Methods for control of transmission and prime mover

A method of optimizing a drive system having a prime mover and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the CVT having a plurality of spherical power adjusters, each power adjuster having a tiltable axis of rotation, the method comprising the steps of:

• selecting a desired range of current of the prime mover;
• selecting a predetermined speed of a vehicle equipped with the drive system;
• applying a load to the CVT and the prime mover and operating the CVT and the prime mover at the predetermined speed;
• monitoring a current draw of the prime mover;
• comparing the current draw to the desired range of current;
• and
• adjusting a ratio of the CVT based at least in part on the comparison.