How to Shift Gears in CVT Simulated 8-Speed?
2 Answers
Shifting gears is essentially similar to manual transmission. Generally, it's best to use full automatic mode by simply placing it in D. In continuously variable transmission mode, just place the gear lever in D. During normal driving, if you want to experience manual mode, push the gear lever to the left to switch to manual mode. You can then shift gears up or down based on speed.
I've always driven a car with a CVT that simulates 8 speeds, and I find shifting up and down particularly easy. My car has two small paddles behind the steering wheel—the left one for downshifting and the right one for upshifting. When driving, even slightly turning the steering wheel won’t accidentally touch them. To use manual mode, just switch to the M gear, then press the '+' paddle to shift up a gear or the '-' paddle to shift down. The key is timing: when decelerating or overtaking, downshift in advance to boost power; when cruising at high speeds, upshift to save fuel. After the simulation, the RPM and engine sound change, giving a realistic gear-shifting feel, which is a bit more exciting than a pure CVT. I mostly use it on mountain roads for better control. Don’t worry about shifting too late or too early—the system will automatically optimize and protect. Once you get used to it, it makes driving more fun and even extends the transmission’s lifespan. For regular maintenance, remember to periodically check the paddle sensitivity to ensure quick responsiveness.
