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Should I hold my CVT gearbox on the brake?
Having replaced the earlier model we now have a Jazz CVT which does twice the mpg on narrow hilly Cornish lanes. I drive as economically as I can but wonder what happens when I hold the car on the brake at traffic lights.
There seems to still be energy applied from the transmissions and as soon as the brake and it is pulling as the brake is released. So my question is should be held on the brake, Does this involve wear and battery usage? How long should I hold on the brake rather than moving top P which means a delay before getting away?
There seems to still be energy applied from the transmissions and as soon as the brake and it is pulling as the brake is released. So my question is should be held on the brake, Does this involve wear and battery usage? How long should I hold on the brake rather than moving top P which means a delay before getting away?
Asked on 20 January 2025 by Cabbage patch
Answered by
David Ross
CVTs operate slightly differently to torque converter automatics. Typically they do not 'creep' - that is move forward when you release the footbrake and the gearbox is in Drive, but some manufacturers have engineered in this feature so they are more similar to conventional automatics in how they drive. There is a very small degree of wasted energy and potential wear if you hold the car on the footbrake and in Drive, but unless you do this for extended periods on every journey it will not cause problems.
You should hold the car on the footbrake in the same way that you would with a manual gearbox - for momentary stops. If you are going to be stationary for more than a few seconds you should engage the handbrake and ideally shift into Park so that the gearbox is locked. This is the safer option as it stops the wheels turning should you be hit by another car, and also means you can release the footbrake to avoid dazzling drivers behind you - this is explained in Rule 114 of the Highway Code. Although this means the potential for a short delay when pulling away, good anticipation and practice will allow you to shift from Park efficiently - you also have the option of shifting to Neutral and using the handbrake, which means a shorter shift into Drive.
You should hold the car on the footbrake in the same way that you would with a manual gearbox - for momentary stops. If you are going to be stationary for more than a few seconds you should engage the handbrake and ideally shift into Park so that the gearbox is locked. This is the safer option as it stops the wheels turning should you be hit by another car, and also means you can release the footbrake to avoid dazzling drivers behind you - this is explained in Rule 114 of the Highway Code. Although this means the potential for a short delay when pulling away, good anticipation and practice will allow you to shift from Park efficiently - you also have the option of shifting to Neutral and using the handbrake, which means a shorter shift into Drive.
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