I intend to buy a 2009 Smartcar next week and I read a review of a 2008 model which said that the transmission. both manual and automatic are really bad. I will take test drive next. Any comments
The transmission is not an automatic transmission. Flat out, if you expect the performance of the heavy, lower mileage, torque-converter style transmissions, your experience will be less than you hope.
If you like the light weight, better mileage, and convenience of a automated manual transmission, it's fine. The 2009 is less "jerky" than the 2008s were originally. For those who are still uncomfortable with the automated selection fo the gears, you can drive the car in manual mode without a clutch. You can use the shifter at your side (or paddles on the steering wheel for all but the pure) to upshift and downshift at your discretion.
If you've ever been the passenger is a reasonably well driven manual car, you know how the Smart will likely feel when you let it choose its own gears.
It's not the stinkpile of pleghmetal that some of these review lead you to believe.
I love my car and I do not have a problem with the transmission. It transmits! What more do I need?
The programming that control the transmission is different for 2009 models in fact they have up free update for 2008 models. I have a 2009 model and really have nothing to compare to as I'm not sure what the 2008 felt like when it shifted. The transmission being manual (automated clutch) you can definitely tell though when it changes gear. The reviewers seem to be reviewing it like it was a automatic transmission.
I had a 2008 and now a 2009. The 2008 with the update was similar enough to the 2009 that there was not really much difference. Like posted, it is an automated manual transmission. don't expect an automatic transmission. It works just fine. You can always use the 'manual mode' if you need to.
Yes, it's a manual. The computer merely does the clutch itself and matches RPMs like a good manual driver would. It's practically impossible to get better timing with a typical manual transmission when you consider the half dozen actions to switch between gears. The reviewers only think it's slower because they're disappointed they can't push the manly clutch, rev the engine abnormally high, and move the manly gearshift to make the little car go zoom-zoom.
These are the same people that buy a manual only for the sporty feel, and they want to be fully involved in the very manual process - like having a manual camera. In the Smart, manual mode is sporty for its own size and is actually a fun way to drive. Auto mode is easier and gets you better MPGs because the computer will be happy at 1500RPMs and your instincts would be to stay at 2500.
Yes, it's a manual. The computer merely does the clutch itself and matches RPMs like a good manual driver would. It's practically impossible to get better timing with a typical manual transmission when you consider the half dozen actions to switch between gears. The reviewers only think it's slower because they're disappointed they can't push the manly clutch, rev the engine abnormally high, and move the manly gearshift to make the little car go zoom-zoom.
These are the same people that buy a manual only for the sporty feel, and they want to be fully involved in the very manual process - like having a manual camera. In the Smart, manual mode is sporty for its own size and is actually a fun way to drive. Auto mode is easier and gets you better MPGs because the computer will be happy at 1500RPMs and your instincts would be to stay at 2500.
So true !!
I've had many manuals over the years, and I always shifted "by ear". I've developed a little game with my smart trying to guess when it will shift when in Auto. The lower gears get me every time; it always shifts earlier than I would have.
The reviewers are correct about the auto mode of this transmission but not of the manual mode. It shifts just fine and, in fact, without having to bother with pushing a clutch pedal in and out continually it is simple, not tiring, and effective. In fact the way this manual mode works was one of the things that attracted me to this car.
However, I also drive sports cars and motorcycles. The shift speed of the manual in the smart can't compare. The car is not a sports car though, so that is irrelevant. I take my time driving it and enjoy the smoothness and ease of shifting. By the way, to get a smooth shift manually the technique is as follows - make the shift and immediately after shifting release the throttle slightly then reapply it gradually. Depending upon the rpm's you shift at, the shift can be so smooth that a passenger will not know the car was shifted. Using the paddles on the steering wheel is an effortless and undetectable movement of a single finger.
If the car you are choosing has a tach, and as far as I'm concerned that is mandatory with this engine, then don't shift under 3000 rpm, particularly in the higher gears. The auto mode was programmed to get maximum fuel mileage and as such will want to shift far too early - of course that depends on throttle position, but even so it wants to keep shifting up when you might not want it to. This becomes annoying after awhile. The result is a rough running engine bordering on lugging and very little power available. The remedy is to just use the manual mode. The power begins to feel lively above 3000. Also, it is vey easy to reach redline particularly in first and second gears. Watch the shift from first.
If you approach driving this car in the right way it will be rewarding. It is different to say the least so don't expect it to behave as any other car you may have driven. Gas mileage can be exceptional or just somewhat above average depending on how hard the car is driven. I've had mileages of over 70 mpg (imperial) and as low as 35 mpg (imperial) that would be about 56 mpg (US) and about 30 mpg (US).
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tmater
1999 Ford Expedition
Smart
Today
Linear Mode
