That sounds like normal cvt operation for full throttle. CVT's do not have gears in the traditional sense, so there is no upshift or downshift. At full throttle the engine will go to a set rpm and then the cvt will adjust ratios for the situation.

 

That will happen if you floor the gas pedal in just about any automatic vehicle. Not just a CVT thing.

The 4 cylinder in the patriot can rev that high without a problem. Believe it or not, its made to rev that high.

 

It would be if you suddenly smash the pedal all the way to the floor.

Smashing the gas pedal with these things is like gunning the trolling motor on a boat and expecting to be on the other side of the lake in a few seconds. It is not going to happen.

In these things, it is best to apply the gas steadily. I have found the best way to accelerate is to apply light pressure to the pedal and continue to increase as the vehicle begins to accelerate.

After driving like this you can get a good feel of how much pressure it takes to maintain an RPM while still accelerating.

For example, getting up to speed quickly from a dead stop at a stop light: I apply pedal to get the RPM up to about 3000 and start to level off. As the Patriot accelerates it will hold at 3000 for several seconds. Once it is almost wound up (you will hear the revs attempt to drop) apply more pressure to keep it at 3000, you will continue to apply more and more pressure to keep it at 3000. You will be amazed (for this type of vehicle/engine combo) how fast you get to 55.

 

Thanks Guys,


So its normal too see the engine redline when I floor it. Got it! :smiley_thumbs_up: I still find it scary for a 4 banger. As Schoat points out, "Believe it or not, its made to rev that high. "...but what will be the cost on the longetivity of the engine???

When driving long stretches, I find that the tranny shifts quite a bit as I adjust the gas pedal to maintain a constant speed throught the road variations. Its as if the tranny is overly responsive as compared to regular trannies. I can only assume that IIIII am the problem and need to somewhat change my driving habits *lol*.

For instance, when driving 110kmh and accelarating steadily to 120kmh, the rpm will jump from 2000rpm to 4000rpm, then back down to 2200rpm and hold steady. I find this 2000rmp increase a little dramatic just to gain that extra 10kmh. Again, tranny feature? Or driver idiocies?

Smashing the gas pedal with these things is like gunning the trolling motor on a boat and expecting to be on the other side of the lake in a few seconds. It is not going to happen.QUOTE]

Unlike many on this forum, I have noooo complaints in the accel. department. I do find this truck very responsive. Maybe a little too responsive at times. I love the pick-up this engine/cvt combo has to offer. Granted it ain't no manual trans....but...it sure does hold grounds against the regular auto trannies.

 

You were 200 rpm from the redline. No problem there. Technically you could run the engine at 6400rpm and it should stay together all day long. It's when you go over the redline when you have a problem (and rest assured, the 6400 rpm is probably several hundred rpm below the actual scatter speed). My wifes Sonoma will cut ignition once you hit redline, so the ECM prevents you from exceeding it anyway.

 

I used to redline my Caliber at about 30mph , Then just wait for the CVT to catch up with the engine revs---about 8 seconds later I was doing 100mph.Strange feeling , but great fun!!

 

Sorry, just read my post and I think I came of as a bit of a D***.... Didnt mean it that way.


Yeah, it does take a little time to get used to the CVT's "shifting" (I guess thats what we would call it?).

Luckily these patriots have smart computers, that learn the way you drive, and adjust the CVT and engine RPM accordingly.

No doubt reving the engine to 6400 rpm constantly everyday will cause premature wear, but doing it once in a while shouldn't hurt anything. The peak engine HP is right at redline so to get the most out of it on the highway, thats were you need to be.

The CVT is great for making the most of the HP because it can keep the rpm's in that range, and adjust the CVT as you accelerate.

 

One mode of using the cvt is something i call the "slingshot"

Punch the gas and then slowly bring the gas pedal back, you'll get a neat kind of effect much like a sling shot:banana:

 

If the engine were not designed to run at 6200rpm, the redline and electronic limiter would be lower. Just make sure the oil is warmed up before doing that (temp gauge just to the left of middle).

 

Thanks again everyone.

Because of all you fine folks, I will now sleep better at night! *woo-hoo*

I am more confident about my jeep now.


Tyler : I definately have to try the slingshot! *lol*

 

I probably wouldn't redline it constantly (generally that's called "abusing the equipment," but when calling on the engine for quick acceleration for passing or other purposes, no problems. There will be a rev limiter that keeps it from overrevving the engine- I wouldn't be surprised if the fuel injectors are cut off at about 50RPM short of redline; that seems to be standard procedure nowadays.

Beat the tar out of any engine and it won't last as long, but every once in a while running it to higher RPMs won't hurt it.

 

I know people with 200k miles on engines that see redline every day. Granted, not every shift is at redline, but a few times a day. Nothing wrong with that, as long as the engine oil is warm and proper maintenance is done.