MINI2

shortness · Dec 7th, 2006, 02:14 AM

i just bought a used mini cooper and i'm not sure if something is wrong with the transmission. Its an automatic with steptronic but when i'm driving in automatic it doesn't sound like the gears are changing at all, even when i'm driving fast....is that normal?

DaFlake · Dec 7th, 2006, 07:53 AM

Post moved as it really is a new topic.

Welcome to the forum.

I don't know much about the automatics, but if you can, check the transmission fluid level. I know other cars that would fail to shift if the fluid was low.

AprilWhine · Dec 7th, 2006, 09:26 AM

Shortness, you bought a CVT, it doesn't change gears in normal mode. It's normal for it to just hum along.

CVT stands for Continuously Variable Transmission.

Congrats and welcome to MINI2, you should post a picture soon.

DaFlake · Dec 7th, 2006, 09:45 AM

Guess I need to better understand that different MINI trannys... Thanks AW.

Richard Crofts · Dec 7th, 2006, 09:51 AM

April whine is right. The CVT transmission on the MINI is different from normal transmissions (actually I believe the first use of these types of transmissions were on mclaren F1 cars back in the 80's or maybe early 90's....I'm sure someone will correct me)

Basically the cars revs move continuously up the rev range so you don't appear to get a surge from the change of gear like in a normal auto...quite clever and fairly rare on an auto box even in these times. its totally normal for it to almost seem like the car is not changing gear but yet it still seems to perform as it would normally. You can tell its working if the car still performs almost as well in auto mode as in paddle shift mode...In theory paddles will be a fraction quicker to get you to a specific speed but thats dependant on your driving style and how good at accelerating you are using paddle mode.

R

murmini · Dec 7th, 2006, 12:01 PM

Here is an article on CVT that might explain what your experiencing. murmini - MINI Cooper blog : Continuously Variable Transmission

teddie · Dec 10th, 2006, 03:42 PM

The original CVT goes back to the late sixties / early seventies when Daff used it in the Daff 33 small saloons.
The CVT at that time was unusual in that there was only one speed and the car would go as fast in reverse as it would in drive.
You also started the car in gear (Reverse or Drive) not in neutral !! When Daff was taken over by Volvo they used it for a while on the small Volvo Saloons. The system has since been developed to the present arrangement and is used by various manufacturers.

shortness · Dec 12th, 2006, 11:29 PM

Thanks for all the help guys

...Now i'm not so worried anymore
hehehe

Dec 7th, 2006, 02:14 AM	#1
shortness MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Dec 2006 Local Time: 05:34 PM Posts: 2 Offline	Transmission problems - CVT i just bought a used mini cooper and i'm not sure if something is wrong with the transmission. Its an automatic with steptronic but when i'm driving in automatic it doesn't sound like the gears are changing at all, even when i'm driving fast....is that normal?

Dec 7th, 2006, 07:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
DaFlake Lovin' every MINI of it! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hanging on The Cape! Local Time: 05:34 PM Posts: 10,886 Online	Post moved as it really is a new topic. Welcome to the forum. I don't know much about the automatics, but if you can, check the transmission fluid level. I know other cars that would fail to shift if the fluid was low. Global Moderator
http://www.mini2.com/forum/

Dec 7th, 2006, 09:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
AprilWhine Loves the Fuzzy One Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gypsy Local Time: 02:34 PM Posts: 17,040 Offline	Shortness, you bought a CVT, it doesn't change gears in normal mode. It's normal for it to just hum along. CVT stands for Continuously Variable Transmission. Congrats and welcome to MINI2, you should post a picture soon. Global Moderator

Dec 7th, 2006, 09:45 AM	#4 (permalink)
DaFlake Lovin' every MINI of it! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hanging on The Cape! Local Time: 05:34 PM Posts: 10,886 Online	Guess I need to better understand that different MINI trannys... Thanks AW. Global Moderator

Dec 7th, 2006, 12:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
murmini MINI2 Regular Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Savannah GA, USA Local Time: 05:34 PM Posts: 56 Offline	Here is an article on CVT that might explain what your experiencing. murmini - MINI Cooper blog : Continuously Variable Transmission http://murmini.com

MINI2

Fuel for your MINI obsession

Got a problem with your MINI? Share it here, and maybe even find a solution

Today
Sponsors	Sponsored Links Registered members do not see Google Ads posts, they can also post messages, pictures, and classified adverts. Register your free account today and become a member of MINI2 - MINI Forum

Dec 7th, 2006, 09:51 AM	#5 (permalink)
Richard Crofts THE STICK Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Worcestershire WR15 Local Time: 10:34 PM Posts: 3,180 Offline	April whine is right. The CVT transmission on the MINI is different from normal transmissions (actually I believe the first use of these types of transmissions were on mclaren F1 cars back in the 80's or maybe early 90's....I'm sure someone will correct me) Basically the cars revs move continuously up the rev range so you don't appear to get a surge from the change of gear like in a normal auto...quite clever and fairly rare on an auto box even in these times. its totally normal for it to almost seem like the car is not changing gear but yet it still seems to perform as it would normally. You can tell its working if the car still performs almost as well in auto mode as in paddle shift mode...In theory paddles will be a fraction quicker to get you to a specific speed but thats dependant on your driving style and how good at accelerating you are using paddle mode. R

Dec 10th, 2006, 03:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
teddie MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: derby Local Time: 09:34 PM Posts: 5 Offline	The original CVT goes back to the late sixties / early seventies when Daff used it in the Daff 33 small saloons. The CVT at that time was unusual in that there was only one speed and the car would go as fast in reverse as it would in drive. You also started the car in gear (Reverse or Drive) not in neutral !! When Daff was taken over by Volvo they used it for a while on the small Volvo Saloons. The system has since been developed to the present arrangement and is used by various manufacturers. Last edited by teddie : Dec 10th, 2006 at 03:43 PM. Reason: spelling

Dec 12th, 2006, 11:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
shortness MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Dec 2006 Local Time: 05:34 PM Posts: 2 Offline	Thanks for all the help guys ...Now i'm not so worried anymore hehehe

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
CVT Transmission Failure	slaybalj	CVT & Automatic	126	Jul 8th, 2008 08:17 PM
CVT transmission is dead	chrissalazar95	CVT & Automatic	16	Aug 1st, 2006 02:03 AM
CVT Transmission noise	minimao	CVT & Automatic	12	Dec 11th, 2003 01:28 AM
CVT Transmission	drgrey	CVT & Automatic	56	Sep 24th, 2003 10:10 PM
CVT vs 5 speed transmission	Fred Seiss	General Discussion	17	Jul 27th, 2003 07:15 PM