Okay this is a stupid question no doubt, considering I have this feature on all my vehicles and never use it. And too scared to call the dealer because they may think I am an idiot.

So I purchased the 06 MC with Auto Trans with the CVT feature about 3 weeks ago. You know while in "d" you push it over to the right into "sd" or sport drive. Which is the exact same feature on my BMW X3, so I am assuming they mastered this technology. But for the life of me I have no clue:

On how to use?

When to use it?

Should I not use?

Does it increase gas mileage?

I do some highway and city driving so any assistance or information you can provide me would help.

Thanks,

Guy who shoulda asked that question before he bought the car...

Thanks for any

 

I use the SD for zippy around town driving. I think it just uses a different mapping for the shift selection and revs. I think there is like a 900 rpm difference in the same gear as the D mode so if the D mode is at 2000 rpm then the SD mode would be at 2900 rpm. It allows the rpms to get higher before a shift and gives you more torque (acceleration).
The real fun I found is when your in SD and change to Triptronic (moving the shifter up or down). This acts as kind of a pseudo manual shift but will still automatically shift at red-line (6000 rpm). This is really the speediest for us CVT owners and gets rid of some of that manual envy I feel from time to time. Also it is relatively bulletproof. The computer won't let you do anything stupid (like shifting into 1st at 50 mph). You can also change from one to the other as you like at any speed.
Gas mileage will be best in the D mode, less so in the SD mode and ****-poor in the triptronic mode. Funny how fun is inversely proportional to gas mileage.
I'm not a gearhead by any stretch, but I hope this helps.

Chuck

 

Okay Im dumb to this stuff. What are rpm's? I thought you shoft based upon speed your going and difference between SD and Triptronic? Thanks I am ignorant to this language.

 

rpm = Revolutions Per Minute = how fast your cam shaft is spinning. Speed has little to do with shifting, it is really based on rpm of your engine which is indicated by your tachometer.
With triptronic your gear selection is still based on rpm but the software allows it to reach a higher level than with SD. Triptronic will shift from gear to gear (without input from you) at the maximum engine rpm or 6000 rpm. You can also over-ride the computer shifting in triptronic and force a shift before red-line if you choose to.
In effect what Mini has given us is three different automatics - highway and most fuel efficient (D mode), sporty with quicker acceleration (SD mode) and finally the nearly manual (sans clutch) triptronic mode. All controlled by computer.

 

So when I push the lever over and the dash says SD I am in sport mode, so how do I get to triptronic mode to let the computer work for me?

 

in SD the computer is doing the work for you. In "triptronic" you do the shifting by pushing the shifter up or down (while in SD mode).

 

Just shift up or down (push the shifter) and the display will change from SD to a number indicating your gear (1 thru 6). Its really quite simple and very safe (mechanically).
Just give it a go and try it out. Don't be alarmed by the high rev noise since this may be the first time you have gotten your rpm to red-line. It will shift and you will find a new thrill (as if you needed another since you got the Mini).

Cheers

 

Thanks MiniMaybee. makes sense now. Happy MiniMotoring!!

 

To be a little more specific - PUSH the shifter to drop down a gear and PULL the shifter to go up a gear. The computer will shift for you at red-line if you forget to do so manually. Also coming down the computer will down shift for you at about 2000 rpm (I think).

Have fun.

 

Actually its how fast the CRANKshaft is spinning.

 

tranny, there was no manual shifting...like with steering wheel paddles or by the shifter. I would expect an auto sport mode, but not shifts into different gear ratios. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Huh?

What?

I've never done that... no way... nuh uh... honestly... who owning a manual does that.

...

...

(mine was to 2nd doing 70... thank god i caught it before I sent the needle 6ft past 8k. stupid 2nd gear... always trying to be like 4th...)

 

The CVT lets you shift -- It basically just lets you override the automatic shiift points of the 2 fully automatic modes. I had one in a loaner, and was surprised at how much fun it was... and also by how little I actually used it.

 

Thanks, but I was using the proper Latin phrase . Crank shaft- thats better .