[howardpm]

Anyone else find it annoying the jerking at low speeds? This mainly happens when leaving my development, since the speed limit is like 5 miles and hr and theres like 4 stop signs between my place and the exit. I can't really speed up so I pretty much need to feather the gas peddal which leads to a lot of jerking.

Howard

[Sejanus]

Yeah, the CVTs do that. Mine does it around 8-9 mph. It's gotten less noticeable over time. If you look around in the CVT forum you'll find an explanantion from people far more mechanically minded than myself.

[Cooper76]

After starting, wait about ten seconds for the engine to warm and the fuel primer to set. Then, after backing up (if you do) wait a couple seconds after shifting into Drive before hitting the gas. After about thirty seconds or so of driving, the tendency to jerk should disappear. Everyone has their own "magic ritual" that they do for this, so give it a shot!

[jazmini]

I just went in for the emissions recall (one month ago), and they loaded the latest software version (to fix that emissions problem), which eliminated the jerking problem, or at least 90% of it. The dealer said that any time you install updated software, it includes all earlier software versions, so you get the benefit of the latest improvements. It is so smooth now, not perfect, but great. I no longer have any real problem with it at all. Also, in Drive, it is much faster off the line (feels like the old Sport mode -- although I haven't tried it in the new Sport mode yet, but I would think that is faster too). It goes immediately, no delay, although not superfast, but it goes. Then a split second later, there is a big rush of power to go even faster. But at least it takes off right away. Much better than before. I've heard the new 0-60 times MINI is posting for the CVT MC is 9.7 seconds if I remember right, while the old time was 10.2 or so. So, that's a half second quicker, which is a real good improvement. I recommend it highly.

[howardpm]

I'll ask when I take my car in what software version I have, my car was delivered Oct 30th, do you know when the new software was released? I'm assuming Iif I didn't get an emissions recall its the latest.

Howard

[jazmini]

Howardpm: The following link is to a thread showing that it was being installed in June 2004: http://www.mini2.com/forum/cvt-automatic/61985-v-38-impression.html

You probably have the latest software incorporating the emissions recall. If not, you should get a letter from MINI asking you to take it to the dealer so they can install the emissions software upgrade. I think I may have gotten my letter back in November, but there was chatter on the websites about the recall before then.

[droll]

guys, i'm going to get my MINI one checked in next monday for a sw upgrade. the service attendant told me it's v38 (or 39) something. can't quite recall.

what i want to know is how much of the jerking issue does it solve? according to the service centre, it doesn't fix 100% but it helps. some users still complain about the jerk. does it get better as i reach the break-in period (i'm only at about 400km now!)?

i'm so paranoid of driving the car on a hill (ascending) now and this CVT jerkiness is really spoiling the moooooodddddd (i just took delivery of the car on thursday but it's a 2004 april unit). sigggghhhh....

[nonsequitur]

Quote: Originally Posted by droll

i'm so paranoid of driving the car on a hill (ascending) now

Why? Maybe I missed an earlier post on something specific?

[stephenjc]

I don't know anything about the software but in my 3 week old MCS it comes down to warming up - and it doesn't take much, just a little - the colder it is when it starts the longer it takes but never more than a minute or so. Although I think some would reccomend longer, I am not sure. It seems to me that during the first week I experienced a turbo-like delay when pressing the gas pedal. You know - like pressing down on the gas and getting nothing for a second. But since that first week I have warmed it up a bit more and gone easy on acceleration for the first minute or two of driving and I no longer have the problem.

[dansmini]

I just have to say I love the title of this thread!!!

[stephenjc]

Quote: Originally Posted by dansmini

I just have to say I love the title of this thread!!!

Better and much less dangerous than at high speeds.

[dansmini]

LOL!

[droll]

Quote: Originally Posted by nonsequitur

Why? Maybe I missed an earlier post on something specific?

because the car sometimes does not engage hill / creep / crawl (whatever u call it) mode when i release the brakes (but do not press on the accelerator). as a result, it starts moving backwards and i'm afraid i'll hit the car behind.

at least in a manual, i can control it. in a normal auto, i can too. but in the MINI's CVT, it jerks and it takes a while before the gear sort of "latches" on.

i've noticed that on some days the gear is very well behaved. the moment i slip the CVT into "D" mode, it immediately crawls / creeps. when this happens, i don't experience the jerk / yo-yo effect. i've also noticed that a slightly more aggressive driving style seems to "teach" the ECU somehow and that lessens the jerk effect on the gear. or maybe it's just coincidence

anyway, i am quite confident this issue can be resolved by 2 things: more miles on the odometer and a software upgrade.

