Does a 2005 Ford 500 have a CVT transmission?
No. The 2005 Ford Five Hundred uses a traditional automatic transmission—specifically a six-speed automatic—in most configurations, rather than a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
In 2005, Ford offered the Five Hundred with a Duratec V6 engine paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. The car was available in front-wheel drive or with optional all-wheel drive, but CVTs were not offered for this model year. This article explains the transmission type and how to identify it on the vehicle.
Transmission type in the 2005 Five Hundred
Below is a concise overview of the transmission setup you would typically find on a 2005 Five Hundred. The list highlights the type, the family of transmissions it belongs to, and common drivetrain configurations.
- Transmission type: six-speed automatic (non-CVT).
- Transmission family: part of Ford's 6F automatic transmission family (the exact variant may vary by engine/drivetrain).
- Drivetrain: front-wheel drive standard; optional all-wheel drive uses the same six-speed automatic.
Conclusion: The 2005 Five Hundred uses a traditional six-speed automatic transmission, not a CVT.
CVT vs automatic: quick primer
CVT stands for continuously variable transmission and uses belts and pulleys to provide seamless, non-stepped gear ratios. The 2005 Five Hundred employs a conventional automatic transmission with discrete gears, which means noticeable gear shifts rather than a smooth, continuous range of ratios.
How to verify on your vehicle
If you’re inspecting a specific car, use these checks to confirm the transmission type. The following items help distinguish a six-speed automatic from a CVT.
- Check the VIN/build sheet or the door jamb/transmission sticker for the transmission code; look for a code associated with a six-speed automatic (not a CVT code).
- Inspect the gear selector: a traditional automatic typically shows P, R, N, D, and often 2 and 1 (manual downshifts); CVTs may have a simpler or different layout and may emphasize a constant "D" position on some dashboards.
- Consult the owner’s manual or dealership records for the original equipment specification; the 2005 Five Hundred is documented with a six-speed automatic.
Conclusion: If the vehicle shows a CVT badge or documentation indicating a belt/pulley CVT, it is not the 2005 Ford Five Hundred. The standard configuration for this model year is a six-speed automatic.
Summary
The 2005 Ford Five Hundred does not use a CVT. It employs a traditional six-speed automatic transmission (Ford 6F family) with options for front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, depending on the model. When evaluating a used car from this year, confirm through VIN, build sheets, or the owner's manual to verify the exact transmission configuration.
