Pros and Cons of Manual vs Automatic Shifting?

[Ron F]

Originally Posted by jwight

I'm going to drag out this dead horse one more time - the smart does not "lug" the engine in "D." Period. In auto mode the computer controls the shift points; if it feels the car needs more rpm, it will downshift to provide them. If it hasn't downshifted, the increased rpm aren't needed. No matter what we think we know, or feel, this isn't 50 year old technology, the car doesn't have an "automatic transmission" and what we believe isn't as important as how the car really functions.

Yes, the kickdown option is always there but with the 2.0 upgrade a couple of flicks on the "-" paddle gets the same result and faster, IMHO. YMMV, of course.

Your whole argument is based on the computer knowing what is best for the shift points. How does the computer know this? Because HUMAN BEINGS program it. And if those human beings, who work for the manufacturer, are told to ensure that the car gets higher mpg they program the computer to shift into a higher gear at a lower RPM. Perhaps this is fine but it is not because the computer knows it. It much more likely is because, as "Stressed Member" stated "with a 2.83 bore and 3.22 stroke it's certainly built for torque".

[theguywiththelongestname]

I drive manual mode 98% of the time: I really only go into automatic mode for heavy congestion/stop-n-go conditions...or if I'm drinking the morning coffee while driving...

[Old smart]

I'm 100% stick and my wife is 100% rubbershift. That must be a challenge for the transmission "learning." If I could, I would give up the paddles for some other option. They are OK in a relatively straight line, but nigh-useless in a turn.

[jwight]

Originally Posted by Ron F

Your whole argument is based on the computer knowing what is best for the shift points. How does the computer know this? Because HUMAN BEINGS program it. And if those human beings, who work for the manufacturer, are told to ensure that the car gets higher mpg they program the computer to shift into a higher gear at a lower RPM. Perhaps this is fine but it is not because the computer knows it. It much more likely is because, as "Stressed Member" stated "with a 2.83 bore and 3.22 stroke it's certainly built for torque".

Ron - I, like 99.9% of the population, know that humans program computers so didn't feel the need to (re)state the obvious...

The point for me is the smart engineers know the car, know it's capabilities and limitations, and so do not program the car's computer to achieve mileage at the expense of engine longevity (e.g., lugging the engine.)

[pabille]

Manual for me all the time. Problems do occur, though. Unlike a true gear shift, there is not the positive feel of gearshift placement. Coming around a quick corner, the steering wheel blocks the gear display on the LCD screen. So, I have to rely on each paddle tap or gear shift movement to be a positive downshift with sequential shifting. Sometimes that is not the case though. The computer doesn't recognize my gear shift command and I get stuck rounding a corner in 3rd. Boo!
Yeah, I know it's not a race car but you have to admit. It's fun to play like one.

[rfernatt]

Originally Posted by pabille

Manual for me all the time. ... Yeah, I know it's not a race car but you have to admit. It's fun to play like one.

Same here. There's nothing like dropping from 4th to 2nd in a properly executed double downshift and having the timing just right to come out of a tight curve with some ooomph! I was starting to get the hang of it on the Dragon run...

[Karl Roth]

Before I bought the car I thought the manual aspect of shift control would make the car more enjoyable. The reality has been that the paddles or the stick bring me very little satisfaction. With almost no advantage for getting it right and no penalty for getting it wrong other than unnecessary fuel use whats the point. Seems to me that "manually shifting" this rig is a bit like pleasuring your self. Go right ahead, you can probably do better than any one, but think twice about bragging about it.
karl

[TMACK]

[QUOTE Seems to me that "manually shifting" this rig is a bit like pleasuring your self. Go right ahead, you can probably do better than any one, but think twice about bragging about it.
karl[/QUOTE]

Oh Krist, I'm never going to "manually" my smart again.

[jwight]

I stopped when I needed glasses.

[Mister P]

I can't see! I CAN'T SEE!

Oh wait, back to "D"...