Engine braking with CVT

[exeunt]

If I understand correctly, the CVT is a belt driven transmission. Because of this, is engine braking not recommended? I've noticed that downshifting doesn't really slow down the Rogue very much, and I'm wondering if this is the cause, and if I should be avoiding it all together.

[nissantech06]

If I understand correctly, the CVT is a belt driven transmission. Because of this, is engine braking not recommended? I've noticed that downshifting doesn't really slow down the Rogue very much, and I'm wondering if this is the cause, and if I should be avoiding it all together.

Since you aren't really "shifting gears" (it has NO gears) the trans adapts to your change in engine torque. That's part of the reason it has belts, it is constantly changing the ratio to accomodate power change.

[exeunt]

Yes, but you can select gear ratios with the paddle shifters. A lower gear ratio at a higher speed with traditional engines results in engine compression which can slow your vehicle down (or speed it up given gas). Even when in a pre-selected gear ratio (or "fake gear"), this would result in the same effect, however being belt driven I'm not so sure that it would have the same effect as an actual gear driven transmission. When in a pre-selected gear ratio, it shouldn't be "constantly adapting" as you say.

[worldbikr]

On a sort of mountain downhill I was able to get some engine braking using the manual downshift of the paddle shifter. Can't say it's quite the same as my 5sp CRV but it does slow down.

[nissantech06]

Yes, but you can select gear ratios with the paddle shifters. A lower gear ratio at a higher speed with traditional engines results in engine compression which can slow your vehicle down (or speed it up given gas). Even when in a pre-selected gear ratio (or "fake gear"), this would result in the same effect, however being belt driven I'm not so sure that it would have the same effect as an actual gear driven transmission. When in a pre-selected gear ratio, it shouldn't be "constantly adapting" as you say.

Yeah, I know what you mean, I didn't think of it in terms of manual shifting. It still should be ok, we've been using CVTs since the 2003 Murano, and the SEs had a manual shift gate option. It's safe to engine brake it, unlike in a traditional automatic it won't cause any issues.

[Superdave54]

The CVT transmission does have a torque convertor like a regular automatic. So, it will never act exactly like a manual transmission when it comes to engine braking.

I have noticed that mine does seem to "downshift" automatically (like putting your automatic in "2" or "1" instead of "D") when going down hill with your foot off the gas.

It is even more effective to put the transmission in "manual mode" and put it in a "gear". I live on a hill, and use this function to go down my road until I get to the bottom using "gear" number 2 in manual mode.

[nissantech06]

The CVT transmission does have a torque convertor like a regular automatic. So, it will never act exactly like a manual transmission when it comes to engine braking.

I have noticed that mine does seem to "downshift" automatically (like putting your automatic in "2" or "1" instead of "D") when going down hill with your foot off the gas.

It is even more effective to put the transmission in "manual mode" and put it in a "gear". I live on a hill, and use this function to go down my road until I get to the bottom using "gear" number 2 in manual mode.

It also helps when trying to get off of ice, so your wheels don't turn as fast.

[vancewyoming]

If you live in the mountains, you better engine brake, or you won't have regular brakes when you need them (the people going down mountain passes smelling like rubber are always from the flats). Just got our Rogue 3 days ago, went skiing up Big Cottonwood Canyon in SLC on day 2, and in manual mode, downshifting (engine braking) was the same as a true manual transmission - a key reason we bought the Rogue instead of a standard auto transmission of the RAV4 or CRV. One thread talked about how engine braking could hurt standard engines .... again, if you live in the steep mountains (we are in Wyoming), it is a necessity if you want your brakes to last.