| This is an excellent technique question, Lisa, exactly what we are trying to figure out here. Thanks for pushing the questions, and the responses from those who have experience.
There is NO mechanical reason that you must or should lift off the throttle at the shift selection point with the CVT. It is OK (checked with MINI) to make "shifts" at full or partial throttle.
But it may be a smoother shift to lift slightly.
Or, lifting may cause another software map response that makes the shift worse, since the computer would see this action as "input". I haven't gotten this far yet.
In fact, I'm quite interested in what happens. This is very similar to throttle modulation in a corner where the transmission seemed to get confused with too much throttle movement.
Let us know what you find out. You can't hurt the transmission either way.
'02 MINI Cooper CVT(6/12/02; Indi Blue/Black, R-81 7-hole 15x5.5" or NZO 16x6.5")
'67 Austin Cooper S (6/26/67; Tartan Red/Black, 10x4.5") | 
