Many drivers in almost all countries of the world prefer crossovers due to their improved cross-country ability. Domestic motorists adhere to the same opinion. Given the condition of many roads in Russia, their choice is justified. Recently, the Nissan Qashqai model has been popular. Most of those who buy these cars prefer an automatic transmission, which is a variator. Nissan Qashqai has been equipped with it from the very beginning of production, and this is since 2007.
Despite the fact that an increasing number of manufacturers began to equip their cars with a CVT, not all buyers agree to such a purchase, citing many difficulties that any driver will have to face. Ongoing research confirms this fact. Approximately 50% of sales come from automatic transmission and slightly less than 30% from the CVT. Let's try to figure out this design, perhaps everything is not as bad as many people think. First you need to understand how the variator is arranged.
Difficult definition
Any car owner knows what the difference between a mechanical transmission and an automatic mechanism is. However, not all of them will accurately answer the question, what is a variator? Someone believes that this is the same machine, others are inclined to believe that this is a different type of gearbox. Which of them is right and what is the secret of the Nissan Qashqai CVT?
The variator is a stepless type mechanism that provides a change in disk rotation (master and slave) in a smooth mode. Another name for the transmission is Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
Smooth gear shifting is achieved due to the special design and external control. The optimal gear ratio is selected automatically when comparing the external load and the speed of the variator. The use of this mechanism allows more efficient use of the power plant of the car.
A bit of history
The first variators appeared one and a half centuries ago. However, Leonardo da Vinci, who invented the likeness of the modern mechanism back in 1490, can be considered the discoverer in this area. Of course, then there was no Nissan Qashqai car , and oil change in the variator was not required.
Nevertheless, the design proposed by Leonardo was subsequently used in the mechanisms of mills. Soon, the system was forgotten and only at the beginning of the 19th century it was still remembered. The variator began to equip the mechanisms of sewing machines and industrial equipment. After some time, they began to install it on motor vehicles.
Initially, the first variator models, which were equipped with sewing machines and weaving machines, used a rubber belt, because of which it was not very durable. However, for such equipment this strength was enough, but for the car something more reliable was required. For this reason, in the automotive industry an unusual mechanism did not appear for a long time.
Perhaps we would not have to see the Nissan Qashqai variator, but things moved forward thanks to an engineer from the Netherlands named Hubert van Dorn, who planned to use the variator for a car. According to his idea, a continuously variable transmission Variomatic was created, which began to be put on DAF cars. The engine size was then only 0.59 liters.
Novelty has shown its best side. Subsequently, variators also began to put on some Volvo models, however, the know-how was not widely used, since for a long time it was not possible to increase the service life of the mechanism.
The case began to gain momentum after experts from several Japanese automotive companies joined the development. And, as noted by the owners of the Nissan Qashqai in the reviews, the CVT has now become quite popular, despite the differences.
The eternal dilemma
Between motorists, disputes regarding the advantages and disadvantages of automatic transmission and manual transmission do not cease to arise. When the variator appeared, it also became the subject of controversy. Some see it as a modern technological solution, while others simply shun it. Moreover, not only car owners, but also some manufacturers were divided into two camps.
In this case, the technical characteristics of each mechanism and how they affect driving are compared. But the most important criteria are:
- profitability;
- reliability;
- comfort;
- resource.
Among these items, particular attention is paid specifically to fuel consumption, since prices are not stable and tend to increase regularly.
Judging by their reviews, some owners do not like the CVT on the Nissan Qashqai due to the fact that they feel not in a car, but in a trolley bus. But here it’s a matter of taste, someone likes the powerful roar of the engine under the hood, others prefer to travel by car in complete silence.
The device of the innovative mechanism
How is the variator arranged? In appearance, it is no different from any other automatic transmission. The shift lever is the same, the switching modes are the same (P, R, N, D), only the similarities end there. A significant difference lies in the principle of operation of the variator. Also, there is no clear number of gears as in other transmissions: 1, 2, etc.
