Transmission Problems and Driving Style?

msjohnson1974 · 05-02-2008, 06:18 AM

Since there is at least a few threads and several people looking to storm the gates at smart USA with torches and pitchforks it occured to me that the problems could be to do with how people are driving.

By gently in the poll I mean that you don't floor it on a regular basis.

**jwight** · 05-02-2008, 06:30 AM

No problems so far (will probably regret saying that!) and I've been driving somewhat aggressively in Auto [D] for the short time we've had the car. My opinion only, but your foot tells the car what to do; if you're hesitant with the throttle the car will sort of putter away with the "rocking" motion on shifts. If you push the pedal sharply to about the 3/4 position the car takes off like a rocket and shifts at around 4.5K to 5K rpm - pretty impressive at stoplights and it's fooled some people around Dayton.

Wizco · 05-02-2008, 07:59 AM

The auto function really aggravated me. It's doing what it was programmed to do, getting to a high a gear as possible, as quickly as possible to increase mileage. I'd prefer to wind it out a bit more, screw the mileage, but have a little more power to manuever.

After day 2, I went to the paddle shifters full time, and have been there since.

**jwight** · 05-02-2008, 08:40 AM

Wizco, try the technique above; once I stumbled on it I've had no trouble getting the shifts to hold until around 5K rpm if that's what I want. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

NY Smartie · 05-02-2008, 08:48 AM

no problems so far. car only 2 weeks old today. using automatic until I hit break in period (500 mi). drive medium to mellow, trying for max gas mileage.

no probs at all so far.

SeaDoc · 05-02-2008, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwight

Wizco, try the technique above; once I stumbled on it I've had no trouble getting the shifts to hold until around 5K rpm if that's what I want. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

what mileage are you getting using this process???

Wizco · 05-02-2008, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwight

Wizco, try the technique above; once I stumbled on it I've had no trouble getting the shifts to hold until around 5K rpm if that's what I want. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

Hitting the gas hard will keep it from shifting for a while. That's great for merging onto the freeway. But no so much useful for a 30mph road, where I want to be doing 30ish, but not in 4th gear.

FWIW, in manual, doing the freeway merge, just floor it. As the car reaches the rev limit, it will shift to second automatically, and then to 3rd as well. You don't have to lift, or hit the paddles.

meaux61 · 05-02-2008, 09:36 AM

Excellent Idea for a poll. I was thinking of doing the same thing, but include other problems, like shifter jam and Car wont start, or are these all considered transmission problems? I would like to know the percentage of cars with problems. How many cars have been delivered on this forum and of these, how many are having serious problems? 12000 members, but only about 4000? cars delivered total in the US.
All new cars have problems. Are these problems greater than average for a new car launch?

Just wondering......Meaux

chieftmc · 05-02-2008, 09:52 AM

I see this thread going downhill fast

! Only 7 posts and already OFF subject

!

**jwight** · 05-02-2008, 11:58 AM

Actually pretty good for this crowd, IMHO. Usually off topic after the first post.

SeaDoc - no idea on the mpg; I'm down to two bars/blobs/blots or whatever now so I'll report back on this tankful. Really just trying to get the hang of the car at this point.

Wizco, I've yet to see it under 2K rpm cruising around at 35 -40 mph in town; not sure which gear it's in but it's not lugging.