1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Prius v CVT transmission "memory'

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by Eric "v", Dec 16, 2014.

  1. Eric "v"

    Eric "v" Member

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2014
    229
    44
    0
    Location:
    'Vegas, NV, Baby
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Does the Prius v CVT tranny have a "memory" that recognizes your driving style and then gives you the CV step you want for lower "gearing".

    I ask because my car used to accelerate rather "languidly" regardless of the throttle being at WOT and a harsh use of my buggy whip. And this was even after I installed an INJEN cold air intake.

    But lately (past few weeks) it seems to take off noticeably quicker. Maybe it's the cold weather and denser air coming in that bad boy intake... or not.

    In any case, in any setting I get brisker acceleration. and in PWR mode it's nicely quick - for a Prius, that is.
     
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,478
    4,375
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    You may be using better gas, eg higher octane. Major refiners do change their quality from time to time, especially if they are running a big ad campaign. Shell was famous for this at one time.
     
  3. Robert Ciambrone

    Robert Ciambrone Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2012
    23
    1
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    I think the car's computer is giving you a richer gas/air mixture due to the cold weather. Back in the day when cars had carburetors the choke would kick in during cold weather starts and that always felt like the car had more power from the starting line.
     
  4. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2014
    1,584
    257
    0
    Location:
    Ocala, FL
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    Higher octane is ***NOT*** automatically "better".
     
  5. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,478
    4,375
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    It is when the engine's timing automatically adjusts to it.
     
  6. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2012
    3,626
    1,623
    0
    Location:
    Sanford, NC
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    Gas is reformulated for the winter and summer in some areas. Pollution control is the reason.

    Are you really getting air from outside the car now or just using an air filter that is more porous (and which allows more and bigger dirt particles into the engine)? The stock intake on my '12 v took air from outside the right side of the radiator. Short of using larger passageways from the outside of the car to the throttle body which would fool the Mass Airflow Sensor and the engine control unit because it isn't calibrated for those sizes, I can't see much point besides a louder air intake and the last thing a v needs is more noise.
     
  7. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2014
    1,584
    257
    0
    Location:
    Ocala, FL
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    Nope. Still wrong.

    Any engine that will indeed "adjust" to run better on high octane "premium" will state something like that in the documentation and "recommend" that you use "premium" for best perfoamance.

    OTOH, any engine that recommends regular with no mention of what happens with higher octane levels is NOT designed to advance the ignition or valve timing to benefit from a higher achieved compression. It just isn't.

    If knock is detected, it will adjust DOWN but unless designed specifically to run with higher octane fuel, it will NOT adjust up.
     
  8. ems2158

    ems2158 Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2012
    221
    162
    0
    Location:
    Bucks County, PA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    If the "regular" fuel you are normally using is not the best quality, the engine is adjusting down and performance will be reduced and will adjust up if a higher quality regular or premium fuel is used. Your engine MAY perform better with the next grade of fuel. Hard to know what you are getting when you fill up.
     
  9. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2014
    1,584
    257
    0
    Location:
    Ocala, FL
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    While that MIGHT BE true, I think it is a stretch.
    I'm pretty sure that the engine does not operate right on the threshold of spark knock when using good quality recommended gas.

    Anyway, saying or implying that the engine always will adjust up to meet a higher level of octane is just simply NOT true.