[nbs0524]

Thanks for the reply. This is what I thought being the dynamics of a CVT are completely different than a manual and an auto. Believe me since then, I have changed my habit trying to "rush" the car from any gear in the CVT.

I guess my only concern was that it really wasn't noticeable in the newer 20' Trek and was curious why it was so prevalent in my 15'. Also curious if this is something that gets worse over time.

 

[nbs0524]

hmm, I tried everything in the search bar except "reverse delay" thanks!

 

[nbs0524]

I think part of the updated Crosstrek (starting in 2018) was a different tune to deal with some of these lagging issues. It has a much smoother ride and transition between “gears.” As @Twiddler said, there is a lag and it feels longer depending on how much you need the car to hurry. It does not get worse through time, but you do get better at factoring it into your driving when you need to. I have found that the hardest part is stomping on the gas in those situations, feeling the lag, and then controlling the mini-launch that happens afterwards to keep from crossing over into the neighboring lane or hitting a parked car (usually in a situation where I am trying to pull a quick u-turn on a crowded city street).
If it is really bothersome, I do know there are some tunes out there that are supposed to take care of those issues with the first generation CVTs, and make them a much more pleasant drive in general.

Pepper, after AstroKats brought up the specific wording to use in the search I did find more information confirming I am not the only one. And like you said and I think AstroKats said in some of those older threads it's not really experienced in the newer CVTs. This also confirms my experience with the 20' Limited I drove. I did see someone post there is a service bulletin that Subaru knows about this issue and involves a transmission update or reprogramming. Might need to talk to my service center and find out.

I guess I do need to note that I DO come to complete stops even in the example I gave above at my in-law's driveway and continue to do. I also do not really stomp on the gas and more "feather the throttle" as I've learned to do in my MT Camaro. However, the pause is there and I have changed my driving habits and note to even more time into consideration when driving.

 

[nbs0524]

If it is really bothersome, I do know there are some tunes out there that are supposed to take care of those issues with the first generation CVTs, and make them a much more pleasant drive in general.

I don't really have an issue with the car otherwise. I enjoy the engine brake because I experience in LA Traffice with my MT Camaro. You really do have to get into the throttle to maintain speed up grades and merging on the freeway. I really enjoy it and I have a certain expectation of what the car can do (referring to people saying the trek is too slow).

 

[nbs0524]

"put the CVT into drive"

you mean you set the gearlever on P? and then back to D when you want go or you let the gearlever in D allways?

The experience I am having is when the gear lever is out from reverse (R) into drive (D). Haven’t noticed from park (P) to reverse...yet.

 

[nbs0524]

Okay now understand i, but this is normal in my opinion because the transmission have to change the real gear from backward to forward. I dont know which type of clutch they use or how they change the gears else. There will allways be a moment the transmission have to change from back to forward, if its a CVT or a normal automatic or even a manual transmission… it needs time to change. Even in our Hyundai ioniq electric, where is only a electric engine is a moment between R and D. And in my 2020 eboxer is it the samne. move from R to D and there is a moment the transmission sorts the gears. then step gently on the gas and give the CVT time to speed up. I think the most people make the mistake to step the pedal just down, but the CVT thinks now have i to wait with speeding up… keep rpm at 3000 about and let the cvt do the rest….

A while back I saw a Youtube video of the Subaru CVT that detailed the gearing changes made when going from forward into reverse and back. It was a fairly complex set of gears that move around so I'm not surprised that it takes a moment or two. I haven't experienced a noticeable lag in my MY18 but maybe I have the updated firmware.

I've changed my driving habits, but I'm going to contact my Subaru service center and push them to look into, worst case they say nothing is wrong and I have to just monitor it. Best case they do something about it under the warranty I paid for and I get a better result. Who knows.
I've attached the TSB that kind of explains their procedure and possible remedies.

 

[nbs0524]

in this case can i maybe help out: put the car in X Mode (think you have this option?) then the CVT reacts more direct. Else you need more rpm to get the car moved.

No x-mode on my 2015.

 

[nbs0524]

I don't know about the 2015, but my 2018 has always been indecisive and unpredictable when it comes to movements. Not just changing forward to reverse, and vice versa, but also starting to move when stopped. It is difficult to judge when I have given enough throttle and need to wait for a response, or need to give a little more only to have it surge when the car decides that I really do insist that it move. It can be unnerving when parallel parking in a tight space. When backing out of a parking space I find myself to be very slow and cautious, and possibly blocking traffic in the parking lot aisle, for fear of a sudden movement. I miss the manual transmissions that I drove for 50 years and which gave me possitive control of the movements.

Maybe a pedal commander might help to smooth out the throttle response?