R56 Newbie question re: CVT
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 371
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Its a Continuously Variable Transmission...Its an automatic, but it allows you to "shift" into the gear you want, like a manual. It has the normal P-R-N-D, and then it also has all the gears 1-6. I guess it would be like having a choice between just sticking it in 'D' and going, or shifting without the clutch. Thats my scoop on it. Maybe a person with one can explain it better, as I have only read about it, never driven one!
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
Its a Continuously Variable Transmission...Its an automatic, but it allows you to "shift" into the gear you want, like a manual. It has the normal P-R-N-D, and then it also has all the gears 1-6. I guess it would be like having a choice between just sticking it in 'D' and going, or shifting without the clutch. Thats my scoop on it. Maybe a person with one can explain it better, as I have only read about it, never driven one!
A CVT doesn't have selectable gears, rather, it changes the gear ratio as you drive to keep the engine spinning at the optimal RPM for the task it is doing. Theoretically saves you gas mileage and increases performance since you can keep the engine spinning at the hp peak continuously.
I'm not an engineer, but that's pretty much what I understand of it. If I've grossly misspoken, please let me know
5th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: Midwest
that is correct. You can select "another gear" but all it does is change the ratio and rasie the revs to keep the engine in the power band.
Not a bad concept BUT it has some annoying quirks. Can be jerky at idle and clunky in reverse.
Not a bad concept BUT it has some annoying quirks. Can be jerky at idle and clunky in reverse.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: Midwest
Not a big fan of the CVT in the MINI. New MCS/a on the pond as we speak.
Stick would have been even better BUT have to share MINI w/ my wife. She puts up w/ alot of "car crap" from me so I can grant her this accomodation.
Stick would have been even better BUT have to share MINI w/ my wife. She puts up w/ alot of "car crap" from me so I can grant her this accomodation.
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[quote=lttletimmy;1580949]That's not a CVT, that's simply an automatic transmission with some sort of manual control.]
Sorry, I just got my info off of this website: http://motoringfile.com/2004/05/21/a..._transmission/
It does exactly what you say it does, plus it does have the manual shift mode. It doesnt have any shift points, and yes, is supposed to be more economical.
Sorry, I just got my info off of this website: http://motoringfile.com/2004/05/21/a..._transmission/
It does exactly what you say it does, plus it does have the manual shift mode. It doesnt have any shift points, and yes, is supposed to be more economical.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,326
Likes: 6
From: PA
Yeah, the CVT has both sport mode and manual mode.
In the sport mode, the computer still decides when to switch gears, it just sets each change at a higher RPM level than normal... I use it often.
The manual mode is just that. It allows the driver to decide when to switch gears. It's like driving a stick without a clutch. I use it rarely because I tend to get a little too close to the red line in the lower gears.
In the sport mode, the computer still decides when to switch gears, it just sets each change at a higher RPM level than normal... I use it often.
The manual mode is just that. It allows the driver to decide when to switch gears. It's like driving a stick without a clutch. I use it rarely because I tend to get a little too close to the red line in the lower gears.
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