Jerky transmission

[jonnysan]

Originally Posted by tverb

First question:Yes, manual downshifting is unnecessary.

Second Question:Yes, in the manual mode the smart returns automatically to 1st when you come to a stop.

Third Question:Hence,No, you do not need to downshift.

A good time to use manual mode is when the transmission starts hunting for the right gear. Example: driving about 40 mph on a hilly road.

One thing I notice when riding at night, the car dips and rises as you go through the gears; some approaching drivers perceive this as "flashing your lights at them".

COrrect...it is not necessary to downshift, but downshifting will enhance brake pad longevity alot depending on how fast you are used to stopping.

I just wanted to add that statement modifier.

[race911]

Brake pads are cheaper than transmissions. I downshift mine if there's an entertaining turn, or I know the thing will pull an inopportune upshift. Re overrevs on manually downshifting: I haven't pushed the envelope, but I can't see how you can money shift one of these.......the computer has to be at least THAT......uh......smart!

[JRyan]

I agree, while there might be a reason in the old days with the muscle cars with tiny drum brakes, today's car have such good brakes that there is no reason to use engine braking unless you are going down a long steep hill. As you have stated, brake jobs are far cheaper than an engine rebuild.

In racing, there are legit reasons to downshift prior to entering a turn, but it is not to save the brake pad, but to put the car in the right gear to power out of the turn. In the case of the smart, there is really little reason to do that with a 70HP engine.

[KeyserSoze]

Being in the proper gear in any vehicle is always beneficial to performance and in the smart it's a necessity. Driving the Smart quickly is all about momentum and being in the right gear and rev range, period. JRyan, are you just commenting that there's little reason because you can't go quick in a 71hp car?

Personally I love getting the little Smart up to pace and being one of the fastest cars on the road.

race911: Sequential transmissions aren't suppose to allow overreving if properly programmed correctly, however I've had experience of certain systems (BMW) having sloppy programming and allowing overrevs so keep an eye on it!

[carolthompson323]

This is probably not the correct place to post this, but I'm unsure where that might be on my searches.

I have yet to take possession of my smart, however, I do have a couple of questions: Has anyone ever noted at what rpm's the engine runs say at 70 - 85 mph?

2nd question: At what speed, does the smart redline?

Really appreciate your help here.

[PeteInLongBeach]

Originally Posted by carolthompson323

Has anyone ever noted at what rpm's the engine runs say at 70 - 85 mph?
2nd question: At what speed, does the smart redline?

In 5th gear figure 21 mph per 1000 rpm. So, at 3000 rpm you will be going 63 mph, at 4000 rpm you will be going 84 mph.

Redline is about 6000 rpm, which would theoretically be 126 mph if there was enough power to do so. The car is electronically governed for a maximum speed of 90 mph.