Suzuki examining cvt alternatives

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bootymac
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KansasKid wrote:It also seemed like you could feel a lot more of the torque in the 6MT all the way up to 5th gear. In my CVT Kizashi, I don't really get the good acceleration feeling at full throttle in 4th or 5th gear like I did NOT at full throttle in the 6MT.
Increased drive train losses with the CVT and AWD don't help
KansasKid
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bootymac wrote:
KansasKid wrote:It also seemed like you could feel a lot more of the torque in the 6MT all the way up to 5th gear. In my CVT Kizashi, I don't really get the good acceleration feeling at full throttle in 4th or 5th gear like I did NOT at full throttle in the 6MT.
Increased drive train losses with the CVT and AWD don't help
I believe Kizashies with CVT/AWD systems are heavier as well, which also exacerbates the issue.
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'93 Ford Escort (Jorge - Prior)
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kizzy1
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I recently did 2 drain-and-fills on the CVT in my 2010 at just shy of 64k miles. Despite the "let a dealer do it with "special" tools and equipment with the fluid at a specific temperature in a clean room" warnings I just went ahead and dropped the fluid in the driveway and put in exactly what I took out. What came out was exactly 4 quarts...each time. If you think THAT'S daring, I didn't use the recommended Suzuki Green fluid either...I used the all-synthetic Redline Nonslip CVT fluid which is spec'd for these transmissions. So far, all seems to be fine...the slight whine that I was hearing at low speeds is gone and the CVT seems smoother and more responsive. I've never had a bad experience with Redline fluids...got their D4 trans fluid in the power steering and transmission in my old minivan which at 133k miles shifts and drives like new.

I know a few people that have Jeep Patriots with the same CVT and they've not had any issues with some fairly high miles on the vehicles. I figure I'm stuck with the transmission and will probably do a drain-and-fill once a year as long as I own the car. Although I'd prefer a proper automatic transmission I'm OK with the CVT...here's hoping it continues to be reliable.
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Ronzuki
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KansasKid wrote: I believe Kizashies with CVT/AWD systems are heavier as well, which also exacerbates the issue.
Yep...adds another 400 lbs. IIRC from the specs in my sales brochure.
Ron

2010 Kizashi GTS, CVT, iAWD (3/10 build date)
2011 SX4 Premium Hatch, CVT, iAWD (12/10 build date)
2018 Mazda CX-5 iAWD Touring
2014 Wrangler JKUW (GONE, traded :D :D )
1991 Samurai, 5-Speed, EFI, Soft-Top ( :| sold)
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Speed_Racer
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KuroNekko wrote: From what I've read, the paddle shifters make a huge difference. However, I'm still not convinced they rival a real manual transmission in terms of performance.
I recall reading one professional automotive reviewer who test drove both the CVT and the MT Kizashi. He described the difference in the driving performance as the MT feeling like it had 50 more horsepower. That's a huge difference. I wouldn't call it preposterous given the MT Kizashi has a 0 to 60 time about 1.5 to 2 seconds faster than an AWD CVT model. That's also a huge difference.

Regarding Nissan: Yes, they are a major automaker and they've implemented the use of CVTs more than anyone. They also happen to have some of the worst problems with CVTs. Some cars like the Nissan Pathfinder are well-known as problematic cars entirely due to their CVTs. However, Nissan does not put CVTs in performance-oriented or heavy duty vehicles.
Nissan's CVT supplier JATCO is also the one who makes the CVT for the Kizashi. It's a bit concerning when JATCO has one of the worst reputations for CVTs in the industry.

Subaru, Toyota, and Honda all have their own CVTs and each are considerably better than JATCO CVTs.

I don't think CVTs come anywhere near manuals regarding performance or refinement. I've driven a handful of CVTs from Suzuki, Nissan, Toyota, and Subaru and they all have a sluggish, noisy feeling vs. a comparable MT or traditional AT. Personally, I won't buy a CVT equipped vehicle. The first Kizashi i test drove was the CVT and it almost turned me off to the car entirely. I'm glad I found my 6MT the same night :)
'12 Kizashi,'03 SV650,'04 DL1000
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KuroNekko
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onnt53 wrote:I am all out there in search for one jeep that can take up all our road trip desires but not able to find a good one. Can you suggest me some good list of best jeeps out there that can help me with simplifying my search.
I'm a bit confused given this a Suzuki Kizashi (a midsize sedan) forum and this thread is about CVTs (a type of transmission). Also, Jeep is a brand but you seem to be alluding to a type of vehicle. I think you mean an SUV.
Reply back and maybe I can help you out more.
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
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Moto
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Deleted post and removed link from quote. I think it is a spammer, but I'll hold off for one more post to be sure.
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KuroNekko
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Moto wrote:Deleted post and removed link from quote. I think it is a spammer, but I'll hold off for one more post to be sure.
Yeah, it seemed really out of place.
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
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Remav
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I just returned from a 500 mi weekend trip from Colorado Springs to Pagosa Springs & back. This route takes you over Wolf Creek Pass, 13,300 ft & I got my 1st taste of CVT whine. I've only had my Kizzy for about a month now & this was by far the most torture I've put on it. I was doing some pretty hard hammering on it going up with about 500 extra lbs of gear & people ...until I started hearing the whine towards the top. I eased up & but it continued whining until a ways down the other side. The conclusion I came to was that it was probably not a good idea to leave it in automatic mode. On the return trip, I used the manual mode & although I still pushed it (we stopped at the lookout so it had a bit of a rest) there was no whine this time. Was my conclusion correct? 1st sign of trouble, or would any CVT react this way? ...and how much damage did I likely inflict on the life of my CVT? No additional noise has been noticed since & I never detected anything like a burning oil smell. I will be swapping out the oil next service.
Thanks in advance for any advice on which oil to use. The red stuff doesn't sound like a bad choice?
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Ronzuki
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I have noticed that when I'm hammering on it in hot weather, I get 'the whine'. Not even pulling large long hills...just hard spirited driving in full auto mode, no paddles either. I haven't done a comparison of same said hammering in hot weather in full manual mode only. It will be interesting to see if there is a noticeable difference with mine. Next hot spell, I'll give it a go on the same road. One day full auto hammer down, next day full manual.
Ron

2010 Kizashi GTS, CVT, iAWD (3/10 build date)
2011 SX4 Premium Hatch, CVT, iAWD (12/10 build date)
2018 Mazda CX-5 iAWD Touring
2014 Wrangler JKUW (GONE, traded :D :D )
1991 Samurai, 5-Speed, EFI, Soft-Top ( :| sold)
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