Throttle/CVT Question

[nightfawl]

I am new to driving a vehicle with a CVT and definitely notice the difference when driving but I have a question about how the vehicle accelerates.

I noticed that if you are gentle on the throttle, it keeps the RPM low which seems to be good for fuel economy but it feels sluggish as it slowly accelerates. I almost feel like I am towing something or if you have driven a manual car and you are in too high of a gear and you press the peddle and don't get the response. I have to go over half throttle for the RPM to bump up and to feel the acceleration at a rate I am used to in a non-CVT vehicle. Is this normal?

[rdub2k4]

It's pretty normal, my 2011 Lancer behaves the same way as it's also a CVT. The main thing with the CVT is it's supposed to be smoother where you feel no shifts. It's constantly changing belt tension to bring you up to speed.

I haven't figured out a quick way to accelerate in the Rogue as I do the Lancer, as the Lancer has paddles to simulate gears, but the "Sport" mode button in the Rogue seems to hold the RPM's to a higher point before "shift".

My suggestion is to try the Sport option at lower speeds and switch it off above 35mph for fuel consumption. See if that helps with the sluggish acceleration.

[nightfawl]

Dumb question. What is Sport Mode and how do you use it?

[Qashqai]

I haven't figured out a quick way to accelerate in the Rogue

Well I found one, but scared to use it.

The overdrive button.

When I push that button, the car accelerates like a regular car

However, I don't like the idea of increasing the rpm suddenly that much. I use it when a huge truck is on my blind spot, or a car is not allowing me to change the lanes, etc. So it is my "turbo"

[rdub2k4]

Dumb question. What is Sport Mode and how do you use it?

I'm not sure if all Rogues have it to be honest. It's on the center console, near the cupholders. Says "Sport".

The overdrive button works too now that I think about it.

[nightfawl]

Dumb question. What is Sport Mode and how do you use it?

I'm not sure if all Rogues have it to be honest. It's on the center console, near the cupholders. Says "Sport".

The overdrive button works too now that I think about it.

I don't think the 2011's have that option. But there is an overdrive.

[Qashqai]

The "Sport" button and "Around View Camera" options were added to the models 2012 and up.

[Rogue One]

I don't think the 2011's have that (Sport Mode) option. But there is an overdrive.

"Sport Mode" is a new standard feature on all trim levels starting with model year 2012.

In the SPORT mode, the engine and transmission are controlled to set the engine speed higher than in the D (Drive) position. This enhances throttle response for a “sporty” driving feeling.

To turn on the SPORT mode, push the SPORT mode switch. The SPORT mode indicator light in the instrument panel illuminates. To turn off the SPORT mode, push the SPORT mode switch again. The SPORT mode indicator light on the instrument panel turns off.

If the SPORT mode indicator light does not illuminate when the SPORT mode switch is turned on, the switch or system may have a malfunction. In this case, contact your NISSAN dealer. Even if there is a malfunction in the switch or system, this will not affect normal driving.

- The SPORT mode automatically turns off if a malfunction occurs.

- The SPORT mode only operates at speeds of above 20 MPH (30km/h).

- If the engine is switched off with the SPORT mode on, the SPORT mode resets to off when the engine is restarted.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PdppeLdR5M[/youtube]

[ImStricken06]

sport mode is simply a new transmission "map". It allows the stock "D" map programming to be overridden, which in return sends a different "map" to the car's brain and holds every gear ratio longer - which allows the RPM to climb higher before a new gear ratio is chosen.

its as if you were driving a manual car, and simply held each gear longer while pressing the gas and climbing i RPM.

[rdub2k4]

I like sport mode.

[ImStricken06]

I haven't figured out a quick way to accelerate in the Rogue

Well I found one, but scared to use it.

The overdrive button.

overdrive, is the final gear ratio you get when cruising at higher speeds. it kicks in around 45mph. imagine you had a normal transmission with 5 gears. overdrive, would be gear #5 or gear#6. sometimes its the last gear(#5) - or in some transmissions its an extra gear(depends how the car was sold. did they call it a "5 speed transmission with OD" or did they just call it a "6 speed transmission". essentially its the same crap. identical- just two different names)

so if your cruising along at 65mph, and click OD OFF, what you did was force gear to step down to to a lower gear, or possibly 2 lower gears. (depending how it was programmed, and how many gears are in your transmission).
can it be used for quick acceleration? yes. but what is OD really for? when your towing or cruising with a heavy load in the car and you dont want the transmission to go to the final gears. (say hilly area's. because if the transmission is constantly switching gears due to the hills, its gonna over heat and wear the transmission)

[ImStricken06]

I like sport mode.

i LOVE my paddle shifters & sport shifter in the center console!

