how to use the CVT manual mode properly

[adidas2go]

probably the best thing to do is just put it in 1st and from then on let the car do the shifts at redline. trying to shift yourself will probably end in a mis-shift if you try to do it very near redline. then again if you want to do that just leave it on DRIVE. jajajaaj

Yea i usually shift down one gear also when i put it from D to Manual mode. And when your red lining it make sure you shift just before 6k or the car will do it for you, as previously mentioned, and you will end up shifting 2 gears at a time. Happened to me a few times shift from 1rst to 2nd at 6100 rpms and the car has already shifted into second so now i actually just put it in 3rd bogging it down quite and bit and if your in a close race then you just probably lost due to a mis shift.

[Hussain]

And BTW i noticed that it is alot quicker if you use manual mode. but in theory isnt the regular mode suposed to be faster???!! i think someone should race another car with cvt. one guy does manual mode and another does regular. and i also want to see a 6mt race a cvt

i used to think the same thing but it's just that in CVT (non manual mode) it's more smooth and you don't feel it go as fast. i've raced my friend like 20 times (he has a SRT-4) and in manual mode i lose or tie and in CVT (non-manual mode) i win or tie..... the only time manual mode is quicker is from a roll or passing a car....so you can down shift and get the RPMs up a little higher. in non-manual mode it cruises at like 1500 RPM.... but maybe at the LA meet if theres a near by track or an empty spot where no one is around, we could have CVT vs CVT in manual mode and CVT vs 6mt (to see how bad our CVTs would lose) lol

[generic808]

THAT'S EVEN WORSE!!! anyone who knows anything about automatic will tell you NEVER rev it in neutral and then put it in drive! 1 of my friend's tried that in a benz and messed it up and one of my brother's did it in a jeep and the drive shaft fell off! that is the stupidest thing you could ever do with an automatic. stepping on the brakes and giving it a little gas isn't the best thing but if anything happens, it'll just be your brake pads getting worn out a little faster then usual. it gets your RPMs up a little higher from the launch so you take off quicker (like stick shift). i don't know why anyone would do that on a daily bases.... that's why i said that's what i did when i raced my friend! if you take it to the track or somethin, you want to get the best possible time and it wont screw up your car.... the part about putting it back into "D", i said i've only done that a couple times and i'm not sure if it's the best thing to do. i'm no expert but isn't triptonic and CVT's manual mode made to be put back in "D" we'll the car is moving (you don't stop and put it back in "D" and then go) so how is that any different? it's just at a slightly higher RPM then doing it normally. does anyone know like for sure that will mess up your car (not thinks it might, but KNOWS it will)?

Although Hussain and I didn't see eye to eye on some things in the past, he is right about this. When you hold your brake while giving some gas, you're loading up the torque converter. I believe in the racing circle, they call this brake-torque launch or something along those lines. It's the best technique to use if drag racing with an AT transmission.

Never, and I mean NEVER neutral drop your car!!

[notaverage]

GREAT QUESTION!!!!!

I Just had the same thought yesterday while getting a bite to eat. I Asked my B/F and he just confused me even more so I dropped it. haha. I would like to get more educated on the topic, Something about not knowing how to work something in my new car just has me a little uncomfortable. I want to be able to shift gears but the "right" way I guess?

I think the hardest part of learning how to shift manually is learning how to DOWN shift.

[adidas2go]

I think the hardest part of learning how to shift manually is learning how to DOWN shift.

I think the hardest part of learning how to drive a manual is the start and riding the clutch.

[SHIFT_2.5S]

I think the hardest part of learning how to drive a manual is the start and riding the clutch.

I concur. This took me about 10-15 tries my first time before I got the hang of it. Car kept stalling on me because I couldn't get the timing right.

[adidas2go]

I remember my first time lol. I was in the front of the line at a stop light on a slight hill with a good amount cars behind me. When the light turned green i stalled. Then i continued to stall many more times. I was the only car to make it through that light

[Shift_Perfection]

I remember my first time lol. I was in the front of the line at a stop light on a slight hill with a good amount cars behind me. When the light turned green i stalled. Then i continued to stall many more times. I was the only car to make it through that light

been there but worse. i was in a crowded intersection and was turning and stalled and had no clue how to get the car to move.. so i paniced and started the car forgetting it was in gear and stalled again.. noone could go until i finally got the car out of the intersection. not fun... now its much easier i loveeee the altima's clutch although many would disagree

[notaverage]

I think the hardest part of learning how to shift manually is learning how to DOWN shift.

