[elmadi]

That's nice.

My huch is correct---driving the CVT in constant speed gives "good" mileage. Thanks for letting us know.

Quote:

Originally posted by johnewald
Hey, I was messing around with another aspect of this most interesting CVT transmission tonight - gas mileage, not my usual mode!

In "D", steady-state speed and throttle position are optimized for low rpm by the EMS 2000 computer, through the transmission. This is the kind of thing possible only with the CVT.

This may mean that the "best" mileage will come from flat terrain, steady-state conditions with "no" throttle position changes (just as you would expect) = but with cruise?

I worked at holding exactly 60mph, cruise on, no brakes, no tailgating (look WAY AHEAD to plan!), slow careful lane changes, exactly 60mph, for 36mi in the Seattle area.

I got 38.4mpg (Cooper CVT, 15x5.5" wheels, 36psi cold, full tank, 2,790lbs including me, sunroof closed, no rain).

I'm finally getting some materials to help us look at how to drive this car well, so expect some more notes from me on items we've explored earlier.

[cooper4us]

I am getting just about 310 miles (give or take) per full tank in strict city driving. Most of it is done in "D" mode with the A/C running all the time.

Johnwald: I love Seattle. I was there last February 2002 visting friends and the weather was sensational...no rain!

But I had to drive a Ford Taurus rental (ugh!).

[Sejanus]

I'm getting about 28 to 29mph in normal city/freeway mixed driving in D mode. I've managed the low to mid-thirties in steady, freeway driving at around 70 mph.

[nonsequitur]

Because of the aerodynamics (the original Mini was affectionately called a "brick"), I suspect that mileage will show huge change at some speed we might call a "sweet spot".

After we figure out how the CVT transmmission really works, and how to drive it well, I'd like to come back here again.

One of the design intents of the coming electronic transmissions is to maximize fuel efficency in any situation, including hard driving.

[Shep]

You've started a great thread here, johnewald. (I only just found it). Good job.

I've been using SD (not Steptronic) a lot. It's easy to use and provides excellent fun on twisty roads. I have been perplexed by other posts which seem to ignore SD completely--you are not the only person who didn't realize SD existed.

Question : will "release 32.1" improve my CVT's performance? Or is it only needed if I had problems? My Cooper is a July 2002 build. It runs fine but I have no reference standard to know if it could be better.

[nonsequitur]

My sincere belief is that your experience will be improved by CD#32.1. We got "a new car."

Thanks for comment. Stick with us on this one. There are some very good people out there participating, as you can read in their posts. We'll together figure out how this wonderful device works, and then share it.

[Sejanus]

Quote:

Originally posted by johnewald
Because of the aerodynamics (the original Mini was affectionately called a "brick"), I suspect that mileage will show huge change at some speed we might call a "sweet spot".

Yup. Push the speed up and you can see the mileage decline fairly swiftly (reseting the obd).

[Vanwall]

Just getting into this thread - great feedback! I've run across all the issues and techniques posted here, as I've driven the CVT over the past 10 months or so, and recently got a chance to try applying some of these suggestions. On the last SCMM run to Julian, we drove up Mount Palomar, a popular drive for the cafe' racers and sportscars - fulla twisties. I found the full throttle manual shifting was VERY fun going up, and even more fun going down. The engine braking is amazingly useful, and made downhill braking much more effective.

The next time up, a week or so ago, I used some of the ideas here, like feathering throttle, and holding at the detent, and it was a mixed bag. Full throttle shifting still works best, but the detent hold was much smoother when not manually shifting. I've heard from the grapevine, that some CVT autox guys are letting the SD shift the first two gears, then going manual! It's a learning experience to get the CVT to hold in a gear, without going redline, which I'm glad is a little higher than the shifter cars, I understand.

In town I'm mostly leaving it in SD, or D if I'm dawdling, but at least once a day I shift it myself - can't help it - it's the old 1275S in me. Thanks for all this info, It's another MINI2 applied theory session!

BCNU,
Rob in Dago

[PigLick]

Quote:

Originally posted by Vanwall
It's a learning experience to get the CVT to hold in a gear, without going redline, which I'm glad is a little higher than the shifter cars, I understand.

Eh? I thought the CVT redlined about 1000 rpm lower than the shifters? Our "visible" redline is at 5500, "real" redline at 6000, while the manuals are 6750 and 7000 respectively, aren't they?

PigLick

[BCMINI]

I am glad to see everyone is finding out how much fun the CVT can be and all its potential. I am not sure if I mentioned this before or not, but one way to keep the computer from shifting gears is to turn off any traction control. When autoXing or track driving, turning off the traction control will greatly decrease the amount of times the computer shifts for you. You can hold RPMs higher and for longer when needed.

[nonsequitur]

You're right.

Cooper CVT: 5,500rpm indicated; 6,000rpm redline
Cooper, S: 6,750rpm indicated; 7,000rpm limiter redline

The "cushion" is bigger in the CVT cars as Vanwall indicates.

