CVT feels like it is slipping.

[jchoffman12345@yahoo.com]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I hope you are all well.  I have a 2012 MKz Hybrid with the CVT transmission.  The car is ready to break 140,000miles.  My issue is when I am on a steep hill the car does not start moving for a few seconds.  It is almost like the transmission has to build up pressure to engage.  There is no banging noises, but I have noticed when I stop there the transmission seems to "catch" and add additional stopping, like you were just ready to stop and jammed the brake to the floor, but not hard.  I have changed the fluid over the life of the transmission and the fluid level is good and I changed it as my last change was about 35,000 miles ago.  There were no chunks in the fluid and it was not dark.  I have always used the Motorcraft LV fluid.  The engine seems to be running fine.  Another issue that may or may not be related is the car always starts the gas motor on acceleration.  Previously it would start on the battery and in a few seconds engage the gas engine.  Related to this I am down to 30 miles per gallon.  Typically in the Pittsburgh PA winters I would get 35 miles per gallon and in summer 38/39 miles per gallon.  Thank you for your support with my issue. 

[Viking]

My guess, with almost no knowledge of Hybrid cars, but a working knowledge of batteries and what is electric or electronic on these cars is that your hybrid batteries are getting old.  They are probably not holding as full a charge as they did when new, and so need that extra alternator boost at the beginning.  As I said tho - just a guess.

[jchoffman12345@yahoo.com]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I took the car in for service and the technician and i went for a ride.  Regrettably the car would not present the issue.  I did drive and I was able to describe what was happening at the condition we encountered on the test drive.  The technician had run into my problem and check the car for codes, there were none.  He did find there is a software change.  I authorized the repair and shortly after that turned the car over to my daughter (sold not given).  She has not had the issue since.  This may be the solution.  The dealer did state that the software changed the way the batteries were treated and should extend the live, so thank you to Mr. Viking for the input.  Problem solved. 

P.S. I just purchased my second MKz Hybrid.  A 2018 Hybrid with 18k miles.  I am happy with the car after the first few weeks of ownership, but know it does drive differently from the 2012..