Hey guys,

Happy owner of a 2006 Cooper base with CVT transmission. So far all good. I do have a question for the CVT users, about the RPM at a certain speed. Seems to me that is a little high, compared with other types of transmissions, for example, at 70 mph the rpm. is at 2800-2900 and goes at 3000 at 75+
Is this how it should be?

Thank you.

 

'Can't tell you anything about the Mini CVT, but our Murano is just under 2000 rpm at 75 mph. It's all a matter of vehicle weight, rolling resistance, areodynamic efficiency, engine power, drive train power losses, and how the manufacturer designed the electronics that control the CVT. Generally, they'll program it to lower the engine rpms to the least amount of rpms/power to keep the vehicle moving down the road at a steady pace.

 

Your rpms are about the same that my wife's '06 CVT turns at those indicated speeds. In contrast, her Honda Pilot is still loafing.

The '98 BMW M3 (5 speed) turns about 3200 rpm at an indicated 75 mph, and the '06 Cayman S (6-speed) turns about 3000 at 75. It sounds kind of buzzy up there to an old-timer, but they don't seem to mind.

 

Geez....if it's turning that fast, where's the efficiency of using a CVT transmission. The whole point is to optimze engine speed/power and increase fuel economy.

 

Wife's not complaining about fuel economy. The buzzy MINI's getting about 34 mpg at 70 mpg, while the loafing Pilot is getting about 22 mpg. I know; an unfair comparison considering differences in engine size and vehicle weight.

 

I have been watching fuel useage for a few tanks now and have noticed the cruise rpm is based a lot on driving style. If you drive like an old lady at 70 you can get the rpms down to about 2300. It takes a few driving cycles for it to learn the new driving style. If you drive it hard the rpms will stay up about 2800-2900. This puts it closer to the power band making quick speed changes easier. If i drive mine nicely for a few days i see my mileage go up by almost 10mpg from 27 to 36.6. This is mostly in town (25-35)with some highway(60mph). If i get out on the interstate and run 70-75 I see 40-45 mpg. I may sounds full of it but i have seen it more than once.