Cvt And Cold Weather Options

[freakingwilly]

I figured this should go in the performance forum because I'm talking about how the car... well, performs.

My CVT has always acted up since it's first winter experience. When driving in D, the car refuses to upshift... so, for example, the RPM gauge will stay at 2000 RPM, but I'll barely be doing 30 MPH. If I swap over to sport mode, I can upshift as far as 6th gear, but my RPM gauge will stay at 2000 RPM. Simply put...

4th Gear, 30 MPH, 2000 RPM
5th Gear, 30 MPH, 2000 RPM
6th Gear, 30 MPH, 2000 RPM

If I punch it while in 6th, it'll stay at 2000 RPM until I hit about 45 MPH, then it will drop a little before rising again. The reason why I included cold weather in the topic is because... well, it only happens when it's cold outside. This problem is non-existant in warmer weather. I've also noticed that the problem is less frequent after the car has been driven for about 15 minutes. It's about 20°F during the morning in Chicago, but I let the car warm up for about 5 minutes before I go (idle RPM on start is about 1500, I let it get down to about 1000 before leaving).

It's really irritating... because my car is running at a higher than necessary RPM (I usually city drive at about 1250-1300 RPM), I'm burning through more gas than I need. I'm averaging about 17 MPG right now, when I usually get 22.

Anybody else have issues with their CVT in the cold weather... or is it just me?

[beyonddc]

I don't notice anything abnormal but I'll pay a closer attention tomorrow.

[SixFeetDeep]

IDK my brotha....mine has been problem free. As cold as it gets....like today....-5 F outside with the windchill at -30below.....still good. I just let it warm up a little bit & away I go. Low on fluid...or maybe somehow got water in with the fluid? ?????? I'm just throwing things out there......

[beyonddc]

I don't notice anything abnormal but I'll pay a closer attention tomorrow.

okay, I drove out today and I don't notice anything abnormal. I was driving about 40mph and my RPM is less than 2000.

[chippy360]

Are the cvt's drive by wire or do they have actual linkages for the throttle? If the car will rev freely past 2000rpm in neutral then my question is void, but if not, you may have something blocking your throttle cable. Provided its not drive by wire.

Sounds like a trip to the specialist is in order though as that shouldn't be cold enough to affect to affect your cvt fluid. Check what SixFeetDeep mentioned first though. Good luck.

[freakingwilly]

>_>
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Have I really been gone for this long?!? MY, HOW TIME FLIES!

But yeah, I checked the CVT oil level before leaving work. The dip stick has 2 curves and 3 notches between the curves, each notch indicates 25% capacity. Unfortunately, the dipstick doesn't have an EMPTY/FULL indicator, so I have no idea exactly how much fluid is in there. On an ice cold start, it's 50% on the dot. However, you're supposed to adjust while HOT. So, I let the car warm up, took me about 20 minutes to get home, and rechecked the oil level. Now, the oil level is above the second curve (almost doubled up from the cold reading).

It might be low fluid, but I can't tell where EMPTY and FULL should be for me to judge how many quarts to put in. Furthermore, why does the dipstick say ATF when it's a CVT?!?