Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

Most conventional transmission systems control the ratio between engine

speed and wheel speed using a fixed number of metal gears.
Rather than using gears the CVTs use a pair of variable!diameter pulleys connected by a
belt or chain that can produce an infinite number of engine"wheel speed ratios.
#dvantages include
$eamless acceleration without the %er& or %olt from changing gears
'o fre(uent downshifting or )gear hunting) on hills
*etter fuel efficiency
+or more information see ,ow CVTs -or&.
.otential /fficiency 0mprovement1 23
$avings 4ver Vehicle 5ifetime1 67899:
#utomated Manual Transmission (#MT)
#utomated manual transmissions combine the best features of manual and automatic
transmissions. Manual transmissions are lighter than conventional automatic
transmissions and suffer fewer energy losses. ,owever most drivers prefer the
convenience of an automatic.
#MT operates similarly to a manual transmission except that it does not re(uire clutch
actuation or shifting by the driver. #utomatic shifting is controlled electronically (shift!
by!wire) and performed by a hydraulic system or electric motor. 0n addition technologies
can be employed to ma&e the shifting process smoother than conventional manual
transmissions.
.otential /fficiency 0mprovement1 ;3
$avings 4ver Vehicle 5ifetime1 67;99:
: +uel cost savings are estimated assuming an average vehicle lifetime of 7<=999 miles
a fuel price of 6>.;? and an average fuel economy of >7 M.@. #ll estimates are rounded
to the nearest hundred dollars.
Aata $ources
#lternative fuels are derived from resources other than
petroleum. $ome are produced domestically reducing our
dependence on imported oil and some are derived from
renewable sources. 4ften they produce less pollution than
gasoline or diesel.
To promote alternative fuels the +ederal government offers tax incentives to consumers
purchasing (ualifying alternative fuel vehicles.
/thanol is produced domestically from corn and other crops and
produces less greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuels.
*iodiesel is derived from vegetable oils and animal fats. 0t usually
produces less air pollutants than petroleum!based diesel.
'atural gas is a fossil fuel that generates less air pollutants and
greenhouse gases.
.ropane also called li(uefied petroleum gas (5.@) is a domestically
abundant fossil fuel that generates less harmful air pollutants and
greenhouse gases.
,ydrogen can be produced domestically from fossil fuels (such as
coal) nuclear power or renewable resources such as hydropower.
+uel cell vehicles powered by pure hydrogen emit no harmful air
pollutants.
#dditional 0nformation
#lternative B #dvanced +uels ! #lternative +uels and #dvanced Vehicles Aata
Center
#lternative +uel .rice Report ! #lternative +uels and #dvanced Vehicles Aata
Center
top of page
/lectric vehicles are propelled by an electric motor
(or motors) powered by rechargeable battery pac&s.
/lectric motors have several advantages over internal
combustion engines (0C/s)1
Energy efficient. /lectric motors convert ;=3 of the chemical energy
from the batteries to power the wheelsCinternal combustion engines
(0C/s) only convert >93 of the energy stored in gasoline.
Environmentally friendly. /Vs emit no tailpipe pollutants although
the power plant producing the electricity may emit them. /lectricity
from nuclear! hydro! solar! or wind!powered plants causes no air pollutants.
Performance benefits. /lectric motors provide (uiet smooth operation and
stronger acceleration and re(uire less maintenance than 0C/s.
Reduce energy dependence. /lectricity is a domestic energy source.
/Vs face significant battery!related challenges1
Driving range. Most /Vs can only go about 799D>99 miles before rechargingC
gasoline vehicles can go over ?99 miles before refueling.
Recharge time. +ully recharging the battery pac& can ta&e 8 to < hours. /ven a
)(uic& charge) to <93 capacity can ta&e ?9 min.
Battery cost: The large battery pac&s are expensive and may need to be replaced
one or more times.
Bulk & weight: *attery pac&s are heavy and ta&e up considerable vehicle space.
,owever researchers are wor&ing on improved battery technologies to increase driving
range and decrease recharging time weight and cost. These factors will ultimately
determine the future of /Vs.
Aodge Circuit
/lectric cars and truc&s are unli&ely to be available in large volumes anytime soon but
several manufacturers have announced plans to offer /Vs for sale in the E.$. in the next
few years.
The Tesla Roadster is the only highway!certified electric vehicle currently available for
sale in the E.$. but its cost is prohibitive for most consumers. 4ther more!affordable
/Vs may be available in the near future.
urrently !vailable
"esla Roadster
$eating capacity1 >
Top speed1 7>= mph
Range1 >8= mi.
