I have a '97 Civic HX Auto which has a CVT trany which you probably already know......anyway, I was wondering if it was o.k. to drive in S when driving in town. I get alot better pickup in S then I do in D I think it's because the gear ratio is shorter in S then it is in D. I don't hardly ever use L though......

Basically what I'm saying is....will it eventually hurt the car in some way if I drive it in S when driving in town or just everyday driving?

 

its fine

 

Will it affect gas mileage driving in S versus driving in D?

 

why dont you drive around in D, then when you need pickup put it in S

 

Yes, it will reduce your MPG. I've got a 98 Civic HX CVT as well.

 

i thought s just means that you only use your first three gears?

if this is true, then of course you will have better pickup because shorter gears have more power. but just like they said, if you stay in shorter gears, you will be wasting more gas. and the acceleration should pretty much be the same because i thought that automatics usually only jump into fourth gear when it seems like you are cruising and maintaining a speed.

 

o.k. I'll just keep it in D then....I want to get the most MPG's as I can.

 

Theblackpearl, just so you know, an automatic CVT stands for Continuously Variable Transmission... there are no standard gears. here is a link if you dont know how they work http://auto.howstuffworks.com/cvt.htm basically, there is no fourth gear... or first, second, third, or fith... They are really different and have the potental to maximize MPG because they can keep the engine in its most efficient RPM.

 

d**n, i guess automatics have gotten a lot more advanced. i guess i wouldn't even know because i never bother to learn about automatics. i don't have time to read the link now, but i will soon. thankz basil

 

Yeah no worries, most dont even know that a CVT even existed... let alone know how they work... lol