My 2003 CVT has always sorta "hesitated" to begin moving when in reverse. For example when backing out of a parking space, brake on, put it in reverse, and in most cars you would just take your foot off the brake and it would start going in reverse...with my CVT, I noticed I have to give it gas, sometimes a bit more than just a touch on the accelerator is required to get it moving, and it kinda lurches backwards at first...not too bad, it's almost like driving in reverse with a car with a clutch/manual tranny.

Any other CVT drivers experience something similar -- Is this "ok" or indicative of loose belts in the CVT or something? I thought the v.36 software would "fix" it but it didn't. The 2004 CVT loaner I drove didn't have this...it was overall much smoother than the 2003...wonder why...

Rock On,

-Joe

 

Yes this is normal. Our '02 CVT exhibits the same behavior when going in Reverse gear, regardless of software version installed (Currently on 36 also).


Remember that the CVT transmission is a totally and completely different animal from your everyday 4-speed slushbox so things like this are part of the operation of a gearless transmission.



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'02 Cooper CVT PW/B, Bone stock (Hers)
'04 MCS CR/W/Chrome Grille and mirror caps (His)

 

We have an 03 CVT and it has always done this and still does this even after getting v 36. especially when cold. I did not notice much difference with v 36. It does stumble a bit less at 10 mph when stopping now when warm. Interesting that some cars do things that other cars don't. Still like the CVT overall though - use the auto mode in the morning on the way to work and shift it manually and drive crazy fast on the way home!

 

Guess i never noticed.
Too busy making sure nothing gets backed over.

 

My one and half week old '04 (600 miles) does it too. Doesn't bother me as I assumed that it was just part of the break-in process.

I have noticed that the digital speed read out works in reverse. I've never had a digital read out before, so I don't know if that's unique or not.

But it is 'different' for me to see how fast I'm actually going.....backwards!

 

Yeah the LCD speedo readout in my '04 MCS also displays my speed going in reverse.

 

According to the MINI reps, the jerkiness is supposd to be a characteristic of the CVT transmission. I think it is a bunch of horse puckey as I have driven other MINIs with CVTs and they do not have this characteristic. I have also driven the Audi and Honda CVTs and they do not have that jerkiness. It is my belief the jerkiness can be remedied via software, but MINI still has not gotten the software down pat for the US.

As for the LCD speedo, what are you guys talking about?

 

The LCD readout would be the LCD readout on the face of the tach. (Note - I added by edit the "on the....tach." I left that off my orignal typing and without it, the tone was not quite proper.)

It's at the bottom of the Tach. at the 6 o'clock position

It' defaults to speed in MPH but you can scroll thru other readouts such as the mileage to service and outside temp.

(and yes, my MC is a brand new '04 with a 1/05 build date.)

 

My CVT (August '03 build) does the same thing in reverse and a little bit also in forward from a stop (though not quite as jerky as reverse).

BTW, I think the instant MPH readout on the LCD is a new '04 feature.

 

That definitely must be a '04 feature. Is this an option or a standard feature?

Darn! One less excuse to give the officer for speeding. Honestly officer, the speedo in front of me only said I was going 45 mph! Uhhh, that's the tach sir. Your speedo is in the middle. Oops!

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Despite what others may think, I'm here to help.

 

>>That definitely must be a '04 feature. Is this an option or a standard feature?


Standardon the 2004 MINIs regardless of having theOBC (Trip Computer) option or not. MY '04 MCS has it, but my '02 Cooper CVT does not.