.ower1 ><< hp
9!29 time1 ?.F sec.
*attery type1 5ithium ion
#vailability1 Currently
available in E.$.
.rice1 679F999

oming #oon
$issan %E!&
$eating capacity1 =
Top speed1 F9 mph
Range1 799 mi.
.ower1 '#
9!29 time1 '#
*attery type1 5ithium ion
#vailability1 5imited
production >979G mass
production >97>
.rice1 6?>;<9
'itsubishi i('iE)
$eating capacity1 8
Top speed1 <> mph
Range1 ;9!799 mi.
.ower1 2? hp
9!29 time1 HF sec.
*attery type1 5ithium ion
#vailability1 >99F in
IapanG available in E.$. by
>977
.rice1 689;99
*D!
$eating capacity1 '#
Top speed1 <9 mph
Range1 F9!7?9 mi.
.ower1 7?8 hp
9!29 time1 H77 sec.
*attery type1 5ithium ion
#vailability1 California by
late >979G other E.$. states
by >97>
.rice1 'ot available
&ord &ocus E) $eating capacity1 8
Top speed1 <= mph
#vailability1 Currently in
small test fleets in E$ B
Range1 799 mi.
.ower1 787 hp
9!29 time1 '#
*attery type1 5ithium ion
EJG on sale in '. #merica
by >977
.rice1 'ot available
smart fortwo E)
$eating capacity1 >
Top speed1 2= mph
Range1 <> mi.
.ower1 '#
9!29 time1 '#
*attery type1 5ithium ion

#vailability1 >=9!vehicle
E.$. pilot program in
>979G full!scale
production by >97>.
.rice1 'ot available
"esla 'odel #
$eating capacity1 ;
Top speed1 7>9 mph
Range1 729!?99 mi.
.ower1 '#
9!29 time1 =.2 sec.
*attery type1 5ithium ion
#vailability1 >97> in E.$.
.rice1 6=;899 (pro%ected)
"oyota R!)+ E)
$eating capacity1 '#
Top speed1 '
Automatic Transmission
Your Honda's transmission has four
forward speeds, and is electronically
controlled for smoother shifting. It
also has a "lock-up" torque converter
for etter fuel economy. You may
feel what seems like another shift
when the converter locks.
Shift Lever Position Indicator
!his indicator in the tachometer
shows which shift position the shift
lever is in. !he illuminated numer
ne"t to the "#$" indicator shows you
the gear you have selected in the
%equential %port%hift mode.
!he "#$" indicator comes on for a
few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch &' (II). If it flashes
while driving (in any shift position),
it indicates a possile prolem in the
transmission. *void rapid acceleration
and have the transmission
checked y an authori+ed Honda
dealer as soon as possile.
DrivingShift Lever Positions
!he shift lever has eight positions. It
must e in ,ark or 'eutral to start
the engine. -hen you are stopped in
#$, #., /,0, ', 1, or the %equential
%port%hift mode, press firmly on the
rake pedal and keep your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
!o select the %equential %port%hift
mode, slide the shift lever toward the
left from the "#$" position.
In this mode the shift lever allows
you to shift up and down manually.
-henever you move the shift lever,
slide it along the guide on the
console.
You cannot shift out of ,ark with the
rake pedal depressed when the
ignition switch is in 2&34 (5) or
*336%%&1Y (I) Park (P) 7 !his position mechanically
locks the transmission. 8se
,ark whenever you are turning off or
starting the engine. !o shift out of
,ark, you must press on the rake
pedal and have your foot off the
accelerator pedal. 9ove the shift
lever to the right to shift out of the
,ark position.
If you have done all of the aove and
still cannot move the lever out of
,ark, see %hift 2ock 1elease on page
00:.
!o avoid transmission damage, come
to a complete stop efore shifting
into ,ark. !he shift lever must e in
,ark efore you can remove the key
from the ignition switch.
Reverse (R) 7 !o shift to 1everse
from ,ark, see the e"planation under
,ark. !o shift to 1everse from
'eutral, come to a complete stop and
then shift.
Your car has a reverse lockout so
you cannot accidentally shift to
1everse from 'eutral or any other
driving position when the vehicle
speed e"ceeds ; 7 : mph (0/ 7 0$
km<h).
If you cannot shift to 1everse when
the car is stopped, press the rake
pedal and slowly shift to 'eutral
then to 1everse.
If there is a prolem in the reverse
lockout system, or your car's attery
is disconnected or goes dead, you
cannot shift to 1everse. In this case,
use the procedure of %hift 2ock
1elease (see page 00:).
