jita1

Hello all,

I noticed that the 2006 Five Hundred only offers the 6 speed auto. What happened to the CVT? Ford did a terrible job of promoting it and I'm wondering why they dropped it. Any ideas?

 

neolan

As far as I can tell it is just the same as last year -- the CVT comes on the AWD and the 6 speed comes on the FWD. There is nothing on Ford's website to indicate that it was dropped.

jita1

Oh okay. When I first looked at the spec sheet from Ford's website, I didn't see the CVT as an option. I did find it under "build your vehicle".

Thanks!

tbird100636

The CVT comes standard on FWD SE models and all AWD models. The six speed trans comes standard on all SEL and Limited FWD models.

jimmerz

I am buying a 2006 FWD SEL, so is it safe to assume that I have the 6 speed? And what is the difference, or should I say Advantage or disadvantages?

Dr. Disque

CVT will be dropped with the reintroduction of the taurus due to the fact that it can't handle the the horsepower and torque of the 3.5L Duratec reliably.

Advantages of the CVT are that it offers slightly better fuel economy and it allows more usable torque from a standing start. Disadvantages are that it is somewhat fragile and expensive to fix if and when it breaks.

jimmerz

Well, I was a somewhat "disappointed" CVT customer when I had my Ford Edge.

I know it is supposed to get better mpg, but I was averaging about 15 mpg and that was very conservative driving. I actually read somewhere that if you keep the RPM's around or under 2000 that would yield the best mpg. Not for my Edge?

I am really hoping to see better mpg with this Five Hundred! I will have to register it on Fuel Economy and track the mpg there. (great website)

It was pretty smooth, just not as efficient as it claimed (for me)