[rdub2k4]

wait, Paddles? Can you plug n play that stuff? I have Paddles on the Lancer and I love it. The sport mode shifter is awesome too.

[Rogue One]

wait, Paddles? Can you plug n play that stuff? I have Paddles on the Lancer and I love it. The sport mode shifter is awesome too.

Nope. Paddle shifters were only available on the first two model years. I know many people were disappointed with their omission, which is I suspect why they added the SPORT MODE as of 2012.

[rdub2k4]

Dang... what about the floor shifter? I have the + and - in the Lancer too and I use it all the time.

[Rogue One]

Dang... what about the floor shifter? I have the + and - in the Lancer too and I use it all the time.

Again, nope. But the rocket launcher and ejector seat are a sweet bonus. Oh wait, I'm thinking of the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish... Never mind.

[nightfawl]

So back to my original question, is it normal for my rogue to be sluggish when accelerating from a stop? Again, I am easy to the gas and it does accelerate slowly but I always feel like something is dragging or holding me back unless I really give it more gas.

[Qashqai]

[...] the rocket launcher and ejector seat are a sweet bonus.

[ImStricken06]

[...] the rocket launcher and ejector seat are a sweet bonus.

ya'll bought the wrong car! lol

[kerrton]

nightfawl, I know what you're describing, and I'll try to explain my interpretation of this after driving my Rogue for 5 years.

Light throttle = early selection of high gear ratio and early torque converter lock-up. Rough equivalent to driving around town with manual trans in high gear (5th or 6th). This is normal and by design, and is why the Rogue is still tops in city MPG ratings compared to all competitors, even though this is a 5-year old design it still tops newly redesigned competitors in city MPG.

If you are heavy on the throttle, the Rogue will give you a lower gear ratio for longer periods of time, resulting in higher rpms.

Your issue is that you feel "the Rogue is sluggish under light throttle, is this normal". My response to that is, the Rogue is NOT sluggish under light throttle and high gear ratio, this is your perception because you are used to a conventional transmission. I have heard countless people make this same statement when they first drive a CVT vehicle, that its "sluggish" because they don't get the rising rpms and shift points that they're used to, instead you get sustained low rpms which gives the impression that the car is not accelerating quickly, but in fact you're keeping up with traffic quite nicely. After 5 years of first hand experience and extensive forum discussions I am confident that this is the case.

Now you had a lot of advice on how to make the Rogue accelerate more quickly, because you do not like the low-throttle, low-rpm sensation when accelerating. Suggestions about Sport Mode, Overdrive Off button, and Low Gear were presented - all of these do the same thing, the make the CVT select and hold lower gear ratios, resluting in higher rpms and more torque and acceleration. My input: to achieve this, don't worry about any of these buttons, just step down on the accelerator/gas peddle harder. I am serious, this may sound like an overly simple and obvious statement, but I know this to be the solution to your issue. People complain about this all the time, and you can trace it back to the fact that you're driving coservatively, pressing gently on the throttle so the CVT selects a high gear. Press harder and you achive the same thing as pressing the Overdrive off button - lower gear and faster acceleration.

My personal adivce - keep driving the way you are, light throttle, and ignore you perception that you aren't accelerating fast. Look at the cars around you, you'll notice that you're keeping up just fine, and by doing this you'll get excellent fuel economy, you'll drive smoother with less wear-and-tear on the vehicle, less need for hard braking and replacing brakes early. Also, this isn't an all-or-none situation - if you're accelerating too slow, just apply a "little bit" more throttle, you don't have to go nuts and floor it!

You're in control of the car and how fast it accelerates, don't blame the car for driver error! Good luck and I hope you go out and enjoy your Rogue!

[Qashqai]

Juke looks ugly even with that angle!

[Rogue One]

Kerrton's description of the Rogue CVT is probably one of the most concise write ups I've read. The only addition I'd mention is learning the proper way to throttle the pedal. I've found I can get a quicker response by not stomping on the gas. The CVT is very smooth, which takes getting used to, but in time you'll get the feel for it, and I think you'll be surprised at it's capabilities.

Imstricken has written extensively about how well the Rogue's CVT and engine work in tandem, but I'm having a little trouble finding the right posts to refer you to.

