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nonsequitur · Mar 6th, 2003, 04:49 PM

May I clarify the "Mode" piece of this to eliminate my confusion about it, and to help gather and analyze numbers for each one?

There are really two (2) shifter positions (indicated in the speedo as "D" or "SD"), and three (3) ways to use them.

Are these descriptions correct?

####
"D" (Drive) is the fully automatic CVT mode. Left side of the shift console (at least in left-hand drive cars), with separate selections for "P" (Park), "R" (Reverse), "N" (Neutral), and "D" (Drive).

The computer optimizes engine rpm (torque, horsepower) and belt position in the CVT (road speed) to achieve acceleration appropriate for the pedal position and driving style.

If the pedal is not pushed beyond the kickdown detent(resistance point), then almost butter-smooth CVT characteristics are displayed. Under acceleration, engine rpm will be held at just under 4000rpm and everything else is managed by the CVT transmission. Very apparent, and very different from any "standard" car.

if the pedal is pushed beyond the detent, then faster responses and a more '60s GM PowerGlide sensation is displayed. The transmission "shifts" several times on the fly, engine rpm is not held steady, and a 6000rpm redline is observed - automatically.

####
"SD" (Sport) is the right side position of the shift console, which can be used in two ways:

Just leave it there. If you do nothing, the CVT will hold a "gear" within a range of rpm, shifting up at 6000rpm, or shifting down about 2000rpm (I need to confirm this low one). Coming to a stop, resets the transmission to "2", from which you can accelerate through the gears as the car gives you automatic upshifts at 6000rpm. This is called "Sport mode"???

Manual "shift" the "gears." I often call this a "virtual (software based) sequential 6-speed" mode. Upshift selections (+, pull once) and downshifts (-, push once) may be requested at any rpm but they will only be made by the computer if no over-rev situation would develop for the motor. This is called "Steptronic mode"???

Or, do we have different transmissions in our cars?

I don't have three indentified modes in our Cooper CVT, only the D and SD described above. Sorry to be so lengthy on this, but the three-mode theme (Drive, Sport, Steptronic) is running in many threads. I want to make sure I understand what we mean by the terms used.

It will be important as we sort out the objective details and differences between the modes (just as Cooper4us has done in the previous response).

Thanks for carrying this forward.

Mar 6th, 2003, 04:49 PM	#10
nonsequitur Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Seattle area, WA Local Time: 04:56 PM Posts: 1,466 Offline	May I clarify the "Mode" piece of this to eliminate my confusion about it, and to help gather and analyze numbers for each one? There are really two (2) shifter positions (indicated in the speedo as "D" or "SD"), and three (3) ways to use them. Are these descriptions correct? #### "D" (Drive) is the fully automatic CVT mode. Left side of the shift console (at least in left-hand drive cars), with separate selections for "P" (Park), "R" (Reverse), "N" (Neutral), and "D" (Drive). The computer optimizes engine rpm (torque, horsepower) and belt position in the CVT (road speed) to achieve acceleration appropriate for the pedal position and driving style. If the pedal is not pushed beyond the kickdown detent(resistance point), then almost butter-smooth CVT characteristics are displayed. Under acceleration, engine rpm will be held at just under 4000rpm and everything else is managed by the CVT transmission. Very apparent, and very different from any "standard" car. if the pedal is pushed beyond the detent, then faster responses and a more '60s GM PowerGlide sensation is displayed. The transmission "shifts" several times on the fly, engine rpm is not held steady, and a 6000rpm redline is observed - automatically. #### "SD" (Sport) is the right side position of the shift console, which can be used in two ways: Just leave it there. If you do nothing, the CVT will hold a "gear" within a range of rpm, shifting up at 6000rpm, or shifting down about 2000rpm (I need to confirm this low one). Coming to a stop, resets the transmission to "2", from which you can accelerate through the gears as the car gives you automatic upshifts at 6000rpm. This is called "Sport mode"??? Manual "shift" the "gears." I often call this a "virtual (software based) sequential 6-speed" mode. Upshift selections (+, pull once) and downshifts (-, push once) may be requested at any rpm but they will only be made by the computer if no over-rev situation would develop for the motor. This is called "Steptronic mode"??? Or, do we have different transmissions in our cars? I don't have three indentified modes in our Cooper CVT, only the D and SD described above. Sorry to be so lengthy on this, but the three-mode theme (Drive, Sport, Steptronic) is running in many threads. I want to make sure I understand what we mean by the terms used. It will be important as we sort out the objective details and differences between the modes (just as Cooper4us has done in the previous response). Thanks for carrying this forward.