The number of gears in the Nissan Qashqai 1.6 variator is constantly changing (which gave the name to the mechanism), so they can’t even be counted. For this reason, when starting off there are no tangible shocks. The same thing happens during the movement of the car, when the speed changes.
From a structural point of view, the mechanism consists of:
- pulleys;
- belt drive;
- servos;
- control unit;
- connecting-disconnecting crankshaft with drive pulley.
There are basically two pulleys - the drive one, connected to the car engine from which it receives torque, and the driven one - its task is to transmit torque to the wheels. Conical shaped parts were made and directed with the sharp part to each other. The halves of both cones can be shifted, for which the servos are responsible.
A flexible belt allows the connection of two pulleys. It is a metal tape, which, in turn, is formed due to the connection of several bands of metal (10-12 pcs.). Across the tape over the entire length, many trapezoidal metal plates are worn. This design is able to reliably give rotation.
Unlike the Nissan Qashqai 2.0 CVT, Audi uses a kind of drive chain instead of a “metal belt” in its cars.
Thanks to the servo system , the cones are moved and moved apart. Automation is responsible for its management. Depending on the speed of the crankshaft and speed, the pulley cones occupy a certain position.
The control unit plays an important role because it controls the operation of all variator systems. Thanks to automation, it is determined which position of the cone will be optimal in each specific period of time. If necessary, a control signal is automatically sent to the servos.
Due to the presence of a connecting-disconnecting system of the crankshaft with a driving pulley, a kind of clutch analog is provided. Depending on the manufacturer, the mechanism may have a different design:
- centrifugal;
- electromagnetic;
- torque converter;
- multi-disc.
The management of this system is also entrusted to automation.
Operating principle
The essence of the Nissan Qashqai 22 CVT is as follows. While the car is just starting to move, the cones of the main pulley are apart and the belt drive runs in a small radius. Cones of the driven pulley are, on the contrary, in the shifted position, and the belt runs in a large radius. parallel with the manual transmission, then this is similar to the first speed.At this moment, the maximum value of the torque that is necessary to move the car from a place is provided.
As soon as the machine starts to pick up speed, the electronics come into effect, which analyzes the speed of the vehicle and sends a control signal to the servos. They gradually shift the cones of the main pulley (the belt is pushed out), and the elements of the driven wheel begin to move apart (the belt is buried). So there is a change in gear ratio, and smoothly and in a fairly wide range. Most reviews of the “Nissan Qashqai” with the CVT prove it once again.
The design of the variator is not capable of reverse movement. In order to be able to go back, an additional special unit is used. As a rule, this is a planetary gearbox, which is designed according to the principle of a similar automatic transmission mechanism.
Advantages of CVT Transmission
To begin with, it is worth highlighting the strengths of the variator. It:
- Smooth running . In this parameter, the variator leaves all other devices far behind, since it has no equal in ensuring a smooth ride. This is explained by the fact that there are no actual steps, at the same time, some gearbox models have paddle shifters, due to which the variator switches to manual shift mode.
- Profitability . Thanks to a smooth set of speed and gradual deceleration, fuel economy is ensured. True, saving on oil in the Nissan Qashqai CVT is insignificant, but it is not cheap.
- Low noise . Since the CVT does not use the maximum crankshaft speed, the roar of the engine is practically not audible.
- Low engine wear . Thanks to the electronics, the car engine basically works in a gentle mode. This has a positive effect on the condition of parts that are less susceptible to wear.
- Playfulness . A car with a CVT will be faster than an opponent who just has an automatic transmission (with the same engine power).
CVT Transmission Disadvantages
The main drawback of the variator is the complexity of the entire structure. In addition, the resource of the mechanism is also not as high as we would like. Among other disadvantages, it is worth highlighting:
- The price. The cost of necessary maintenance can be quite an impressive amount, due to the high cost of parts and gear oil in the Nissan Qashqai 2.0 CVT, which requires about 5-8 liters. For this reason, you should not buy such cars that have traveled more than one hundred thousand kilometers.
