cvt vs manual tranny- getting used to the differences both good and bad

akgrant · Dec 17, 2013

My new patriot has the cvt in it, my old one had the manual. This cvt has some major draw backs and some huge pluses over the manual and its definitely taking some getting used to. First and foremost the cvt is great with 4wd, I love it in the snow. The manual with the traction control was terrible, it would actually kill the engine if you couldn't gain traction downshifting. The manual however made the 2.4 somewhat peppy for what it was and in good traction you had great control of the vehicle. Im still learning with the cvt on the control issue, I hate not being able to ease into a downshift to slow the vehicle. I hardly used the brakes on the manual and when I had to quick stops were fast. On the cvt I'm finding that I'm always on the brakes and it's a lot harder to stop- seems like the cvt is slow to adjust and keeps wanting to push it. My big-ist gripe is MPG. I cannot understand why a company would take a vehicle the were getting 27mpg 4wd with and put this tranny in it and drop it right down to 23 at best, this was an unpleasant surprise. With the manual I averaged 28mpg, with this I'm only doing 22.5 I even tried used the autostick full time to improve it and only ended up making it worse. In the end the 4x4 traction this gives is king and cant be beaten so I will deal with the mpg and figure out the braking.

What are you guys doing to limit brake use with theses cvt's?

dixiedawg · Dec 17, 2013

I thought you could use the auto-stick to downshift?

I like the CVT, and I don't have auto-shift.

I average about 23 MPG, and have lower gears than you do, unless your new one is an FDII.

How many miles on it? most of us have seen our MPGs increase after a couple thousand miles.

DangerAaron · Dec 17, 2013

Is your new patriot with the CVT brand new or used? If you used, try the reset method outlined elsewhere in this forum. It may help with your gas mileage. The Patriot will learn your driving habits and kind of set up the CVT based on that. If you are driving around with the Patriot set up around a previous owners driving habits, it is understandable that you may not be getting the most out of the CVT.
I have a 2014 FDii and I am averaging 25.1 MPG I drive 160 miles every day for work and already have almost 18K on my Patriot. I couldn't be happier with the mileage I am getting while also having the capability of FDii.
When I let off the gas in mine, it almost immediately begins to slow. Almost like the engine braking experienced with a manual transmission. However, as the vehicle slows, the effect goes away. I am guessing the CVT is going into neutral and coasting more like a traditional auto trans would.
My advice would be to reset your Patriot and start over. In my experience, the CVT likes to get up to speed fast. Don't be afraid to give it the gas to get moving. As you come up to speed ease off and let it gently roll up to cruising speed. My gas mileage drops off sharply if I operate the vehicle at over 3K RPM's (right about 70MPH). I can hold it steady at 2800 RPM with the needle just touching the 70 on the speedo and get 25 MPG all day. Your RPM's and vehicle speeds will be different than mine because I have an FDii. So, you will have to experiment there. I don't think you should have a problem getting closer to the MPG you were getting with the manual once the CVT learns your driving habits, and your driving habits change accordingly. It will change the way you drive.
In order to limit brake use you are going to have to let off the gas sooner and give the people in front of you plenty of room. In that situation the CVT will act more like a traditional auto and go into neutral and just let the vehicle roll. Luckily, brake pads are cheap and easy to replace.

akgrant · Dec 17, 2013

The auto stick does allow you to down shift but since there is no clutch when its drops it does so hard and if its slippery that's not good.

I got this one used with 63k on it. 2012 latitude- at a very low price. I will have to try the reset. As for the engine braking, initially for a brief second it does act like a manual but not for long and as I come to a stop I have to push hard on the brake cause its still pushing. With it in gear and a full stop the engine seems to idle very rough but as soon as you put it in neutral it smoothes rt out so its def the tranny and I'm hoping there isn't an issue.
MY old manual was like that with the take offs too, I think its the engine power band more than which tranny u have as to the mpg. I took off with it like I was on a drag strip and kept the rpms between 2500-3000 and got 28mg. doing 77 on the highway turning 300rpm got 30mpg.

aroundincircles · Dec 17, 2013

For me, I just had to realize that there is a different driving style between a manual, automatic, and cvt. I simply cannot expect the car to drive the same with such different transmissions. so I think your driving style will need to change a bit. I anticipate a bit more with my cvt than I do with an auto/manual. like if I'm coming to a stop, or coming away from a light. I take my foot of the brakes about a quarter second earlier than I do with my auto, to give the cvt a chance to catch before hitting the gas, things like that.

Your MPG does seem low for a non FDII patriot, at least that's not much better than what I get with mine.

DangerAaron · Dec 17, 2013

I don't feel like I have to push hard on the brakes in mine. Mine will seem to "stay engaged" when the engine is cold. I can notice because if I take my foot off the brake the vehicle will roll forward and the idle will bounce up and down by about 100 RPM or so. But once I am up to temp, that stops.

cvt vs manual tranny- getting used to the differences both good and bad

akgrant

dixiedawg

DangerAaron

akgrant

aroundincircles

DangerAaron

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