does a cvt shift like a normal auto?

[mavic]

Hey gang,

I read about the dreaded CVT issues after purchasing my A4 B6. My question is do the CVT's shift like a normal automatic where the rpm drops after the shifting or should it be smooth continuous with no shifts and no drop in rpms?

[lyleswk]

My understanding is Audi programmed an RPM change which makes it seem to the driver that it is shifting even though it isn't.

[widgget]

could be wrong (or maybe i just feel like arguing on the interwebz with people i don't know) but i think that you only feel the "RPM drop" if you are using the "manual" mode which are just programed "shift points". if it's in "D" then it should be a steady / even RPM.
Having said that, i have never driven or rode in a CVT equipped car so i can't say from actual experience. i'm sure someone with one will chime in soon.

[ianwpb]

The CVT transmission should be smooth. My mom has a B7 3.2 CVT. In "D" It does not feel like a regular auto nor do the RPM's really drop until you let off the gas from accelerating.

I haven't played around with "S" too much (assuming it means "Sport") but it does feel a little bit more like an regular auto transmission, only it seemed to keep the car in a lower gear longer than a normal auto would. If you put it in to Tip mode it does the same thing as the "S"port mode but obviously lets you shift it yourself.

I would use the "S" and Tip modes sparingly. I trust this transmission as far as I can throw it. I almost hope it blows so I can throw a 6spd manual in there and take over the payments

[Stubek]

I had a rental car (non-audi) that had a CVT type transmission in it. The RPMs would climb to about 2,400 and after that just stay at 2,400 the entire time no matter how fast you were going. It drove me crazy at first because I did not realize the car had that, so I thought the tranny was slipping and I kept trying to lift off a little or burp the throttle to try to get it to shift gears.

[widgget]

The CVT transmission should be smooth. My mom has a B7 3.2 CVT. In "D" It does not feel like a regular auto nor do the RPM's really drop until you let off the gas from accelerating.

I haven't played around with "S" too much (assuming it means "Sport") but it does feel a little bit more like an regular auto transmission, only it seemed to keep the car in a lower gear longer than a normal auto would. If you put it in to Tip mode it does the same thing as the "S"port mode but obviously lets you shift it yourself.

I would use the "S" and Tip modes sparingly. I trust this transmission as far as I can throw it. I almost hope it blows so I can throw a 6spd manual in there and take over the payments

The CVT the B6 came with does not have a "s" mode. Only the tiptronic has the "s" mode on a B6.

[ianwpb]

The CVT the B6 came with does not have a "s" mode. Only the tiptronic has the "s" mode on a B6.

Okay, I was not aware of that. Did it come with a tip mode or just straight up PRND?

[widgget]

B6 CVT does have a "manual mode", just no sport mode.
It could be possible that this is not true for the 3.0 but highly doubt that to be the case.
CVT:

[tchuck]

could be wrong (or maybe i just feel like arguing on the interwebz with people i don't know) but i think that you only feel the "RPM drop" if you are using the "manual" mode which are just programed "shift points". if it's in "D" then it should be a steady / even RPM.
Having said that, i have never driven or rode in a CVT equipped car so i can't say from actual experience. i'm sure someone with one will chime in soon.

This is true. The cvt moves to preset ratios when in manual mode as opposed to the constant sweep that it does in D or S.

The CVT the B6 came with does not have a "s" mode. Only the tiptronic has the "s" mode on a B6.

That's not true. I used to own a b6 1.8t cvt and it absolutely had an "s" option on the selector. It was an '05 though, so maybe the early b6s were different.

[tchuck]

Okay, I was not aware of that. Did it come with a tip mode or just straight up PRND?

Mine had PRNDS and the +/-tip mode.

[mavic]

Thanks for the replies. So my CVT in "D" shifts like an automatic tranny with rpms dropping after each shift. Does this sound like the CVT could be having issues?

[tchuck]

Thanks for the replies. So my CVT in "D" shifts like an automatic tranny with rpms dropping after each shift. Does this sound like the CVT could be having issues?

Rpms do not drop in d or s with a cvt. It only feels like a normal auto in manual mode.

[walky_talky20]

Thanks for the replies. So my CVT in "D" shifts like an automatic tranny with rpms dropping after each shift. Does this sound like the CVT could be having issues?

