptionally special fluid provided by autocompany. Such automatic transmission operates due to the clear interaction of the hydromechanical drive and planetary mechanisms. Manages this electronics process.

The variator is a stepless type gearbox. It was patented for a very long time (in 1886), but only 15-20 years ago, it began to be installed on cars, although before that was actively used in aircraft generators.

This design is quite complex, but the main components in it are the same:

Presenter pulley;
Slave pulley;
Belt or chain;
Sliding sidewalls pulleys;
Control block.

The principle of the action of the variator is to rotate the lead and slave pulleys, between which the belt is stretched. This is where the transmission of torque from the motor to the wheels is. The change in the gear ratio is carried out by shifting the sidewalls of the pulleys, which changes their diameter.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variator and automatic transmission

Automatic

Advantages of an automatic transmission:

Easy - driving a car with a torque converter easily, as there are only 2 pedals. In addition, such a car will never ride back on the rise, which facilitates the beginning of the movement.
Comfort - times when "machines" twitched and stuck in the shifts, passed.
Reliability - This type of automatic transmission is worked out to the smallest detail and box, subject to proper handling and service, can "depart" about 300,000 km. Naturally, unsuccessful copies are also found, but this is an exception.
Motor safety - automatic transmission simply does not allow the driver to overload the power unit;
Type-Tronic - the ability to manual switching.

Disadvantages of an automatic transmission.

Consumption - auto appetite with automatic transmission higher than with MT. The case in large energy loss, which goes to ensure the work of the pump responsible for creating a working pressure in the highways, as well as to create a flow of transmission fluid and its heating. Yes, and the large weight of the gearbox is driving a car.
Cost - the machine with automatic transmission is more expensive due to the presence of such a complex node.
Oil change - it is necessary to carry out more often than in the variasts, and it takes it more - up to 10 liters.

The advantages of the variator:

The smoothness of the stroke - the variator disperses the car extremely smoothly. His dynamics are similar to trolleybus - no jerks and jersekov.
Dynamics - acceleration with the variator, as a rule, is more dynamic than with a classic "automatic".
Efficiency - models with variator consume less fuel.

Disadvantages of the variator:

Service - periodically requires replacement of the belt or chain, and this procedure is not available. This is usually done every 100,000 - 150,000 km.
Accuracy with butter - it is quite expensive, and even for each type of variator, a separate oil brand is required. If you pour unsuitable - the box will not "live" for a long time.
Reliability - variators are less reliable, in comparison with automatic transmission, and more demanding on operating standards.
Incompatibility with powerful motors - the reason for this in principle the work of the variator itself, which is based on friction.
Sound - the variator fills the car with a constant hum, as it works quite noisy.
The nature of the engine is - such a box holds a power unit on optimal revs, which leads to its "freezing" in one range. And in the far path, this has been acting on the nerves.

So, better than a variator or machine

As can be seen, an unequivocal opinion regarding what is better - a variator or "automatic", can not be. If in priority reliability and convenience, and the price of a big role does not play, it is better to buy a car with automatic transmission. If you want the most smooth driving and a small consumption - the variator will become the optimal choice.

Old good mechanical gearbox gradually leaves the market. Modern motorists prefer comfort and some feeling of "freedom" driving, which has become accessible to everyone with the advent of automatic gearboxes. But technical progress is tirelessly rushing forward, bringing new automotive units to the market. We are talking about the variations - transmission, which turned out as a result of symbiosis of mechanics and automaton. Many modern cars are equipped with this particular box. Like all new, the variators undergo an experimental test in practice are being finalized, updated and improved.

So, while all automakers did not endorse their cars with the possibility of unmanned control, drivers face a dilemma: which gearbox to give its preference. And the more cars are equipped with variasts, the more questions arise: what is the basis of the principle of the variator? Is this box reliable? What is the difference between the variator from the machine, if there are 2 pedals in the car too? Finally, what is better: automatic or variator? These and some other questions will be available in this article.

What is the difference between the machine from the variator?

Acquisition of a car - a deed that cannot be called spontaneous. Anyway, car enthusiasts are pre-prepared for this event, find information about the design features, power, operation, "sores", etc. By skipping this moment, you can quickly disappointed in any car. To avoid negative emotions, you need to buy a car that meets your own requirements. For example, it is worth clear what is the principal difference between the automatic box and the variator, as some of the equality sign between these aggregates.

How the automatic transmission works

The operation of the "automat" is based on the principle of interaction between the two main nodes: the hydrotransformer and gearbox. The torque converter is inserted pressure, thanks to which the transmission switches smoothly and automatically. In fact, it is this node that replaced the mechanical clutch.

The second assembly of automatic transmission is responsible for the mechanical part of the operation of the transmission, consists of several steps marked with gear pairs that are in constant engagement.

How the variator works

The feature of the variator boxes is a stepless gear shift. For a continuous set of speed, a pair of cone pulleys is answered, one of which is the lead, the second - slave. Pulleys interact with each other through a metal trapezoid belt or chain.

What happens inside the variator during operation?

Coniseoid pulleys - details are not monolithic. Each pulley is a series of sliding elements. The lowest gear (initial or first) occurs at the time when the lead pulley is located in the maximum expatient state and the chain goes to a small diameter. Accordingly, when the presenter pulley is pulled at the minimum distance, the diameter of the circuit walking increases to the maximum, which is characteristic of the fifth, sixth and higher gears.

In this, the whole essence of the work of the variator: the movement of the pulleys changes the gear rattles, which entails a decrease or increase the speed of the car.

Automatic transmission VS variator. Pros and cons

To put a point in the question "What is better: a machine or a variator?" It is necessary to evaluate all the advantages and designate all the shortcomings of these types of transmission:

Advantages of automatic transmission

Disadvantages of automatic transmission

The automatic transmission has a relatively low efficiency due to the design features of the hydrotransformer. As a result, cars with automaton cannot be called economical in terms of fuel consumption.
The weak dynamics of acceleration, "stupidity" and "failures" with a speed set - another significant disadvantage of automatic transparents in comparison with the variator.

Advantages of a variator box

Disadvantages of variator

The variators appeared relatively recently and are constantly being improved. Therefore, statistics are still not accustomed on them, in connection with which the service, and even more so the repair of these boxes - the procedures are very expensive.
Variator boxes require regular maintenance using specific oils that have fundamental differences depending on the manufacturer and constructive features.

Conclusions. What is better: automatic or variator?

Owning information about the features and principles of the work of various types of transmission, knowing their advantages and disadvantages, every car owner will find his answer to the question "What is better: automatic or variator?".

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