Does ANYONE Feel The Hesitation???

minimee · 12-14-2008, 05:45 AM

I took my first test drive last week and I was a bit uncomfortable with the hesitation I felt with the shifting when in automatic. Going from 1st to 2nd seemed too soon and the "pause" between almost felt like the car was thinking about stalling. The dealer said that they are all like this. To me this was almost a deal breaker. I didn't like the feel of it. I am hoping it's something that I am going to get used to. I have driven standards and to me, I would not be shifting that soon from 1st to 2nd or 2nd to 3rd. I know with the paddle shifters I can do the standard mode, but, I wanted to relax with the automatic, and it just didn't seem right. I have not seen anyone write about it....is it just ME???

bradgarbus · 12-14-2008, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minimee

I took my first test drive last week and I was a bit uncomfortable with the hesitation I felt with the shifting when in automatic. Going from 1st to 2nd seemed too soon and the "pause" between almost felt like the car was thinking about stalling. The dealer said that they are all like this. To me this was almost a deal breaker. I didn't like the feel of it. I am hoping it's something that I am going to get used to. I have driven standards and to me, I would not be shifting that soon from 1st to 2nd or 2nd to 3rd. I know with the paddle shifters I can do the standard mode, but, I wanted to relax with the automatic, and it just didn't seem right. I have not seen anyone write about it....is it just ME???

A little... My dealer demo-ed the car for about 2 miles telling me what to expect and how the car would behave if I did this or I did that... So when I took the wheel on the return journey I was prepared and was able to quickly learn how to reduce the hesitation. It almost seemed natural to me, but on the other hand I have never driven a manual before. I think I have seen other posts from previous manual drivers similar to yours.

The only advice I can give is this is a completely new drive train and like learning manual for the first time, it takes getting used to...

I am itching right now as I take delivery in about 3 days. I am ready to go nuts. LOL

I will be able to tell you more after that....

minimee · 12-14-2008, 06:02 AM

Thanks for the reply, I am really jealous of your delivery date! I can't get enough info on Smart. It's like I am addicted to this site! It's like therapy before delivery. Good luck with your baby.

RLove · 12-14-2008, 06:48 AM

This issue has been talked to death on this forum, I don't know how you could miss probably more posts about this than anything else about the car. I sold mine as a result of this lag - the upshifting didn't bother me so much, but when cornering, and asking for power after the turn, and having the car just coast for waht seemed an eternity...that was too much for me. Many say that you have to adapt - or that the transmission adapts to you (BS) either way, it was unacceptable.

I am going to go test drive an '09 soon since the transmission has supposedly been improved upon. We'll see...if it has been I'll be reserving one again - I really DID enjoy the car, but the transmission just ticked me off every time I drove. Your car shouldn't induce road rage.

Best of luck. I hope you enjoy your car.

**Wdhitch** · 12-14-2008, 07:03 AM

It's called a clutch...

W/B Smartie · 12-14-2008, 07:10 AM

You can control the shift points while in automatic mode by the use of the accelerator. The reason it seemed to shift early was because you were not pressing very hard on the pedal. If you want a later shift with more RPM's all you have to do is press harder on the accelerator and when you want it to shift just ease up on the pedal a little and the computer will know what you want.
The car knows what to do, how to do it, and when to do it on command, all it has to do is teach YOU how to drive it. Once you get thru your learning curve it's a blast to drive. You will need to practice honing your shifting skills thru the accelerator.
My Volvo 770 has a ten speed auto-shift that works the same way as the Smart auto-shift. This car is interactive with the driver and is so by design.
If people want to get in a car put it in D, then get on the cell phone to talk to the kids, mom/dad, boy/girl friend, mistress, or work buds then those type people need a different car built for mindless drivers.
Oops, staying on topic learn the car, IT shifts just fine, leave the friggin cell in the purse, pocket, or console, pay some attention and have some driving fun!
Hey, just my .02.
Later
Rich

RedDogInCan · 12-14-2008, 07:16 AM

There are a number of factors involved:

Firstly, it is an automated manual clutch and gearbox which is more efficient than a proper automatic but will never be as quick to change. The car also has very little weight and therefore little momentum to smooth out the changes.

When you drive a manual you anticipate the gear changes and therefore don't notice the hesitation. Next time you are driving a manual, watch your passenger's head to see just how much hesitation a manual has.

The gearbox control system has no way of anticipating the road ahead. It doesn't know you are leaving a corner and about to head uphill, and so can shift at inopportune moments. Nor does it know that you are about to plant the power whilst coasting up to an intersection and so can get caught out mid shift. Trying to drive the car hard just makes to problem worse. Someone once described it as like having a teenager changing the gears from the back seat.

Also the car is set up for maximum economy and hence the early shifts and preference to hold high gears. One possible improvement might be the introduction of a Sports Mode that has a more aggressive shift program.

I have had my Smart for a couple of months now and I can honestly say I prefer the automatic mode over the manual. I rarely notice it changing gears and only occasionally does it change inappropriately but always recovers with a minimum of fuss.

mvaldes · 12-14-2008, 07:25 AM

I've driven mine for 7800 miles and 7 months and, even in auto, there's no lag. If you do the dumb, lift your foot-ease off on the accelerator- that they tell you to do on your test dive you'll have a major lag. As you get used to the car and it breaks it, it drives (shift-time-wise) like any manual. You control the shifts with the gas pedal in auto and the the paddles or stick in manual. It's great to drive, forget the stuff about "lag."
(To paraphrase from Jet Fuel, "Flak suit on..."

SuperGeek · 12-14-2008, 07:48 AM

Yes, the issue has been discussed on a hundred threads... do a search for 'transmission' and 'lag' and 'shift' and you'll find some of them. The consensus is that it's a standard transmission, automatically shifted (officially "automated manual"), and if you expect it to be as smooth as a proper auto, you've got the wrong expectations. If you can shift a standard, this one can be as smooth as butter - with some experience. If you've never driven a standard, you're in for a learning curve - like I had. But after 500 miles you'll probably learn. Until then, don't go cutting off any soccer moms in traffic.

Plus, the first 500 miles are rough as the gears are wearing in. Mine was horrible on the first week, and it was only through discussions on this forum that I kept patience. I'm glad I kept the car.

jediknight36 · 12-14-2008, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLove

This issue has been talked to death on this forum, I don't know how you could miss probably more posts about this than anything else about the car. I sold mine as a result of this lag - the upshifting didn't bother me so much, but when cornering, and asking for power after the turn, and having the car just coast for waht seemed an eternity...that was too much for me. Many say that you have to adapt - or that the transmission adapts to you (BS) either way, it was unacceptable.

I am going to go test drive an '09 soon since the transmission has supposedly been improved upon. We'll see...if it has been I'll be reserving one again - I really DID enjoy the car, but the transmission just ticked me off every time I drove. Your car shouldn't induce road rage.

Best of luck. I hope you enjoy your car.

I test drove an 09 yesterday. It was great. The hesitation was still there, but not nearly as bad. Seems like a normal stick to me.