Hey all,

Happy, proud new owner of a pepper white MC with CVT. It's got under 500 miles on the clock and an absolute blast to drive, even though it's an automatic.

The only quirk the car has that I'm not sure is a problem or just the way it operates, relates to shifting into 2nd from 1st. After moving off from a standstill with a semi-agressive throttle position, the car will go in 1st for a short distance then suddenly pop into 2nd and lunge a bit. As with other automatic cars, I feel it should smoothly shift into 2nd after going for a bit but it rather abruptly and jerkily shifts into 2nd.

Is this normal?

Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome to NAM. I didn't think CVT had a "2nd", I'd recommened doing a search (top right of page) for the CVT and see what owners had to say, I know I've heard of a few quirks mentioned not sure if its the same thing you're talking about though. Post some photos and tell us more about your MINI.

 

I have an automatic MCS so it may not be directly related to your concern,
and I have 900 miles on my car so far.

So far I feel that the auto transmission on the MINI is set up to "feel" a little more like a manual, there is a little more feeling when the car shifts than with my previous car (an auto trans Toyota).

I don't get a "lunging" feel, but I do know when the car shifts. I assumed this is because the cars are set up to be a little more sporty than most cars? Maybe someone that has a CVT would know for sure if your lunging is normal?

 

ladius - First, as motor on suggests, there aren't any actual "gears" in a CVT to change between. (I won't get technical on how it works unless you ask. ) Second, the gas pedal has a detent point where you can press it just a bit harder to the floor and the car responds with something like a "passing gear" and jumps to life. Thirdly, with only 500 miles on the ODO, your transmission is still learning your driving style. Finally, the initial launch of a CVT in a quick-start situation is undeniably different than most cars.

Even if you are an aggressive driver and your CVT learns that, the quick-start launch isn't the same as a regular, geared automatic. There is a split-second hesitation - that is sometimes unnerving. And then, once it "catches" it will most definitely launch you a bit. Once you leave your foot off the gas pedal and let it come back up past the detent point, the car calms itself back down and goes into a more normal mode of operation.

I suspect that what you are experiencing is normal for the CVT - but can't be sure having not ridden in or driven your car. I recommend trying more quick-starts in safe situations so that you are comfortable with and know what to expect in "sticky" situations.

Oh, and a little trick I used to use when I needed a quick launch was to throw the gear selector over to SD (Sport Drive) - but not quite into manual mode. I would just leave it there until I was done with the maneuver.

...hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone. I did do a search and what I'm experiencing isn't the same as what others have posted, which are related to low speed lurching. I'm going to assume that it's just the nature of the transmission.

yeah, cars are so advanced these days that they "learn" your habits! will just have to get acclimated.