I’m surprised no one has mentioned keeping an eye on the tachometer. If I’m in manual mode, I will shift at no higher than 4,000 RPM’s and once I have reached cruising speed, I try to keep the tac at or below 3500. I feel this will give lastability (I love that word! ) to the engine and give better MPG. The MPG works – I’m getting about 36 around town and 42 on the highway. ‘Have not been on a long Interstate trip yet but I estimate I will be able to get 45 – 50 at a constant 70 – 75 MPH on the Interstate. I feel it would be better (constant) with cruise control.
The tach watching has helped me (to get better MPG) in other cars from Cadillacs to super-charged, turbo, Buick Regal, Grand Suuper Sport (a GREAT little car!).
I never have purchased an extended warranty on ANY car but I do plan to do it on my smart. I have been using the same mechanic for over 20 years and he has already warned me not to bring him my smart for repairs. He is willing to accomplish the oil changes but nothing else. I have been quoted about $1,800.00 for the 100,000 mile warranty. This is from the dealer in Buckhead (Atlanta). Has anyone else had a quote?
Comment & question – I have notice if I accelerate FULL THROTTLE and then back-off before it shifts to second, it remains in first! Anyone else experienced that?
Bill
most of our smarts dont have tachometers. but while i have you, at 70mph, what kind of RPM's are you doing?
This myth has been debunked in many previous posts. You only confuse the shift computer by changing the throttle position just as it commits to making a shift. Just keep a constant throttle setting and let the software smooth out the shifts. It initially shifts rather abruptly due to new parts in the clutch and transmission mechinism, but as it gets a few miles it smooths out.
Most shift complaints are due to people thinking that they bought an automatic transmissioned car and not a manual one that just happens to have a "lazy persons mode" for occasional use. Hold a constant throttle setting and shift with the paddles letting the car match revs and clutch engagement and you will be much happier. No longer will it shift into 5th at 35 mph, nor will it leave you in between gears as you try to make a quick left turn in front of oncoming traffic. Shift yourself and you will always be in the correct gear no matter what the conditions.
BTW as the engine loosens up it will stop making that horrible lugging drone below 3000 RPM and it will run sweetly between 2000 and 3000 RPM where it will give the best economy. The new fuel injected engines are designed to be driven on the torque at lower revs and not the horsepower at higher revs, unlike older designs with carbs or simpler FI systems. Remember, the gas pedal is connected to a computer and not to the engine.....
I still have the problem with hills though. if I start on a hill, the car will not shift and I need to quickly grab the shifter and push it up a gear before i redline and the cars behind me get PO'd. Same thing if I'm going fast and hit a hill. Smarty down gears, and even after I get over and am going back down the hill, it wont go back into 5th w/o me shifting. Is that a problem?
-people who thought they baught an automatic (not that I thought I did), got somthing different. If ist supposed to be a manual w/ an auto clutch, it shouldnt have the smarts, well "smarts", to shift by it's self.. right?
I still have the problem with hills though. if I start on a hill, the car will not shift and I need to quickly grab the shifter and push it up a gear before i redline and the cars behind me get PO'd. Same thing if I'm going fast and hit a hill. Smarty down gears, and even after I get over and am going back down the hill, it wont go back into 5th w/o me shifting. Is that a problem?
-people who thought they baught an automatic (not that I thought I did), got somthing different. If ist supposed to be a manual w/ an auto clutch, it shouldnt have the smarts, well "smarts", to shift by it's self.. right?
The auto clutch down shifts automatically as it sees fit, in either auto or manual mode. I was under the impression that you can over ride it.
The auto clutch down shifts automatically as it sees fit, in either auto or manual mode. I was under the impression that you can over ride it.
wow. so your smart will down gear even if you have it in manual mode? mine will do that, but only if I push the peddle all the way down and it clicks past the overdrive "snap". often I put mine into manual when I get on a hill, so it WONT down gear. ( if I want it to down gear, I do it manually)
In that way, you should be able to over ride the gearing, however, if you have ur shifter in manual shift mode, slowing down will make it automatically gear down.
wow. so your smart will down gear even if you have it in manual mode? mine will do that, but only if I push the peddle all the way down and it clicks past the overdrive "snap". often I put mine into manual when I get on a hill, so it WONT down gear. ( if I want it to down gear, I do it manually)
In that way, you should be able to over ride the gearing, however, if you have ur shifter in manual shift mode, slowing down will make it automatically gear down.
Thats what I mean. It will downshift when you slow down. If it thinks you need the down shift it will do it.
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) to the engine and give better MPG. The MPG works – I’m getting about 36 around town and 42 on the highway. ‘Have not been on a long Interstate trip yet but I estimate I will be able to get 45 – 50 at a constant 70 – 75 MPH on the Interstate. I feel it would be better (constant) with cruise control.
Big Red
R2-D2 42
Today
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