CVT Surge/Jerk

[kerrton]

I'm surprised that no one has started a thread on the "CVT surge". I don't remember it being that intense early on when I was test driving, but it sure is noticeable now. It's particularly bad if you drive conservatively with a light foot and once the car is warmed up, if you push very gently on the accelerator from a stop all of a sudden around 10km/hr the vehicle will surge forward as the torque converter locks up. If you coast into a stop light at around 20km/hr the torque converter unlocks and surges you forward, and there have been times when I found this to be almost dangerous, because the forward surge is significant.If you drive harder on the accelerator and hard on braking this isn't barely noticeable at all, it only happens when driving with a light foot. I don't like it and honestly it makes me drive a little more aggressively to prevent this from happening, and like I said it seems a little dangerous at times. The CVT is supposedly so smooth, but that isn't entirely accurate and I can't say I'm impressed with the surging. Rather than calling it a "surge", it might be more accurate to call it similar to a conventional transmission shifting.

Anyone else have thoughts on this, do you notice it, does it bother you?

[michaelahess]

I drive very conservatively and don't notice this, maybe you should have a dealer check it out.

The only thing I notice is how responsive the transmission is off the line, no hesitation. And the transmission braking that occurs when you coast, though I can feel the clutch release, it's by no means rough or a surge.

[nametakennow]

Incorrect. There have been several threads on this very topic. I don't recall the wording, but maybe they didn't call it surge.

It's common. There are several different possible causes. Try some different search terms for the full discussion of the phenomenon.

[jdansmith]

The CVT is a different animal, that being said I love mine. 08 Sentra 2.0S and it is a bit slow do disengage after letting off the throttle. I have no surge under acceleration, I disengage the OD at red lights and engage it again at 2400 to 3000 rpms depending on if its a hill, flat or downhill. The car respond instantly and gas millage is 3 to 5 miles better by following this method.

Interstate driving at 60 to 65 I get 38 mpg and 70 to 75 34 mpg loaded with 3 people over 150 lbs and 2 around 100 lbs. Mixed driving in the burbs avg 29.5 to 30.5,not to bad for a 3920 lb loaded car so if it wants to be slow to disengage when I let off the throttle then that's ok by me.

My car has 17,500 miles on it and I want a Cube but this car is too good and might stay with the family for awhile. If your issue bothers you that bad do have the dealer test drive it and see if something is wrong. Good luck and keep us posted.

[ABNRML4U]