1. Too fast starts.
Many cars with CVT are not inferior in acceleration to equally powerful rivals with automatics. But it is not worth competing to find out who is faster, if only because sudden jumps of traction provoke slipping of a belt on pulleys of a box. At such moments one part literally gnaws into another, leaving scratches and metal shavings.
Together with pulleys, torque converter friction clutches also suffer. The more abrupt loads, the faster the transmission will go to repair, and this is a very costly procedure that requires a complete disassembly.
2. Starting with two pedals
A classic automaton trick will not work in this case, and will not make the start of a variable speed drive noticeably sharper. But it would cause fast heating of the oil in the torque converter, which would have an impact on the characteristics, and as a result reduce the service life. The requirements to the oil in variator are probably even stricter, than in automatics. Keep in mind.
3. skidding
This trick is unlikely to work on dry pavement due to the smooth nature of the continuously variable transmission. But when there is ice or snow on the road, slipping can cause not only shock loads on the variator, but also a strong slippage of the belt - its main element. In winter time both short-term slipping and long monotonous slipping in place are dangerous. For example, in a snowdrift or near an icy curb. If it is possible, it is better to take an obstacle "on the move" or not to persist at all.
4. Severe off-road and "tractor" mode.
Variators hardly endure increased loadings, and the towing of the automobile, as well as any other pulling out of mud or snow, can finish the aggregate at all. It is necessary to be more careful on serious lack of roads. If automatic transmission copes well with slow driving uphill or starting "in a stretch", then the excessive torsional moment of the engine in variator is spent for slipping of the belt on pulley surfaces. And this is unnecessary wear.
5. Incorrect and untimely maintenance
First of all, we are talking about oil changes. The frequency recommended by the manufacturer (the first change - usually not earlier than 80-100 thousand km) is designed in such a way, that nothing happens to variator during warranty period. But even with this cycle the oil can lose its properties, and the box can accumulate fine chips, which are created by the slippage of the belt and accelerate the wear of parts.
But just updating the oil isn't enough: you need to clean the sump, catch magnets, hydraulic valves, and a complete filter change. It's important to do all this in time, ignoring the quick flush and express pressure change procedures if possible. These are dangerous in that metal particles will not be removed and will redistribute back into the variator.
6. Shifting into neutral during coasting
Variators are structurally simpler than automatic transmissions and work much less on the engine. Therefore it makes no sense to shift in neutral while driving - all possible losses in power train are initially reduced and you will not notice any appreciable fuel saving from driving in neutral. Therefore do not handle the lever unnecessarily, disconnecting the engine and gearbox in motion.
7. Ignoring neutral and park mode at short stops
But at stops - even relatively short, lasting from a minute - it makes sense to activate neutral (N) or parking mode (P). In this sense, the recommendations for automatic and continuously variable transmissions are exactly the opposite. If the "automatics" and "robots" don't need to switch complex mechanisms, the CVT has nothing to switch, but to get rid of the mechanical stress, which the torque converter transfers to the pulleys and the belt, will be to the point. For this the box will definitely thank you.
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