Maybe it’s just my car, but in automatic mode, it loves to shift into the highest gear possible, even if it feels like it is in too high a gear many times. If I was truly driving a standard, I would have shifted down at this point, but I am letting the transmission make the decisions in automatic mode. I know that I could put it in manual, and we would not be having this conversation, but I am looking for another solution. The real problem is when it is lugging along in 5th, and the traffic is now going up a hill, I would really like to be shifting down. I do not feel like putting the pedal to the floor to get it to shift down with bumper to bumper traffic. Is there a way to use the paddles to ask it to shift down even though it is in automatic mode?
On a '08 model..... NO; on a '09 model..... YES! I know exactly what you're saying. I just talked to the service manager yesterday about whether or not there will be a software download available soon to update the shift program on the '08s to equal that on the '09, or at least change the shift points & allow shifting with the paddles while in automatic. It isn't known yet whether it will be available or not. Although "technically" it's not lugging when the car is in 5th. gear doing 40 mph, because lugging, by definition (I had to look this up for myself when I got my car) is when you're in such a high gear that the car can't accelerate WITHOUT being downshifted, which isn't the case here. However, it sure FEELS like lugging to me, as well! I will almost always flip over to manual & downshift to 4th. gear at 40 mph, and just leave it there until I'm out of the 40 mph zone. With the '09 model, you can just downshift to 4th, and then when you're out of the zone, flip the UP paddle and hold slightly, and you're back in AUTO! So if the new software would allow that, as well as changing the 1st-to-2nd shift point (hold 1st long enough to get you through the redlight / turn, and hold 4th. until you're up to 45-50 mph, that would be nice. Of course, then your gas mileage would suffer some. How about a SPORT MODE vs. ECONOMY MODE button? Wouldn't THAT be GREAT?
Last edited by bigcritter; 12-02-2008 at 10:22 AM.
Thanks for the reply. You have hit on what I was looking for as well as some of the other ideas such as sport mode. A software update for this feature would be awesome. Mine is the 08 Passion, so it might not be that big of a step.
I have had this exact same concern for the 6 months I've had my smart. Although the use of the paddle would be great, I have found a solution by simply pushing the gas pedal almost all the way to the floor very quickly (you'll feel a click when the pedal reaches the shift point - kinda like a kick down in a real automatic transmission). This will force the transmission to downshift and take away that lugging feeling. It's an annoyance at times, but it works.
Just my $.02.
Jim
I should add, once you feel this click of the pedal, you can immediatly return your throttle to the previous position... you are only doing this to make the transmission shift, you are not 'stomping on the throttle' for acceleration reasons.
Last edited by jmartinsmart; 12-02-2008 at 10:51 AM.
I have had this exact same concern for the 6 months I've had my smart. Although the use of the paddle would be great, I have found a solution by simply pushing the gas pedal almost all the way to the floor very quickly (you'll feel a click when the pedal reaches the shift point - kinda like a kick down in a real automatic transmission). This will force the transmission to downshift and take away that lugging feeling. It's an annoyance at times, but it works.
Just my $.02.
Jim
I should add, once you feel this click of the pedal, you can immediatly return your throttle to the previous position... you are only doing this to make the transmission shift, you are not 'stomping on the throttle' for acceleration reasons.
I'll try your suggestion on the way to work today. I'm wondering, though, once you "return your throttle to the previous position", doesn't the transmission upshift right back into 5th. gear?? :>( If so, that would 'kinda defeat the purpose.
I guess you would return the throttle to a slightly higher setting since you want to accelerate, when you reach your speed reduce throttle.
Lately I noticed that in auto mode when starting to climb up a hill if the grade is steep enough it downshifts automatically even if throttle demand was still low. In mild grades it accelerates very slow and really needs heavy throttle demand to finally downshift. I think that click is a switch.
Reading this thread I am thinking, "why don't you like using the paddles? all the issues you have about lugging, being in the wrong gear, changing at the wrong time, being able to hold it in gear, would all be resolved with using the paddles and forgetting about the rediculous "auto" mode.
Remember the car is not an automatic, it is a semi manual with an automatic mode, I think it is easier to come from a manual car to the smart, than an auto to a smart, cos the smart acts more like a manual than an auto.
I think it is more about mindset than a mechanical issue, once you get your head round the fact that it is better in manual and start shifting with the paddles, which is loads of fun, the car starts to become even better.
So stop whinging about how rubbish the auto box is and have fun with the paddles.
Happy shifting.
Ellis
I might use the paddles more often if it didn't automatically downshift when I'm in manual mode; I get off the highway and have no feedback that - oh yeah - I'm in manual mode. The dual personality is the trouble.
As far as stomping to change gears, returning to "level flight" at 35mph will result in 5th gear again. I've gotten used to the buppita buppita buppita buppita of trying to add a mph at 35. Blegh.
Reading this thread I am thinking, "why don't you like using the paddles? all the issues you have about lugging, being in the wrong gear, changing at the wrong time, being able to hold it in gear, would all be resolved with using the paddles and forgetting about the rediculous "auto" mode.
Remember the car is not an automatic, it is a semi manual with an automatic mode, I think it is easier to come from a manual car to the smart, than an auto to a smart, cos the smart acts more like a manual than an auto.
I think it is more about mindset than a mechanical issue, once you get your head round the fact that it is better in manual and start shifting with the paddles, which is loads of fun, the car starts to become even better.
So stop whinging about how rubbish the auto box is and have fun with the paddles.
Happy shifting.
Ellis
I actually use the paddles/shifter quite a bit. It's probably 70% manual/30% auto. Also, I'm not whining..... just stating what my preferences would be. For instance, when I stop by to grab a bite to eat on my way to work, I would like it if I could put it in automatic and not have to worry about shifting, but I don't like going to 5th. gear before I get to 40 mph. Also, I started out driving on a '62 Chevy, 3 speed on the column, floating gears, and I've driven manual transmissions throughout my 36 yrs. of driving, including 2 1/2 ton trucks while in the Army, so I know my way around a manual transmission and understand how to drive them very well. What I don't understand is........when someone states a preference on this forum, there are always those that want to basically tell you that you don't have a right to an opinion, or if you voice an opinion or preference, you're whining, and need to keep your comments to yourself. That's what I don't really understand! :>) So "Happy Shifting" to you too! :>) That's YOUR preference.....right?? :>)
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