Does your car say "quattro" on the dashboard/trunk?

[mavic]

no it doesnt say quattro. I just bought it used and trying to figure out if the transmission is a cvt and operating normally.

[dubgli]

rpms don't drop? I'm interested in driving a CVT then as I've never driven in a car where rpms don't drop. Doesn't that imply it's linear? It implies that you can go from 0 to 80mph in 1 sweep of the rpm range??

[Staz]

it actually starts in 5th gear and works its way down

[diagnosticator]

Hey gang,

I read about the dreaded CVT issues after purchasing my A4 B6. My question is do the CVT's shift like a normal automatic where the rpm drops after the shifting or should it be smooth continuous with no shifts and no drop in rpms?

No, CVT means Continuously Variable Transmission. Therefore the trans normally changes gear ratios steplessly , with an infinite number of ratios between the lowest and the highest ratio. The shift strategy is setup to allow the engine to spin up to the torque peak RPM, then the trans upshifts smoothly to hold the engine at the torque peak RPM as the road speed increases.

[tchuck]

rpms don't drop? I'm interested in driving a CVT then as I've never driven in a car where rpms don't drop. Doesn't that imply it's linear? It implies that you can go from 0 to 80mph in 1 sweep of the rpm range??

The best way I can describe it is this: In a normal automatic, the tachometer is parametric to the speedometer for each gear. (In x gear, y rpm always = z speed.)

With a cvt, the tachometer is independent of the speedometer and is more closely tied to the throttle. (at any speed, x throttle = y rpm) If you slam the go pedal to the floor at any speed in a cvt, the rpm will shoot to the HP peak and hang there while the speedometer climbs. Its crazy the first time you experience it.

[widgget]

it works a little like a snowmobile belt / clutch system if you are familiar with that, just far more complex and expensive.

[ianwpb]

no it doesnt say quattro. I just bought it used and trying to figure out if the transmission is a cvt and operating normally.

What year and engine does it have? Any pictures?

[CyberPMG]

To engage manual shifting in a CVT, the driver must make the audible shifting sound to make it work....

"Rrrrrrrrrrrr..... (breathe) Rrrrrrrrrrrrr..... (breathe) Rrrrrrrrrr....."

[walky_talky20]

OP:

Honestly, I think this is a really good case for a little in-car iPhone video. Just do a quick recording in "D" from a stop to 60 mph at moderate to heavy acceleration. Post video to AZ. Get feedback. Win.

[Peacob]

OP:

Honestly, I think this is a really good case for a little in-car iPhone video. Just do a quick recording in "D" from a stop to 60 mph at moderate to heavy acceleration. Post video to AZ. Get feedback. Find out its a CVT. Lose.

Fixed ;)

[walky_talky20]

^lol'd @ truth

[zamflip]

I think u got FWD CVT.. just same as mine. I got 03 FWD n CVT.

[dubgli]

The best way I can describe it is this: In a normal automatic, the tachometer is parametric to the speedometer for each gear. (In x gear, y rpm always = z speed.)

With a cvt, the tachometer is independent of the speedometer and is more closely tied to the throttle. (at any speed, x throttle = y rpm) If you slam the go pedal to the floor at any speed in a cvt, the rpm will shoot to the HP peak and hang there while the speedometer climbs. Its crazy the first time you experience it.

ohhh! okay.. thanks. Got it.. makes sense.. more reason why I want to try it out. haha

[samaj]

I'am going to look a the only avant available locally. Its a 2005 Japanese spec 2 L FWD. It HAS a "Sports" mode with the Tiptronic feature as well.

Pic of the car.



Did the FWD B6 2L ever come in a non CVT transmission & just a 'regular' Auto transmission outisde USA? Specially this was a 2005 end of production year.

[diagnosticator]

I'am going to look a the only avant available locally. Its a 2005 Japanese spec 2 L FWD. It HAS a "Sports" mode with the Tiptronic feature as well.

Pic of the car.



Did the FWD B6 2L ever come in a non CVT transmission & just a 'regular' Auto transmission outisde USA? Specially this was a 2005 end of production year.

Yes, same ZF5HP19 Tip 5 speed as quattro, without the center diff and rear drive shaft output housing bolted onto the back of the trans case.