Introducing my next car! 2008 Nissan Altima 2.5S CVT

[19bonestock88]

An update of sorts...

I'm learning this car slowly, and am finding a couple of quirks that I really don't like...

When I start up a hill below 2000 RPM, no matter what gear I have selected, the trans will start to raise engine speed to gain torque... It's actually more effective(control of the trans-wise) to downshift to 5th at the bottom of the hill and climb at 2k-2250RPM(the engine ends up there anyway)... Sadly, once I crest the hill, I'll drive maybe 2-300 feet before the trans will let me have full control again, so I spend a fair amount of time just waiting for the upshift...The Malibu only had a four speed auto, and would let me lug it uphill as long as I kept a light right foot, and would immediately shift into overdrive as soon as speed/TPS criteria were met...

Due to this quirk, and my not being able to EOC, and the frigid cold, I'm only getting 30-31mpg on the computer... Still need to mount my UltraGauge so I can start really trying to be better...

[MetroMPG]

"downshift to 5th"??

Oh - does this car do "fake shifts" to make it feel somewhat like a stepped gear automatic?

[19bonestock88]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

"downshift to 5th"??

Oh - does this car do "fake shifts" to make it feel somewhat like a stepped gear automatic?

No, when I'm just in drive it just goes like a normal CVT, I was referring to driving in manual mode, it acts like a six speed, unless climbing a big hill, then it'll slowly wind the engine up from the "6th" ratio, to the "5th" ratio, or sometimes the "4th" ratio... Strangely, when climbing a hill in town, it stayed locked into 5th...

Now, the Lineartronic CVT in my wife's Subaru Impreza does do that fake shifting stuff... Actually hides some of the CVT character, which makes it more likable to her...

[ECO-AKJ]

Originally Posted by 19bonestock88

An update of sorts...

I'm learning this car slowly, and am finding a couple of quirks that I really don't like...

When I start up a hill below 2000 RPM, no matter what gear I have selected, the trans will start to raise engine speed to gain torque... It's actually more effective(control of the trans-wise) to downshift to 5th at the bottom of the hill and climb at 2k-2250RPM(the engine ends up there anyway)... Sadly, once I crest the hill, I'll drive maybe 2-300 feet before the trans will let me have full control again, so I spend a fair amount of time just waiting for the upshift...The Malibu only had a four speed auto, and would let me lug it uphill as long as I kept a light right foot, and would immediately shift into overdrive as soon as speed/TPS criteria were met...

Due to this quirk, and my not being able to EOC, and the frigid cold, I'm only getting 30-31mpg on the computer... Still need to mount my UltraGauge so I can start really trying to be better...

What speed do you travel up the hill?

When I drove a 2016 Versa CVT, I was able to climb hill at speed of 25MPH and set cruise, no revving to 2000 RPM but also a different car, might be worth a try.
http://ecomodder.com/forum/images/smilies/turtle.gif

[19bonestock88]

The hills I'm climbing on my commute are started at 55mph, and I slowly let speed bleed off as I climb... Even so, the trans decides that 1750 RPM(or slightly decreasing based on speed) isn't enough and slowly creeps up to 2k, and then 2250... Would it behave differently if I dug into the throttle to hold speed? I dunno, hadn't tried that yet...

[MetroMPG]

Have you confirmed that manual mode lets you get to a lower engine RPM sooner for a given road speed?

[19bonestock88]

It does under certain circumstances... In town, it's better to keep a really light foot while in drive(car stays under 2k) and then change to manual mode once up to speed so as to avoid a downshift later on if more throttle is required...

On country roads, I can wait until around 30-35mph, change to manual, and force a shift into 6th, and drop to 1250 RPM...

The confusing thing is, under some conditions, I push the lever forward for an upshift and the car basically politely tells me to wait(it shows 6th as selected for example but stays in a ratio seeming more like 5th), and eventually will shift...

I connected my UltraGauge(but still not mounted so I can't view it real time), and averaged 35.8mpg indicated on the trip home from Gassaway, with one overtake(though it was a big one)... Temp was 26* indicated by the car... Not yet holding speed by DWL, but using the cruise control since I can't view TPS data real time

[19bonestock88]

Well, it turns out I was doing it wrong... In manual mode, 6th gear, at 50mph the engine turns 1600 RPM or so... Shift into drive, and it drops to right at 1500... Also, if you keep a light enough right foot(and the engine is warm), you can accelerate from a stop all the way to 55mph, and never see 2000 RPM... Manual mode still comes in handy from time to time to keep revs low when I desire to use heavy throttle coming out of a corner, or if I drop below 40mph(likes to spin the engine up if not careful)

[MobilOne]

Two thoughts: How about synthetic auto trans fluid? And secondly, the big killer of auto trans is usually heat; so how about adding an auxiliary trans cooler? Might save you a trans.

[19bonestock88]

I would definitely like to do a trans cooler, these CVT don't like the heat... Wouldn't know what other fluid to use(Nissan NS-2 is specified)