I meant the hardest part for shifting in manual mode for the CVT. It's not even that hard, but you gotta know when its ok to do it.

I know working the clutch is a lot harder than down shifting when you using the 6MT.

[johnny_d]

so what RPMs should you shift at ? and is there anything bad about switching from CVT to manual or vice versa while driving? do i have to let off the gas?

[notaverage]

Basically don't down shift when you are already at high RPM's. Switching to manual mode in CVT doesn't do anything. But if I switch from manual mode back to CVT then sometimes the car gives me a little jerk.

[Vhernandez919]

That kinda helps....Thanks.

[pfcArtie]

my mom is about to get this car and i read the manual and it doesnt really specify how to use the manual mode.

can i just go from park to D then manual mode while the car is not moving? and just start from there and shifting up?

do i have to release the gas pedal before i try shifting from 1 gear to another? because it seems its more fun to drive it if you have some control over it.

[maxentropy]

can i just go from park to D then manual mode while the car is not moving? and just start from there and shifting up?

Yep. You can start the car in park and then before touching the gas, selecting manual 1st. You will see the 1 come up where the D usually is to indicate you are in 1st.

do i have to release the gas pedal before i try shifting from 1 gear to another? because it seems its more fun to drive it if you have some control over it.

No releasing the gas pedal needed. Simply "flick" the shifter up or down to shift up or down. There is a restriction however... the car must be moving a certain speed (probably around 5-10 mph or so) before you can shift any higher than 1st. However, once you get over that speed you can flick the shifter up repeatedly and hit 6th gear in a matter of seconds if you wanted too.. (why would you want to at that slow a speed though).

IMHO- I can get 0->60 faster with Manual CVT mode than Auto CVT mode. The Auto CVT mode has great performance, but is much more geared for smoother shifting / comfort (technically speaking, CVT has no "shifting") over acceleration and performance. If you want your head back in the headrest, use the Manual CVT.

For those asking why a bunch of us with CVT didn't go with the MT- My daily commute is too nasty to get a MT. I absolutely love my CVT though-- at the end of a long day on the commute home when traffic clears up I throw my 3.5AC into manual CVT and enjoy myself.

[pfcArtie]

thanks you so much. finally somebody cleared everything for me. when i test drove the car at a nissan dealership last weekend the salesperson wasnt sure how to fully use it and because of that i didnt want to try it fearing might mess it up.

[maxentropy]

thanks you so much. finally somebody cleared everything for me. when i test drove the car at a nissan dealership last weekend the salesperson wasnt sure how to fully use it and because of that i didnt want to try it fearing might mess it up.

No problems, my pleasure. It is worth noting that it is extremely difficult to futz up your CVT-- anything you do manually that would usually kill your transmission the computer in the CVT will not allow you to do (with the exception of a rare case or two).

I shift back and forth from Auto CVT (Drive/D) to Manual CVT all the time. In fact, someone else mentioned they will go to Manual mode, downshift one gear, step on the gas, and then throw the shifter back to Auto CVT/Drive. This will definitely blast you off. Hooray for 270 horses!

Trust me, the Manual CVT does take a tad getting used to, but once you do, you can really use the manual CVT to send you flying.

[maxentropy]

But if I switch from manual mode back to CVT then sometimes the car gives me a little jerk.

That's the vehicle shifting up to a higher gear.

Try this later:

1) Use manual CVT and rev your RPM over 4k. Flip the shifter back to auto CVT. You will notice the jerk. That was your vehicle upshifting because the computer noticed that your RPM was fairly high and shifted up for you to bring your RPM back down.

2) Use manual CVT and keep your RPM around 2k or so. Flip the shifter back to auto CVT and you won't notice any jerk. This is because the gear you were in was acceptable for the onboard computer.

Using manual CVT and reving your RPM won't necessary hurt your vehicle, unless you keep your vehicle in a specific gear and redline for an excessive amount of time. If it gets to that excessive point, you will notice your vehicle will actually shift up automatically even if you are in manual mode (you computer is basically telling you that you are a moron and you're mistreating your engine).

