Sloooooooooow shifting

[fastkars52]

Hello,

My wife and I recently test drove a Smart and liked everything but the slow response to shifting while in manual mode. We both found that enough of an irritant to postone a purchase until I find the aftermarket goods that will substantially decrease the shift response time. If anyone knows of anyone who offers Smart transmission upgrades please let me know. Thank you.

[Smartfor2guy]

Dont like it, dont buy it.... I like it, I bought it

[SeaDoc]

Me too - it's very endearing after a bit... reminds me of a late 60's bug... without a clutch... ahhhh, to be a teenager again...

[stevenvillatoro]

Love the transmission. Quirky at first, but as it quickly got broken in, it became a perfect match for the car.

[kwagar]

Drive it 500 to 1000 miles and you will grow to appreciate the tranny and will find the shifting much better.

[Smartdavis]

Originally Posted by kwagar

Drive it 500 to 1000 miles and you will grow to appreciate the tranny and will find the shifting much better.

Agreed. I have no idea why but the tranny gets tighter after break-in. Mine is really cookin now.

[SmartCard]

Originally Posted by fastkars52

Hello,

My wife and I recently test drove a Smart and liked everything but the slow response to shifting while in manual mode.

In manual mode?? Isn't the shift response in manual mode controlled by......

the driver!?

[curtis]

fastkars52, don't giev constructive criticism, seems like this board is full of Smart Fan-Boys. I love the Smart but reality is reality.

[SmartAzz]

It is not the fastest shifting transmission, no, but two things improve after a bit that will never be evident in a test drive:

1) The car does seem to improve, I can only assume there is adaptive software in there or something because both of us drive the car for fun vs mpg (meaning in amore spirited way ) and we've found that it does feel peppier now then when we first got it (as we as better then the test drive car)

2) The driver improves no doubt about it - you first learn to use the throttle to smooth out the shifting if you wish, and as you drive it you simply find yourself adjusting for any delay. At least I did, I am in manual mode using the paddles mostly and I just find timing things second nature, which is pretty much what happens with any of the flappy paddle and or auto shifters we've had.

I was concerned about the slowness, shifting and hp, at first too - but I can tell you honestly, I am not any more and really am enjoying the car.

[Lgaruti]

Originally Posted by Smartdavis

Agreed. I have no idea why but the tranny gets tighter after break-in. Mine is really cookin now.

Now with 1200 mi on the Smart it will almost bang-shift at 1/2 -3/4 throttle in auto mode.

I don't know where all the zip and response came from but its there.

This feels like a totally different car than it did at dealer delivery time.

I can only assume the ECU learns as the miles pass.