Question concerning shifting in manual

[jmascia5]

I just picked up my white/black passion today. Have not had much time to review book yet; it's been a long and very exciting day!

My question is what does the up arrow mean when in manual mode? The shift gear and up arrow alternate on the digital display.

Thanks, John

[NCC1701]

Means your engine revs are high enough to warrant shifting up to the next gear.

Congrats! Enjoy your new smart!

[jmascia5]

Thanks NCC1701! John

[Cruising n Coasting]

I don't have the tach in mine, can anyone tell me what speed you are driving when you hit redline in each gear. I am looking for info to install a $60 shift light, but this will help me for now since I am on a budget and can't afford the $400 dealer installed tach. Thanks in advance.

[mdfortwoguy]

Save up, buy the tach for $250 and install it yourself - it is very very easy to do. It's a couple of screws and 1 wire to plug in.

[JPaul]

IMHO, the only time knowing the RPM would be advisable is during the break in, to avoid over-revving above the 3,000 limit. After that, as 'whalepilot' wrote, the car takes care of itself. Furthermore, the driver has by then gotten used to the sound of the engine. Unless it's the sound of the over-revving audio...

[Cruising n Coasting]

Not much help in here. I guess I will have to wait for Motor Trend or Car and Driver to do a write up.

[Drivenorth]

If you make every shift at the red line you will soon be able to start a thread about how easy (or difficult) it is to rebuild the little Mitsu 3 cylinder. I suppose without a tach you can just floor the gas until the rev-killer causes the engine to buck. Then again, in Miami you should be able to find a used WRX for less than you paid for your Smart. You will even get a good trade-in price since every dealer I know would love to have a used Smart on the front row to show how much more desirable their peices of junk are.
I, also, drive too fast and find the tach is invaluable.
p.s. Don't you just love he price that Daimler-Benz charges for our parts?

[SmartCard]

Originally Posted by Cruising n Coasting

I am looking for info to install a $60 shift light.....

why, that's what the dummy arrow is for!? basically you can coodinate your shifts with mph - shift into 2nd by 20, 3rd by 30, 4th by 40 mph, 5th by 50.
That should keep you under 3500 in each gear.

[MPrice2984]

The tach is easily the best $110 you can spend. If you like to shift for your self it is really good for keeping the engine in the sweet spot (no lugging) so you are not constantly down shifting.