All in all, I learned all of this simply by playing with the vehicle. I love CVT so far and will definitely buy it again. We'll see how long it holds up with me switching back and forth and driving like a madman though

[FGFCacoupe]

I drive the car in manual mode a lot because I get bored of drivinig in automatic. I dont know if anyone agrees, but when intending to go fast, I floor it until I am right below redline, and then let off of the gas slightly, then immediately switch into second gear and floor it again until the next gear. Maybe im wrong but for me I feel as if the car is moving faster. Gives time for your revs to drop as if your hitting the clutch in a real manual transmission. Seems like the next gear last a little longer, and is a little faster.

[Sarcanglk]

I was playing with my manual mode the other day and i realized something cool.When driving in manual mode and if you are cruising at a low rpm(2000) and a high gear(4,5,6) and if u press the gas all the way down past the constrictor the manual mode will automatically down shift for you. Try it sometime its good for passing cars on the highway.

[Dexion]

sorry, some of us like to drink coffee, smoke, talk on our cell phones, and eat cheerios while driving. SO much easier with that fake cvt garbage.

Modified by mikemart at 9:41 PM 11/12/2007

I can do this and select what mp3 I want to hear out of my zune as well on my 6MT. Practice makes perfect.

I always thought it was concluded that the CVT mode was the faster of the 2 modes? I think all you guys just feel "software shiftshock" and presume that your faster in manual mode but all the magazine testers so far all say the same thing, its faster in CVT mode. Its on paper.

CVT vs 6MT, the CVT might get the jump since traction is probably better for the Autos but after a few seconds the 6-speed will walk away. Especially on the top-end since for some reason CVT's struggle real bad at 90mph+

[08altima35]

CVT vs 6MT, the CVT might get the jump since traction is probably better for the Autos but after a few seconds the 6-speed will walk away. Especially on the top-end since for some reason CVT's struggle real bad at 90mph+

no man. the cvt will not get the jump unless the 6mt driver is a scrub. with the 6mt you have the ability to choose at what rpm to launch and with a clutch you have the ability to decide how fast you want the gear to fully engage by slightly feathering the clutch to maintain traction.the cvt's advantage is teh constant continous pull without pause that cannot be done with a standard regardless of power shifting or not. it's pretty much just a drivers choice. i personally love the 6mt and many here love the cvt.

[adidas2go]

wish i had the 6 speed

The CVT is pretty simple though. Leave it in D and it will do everything for you. Put it in manual and you can shift when you want to. Even if you forget to up shift or down shift at the right times the computer will do it for you. Pretty idiot proof

[Sarcanglk]

IMHO- I can get 0->60 faster with Manual CVT mode than Auto CVT mode. The Auto CVT mode has great performance, but is much more geared for smoother shifting / comfort (technically speaking, CVT has no "shifting") over acceleration and performance. If you want your head back in the headrest, use the Manual CVT.

Hey i see you live in philly, we should see which is really faster since we both have CVTs

[maxentropy]

Hey i see you live in philly, we should see which is really faster since we both have CVTs

I'd be down. I live in Limerick, just off of Rt 422 (15 min West of King of Prussia Mall).

[Sarcanglk]

I'd be down. I live in Limerick, just off of Rt 422 (15 min West of King of Prussia Mall).

I'm not too familiar with that area but i go to school in philly at Lasalle. I think it will be nice to do a lil myth busters lol.

[Rmuth25]

The only time that I have ever heard that you should step on the brake and accelerator lightly at the same time is if you just went though a deep puddle and have water on the rotors

[maxentropy]

I'm not too familiar with that area but i go to school in philly at Lasalle. I think it will be nice to do a lil myth busters lol.

Sounds good, we should get the Philly area people together soon for a small meet and invite whomever else in the area is interested. We could meet at the King of Prussia mall-- easy access from all major roads. I was thinking the afternoon of Saturday March 29th. Even if it's just a few of us, would be a good time. I'll prolly start a thread soon if anyone shows interest. I know there was talk of a meet in Jersey, but it's a bit of a haul for some of us and I don't think they ever set a date.

Sarcanglk, would you be interested in meeting up on the 29th? Anyone else from Philly area reading this interested? Just a fun informal get together to show off a mod or two and just basically talk- perhaps ride around... nothing funnier than a line of Altima Coupes parading around.

[Sarcanglk]

Sounds good.... Start up the thread we can all meet when the weather is nice