Neutral (N) 7 8se 'eutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop riefly with
the engine idling. %hift to ,ark position
if you need to leave the car for
any reason. ,ress on the rake pedal
when you are moving the shift lever
from 'eutral to another gear.
Drive (D4) 7 8se this position for
your normal driving. !he transmission
automatically selects a suitale
gear for your speed and acceleration.
You may notice the transmission
shifting up at higher speeds when
the engine is cold. !his helps the
engine warm up faster.
Sequential SportShift Mode -ith
the shift lever in "#$" position, you
can select the %equential %port%hift
mode to use the shift lever to shift
gears= much like a manual
transmission, ut without a clutch
pedal.
!o enter the %equential %port%hift
mode, slide the shift lever further to
the left. !o return to "#$", slide the
shift lever to the right.
In the %equential %port%hift mode,
each time you push forward on the
shift lever, the transmission will shift
to a higher gear. ,ull ack on the
lever to downshift. !he numer of
the gear selected is displayed ne"t to
the "#$" indicator (see page 00/).
If you slide the shift lever from "#$"
to the %equential %port%hift mode,
the display shows the selected gear.
If you selected "$", you will see < $ <
ne"t to "#$" in the display. !he %hift
2ever ,osition Indicator will show
the gear you selected while in the
sequential sportshift mode. If you
select the %equential %port%hift
while the car is stopped, the
transmission automatically selects
first gear and the display shows < 0 < .
CONTINUED
Driving
!shiftyou accelerate away from a
stop, the transmission will e in first
gear. !he transmission will not
automatically upshift. -atch the
tachometer and upshift manually
efore the engine reaches redline.
!he transmission remains in the
selected gear ($,.,/, or 0). !here is
no automatic downshift when you
push the accelerator pedal to the
floor.
!he transmission may automatically
downshift from fourth gear to third
gear under the following conditions>
!he vehicle speeds drops elow
/5 mph (./ km<h).
If you drive uphill etween
/57.0 mph (./ 7 ?5 km<h).
If you press the rake pedal as you
drive downhill.
#ownshifting gives you more power
when climing or provides engine
raking when going down a steep hill.
!he transmission will also shift
automatically as the car comes to a
complete stop. It will downshift to
first gear when the vehicle speed is
under @ mph (05 km<h). If the vehicle speeds slow to elow
the redline of the selected lower gear
position while the indicator is
flashing, the transmission
downshifts and the display shows
the selected lower gear.
If the transmission temperature is
elow 0$AB (7 05A3), you may not
e ale to use the %equential
%port%hift mode.
!he tale shows the speed ranges
for upshifting and downshifting.
Drive (D") 7!his position is similar
to #$, e"cept only the first three
gears are selected. 8se #. when
towing a trailer in hilly terrain, or to
provide engine raking when going
down a steep hill. #. can also keep
the transmission from cycling
etween third and fourth gears in
Second (#) 7 !his position locks
the transmission in second gear. It
does not downshift to first gear
when you come to a stop. %econd
gives you more power when climing,
and increased engine raking when
going down steep hills. 8se second
gear when starting out on a slippery
surface or in deep snow. It will help
reduce wheelspin.
-henever you move the shift lever
to a lower gear, the transmission
downshifts only if the engine's
redline will not e e"ceeded in the
lower gear.
$irst (%) 7 -ith the lever in this
position, the transmission locks in
Birst gear.
If you shift into Birst position when
the vehicle speed e"ceeds .0 mph
(?5 km<h), the transmission shifts
into %econd gear first to avoid the
application of the sudden engine
rake.
&a'imum S!eeds
!he speeds in this tale are the
ma"imums for the given position. If
you e"ceed these speeds, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer's
red +one. If this occurs, you will feel
the engine cut in and out !his is
caused y a limiter in the engine's
computer controls. !he engine will
run normally when you reduce the
1,9 elow the red +one.--
stop-and-go driving.
Bor faster acceleration when in #. or
#$, you can get the transmission to
automatically downshift y pushing
the accelerator pedal to the floor.
!he transmission will shift down one
or two gears, depending on your
speed.
CONTINUED
If you try to manually downshift at a
speed that would cause the engine to
e"ceed the redline in a lower gear,
the transmission will not downshift.
If you try to downshift from fourth
gear to third gear, the gear indicator
will flash < . < several times, then
return to < $ < = if you try to downshift
from third gear to second gear, the
gear indicator will flash < / < several
times, then return to third gear.
Driving
Do(nshift