I had an epiphany the other day regarding our goofy transmissions. I was remembering a trip to Europe, where on several occasions I found myself occupying the passenger seat in a manual transmission car driven by a local. It nearly drove (STS) me crazy that their shift points were so insanely early, just like our manumatics. My theory, then, is that our shift points were patterned after the typical European driving style. Without extensive survey work, they would have had no way to know that here in the good 'ol US of A we shift at a higher rpm and don't lug around at 36mph in fifth gear. And that a lot of us would have preferred a true manual.
Not to be overly negative, but I sincerely hope that my next smart (yes, I really do like it that much) will have a real manual transmission and that between now and then someone will offer a remap of the shift schedule for the automatic feature of the current tranny.
The "lugging" in 4th or 5th gear at around-town speeds makes auto mode useless (IMHO). It almost feels as if it's bad for the engine.
Why smart, why? Please give us a clutch pedal!
The acceleration shift points are okay, but as you back off the gas to cruise along at 30mph it shifts into 4th gear and then it's "chug, chug, chug" like it's a garden tractor.
The "lugging" in 4th or 5th gear at around-town speeds makes auto mode useless (IMHO). It almost feels as if it's bad for the engine.
Why smart, why? Please give us a clutch pedal!
The acceleration shift points are okay, but as you back off the gas to cruise along at 30mph it shifts into 4th gear and then it's "chug, chug, chug" like it's a garden tractor.
I drive most of the time in the manual mode. What you are saying may be quite likely, BandSofC. It would be nice to know what the max efficiency point of the Mitsu engine were and the maximize economy, keep the rpms at that point as much as possible with gradual accels to get it there. (egg pedaling to some degree).
I really do hate lugging the engine and will not allow very much of that as I feel it is injurious, long term, to the internals of the engine. JMGF (Just my gut feeling).....
MB's decision to use this this trans in our new NA 451's is a real marketing and engineering blunder. It is only marginally better than the Euro models we drove on the tour.
Little Japanese engines love mid and high RPMs. In our cars 3-3.5 k is is a sweet spot, and 3rd-4th gear manual is a pleasure to run through town. On the road at 4-5k the engine just sings.
I only run now in stick manual, and the car is a pleasure to drive.
I know, but why?
My salesman speculated there wasn't enough room for another pedal.
Life with the smart would be so much simpler if they had put in a normal manual transmission. No one would be questioning how it works, or worrying about unusual clutch wear. ...No clutch motor to wear out, no key interlock to break. ...You'd be able to coast up to a stop (saving gas). ...I'd be able to make the car move in some snow.
Look at how much of this forum is concerned with this odd ball transmission.
I know, but why?
My salesman speculated there wasn't enough room for another pedal.
Life with the smart would be so much simpler if they had put in a normal manual transmission. No one would be questioning how it works, or worrying about unusual clutch wear. ...No clutch motor to wear out, no key interlock to break. ...You'd be able to coast up to a stop (saving gas). ...I'd be able to make the car move in some snow.
Look at how much of this forum is concerned with this odd ball transmission.
A well driven manual will outperform an automatic... Offer free beer and you can't fill a hall with people that will admit they can't hang with Fangio.
karl
I know, but why?
My salesman speculated there wasn't enough room for another pedal.
Life with the smart would be so much simpler if they had put in a normal manual transmission. No one would be questioning how it works, or worrying about unusual clutch wear. ...No clutch motor to wear out, no key interlock to break. ...You'd be able to coast up to a stop (saving gas). ...I'd be able to make the car move in some snow.
Look at how much of this forum is concerned with this odd ball transmission.
No standing on the clutch pedal in stop and go traffic with the current setup... I'll keep the current tranny, thanks.
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