[Spookyfish]

Quote: Originally Posted by nonsequitur

This technique you are reviewing was suggested by ZF Getrieb as a way to work around the goofy BMW "shifting" code. It's not easy to do. I would really appreciate some more detail on what you're doing... and how to do it well. Thanks!

What I do is this:

1. Car is standing still, engine idle. Transmission in SD.
2. Left foot on the brake, right foot above the accellerator,
3. Decide when you want to go (countdown, traffic light, green flag, whatever)
4. Just before you go you floor the throttle (this doesn't work with traffic lights, but does work with countdowns or merging in dense traffic)
5. Release the brake with your left foot and floor the throttle with your right foot at the same time (if you didn't already do so at number 4.
6. The car will zoom off and RPM's will increase towards 6000rpm.
7. Knowing that the car will shift into '2nd' at 6000rpm we release the kickdown switch just before we hit 6000rpm and maintain WOT. The exact point takes practice: as late as possible but before the shiftpoint. If you keep your foot down too long, the car will shift, that is: cut back and start at ~ 5000rpm.
8. If you got it right: the car will not shift but hold 5500rpm while steadily accelerating.

P.S.
- Floor = pedal to the metal, kickdown, all the way down
- WOT = wide open throttle, but no kickdown, just shy of the so called detend.

[valnmike]

Yup, this works pretty much just like Spookyfish laid it out. The trick is to get off the detent before the forced shift to second that makes the whole car feel like it bogs down. Even though the tach is well placed, I think I go by the engine sound as much as the tach. That will take some practice, but it allows you to keep the eyes focused on things in front of you.

[nonsequitur]

Quote: Originally Posted by Spookyfish

- Floor = pedal to the metal, kickdown, all the way down
- WOT = wide open throttle, but no kickdown, just shy of the so called detend.

OK, I'll go back to give this procedure an honest attempt again. It sure seems like catching that point rpm surge should be doable, but I had difficulty.

Thanks!

I personally believe that there is some performance in a portion of the Floored throttle position, and it may be that you have defined it here... very useful from stop to the first (actually the 1st-->2nd fixed ratio) shift point.

Spookyfish, Your use of the term "WOT" mirrors some of the industry stuff I've sent. It is a term used to describe throttle position maximum, just as you have used it. Thanks for bringing that into the Forum too.

[MissMapp]

I have a 1-week-old Cooper CVT and up until this thread, I have been thoroughly perplexed about the uses of the CVT. In fact, until this thread, I didn't realize there was an SD mode -- I thought I had to shift once in SD. The user's manual is completely useless in describing this car. I can't wait to take advantage of the information I've learned here. And I am certainly not telling people I have a Mini Cooper with automatic transmission any more -- the CVT is WAY cooler than that!

One question -- I am @900 miles into the break-in period. Should I wait until 1250 before playing with the different modes? Even driving gingerly in D is a blast so I don't mind waiting if I have to.

Many thanks to Ozone at MINIUSA's Owners Lounge for sending me here.

[nonsequitur]

Your comments make us all proud! You're right too, which is how this Forum got started. We'll welcome your comments and participation as your experiences with the car add up to... lots of fun. You've got a very capable machine.

You can use all the modes at any time, even now in the break-in period. The key to a good break-in period is to follow the rules and observe the suggested limits for engine rpm, speed, varying the speed, hard acceleration, hard braking, etc.

Use Search. There is a thread, maybe even in this CVT Forum, but definitely on MINI2.com, about the break-in period. What to do, how to do it, etc.

[MissMapp]

Thanks. I'm finding a wealth of information. I can hardly wait for tomorrow to get motoring again. I have noticed I've hardly done any online CHhristmas shopping this year -- too much fun taking the MINI out!

