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Thread: CVT owners... what is "Idle Neutral Logic"? And what is it like to drive?

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    CVT owners... what is "Idle Neutral Logic"? And what is it like to drive?

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    The Mitsu press release from the New York Auto Show Mirage launch this morning mentioned a feature of the CVT transmission that I hadn't seen before: idle neutral logic.

    Can anyone tell me what this is?

    I'm assuming it means that the transmission goes into neutral whenever you stop, and that's the reason why the CVT also has Hill Start Assist so you don't roll backwards when releasing the brakes on a grade.

    If that's what it is, it must be another fuel saving feature to reduce load on the engine when stopped, rather than remaining in gear, constantly trying to drive the car forward while your foot is on the brake.

    Is that about right?

    ====

    Update: see post #22 for the list of conditions when the feature is active or not.

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 63.2 mpg (US) ... 26.9 km/L ... 3.7 L/100 km ... 75.9 mpg (Imp)


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    Senior Member talldino's Avatar
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    According to Mitsubishi Service sheet 411 (2012) you are absolutely right:

    Idle-Neutral Logic

    This system shifts the transmission into neutral when the vehicle comes to a complete stop and the brakes are applied. By shifting into neutral, Idle Neutral Logic lessens the amount of power needed to turn the transmission thus reducing drag on the engine. Less power equals less gas required and conserves fuel.

    Source: http://touch.mservice411.com/c/idle-neutral-logic

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2013 Space Star 'Instyle' 1.2 automatic: 48.5 mpg (US) ... 20.6 km/L ... 4.9 L/100 km ... 58.2 mpg (Imp)


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  4. #3
    Aha. Merci, monsieur.

    On to part two (added to the thread title):

    What is it like to drive?

    Does it stay in neutral and wait until you press the accelerator again before going back into gear? Doesn't that create a delay in starting up compared to a "regular" automatic transmission? Is it a smooth transition?

    Will the car "creep" forward when you let your foot off the brake, or do you have to give it a little gas?

    Enquiring minds want to know...

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 63.2 mpg (US) ... 26.9 km/L ... 3.7 L/100 km ... 75.9 mpg (Imp)


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    Senior Member talldino's Avatar
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    During my test-drive I noticed that there was almost no 'creeping'. Neither in 'forward' nor in 'reverse'.

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2013 Space Star 'Instyle' 1.2 automatic: 48.5 mpg (US) ... 20.6 km/L ... 4.9 L/100 km ... 58.2 mpg (Imp)


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    Administrator Daox's Avatar
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    I wonder if, as a fuel economy modification, one could setup a switch to engage this neutral logic at will? I would also wonder if that would do any damage to the transmission due to lack of lubrication as is the case for some automatic transmissions...
    Custom Mirage products: Cruise control kit, Glove box light, MAF sensor housing, Rear sway bar, Upper grill block

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        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Mirage DE 1.2 manual: 47.2 mpg (US) ... 20.1 km/L ... 5.0 L/100 km ... 56.7 mpg (Imp)


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    Quote Originally Posted by Daox View Post
    I wonder if, as a fuel economy modification, one could setup a switch to engage this neutral logic at will? I would also wonder if that would do any damage to the transmission due to lack of lubrication as is the case for some automatic transmissions...
    As far as I can tell our Kiwi market CVT Mirage doesn't have Neutral Logic so I have taken to moving the gear selector into Neutral when it becomes obvious that the car will be stopped for more than a few seconds. When in slow moving traffic simply pulling the selector back into Drive is enough to make the car creep forward.

    So, that makes me wonder if Neutral Logic is switchable in software ? It seems unlikely to me that Mitsi would go to the trouble of fitting different ECUs, or developing different programming for a universal ECU for what is designed to be a basic world-market car.

    Cheers
    Flange

  9. #7
    Ichabod: can you tell when idle neutral is active? If so, how? I didn't drive the CVT long enough to be able to tell definitively.

    Quote Originally Posted by Flange View Post
    So, that makes me wonder if Neutral Logic is switchable in software ? It seems unlikely to me that Mitsi would go to the trouble of fitting different ECUs, or developing different programming for a universal ECU for what is designed to be a basic world-market car.
    I think it's all in the programming. Mitsu have made a bunch of other country-specific changes to the car for cost, fuel economy, comfort, handling & regulatory reasons.

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 63.2 mpg (US) ... 26.9 km/L ... 3.7 L/100 km ... 75.9 mpg (Imp)


  10. #8
    (I have to admit I wondered the same thing.)

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 63.2 mpg (US) ... 26.9 km/L ... 3.7 L/100 km ... 75.9 mpg (Imp)


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    So that explains why when I release the brake, the car surges forward instead of slowly creeping like other TC autos.

    But so far seems like it has strange engagements. Let me test it out later and get back to you guys =)

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2013 Mirage (Malaysia) GS 1.2 automatic: 44.6 mpg (US) ... 19.0 km/L ... 5.3 L/100 km ... 53.6 mpg (Imp)


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    Member AntInOz's Avatar
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    I have never noticed my Mirage creep forwards, in fact it does seem to be a little more laggy off the line then other auto's including my CVT Outlander. Hill Assist you can definitely feel it holding the brakes.

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2013 Mirage LS (Australia) 1.2 automatic: 34.8 mpg (US) ... 14.8 km/L ... 6.8 L/100 km ... 41.8 mpg (Imp)


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