[nonsequitur]

Quote: Originally Posted by droll

because the car sometimes does not engage hill / creep / crawl (whatever u call it) mode when i release the brakes (but do not press on the accelerator). as a result, it starts moving backwards and i'm afraid i'll hit the car behind.

You can watch and feel the car/gearbox engage this mode while you're coming to a stop. It drops to "2" in Steptronic, or drops to the lowest ratio (sometimes with a small "bump") as the car slows to a near stop.

You're experiencing the slipped clutch packs not clamping hard enough to "creep" forward, on the particular slope where you've stopped. A driving technique suggestion is left-foot braking; hold the car with your left foot on the brake pedal, while applying some throttle with your right foot. Ease the brake as the car takes up forward movement.

This is really the same motions as a standard shift car. Try it. This thread will help you.

Quote: Originally Posted by droll

at least in a manual, i can control it. in a normal auto, i can too. but in the MINI's CVT, it jerks and it takes a while before the gear sort of "latches" on.

Consider what you're doing in the manual, balancing three pedals. I'm not sure what difference you find in the standard [torque-converter] automatic. That comment about more seat time is spot on; that is the secret to thorough enjoyment of the CVT-equipped cars, really any cars.

Quote: Originally Posted by droll

i've noticed that on some days the gear is very well behaved. the moment i slip the CVT into "D" mode, it immediately crawls / creeps. when this happens, i don't experience the jerk / yo-yo effect.

I would expect this to be on a flat surface or at least a less steep slope.

We have a very special package, one that delivers driver-selected experiences to match each situation. You can switch among them on the fly. Launch (starting from stop) is simply not a strength of this package, but once underway (even slowly) it shines with tenacious control in Steptronic if you want that, relaxed and computer-induced detuned smoothness in D, or very very efficient delivery of the available power in SD. The strengths of the CVT-equipped MINI show when underway, driving!

[droll]

yes, i do agree that the CVT is a awesome once the car is moving. i just love the way it spools up power and unleashes it a second after u floor the pedal. just can't stop smiling!

i guess a change in driving habits is in order. i'll try the left-foot-on-brake thingy on slopes. i think i'm starting to adjust to it. the only jerking i experience now is at my apartment's car park. as i come out of the slope (ascent) and i'm on level ground, the whole car just shudders like it's going into and out of gears. hmpf....need more practice.

i find that it helps if u're deliberate about the pedal. hesitation just makes the car jerk even more.

thanks for the tip!

[droll]

HAHAHAHAHAAH, left-foot on brake pedal, right-foot on accelerator......and the car is purrrrrrrrfect slight judders sometimes but, overall, it is soooo much smoother.

it's amazing how this little car demands so much out of you and you just keep giving without question.

[stephenjc]

Quote: Originally Posted by dansmini

I just have to say I love the title of this thread!!!

dansmini - you know you ruined this thread for me. Now everytime I see a post here I can't help but think of your comment. But another thought about your comment:

...shows what a turn on the MINI is. What a sexy car!

[jazmini]

Well, the jerking is back. After I went in and got the recall done, the jerking went away, but it's back now. I've heard of other chip upgrades in the past to solve this problem have come back like this too, such as those for the MCS. Oh well. I can live with it. It seems to only do it when the engine is cold (i.e., after start up) and I drive through the parking lot at work when I leave for the day. After the engine warms up it is fine. At least I have not had any problem after that, even if traffic is suddenly bad and I have to drive in heavy stop and go traffic on the freeway. So, it's really not much of a problem for me. I love this car too much for this to be anything important.

[Cooper76]

Quote: Originally Posted by jazmini

It seems to only do it when the engine is cold (i.e., after start up) and I drive through the parking lot at work when I leave for the day. After the engine warms up it is fine. At least I have not had any problem after that, even if traffic is suddenly bad and I have to drive in heavy stop and go traffic on the freeway.

And so is the case for 99% of everyone else. This is normal. Welcome to the club! There is nothing "wrong" with your MINI!!!