[Cooper76]

Quote: Originally Posted by MissMapp

I have a 1-week-old Cooper CVT and up until this thread, I have been thoroughly perplexed about the uses of the CVT. In fact, until this thread, I didn't realize there was an SD mode -- I thought I had to shift once in SD. The user's manual is completely useless in describing this car. I can't wait to take advantage of the information I've learned here. And I am certainly not telling people I have a Mini Cooper with automatic transmission any more -- the CVT is WAY cooler than that!

One question -- I am @900 miles into the break-in period. Should I wait until 1250 before playing with the different modes? Even driving gingerly in D is a blast so I don't mind waiting if I have to.

Many thanks to Ozone at MINIUSA's Owners Lounge for sending me here.

Just be careful in SD mode and manu-shifting, as it is waaay too easy to go over the 4500k rpm limit set during break-in. Not that this will be viewed much as a negative once past the break-in period though...hahaha....

[MissMapp]

Ha -- that happened today, when I forgot to tap the shifter down instead of up. That's the only time I've gone much over 3000 since I got the car. I've decided not to shiift via Steptronic in traffic until I've finished breaking in the engine which should happen tomorrow sometime. Hooray!

[allagaroo]

I've messed up the shift a couple of times by downshifting when I wanted to upshift. The Tiptronic in my Audi A6 is reversed from the Mini and you tap forward to upshift which I think is the proper way imho. What do you think?

[MissMapp]

Well, if you start at first coming out of a light or something, it seems pretty logical -- like normal shifting from first to second -- and feels fairly natural. The tricky part is downshifting or upshifting while in the midst of driving. Then it does seem counter-intuitive. Just one of those delightlful MINI quirks!

I took a small road trip today and enjoyed experimenting with D and SD modes. SD is very helpful maintaining a constant speed while in cruise control. When I came to a hill, I would switch from D to SD and the little boost kept the car's speed from fading as we climbed. At the crest, I would switch back to D. The little tap into SD is fun and keeps things rocking along.

I didn't quite reach 1250 today (1190) but I will by Sunday. Can't wait to see what happens at 5500 RPM!

[nonsequitur]

Comments from a MINI Motoring Advisor on the Electronic Throttle:
MINI Cooper CVT Electronic Throttle in MotoringFile, 7/5/2004

"On the Cooper with the CVT, the throttle pedal is electronic and very responsive, not only does it sense how deep you press it, but also how quickly your inputs are. This is very different for most people and takes some getting used to. In addition the transmission does not have a torque converter, instead it has a hydraulic clutch pack. This makes the transmission feel more like a manual transmission when starting and stopping. The clutch works only at low speed and then disengages. Like a true manual sometimes when you let off the throttle or go from reverse to 1st while still rolling you get driveline backlash and that is where you get some of the jerkiness. The same happens when you press and then back out of the pedal quickly. My best advice is to try to adjust your driving habits slightly and be deliberate with your throttle inputs. I've driven quite a few CVT equipped cars and they are great. I have been asking customers how they like it and if they have any issues and most just say they love there cars. I say just keep driving and enjoy the car."

[archpopoy]

Question:
do you let-off the gas pedal when you upshift in steptronic mode or just leave your foot on the pedal while you upshift? Just wondering.

Thanks!

[Vanwall]

Quote: Originally Posted by archpopoy

Question:
do you let-off the gas pedal when you upshift in steptronic mode or just leave your foot on the pedal while you upshift? Just wondering.

Thanks!

Don't let off the gas, just shift at whatever throttle level you're at.

BCNU,
Rob in Dago

[archpopoy]

Thanks! Im gonna try it out on my way home later
This site's been really helpful!
Nice work Nonsequitur!

[Genevieve]

I've only ever driven plain and simple automatic transmission cars. My MINI w/CVT is on order, and I am worried that I'll feel I'm pushing too hard to try to get up to 70-75mph highway speeds. Can anyone simplify the technique for me - when on the highway, driving @ 70-75 mph, what (automatic) mode should I be in?
THANKS!

