Can Someone Please Explain + -

Springlering · 05-20-2008, 07:11 AM

Can someone please explain the + - thing to me?

I thought I understood it until I read the owners manual, and now I am utterly confused, (which is probably what I get for reading the manual in the first place!)

Our salesperson explained that "D" was Automatic, and + - was manual. Voila! Simple, easy to understand.

But I see in the owners manual that you can move the shifter backwards and forwards in the + - position.

What does this do?

And while I'm at it, can you change from Auto to Manual on the fly, or should you be at a complete stop to change over?

Thanks!

**JPaul** · 05-20-2008, 07:23 AM

When you toggle (no problem, even while moving, "on the fly") your shifter towards your leg, from the "D" - for "drive" (automatic) - to the "manual" +/- position, you can then push forward to up-shift (towards the +), or downward to down-shift (towards the -). As you would do with the steering wheel paddles is you opted for a passion. Helps?

stevenvillatoro · 05-20-2008, 07:24 AM

You can change from 'D' (Auto) to Manual at any time on the fly, regardless of speed. In Manual mode, '+' moves your gear up (1... 2... 3...) just as if you were changing gears manually in any car. The shift pattern is not an 'H' pattern, however... it's just a forward light push on the lever (or pull on the paddle shifters). The '-' movement in the opposite direction will downshift (3... 2... 1...). Tired of shifting? Slap it in 'D' and relax. At first, you may forget whether you're in Auto or Manual mode, but the consequences are nothing more than a look of embarrassment when you think it should be shifting automatically when you've forgotten that you're in manual mode, or vice-versa. I switch back-and-forth in my drive modes all the time, depending on conditions and what I favor. Have fun with it!

kwagar · 05-20-2008, 07:25 AM

In Manual the readout will tell you what gear you are in such as 1, 2, 3 etc. The arrow tells you when to shift up to a higher gear or down to a lower gear.
You can shift using the paddles or by using the gearshift by moving it forward or backward.

You can change from Auto to Manual on the fly at anytime.

Just go out and drive it and try these things and you will get used to it quickly.

Dave Van · 05-20-2008, 07:25 AM

Push shifter forward.....trans upshifts....pull shifter back...trans downshifts. Come to a complete stop and trans goes back to first gear without intervention. I always come to a stop before changing modes. Works great!!

stevenvillatoro · 05-20-2008, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Van

I always come to a stop before changing modes.

No need to come to a stop to change modes. Don't even bother slowing down!

Springlering · 05-20-2008, 07:33 AM

*smacks self on head*

Thank you for the quick answers, gentlemen.

So it's just an alternative to shifting via paddle. Damn, and I was hoping it was some kind of turbo boost. Too much watching Clarkson on the TV, I guess.

Broken Kid · 05-20-2008, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Springlering

Damn, and I was hoping it was some kind of turbo boost. Too much watching Clarkson on the TV, I guess.

Aww...I figured if it's a smart car, it could do addition and subtraction. You really have to search to find the * and / keys though. ;)

Dave Van · 05-20-2008, 08:15 AM

Quote:

No need to come to a stop to change modes. Don't even bother slowing down!

Good to know....but I don't even use the 'on the fly' 2 wheel to 4 wheel shift on the wifes Jeep! I am just too old school!! I remember when you had to stop, cut the car off, get out to switch modes!!

Springlering · 05-20-2008, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broken Kid

Aww...I figured if it's a smart car, it could do addition and subtraction. You really have to search to find the * and / keys though. ;)

bwahahahaha!!!!!! There's no Square Root function, though. Nobody could drive a Smart and be square at the same time. ;-)