Weird CVT transmission jerk

[rattler934]

Hi everyone, I have a 1.5L turbo 2020 ex hatch CVT with around 9k miles on it. When I'm slowing down, I always feel a small jerk back when I hit around 4 mph, right before coming to a stop. This is regardless of whether the car is cold or hot, or if the a/c is on or off. Additionally, during a cold start, putting the car into drive makes it jerk pretty hard, the whole car feels like it moves. After warming up a little, this is reduced to a noticeable but small jerk. Anyone else experience these things and should I be worried? I don't want to spend a few hundred at the dealer for a diagnostic just for them to tell me its normal. Any help is appreciated.

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[hondabandit]

I drive in alot if stop and go traffic and my car never jerks. I can feel the car making gear ratio changes, but not jerky. I wouldn't say it's normal.

 

[rattler934]

I drive in alot if stop and go traffic and my car never jerks. I can feel the car making gear ratio changes, but not jerky. I wouldn't say it's normal.

what does a "gear ratio change" feel like?

 

[hondabandit]

It's hard to describe but it's like when you feel an automatic transmission shifting. Never a harsh jerk like when a tranny slips and catches.

 

[CMarks]

I definitely can agree to this at around 4-5 mph there is a weird feeling kind of like when you are feathering the throttle but it might just be the “gear ratio change” that he is referring to.

 

[rattler934]

It's hard to describe but it's like when you feel an automatic transmission shifting. Never a harsh jerk like when a tranny slips and catches.

yeah im not sure if thats what im experiencing. best way to put it is driving over a small rock or something. i do get a violent jerk when i first put it into drive after a night of sitting there tho.

 

[gtman]

I can't say I always feel this but sometimes when slowing down abruptly, I get some jerkiness from the CVT. I also get some roughness in the morning going from R to D.

For the most part this is "normal" with our CVT. It does have it's quirks. Then again so do most/ all automatic transmissions. I've had my car for over 5 years and the CVT has held up fine (I'm tuned as well).

 

[shoegazer]

+1 for the non-smoothness when everything is cold. Downshifting has always been a weird thing with my car. When I let off the gas to take a turn; I can feel something like engine braking going on. But the RPMs seem to bump up as well. I'm sure it's 'normal'. But I hate it.

I have the 2.0 And I swear I feel the VTEC telegraphing through the CVT. But not in a good way like with a traditional automatic.

 

[hondabandit]

I dunno. My cvt is always smooth cold or hot. Only times I felt lurching is with tsp tune at low speed. I'm running type r motor mount tho.

 

[briq4]

I definitely know the lurch you speak of, and if I have to slow down very fast it's like the transmission catches up and lurches a few times compared to a normal stop. It's done this from day one.

 

[Robot3RK]

It's normal. I have CVT and have same feeling. Mine is tuned and also have Type R RMM which is actually the same as the Si and Civic Manual. Only the CVT Civics have plastic RMM. You have nothing to worry about. Even back when I was stock I had the same issue as well.

 

[briq4]

A friend at work has a 2020 Civic touring and her CVT has none of the lurching mine does. Wonder if there's a software update or if it's an internal update to the transmission itself.

 

[rattler934]

It's normal. I have CVT and have same feeling. Mine is tuned and also have Type R RMM which is actually the same as the Si and Civic Manual. Only the CVT Civics have plastic RMM. You have nothing to worry about. Even back when I was stock I had the same issue as well.

hey thanks for the reply. I also occasionally get a "knock" sound when the issue I described happens. This sound also occurs when I'm rolling anywhere from 0-20mph with my foot off the gas pedal. Pressing the pedal again makes a singular knock noise somewhere underneath the car. Not sure what this is either.

 

[Da5hi30i2d]

Same here with a 2019 civic I gave up searching the forums. It isn’t bad jerk and it’s only noticeable when going from high speeds and needing to stop semi abruptly. You will find it strange if you pull your battery for 10 min and let warning reset while you drive. You will notice you don’t get that “jerk” at all. It’s almost like ecu re-learning your driving habits and it causes that jerk ones all warning lights are gone.

 

[Jongavin123]

This can’t be the jerk you guys are talking about is it? I can’t find anything about this. one guy said it could be a wire but I checked my harness over and all today