[Vanwall]

Quote: Originally Posted by Genevieve

I've only ever driven plain and simple automatic transmission cars. My MINI w/CVT is on order, and I am worried that I'll feel I'm pushing too hard to try to get up to 70-75mph highway speeds. Can anyone simplify the technique for me - when on the highway, driving @ 70-75 mph, what (automatic) mode should I be in?
THANKS!

The CVT gets up to freeway speeds very easily, and the "D" setting can get you there if you don't want to move the shifter, but it keeps the engine in a lower RPM mode unless you really step on the gas. If you want to get to that point faster, you can use the "SD" funtion. It's quite simple, don't worry - push the lever over into the "SD" mode which will allow for brisk accelleration, and when you are up to speed, push it back into "D" which is like an overdrive, and will let the engine run at freeway speeds at lower RPMs than "SD". You dont have to let up on the gas pedal when you do this - the computer will keep the change smooth.
If you've never driven a shift car, wait until you're more familiar with the CVT before shifting manually, and read all of the driving tecnique thread. Welcome aboard!

BCNU,
Rob in Dago

[Genevieve]

Thanks!!!

[mini_macky]

ey guys. i have a 2002 MC CVT. will driving in D or SD give me better mileage in stop & go traffic? to be able to get moving in traffic in D, i noticed that when i slooowly press the accelerator, it takes time for it to get moving, but when i sort of "tap" the accelerator & keep my foot on it (i don't floor it or anything, imagine just putting your foot on it, not slowly pressing it), it moves a lot better from a stand-still. haven't tried it in SD though (coz honestly, i only found out about the SD mode a few mins ago. well, i've had my Mini for only a month. my bad ) i use D all the time, ocassionaly use steptronic for aggressive driving.

[nonsequitur]

Quote: Originally Posted by mini_macky

will driving in D or SD give me better mileage in stop & go traffic?

The quick answer is "D" but we've not objectively tested it. There are many factors, especially in Stop&Go traffic, but I would still bet on Drive because that Selection uses lower RPMs.

Quote: Originally Posted by mini_macky

i noticed that when i slooowly press the accelerator, it takes time for it to get moving, but when i sort of "tap" the accelerator & keep my foot on it (i don't floor it or anything, imagine just putting your foot on it, not slowly pressing it), it moves a lot better from a stand-still.

This is an Excellent Observation, and a Very Good One for this thread!

The electronic throttle senses 1. absolute throttle position (how far you've depressed it), 2. kick-down switch activation (clicked or not), and 3. the speed of your foot's motion (throttle position rate of change).

These detailed inputs create a "Target Speed" from the computer map. You are telling the EMS2000 a. how fast (terminal speed like 60mph) you want, and b. how quickly (acceleration rate) you want to get there. There are important inputs. We don't have an engineering statement from anyone at MINI on exactly how all of this interacts, but we do have confirmation that each of these factors are used by the computer to accelerate the car.

One email exchange suggested that maximum acceleration from full stop would be achieved by flooring (past the detent switch) the e-throttle to get the car moving, and then backing off to just under the detent switch so the car uses CVT-mode (continuous turbine-smooth) versus SAT-mode (stepped faked "shifts") for the actual acceleration phase after launch.

I've never mastered this technique, so we use a modified approach and just don't worry about stop lights.

We've really not properly experimented with throttle position before launch. In other words, how should the car be set up to launch?

Rereading what I just wrote supports the idea that we'd get better acceleration from a full stop if three things happened:
1. Car at full stop: SD Selected, Throttle not depressed at all.
2. Anticipate the launch: Quickly!, but smoothly, depress the throttle all the way to the floor (past detent).
3. After launch, but before the first "shift": Ease off (very slowly) the throttle to the detent position.
(I just can't do 3.; it seems to mix up the commands and resets Target Speed, but others have said they can/do and it works somehow. This is one place where "compromise" from the ideal may be needed.)

[YuccaPatrol]

We're getting a CVT in a couple months and this thread is great! Thanks for all the info. . .