questions about CVT

[astonius]

I really like the manual mode of the CVT. It allows me to get that manual fix without having to drive manual all the time (although I know it's not as nice as a true manual). That said, I have some questions. Does it hurt the transmission to switch between automatic and manual mode while driving? Do I need to be at a complete stop, let off the pedal, or is it cool to just switch on-the-fly?

Also, I am a complete newbie when it comes to driving a manual. When is the best time to shift up and down (what RPMs)? I realize it depends on how much speed I want to get out of each gear, but let's say for just normal, gas-saver driving. Really, upshifting isn't much trouble for me. The problem comes in downshifting.... I don't seem to know when the best time is. I've been trying to wait until I'm at 2K RPMs or less, but the car still revs up pretty heavy whenever I shift down unless it's closer to 1K.

Haha, I sound like such a girly-man for not knowing this stuff.

[packerjd04]

You really dont have to downshift at all if your in manual mode and just driving around because when slowing down it will stay at low rpms until you come to a stop and automatically put you in 1st.

[windhaven]

I really like the manual mode of the CVT. It allows me to get that manual fix without having to drive manual all the time (although I know it's not as nice as a true manual). That said, I have some questions. Does it hurt the transmission to switch between automatic and manual mode while driving? Do I need to be at a complete stop, let off the pedal, or is it cool to just switch on-the-fly?

Also, I am a complete newbie when it comes to driving a manual. When is the best time to shift up and down (what RPMs)? I realize it depends on how much speed I want to get out of each gear, but let's say for just normal, gas-saver driving. Really, upshifting isn't much trouble for me. The problem comes in downshifting.... I don't seem to know when the best time is. I've been trying to wait until I'm at 2K RPMs or less, but the car still revs up pretty heavy whenever I shift down unless it's closer to 1K.

Haha, I sound like such a girly-man for not knowing this stuff.

Astonius,

First of all, no the switching betweeen auto and manual won't hurt the car. Been doing it for a long time in cars like this and before. Have asked my friends (Engineers/Mechanics) all have said it's made for it. I even suspect that you wouldn't have the capability if it would be an issue mainly because Nissan wouldn't want the liability and the warranty issues.

As for shifting, the whole point is to get the RPM's where you want them.....for accelleration, you want the RPM's on this car higher (even in the 4 --> 5.5k range). On deceleration (If you engine brake) anything from 3-5.5k is clean.

In general, this car won't let you downshift into the red-line, nor will it let you accelerate into the red-line, so in general you're safe.

As for the best mileage, dunno. I'd suggest that leaving it in auto and using the cruise control is your best bet. Move to the manual only when you have to or want to. When i'm taking it easy i shift at about 3 --> 3.5 k. When I want to stomp on it I let it shift itself.

Hope this helps a little,-- Wind

[astonius]

Awesome, thanks packerjd04 and windhaven! That helps a lot.

[adidas2go]

Couldn't have said it better myself Nice job Wind

[Summer_In_Brooklyn]

Thank you Wind, i've been looking for a post like this!!!

[Hussain]

In general, this car won't let you downshift into the red-line, nor will it let you accelerate into the red-line, so in general you're safe.

everything you said was correct and perfect BUT i did downshift it into redline before i usually just leave it in D but when i want to pass a car or something, instead of having the lag of the RPMs build up, i just hit it into manual mode and downshift to have my RPMs shoot up and then just take off like a rocket. well doing this, i downshifted 2 "gears" before and it went to redline and sounded weird and then shifted up one right away.....

[adidas2go]

You can't hit the rev limiter in this car with the cvt, its impossible. I highly doubt you hit redline, you may have gone to 5900 or so, but to bounce it off the limiter, not gonna happen.

[Hussain]

didn't bounce off the limiter but it went higher then it does in "D" and in manual mode usually.

[adidas2go]

D stops at 5500, Manual runs up to 5900

[cuzzbubba420]

Same thing happened to me on the highway. I could swear it bounced at limiter cus it shifted up once the RPM's were at red-line bouncing..