[BartMack]

It was the first really hot day of the season here, and my first real experience running the Cooper with the AC on in the real world. So, picture it, (Sicily 1922) I'm running a bit late, and my brother calls to say everyone is at the restaurant 30 minutes early and seated for lunch with mom. Feeling a little torqued that I get this information after the fact, I found myself trying to press thru traffic and get across town in a hurry.

Of course its 90 outside & I've got the AC set on 64, just where it should be, and the local fleet of Tourist Rental Corollas (TRC's) are out full force (they're all very nice people, they just forget to pack their driving skills).

So I'm trying to do the quick-zip-ching-ching-&-I'm-gone thingthat the car does so easily (with the AC off) and MINI-HAL (after the computer from 2001:Space Odyssey) is instead giving me this sort of slow, oozy, microcar kind of acceleration that is not working for me at all. HAL would just sort of plant the tach at 3000 or so and wait patiently for speed to eventually happen.

***All right, so yes, I KNOW it's not an S, but they wouldn't give me an S with a CVT (as you all know). Besides, I need a free hand to hold my Big Gulp since it won't fit in the cup holder! (I am kidding, no Big Gulps)***

Soo, on the way home, (after forgiving my brother) I decided to try something different. I found that using manual mode for shifting with the AC on is much, much, much better. When I shift it manually between 3500 & 4000 I get enough power to move when I need to.

Since I am not through the break-in period I can't use SD yet as I understand it revs much higher than normal D, so I keep the revs under 4500 (I actually try not to go hardly over 4000) when manually shifting.

Can I expect better reults from SD than D with the AC on?

Anyone with more experience with the CVT agree or not?

BTW my redline says 6000, is there new software in my Cooper than previous ones saying 5500?

I hope I didn't go on too much, it felt good to put it all down.

[acetonic]

I've had my CVT for almost a year. I normally use SD except long stretches. It revs higher, but only by about 1000 rpm. I still didnt use it until after the breakin period.

I don't notice a big difference in performance with the A/C on or off. Maybe I compensate subconsciously by pressing the pedal harder. I had A/C on pretty much constantly from when I bought it last May until about Sept when it cooled down a bit.

I always assumed the onboard computer was compensating. I have the latests software update and my redline is still at 5500 where it's always been.

[cooper4us]

I tend to agree.

But also, don't you find the A/C a little overtaxed in 90F+ weather?

[heartbeat]

hi, i'm stupid - whats SD and D?

i probably know it, but its late and i would really like someone to think for me...

thanks!

[BartMack]

The CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)
has 3 operating modes...
D=Drive of course (like a normal automatic)
SD=Sport Drive (for more agressive driving)after break in
M=Manual (you shift gears up/down except no clutch)