I own a 21010 Subaru outback with the CVT transmission When in D (drive) and I downshift using the paddles, for example from 6 to 4 ,the transmission stays in that gear even when you accelerate or decelerate, for 30 - 35 seconds, this can be a problem when trying to merge into traffic since the tran…

My suggestion is for you to READ YOUR OWNERS MANUAL. Your transmission is functioning exactly the way it was designed to. If you would read your owners manual, you would find out that this is expected behavior. Manual mode means that YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHEN TO CHANGE GEARS. Think about that …

I don’t know your car specifically, but most likely once it’s in manual mode, shifting is up to you (unless the safety features kick in to avoid stalling or redlining). Does something in the owner’s manual lead you to believe otherwise?

Actually, I don’t think that the OP is using manual mode. On the newer Outbacks, in addition to using manual mode, one can downshift with the paddles. The difference is that when doing this while in Drive, the downshift is temporary, and the trans will automatically upshift shortly.

That sounds like something a person driving a manual might say if they down shifted then complained that is what the transmission actually did. It sounds like it behaves like a manual and does not down shift further like an ordinary auto.

none of this is correct 1- when in manual I have to use the paddles to shift up and down. 2- when in D the display shows “D” when I down shift for example to 5, the transmission stays 5 for about 20 - 30 seconds and then returns to “D”, so it looks like it acts like its in Manual mode for those…

Aa long as you have the option to shift back into drive at any time where the transmission can then down shift for you, what is the problem ? If the transmission makes you wait 30 seconds before allowing you to shift back into drive, that would be a serious design flaw.

Dagosa, according to his post, it only makes him wait before IT shifts on it’s own. There’s nothing stopping him from shifting himself. Since you already told us how it’s designed to run, and what you feel is the problem (which is what it was designed to do), then maybe you need to replace the car…

my other car has a manual shift transmission ( citroen 2CV ) The manual does not mention this situation

Then, I wouldn’t use the paddle shifters unless in the manual mode if this situation is bothersome. You may have a need to engine brake go to manual first if 30 sec is too long to wait. What does the dealer say?

Subaru outback CVT

General Discussion

VDCdriver May 28, 2011, 12:00pm 10

I think it’s time to repeat Blade Cutter’s advice from a couple of days ago:

READ YOUR OWNERS MANUAL

The transmission is acting exactly as it was designed to do.

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Subaru outback CVT

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