[moviecouple1995]

I have only had my Cube for a little over a week, so I am new to this style of car. I have noticed a few issues and want to see if it is of the norm or something else.

1. Transmission: When I accelerate from a stoplight I noticed it feels as if the car moves fairly slow and takes a bit to get going. I have to push harder on the gas pedal to make it go. It's not bad per se, but it sorta feels like starting out in what would be 2nd gear.

2. Braking: When I am pulling up to a stoplight, the car starts to come to a stop and then right before it comes to a complete stop... there seems to be what I can describe as a slight jerk or lunge and then it stops. Now, when I have the car with OverDrive Off... I feel no such give or jerk. It only seems to happen with OverDrive On.

Just want to see what other people say. I am thinking about going and test drive another one from teh dealership to see if it does the same thing.

 

[chompsticks]

Hmm, I have not experienced that with my Cube. I have experienced that with several other cars. I know a few cars that start out in 2nd gear depending on how fast you accelerate. Supposedly saves gas. The braking issue is a common thing. I have had two previous cars with that lunge effect. I think that just happens when you are slowing down and the automatic is downshifting. I dunno, I could be completely wrong for the Cube though.

 

[fotomoto]

It sounds like you are not yet use to the CVT transmission more than drive train problems.

This is also my first experience with a cvt. I've found that from a stop if you feather the throttle it will feel different but under heavy throttle it feels more like a conventional automatic transmission. If you are doing very hard acceleration (merging on a fast highway on ramp for example), then it will feel like a cvt again as it reaches maximum rpm and remains there constantly varying the gear ratio, thus avoiding traditional hard shifts, to achieve max. acceleration.

I believe the braking issue is the cvt switching into it's lowest ratio; what most folks would think of as first gear. I felt the same thing test driving a prius before buying the cube.

 

[Milo]

Think this is pretty much bang on. ^^^^

 

[Cubit]

+1 to fotomoto. I have exactly the same driving experience. There is definitely a slight surge right as you are coming to a stop and the "Overdrive OFF" function keeps that surge from happening. You just have to get used to it and maybe break a little sooner...

 

[moviecouple1995]

So then everything I described seems to be normal functioning of the CVT transmission and braking. Just wanted to make sure and wasn't freaking out. There is a bit of a learning curve to the car.

I really do love the car. I am 41 and this is mine and
my wife's 6th car. We have owned nothing but Mazdas all our lives, so the Cube is a nice change of pace.

Today we took the Cube out for a 2 hour drive out to Loma Linda VA hospital (wife's father had esophageal surgery) and it was a nice relaxing drive. The Cube isn't a speed demon, but isn't supposed to be. It's more of a point A to B car, but in style.

 

[moviecouple1995]

Well, I went to another dealership on Sunday and tested out 2 other Cubes that were identical to my own. Both didn't seem to have the issues that I was describing... or at least not as noticeable to me. So I think I will take it to the dealership this weekend and see what they come up with.

 

[fotomoto]

Open on Sunday? LOL, not here as that's against the law.

Anyway, please let us know what they find out.

 

[moviecouple1995]

Well I just got back from the dealership. They say nothing seems to be wrong and everything checks out fine. They are telling me that the acceleration and braking issues (I thought) are normal for CVT transmissions. The mechanic even drove the car with me in it and said all of Nissans cars that use the CVT are more or less like this. He said the Cube is more of a cruising type vehicle and is designed this way for fuel economy. So I guess it puts the issues to rest.

Now I guess it's time to start the upgrades.