Anyway, I've said it before, I watch other vehicles lurch into gear, like at a stoplight, and wondered how the driver doesn't suffer from whiplash. Been there, done that, don't miss it. Just give it time, it'll grow on you.

[minibus4]

wait, Paddles? Can you plug n play that stuff? I have Paddles on the Lancer and I love it. The sport mode shifter is awesome too.

Pointless to have the paddle shifters in addition to center console shifting imo. The only time they have ever benefited me is when I'm towing something and need to slow down by down shifting. I probably don't have the timing down but I don't notice much of a difference in acceleration when using the manual shifting mode compared to the "normal mode".
Does anyone else notice a difference in performance when they use the manual shift mode compared to the normal mode? I have a 2008 so I can't compare using the sport mode and the overdrive buttons/mode in later models.

[Scooter71]

You guys would hate me, I found mine loaded at a Nissan dealer ship through the internet. Got mad lucky, my 09 has the paddle shifters and the center console shifter, which is awesome! I also have the HID's, sunroof, and leather witht the red outline. I have no idea what package it was or is, like I siad I got crazy lucky. It just so happen after visiting a dozen dealers they had this one. Jumped on it after they made me a sweet offer on my 03 GTP. It was literally an offer I could not say no to. Once the weather breaks I'll take some pics of the interior and post up here.
O my bad...to answer your question, yes it's very normal for the CVT to act this way. The only way I've noticed a way around it is to hit the throttle a bit from the launch, brings her up to 3,000 rpm and then adjust throttle accodinlgly. Seems to be working great.

[nightfawl]

nightfawl, I know what you're describing, and I'll try to explain my interpretation of this after driving my Rogue for 5 years.

Light throttle = early selection of high gear ratio and early torque converter lock-up. Rough equivalent to driving around town with manual trans in high gear (5th or 6th). This is normal and by design, and is why the Rogue is still tops in city MPG ratings compared to all competitors, even though this is a 5-year old design it still tops newly redesigned competitors in city MPG.

If you are heavy on the throttle, the Rogue will give you a lower gear ratio for longer periods of time, resulting in higher rpms.

Your issue is that you feel "the Rogue is sluggish under light throttle, is this normal". My response to that is, the Rogue is NOT sluggish under light throttle and high gear ratio, this is your perception because you are used to a conventional transmission. I have heard countless people make this same statement when they first drive a CVT vehicle, that its "sluggish" because they don't get the rising rpms and shift points that they're used to, instead you get sustained low rpms which gives the impression that the car is not accelerating quickly, but in fact you're keeping up with traffic quite nicely. After 5 years of first hand experience and extensive forum discussions I am confident that this is the case.

Now you had a lot of advice on how to make the Rogue accelerate more quickly, because you do not like the low-throttle, low-rpm sensation when accelerating. Suggestions about Sport Mode, Overdrive Off button, and Low Gear were presented - all of these do the same thing, the make the CVT select and hold lower gear ratios, resluting in higher rpms and more torque and acceleration. My input: to achieve this, don't worry about any of these buttons, just step down on the accelerator/gas peddle harder. I am serious, this may sound like an overly simple and obvious statement, but I know this to be the solution to your issue. People complain about this all the time, and you can trace it back to the fact that you're driving coservatively, pressing gently on the throttle so the CVT selects a high gear. Press harder and you achive the same thing as pressing the Overdrive off button - lower gear and faster acceleration.

My personal adivce - keep driving the way you are, light throttle, and ignore you perception that you aren't accelerating fast. Look at the cars around you, you'll notice that you're keeping up just fine, and by doing this you'll get excellent fuel economy, you'll drive smoother with less wear-and-tear on the vehicle, less need for hard braking and replacing brakes early. Also, this isn't an all-or-none situation - if you're accelerating too slow, just apply a "little bit" more throttle, you don't have to go nuts and floor it!

You're in control of the car and how fast it accelerates, don't blame the car for driver error! Good luck and I hope you go out and enjoy your Rogue!

This is hands down the most informative and reliable forum I have ever been a part of. And it makes me feel even more confidant that I made the right decision in going with the Rogue over the other options we were considering (Rav4, CRV & Tucson).

Thank you for this explanation. This makes perfect sense and now I feel confidant that there is no issue with the vehicle and this is actually how the car is supposed to function. I really love the look and feel of this car. It feels like luxury; especially the SL-AWD that we purchased.