CVT And Kick Down Switch ?

[Bob]

Hello,

Have never had a car with a CVT.

Do all new CVT cars "still" have a Kick Down switch ?
(Thinking of a 2013 Subaru Outback in particular)

Would this be used for getting a bit more speed quickly when trying to
merge into a highway flow from a, e.g., a dead stop ?

Or,...?

Thanks,
B.

[jim beam]

Post by Bob
Hello,
Have never had a car with a CVT.
Do all new CVT cars "still" have a Kick Down switch ?

yes. it's that pedal on the floor - the one on the right.

Post by Bob
(Thinking of a 2013 Subaru Outback in particular)
Would this be used for getting a bit more speed quickly when trying to
merge into a highway flow from a, e.g., a dead stop ?
Or,...?
Thanks,
B.

the transmission is computer controlled. it fully optimizes ratio
relative to pedal position and speed. if you push the pedal beyond that
required for maintaining current speed, i.e. you want to accelerate of
climb a hill, it will change ratio to facilitate more power, torque, etc.

personally, i suggest you just drive the car and not over-think this
stuff. if you're asking because you want to do your homework, the only
thing you really need to know is that rpm and speed [should] have no
relation like they do in fixed ratio transmissions. iow, learn to
ignore engine sound - simply press the pedal.

[Ashton Crusher]

Post by Bob
Hello,
Have never had a car with a CVT.
Do all new CVT cars "still" have a Kick Down switch ?
(Thinking of a 2013 Subaru Outback in particular)
Would this be used for getting a bit more speed quickly when trying to
merge into a highway flow from a, e.g., a dead stop ?
Or,...?
Thanks,
B.

I doubt they literally have a switch, much more likely they just use
the throttle position sensor. But regardless, the faster you want to
accelerate with a CVT the farther you need to push the gas pedal. If
you push it all the way to the floor it will rev up to a fairly high
engine rpm and the CVT will keep the engine at that speed while the
vehicle itself goes faster and faster. The CVT vehicle I drove for a
couple days did not seem to do what would feel like a "kickdown" when
you stomped it, it just quickly ramped up the engine speed to it's
sweet spot and held it there.

[AD]

Post by Bob
Hello,
Have never had a car with a CVT.
Do all new CVT cars "still" have a Kick Down switch ?
(Thinking of a 2013 Subaru Outback in particular)
Would this be used for getting a bit more speed quickly when trying to
merge into a highway flow from a, e.g., a dead stop ?

me thinks they should have some sort of laid back(eco sux) - normal -
sport - sport sharp
mode, but I doubt that is part of the FHI program for the outback
cause the majority of the clientele would not typically care
in the short breaks between the soporific meds

the ultimate throttle recalibration switch for the outback is the
turbo engine
(available even in the states last time I checked)