Strange CVT Behavior

[BumptiousQ]

First time poster here. Just curious if anyone else has had an issue like the one I'm about to describe.

So my '07 Sentra 2.0S has about 72k miles on it. I bought it used with 41k, and have driven the rest over the last two years. This issue began occurring at about 68k. Here goes:

The CVT feels like it slips during light acceleration at freeway cruising speed (65 mph @ slightly under 2k rpm). I want to maintain my speed on a slight grade, for instance, so I apply a little bit more pressure to the accelerator. What happens is this: the tach climbs to ~2200rpm and the transmission reaches a point where it wants to shift; instead of engaging a lower gear, it slips and the revs drop back down under 2k. It will do this repeatedly if I keep the same pressure on the accelerator. Revs climb a bit, then drop back down, and the car loses speed. I really have to mash the pedal and rev it above 3k in order to get the transmission to engage a gear that will move the car. It happens on flat sections when I want to increase my speed just a few MPH. I've noticed that having the AC on makes the problem worse. Occasionally, the transmission slip feels a bit more violent.

Freeway driving is never smooth, and I can't stand it. It even happens on streets with speed limits above 50.

Anyway, I hope my description makes sense. Any input would be great.

Thanks.

[Faja]

I don't have an answer for you but I would suggest that you should take it in for warranty service and see what the dealership says. They have extended the warranty on CVTs to 120,000 miles.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

^+1
They should be able to check it for codes and such. I'm not sure if there is a service interval for it either, but I recall it is pretty fickal about what kind of fluid it takes.

[SER Wes]

To me this sounds like the normal behavior of cvt's. It accelerates to whatever mph it thinks it should be at the current conditions and then revs down.

Try resetting your computer(unplug battery). Your cpu rounds off the tuning over time for slightly better mpg. This also can take away your pep or even make it do strange things though. This might help. If it still does it and bothers you then just take it to the dealer and pull warranty. You might get a free transmission out of the deal.