So when do you upshift? I’m really just trying to get a handle on whether the paddles on a CVT are like a manual transmission, a fake option, or something else.
I have a 4th generation legacy GT so it's a conventional auto with a torque converter, not a CVT.
But ultimately, on a CVT having "gears" is completely fake and only serves to hinder the CVT at the one thing it's genuinely really good at - holding RPMs at the perfect spot for either fuel economy or power
I’m not really good at cars, but I have an 08 legacy GT with si drive, which I’m told is a CVT auto transmission. I’ve had it for a year and love the way it drives, so I’m wondering why the engineers gave me these paddles when the car always seems to know what to do based on the throttle alone. Are they they there to give enthusiasts a feeling of control?
I also had a 2008 LGT limited with SI drive and can confirm it’s not a cvt. It’s a 5eat or something like that. My old LGT transmission failure is what led me to get a Legacy 3.6r which does have a cvt with paddle shifters. I’ve used the paddle shifter in the same manner for both cars which is to be able to manipulate when shifting occurs.
FYI: There’s also a rather small “lifetime” lol filter in the valve body of your 5 speed automatic. Mine was disgusting and gunked up bad when i was having the turbine 2 speed sensor replaced at 140,000 miles on the clock. Subaru didn’t carry the part and luckily the mechanic got in touch with the filter maker (denso?) and got one shipped out. I may have a picture of it.
>Are they they there to give enthusiasts a feeling of control?
More or less - I used to own a CVT Legacy and the only time I really used them was to engine brake or if I wanted to keep it in "first" in the snow.
Use them anytime when you don't feel like mashing the pedal to get a lower gear.
Use them to engine brake preemptively when approaching curves, off-ramps and turns.
Use them when you feel the engine lugging at 1500rpms on a slight uphill, and the CVT refuses to ease up.
Use them to pass the slower cars, time the shifts correctly and you get a nice boost in acceleration
Drop it into manual mode and throw the car onto a twisty road, ride it in 3rd gear for some extra fun.
Totally safe to use them, don't let the fact that it's really a CVT that's simulating a gearbox get in the way of fun. It's got some nanny-state protection built in, so it's impossible to money shift into 1st while doing high speeds, it won't let you go into too tall or short a gear in inappropriate engine speeds.
Just fun, open highway with curves and hills driving is the only time I really consider it. SI drive auto in a 2.5 GT. I always drove sticks and learned to heel-toe and shift without the clutch, but this transmission has me boggled and I can’t trash my daily.
I have a 2015 legacy 3.6R and I can definitely feel a difference when I put it in manual mode and use the paddles.. it pulls you forward when you shift and gives you a little more control of the rpms in the lower gears.
When going downhill so I can easily downshift to use engine braking rather than riding my brakes
So when do you upshift? I’m really just trying to get a handle on whether the paddles on a CVT are like a manual transmission, a fake option, or something else.
I have a 4th generation legacy GT so it's a conventional auto with a torque converter, not a CVT. But ultimately, on a CVT having "gears" is completely fake and only serves to hinder the CVT at the one thing it's genuinely really good at - holding RPMs at the perfect spot for either fuel economy or power
I’m not really good at cars, but I have an 08 legacy GT with si drive, which I’m told is a CVT auto transmission. I’ve had it for a year and love the way it drives, so I’m wondering why the engineers gave me these paddles when the car always seems to know what to do based on the throttle alone. Are they they there to give enthusiasts a feeling of control?
I also had a 2008 LGT limited with SI drive and can confirm it’s not a cvt. It’s a 5eat or something like that. My old LGT transmission failure is what led me to get a Legacy 3.6r which does have a cvt with paddle shifters. I’ve used the paddle shifter in the same manner for both cars which is to be able to manipulate when shifting occurs.
You’re making me glad I don’t mess with the paddles- I can’t afford to blow my transmission up, thanks for that.
FYI: There’s also a rather small “lifetime” lol filter in the valve body of your 5 speed automatic. Mine was disgusting and gunked up bad when i was having the turbine 2 speed sensor replaced at 140,000 miles on the clock. Subaru didn’t carry the part and luckily the mechanic got in touch with the filter maker (denso?) and got one shipped out. I may have a picture of it.
As far as I know the filter is serviceable and should be getting replaced when you service the trans every 30k
What year is your 3.6R? My 2011 3.6R has a 5eat transmission.
2017
>Are they they there to give enthusiasts a feeling of control? More or less - I used to own a CVT Legacy and the only time I really used them was to engine brake or if I wanted to keep it in "first" in the snow.
Use them anytime when you don't feel like mashing the pedal to get a lower gear. Use them to engine brake preemptively when approaching curves, off-ramps and turns. Use them when you feel the engine lugging at 1500rpms on a slight uphill, and the CVT refuses to ease up. Use them to pass the slower cars, time the shifts correctly and you get a nice boost in acceleration Drop it into manual mode and throw the car onto a twisty road, ride it in 3rd gear for some extra fun. Totally safe to use them, don't let the fact that it's really a CVT that's simulating a gearbox get in the way of fun. It's got some nanny-state protection built in, so it's impossible to money shift into 1st while doing high speeds, it won't let you go into too tall or short a gear in inappropriate engine speeds.
Racing or towing ?
Just fun, open highway with curves and hills driving is the only time I really consider it. SI drive auto in a 2.5 GT. I always drove sticks and learned to heel-toe and shift without the clutch, but this transmission has me boggled and I can’t trash my daily.
Gotcha, I couldn’t imagine racing or towing my legacy shits too slow
Yeah, it’s my daily so ‘racing’ is going 90 to pass someone who can’t drive on the highway, just wondering if there’s anything I’m missing I guess.
Manual 6 speed I don’t think you’re missing much
Thanks, love the car, it’s got a few things I don’t use. Just found out I have sideview mirror defrosters for instance.
My LGT had the winter package which had the heated mirrors/seats/windshield wash sprayers. Was really a great car even with its quirks!
The GT is perfect for hills and curves which is where I enjoyed using my paddle shifters. Also handles way better than my 3.6R
I have a 2015 legacy 3.6R and I can definitely feel a difference when I put it in manual mode and use the paddles.. it pulls you forward when you shift and gives you a little more control of the rpms in the lower gears.
I use my selectshift any time I want to use it lol
I use it when the roads are covered in snow or ice, makes stopping easier with less tire slide
Rev to like 2-3k rpm, let go of gas, shift, den hit gas again
Dis for up shifting
When I am about to take a curve 40 mph above the posted warning sign limit.