Transmission Tricks

fangorn0 · 03-23-2008, 02:40 PM

Hi all!

My smart center emailed me and told me my car should be here in early May, and I got to thinking about what I will be able to do different with this car because it's a manual transmission.

I have driven plenty of manuals (I worked as a valet last summer) but I have never owned one or driven for an extended period of time. For those of you are experienced standard drivers, what are some things I will be able to do with the smart that will influence mileage, performance, or fun?

Thanks!

ps. I searched for this kind of thread but didn't find it. If it already exists please post me a link.

spdickey · 03-23-2008, 03:36 PM

To get best mileage, drive very very slowly.

To get best fun, drive very very fast.

To get both, use moderation when driving.

SmartAzz · 03-23-2008, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fangorn0

Hi all!

My smart center emailed me and told me my car should be here in early May, and I got to thinking about what I will be able to do different with this car because it's a manual transmission.

I have driven plenty of manuals (I worked as a valet last summer) but I have never owned one or driven for an extended period of time. For those of you are experienced standard drivers, what are some things I will be able to do with the smart that will influence mileage, performance, or fun?

Thanks!

ps. I searched for this kind of thread but didn't find it. If it already exists please post me a link.

You know it's not a usual manual, meaning there is no clutch pedal, right?

fangorn0 · 03-23-2008, 07:44 PM

Quote:

You know it's not a usual manual, meaning there is no clutch pedal, right?

Oh of course! I have driven the new smart a few times now. I just assumed there are still some things that one could do since it is still a manual, clutchless or not.

74AMX304V8 · 03-23-2008, 08:21 PM

tricks???? doing 10 grand neutral slams, wiil make your tranny disappear in a cloud of smoke

spdickey · 03-23-2008, 08:28 PM

Okay, here's one trick. Try to shift the car while the steering wheel is turned 1/2 way around while making a hard left turn. Pretty tricky!

Okay, here's a legit one. You can move quickly through the gears by double or triple tapping the paddles (or the stick).

xcrew229x · 03-23-2008, 09:47 PM

The transmission is great once you figure out what it wants. And get in your head that it's not an automatic in the terms you've always known one. I've had mine now for 17 days, and it's starting to feel natural.

SmartAzz · 03-23-2008, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fangorn0

Oh of course! I have driven the new smart a few times now. I just assumed there are still some things that one could do since it is still a manual, clutchless or not.

Just checking

smart1 · 03-24-2008, 01:07 AM

The transmission is kind of fun- more than I expected. I usually leave it in the automatic mode, but even there it's interesting. The shift points seem to depend on how hard the car is accelerating. I've noticed that if I'm in no rush, and I accelerate slowly, the car upshifts sooner (at slower speeds). When I accelerate quicker, the shift points occur at higher speeds. For example, I notice that the shift from 3rd to 4th can happen anywhere between about 25 mph and about 32 mph depending on acceleration. After a bit of practice, I find I can anticipate the shifts better, and slightly release the accelerator for a smoother shift. I'm thinking I'll really use the manual mode mostly when I'm climbing hills or on mountain roads.

mdfortwoguy · 03-24-2008, 04:56 AM

I actually prefer this over a standard automatic I think.

It may be computer controlled and slow, but I hate torque converters with a passion. I like the feeling of a directly connected engine to my transmission. I am probably going to miss my clutch pedal when I am in the smart, but it's going to be an interesting study in how often mine is in D instead of +/-.