- Unsportsmanlike character. With the CVT there is no way to sharply lower the gear, which obviously will not please sports enthusiasts.
- Engine power limit (no more than 200-240 hp). CVTs are not suitable for many modern cars with a more powerful power plant, since the belt is a weak link in the mechanism. So far, technology does not allow the invention of a more robust chain so that the motor does not break it. Because of this, the variator is equipped with compact cars of the middle class.
- Numerous sensors. Due to the large number of different sensors, interruptions in the operation of electronics are not ruled out. An open circuit or breakdown of an element leads to an emergency stop of the car.
In addition, there are still few specialized workshops where you can perform maintenance and repair of such machines.
Therefore, the cost of such work is very high.
Maintenance
According to the recommendations of specialists, oil should be replaced in the variator "Nissan Qashqai" after every 60 thousand kilometers. However, under the conditions of Russian realities, it is better to do this every 30-40 thousand kilometers to save the device.
The procedure can be performed independently, only the instructions must be followed. To begin with, it’s worth buying some consumables:
- Nissan CVT Fluid NS-2 oil itself;
- new CVT crankcase gasket;
- new drain plug gasket;
- new coarse filter (if it is not possible to wash the old one).
The sequence of actions for the 2014 Nissan Qashqai:
- It is good to warm up the transmission mechanism, and then not a flyover, elevator or pit. If there is protection from below, you need to dismantle it.
- Check with a dipstick the amount of oil in the variator, the level should be at the HOT mark.
- Having prepared the container, gently unscrew the drain plug (key 10) of the transmission pan. You need to act with maximum caution, because the oil is hot. Typically, the entire drain process takes about 30 minutes.
- Next, the CVT pan and the Nissan Qashqai variator filter are removed by unscrewing the fasteners (with the same key 10 mm). The container should be near as some more oil will merge.
- This will allow access to magnets that need to be cleaned of dirt and metal particles. To do this, you can use diesel fuel and carburetor cleaners. Do the same with the crankcase and filter. However, if it is very dirty, it is better to replace it.
- The next step is to put the relatively clean parts in place and tighten the drain plug (do not forget about the new copper gasket).
Now you can proceed to pouring fresh oil through the dipstick hole through a funnel. As a rule, it is necessary to fill from 7 to 7.5 liters, periodically checking the level with a dipstick. Then you need to start the engine in order to warm up the transmission. Add grease if necessary. This completes the oil change in the Nissan Qashqai 2.0 CVT.
The whole procedure is simple and any owner of a Japanese crossover can perform it. It makes sense to contact a car service if there is no free time, but then you need to be prepared for additional costs.
Proper operation
It is useful to know how the variator is arranged, but this does not end there - it is important to understand how to drive a car with a similar transmission. This will protect the box from premature wear, and the driver will not encounter expensive repairs to the Nissan Qashqai variator.
The most important rule is to warm up the engine to operating temperature before starting off. During this time, transmission oil will fall into all channels of the mechanism, which will ensure a safe start. Some drivers ignore this point, which is highly discouraged. In the absence of lubrication, the parts wear out faster, which leads to a very expensive repair.
To reduce all the risks for the variator, constant monitoring of the oil level is necessary. It is also important to buy high-quality lubricant, but first you should familiarize yourself with the car's instructions, since not every oil will do.
CVT "Nissan Qashqai" is not designed for off-road, so you need to try to avoid movement in such a terrain. There is also no need to tow the vehicle itself or take other vehicles into the trailer.
Completion
Despite the fact that automatic transmission is more common than a variator, the latter has significant potential for the future. And if now this is still not a fully developed mechanism, then after a while the Nissan Qashqai variator may completely replace all other gearboxes. After all, technology is constantly improving.
This can be judged by a number of reviews of owners of Nissan Qashqai cars, which note positive trends taking into account the existing minuses. If someone loves a fast and aggressive driving style, then the variator is more likely to disappoint than to please.