[nonsequitur]

BCMINI hit the button at the same exact time I did so missed your reply. I haven't explored the DSC on/off variable connected to the computer "shifting" characteristic at or near redline. To ask a weird question, why does that selection choice make a difference?

Separate comment: This thread is filling with some very useful details that can be consolidated later into solid hints and useful insight to the transmission/computer/inputs relationships. Thanks to all who are helping!

[Vanwall]

I was speaking of that 500 rpm cushion, and it makes a difference in holding it under the automatic shift point. I've taken to switching off the traction control while driving around town in the stoplite GP. It DOES make a difference. I'm using the manual shift to get a good start, so it uses 1st gear, and then most times I pop it in SD and let it go on by itself. The only thing I miss is blipping the throttle on downshifts, and I'm hoping this can be programmed eventually. ;-)

The real thrill in my MINI is going into a fast onramp with some poseur trying to muscle me off the good line. It's fun to watch 'em go backwards, and the downshifting on the CVT is soooo smooth. I was watching the cockpit shots from recent F1 broadcasts, and boy it would be fun to have those nifty Steering wheel shifters! Hope the rumours are true. He He.

BCNU,
Rob in Dago

[nonsequitur]

Is your speedo indicator pattern at launch then like this?
Manual "1"
Maximum throttle pedal (past the kickdown detent)
Tach runs up to 6000rpm
Computer shifts to "2"
Tach to 6000rpm
Computer shifts to "3"
etc.
-or-
Manual "1"
Maximum throttle pedal (past the kickdown detent)
Shifter left to "D"
Shifter right to "SD"
Computer "adjusts" between 5,000-6,000rpm
-or-
something else?

[Vanwall]

Option #2 generally, altho I manually shift to 2nd sometimes, and then D - to SD. I don't stomp it flat, there's that technique we've been yakkin' about. You almost have to feel for that initial momentary max acceleration point past the detent, and it's usually just short of flat to the floor. Then you push it all the way to the floor for the upper rev range. At least that's how Brooksie responds. ;-)

BCNU,
Rob in Dago

[Richard Crofts]

Isn't CVT the thing that williams had/developed on there formula 1 racing cars in the 90's (the one that mansell drove and David Coulthard tested in the days of his youth before he was a millionaire racing driver. I thought that it was the thing that caused all the developments into current launch control on F1 cars. It accelerates and changes gear/increases speed while always keeping the revs at a constant level doesn't it? It sounds really wierd if I remember right as its like its not changing gear or reving...its a sort of continuous rev noise so you get no audio indicator as to speeds!...errr horrible...or is it? I'd be interested to know, if this is the thing I think and what its like to drive.

[cooper4us]

No it is not the same thing. I think you have it confused with SMG (Sequential Manual Gearbox) which allows you to shift like a manual but does not have a clutch pedal. SMG gearboxes allow for more precise and faster shifts than any regular manual transmission ever will.

The CVT and SMGs are 2 different animals.

[Spliceit]

So, I know this thread is for driving technique, but I need to know...I can go and try all these things and drive in SD of a stop...but do any of you have the stuttering in slow speeds, and if you do, is this considered normal...I haven't tried it in SD, but will tonight.

I've already been through the wrong viscosity recall/a new wire harness(after stalling on the freeway)all the upgrades to date (33.2) which along the way the upgrades have gotten rid of the lurch from P/R to D/as well as most of the low RPMS at stops/but being left with the slow driving lurching, is still annoying. Just wondering if I should let this go, or fight it. In other words is it driving correctly or not?

[nfo]

mine does the same thing spllcelt!
mine also is still lurching from park and i had this fixed a few months ago! i really need to take mine back in for service and see what they have to say! i'm not anxious to drive a loner for another week! oh well....

[intrigue182]

I have nothing significant to add to this thread (yet! -- My MINI CVT is due for arrival in Mid-June), but I just want to comment on how it is definitely becoming the definitive "How To" when it comes to CVT driving techniques and experiences. I'm going to print it out and put it in my "MINI Binder", a 3-ring binder I'm using to catalogue all the useful information I've gotten from MINI2.com postings.

One thing I'm wondering about: when I test drove a CVT Cooper in September 2002, when in slow traffic (foot off the brake, gently giving it gas, going under 5 MPH) I noticed what I can describe as a slight "back and forth" feeling in the forward movement of the MINI. Then, when I drove a new and different CVT at the dealer last month, it was still evident, but maybe just a bit less pronounced.

Is this a CVT quirk? It's almost as if something is "engaging/disengaging/engaging/disengaging" in the tranny or something, only when the car is 'coasting in traffic at around 5 MPH, giving it no or very little gas...

Thanks,

Joe

On-Route: 2003 Jet Black MINI CVT, Premium Pkg, Sport Pkg, Cold weather pkg, Chrome bumpers & mirror caps, HK, MFSW, Black leatherette interior w/silver dash.