Transmission concensus, please

[tishpit]

O.k.... let me premise this by saying I've read TONS of forum threads and entries here as well as other sites regarding the transmission on the Smart Fortwo and how to and not to drive it in the Automatic mode. I've read test reviews from various online car sites to automotive magazines and videos who tend to also have varying suggestions and formulas as to how to enhance smooth and efficient shifts. I finally drove one and the salesman didn't seem to volunteer much info, as to me, he seemed a bit confused or uncertain as well.

I've read to put the transmission into D "drive" and just drive it like any other car. That resulted in some irritatingly long delays in shifting and whiplash-inducing shifts when I did drive one. Then I also read to leave up on the gas pedal when anticipating a shift to help it shift smoother. Then also read to remove foot from accelerator to facilitate shift. Some "experts" vehemently insist on NOT letting up on accelerator at all while driving. UGH.... alright... I'm going for a second test drive and want to do this the "RIGHT" way.

The first test drive felt to me like a man was hunkered down in the gearbox, clutching and shifting as best he could (possibly still learning). I did try letting up on the gas pedal before a shift and it did seem to shift much smoother, but don't want to drive the car "incorrectly" and possibly confuse the computer or commit some other such infraction. So here is the $50,000 question:

What is the CORRECT way to drive the Smart in the AUTOMATIC mode and still have it shifting smooth and maintaining fuel efficiency?

[SuperGeek]

Ease on the gas to about 1/3 to 1/2 throttle, then ease off when you get to the speed you want. I find that at full or 3/4 throttle, the shifting between gears 1 and 2 is pretty abrupt, especially with < 500 miles. After 500 miles the transmission loosens up quite a bit and smooths out. Regardless, if I shift at about 2800 RPMs and "just enough" throttle, it works out just fine. If you've got a big honkin' truck behind you that wants you to go faster, you may have to step on it for a 1/2 second and then lay off; that'll still signal the computer to shift at a high RPM.

[dbwill]

A demo car will shift nothing like your own car will after you have driven it for a while and the transmission has "learned" your driving style. The consensus of folks in our area is not to lift your foot for the shift. After about 1000 to 1500 miles it will greatly improve. I have found that for normal driving (easy and mild acceleration) automatic works just fine. If you have to accelerate rapidly, I have found that using the paddles or shifter leaver gives better and more control.

[a2jack]

At 14k ours is trained.

The trans in D is controlled strictly by incremental changes in power levels. In other words the position of the gas peddle.

Two things that confuse the trans are: 1. letting up on the gas peddle for the shift. 2. Flooring it. Control the trans by working the gas peddle and FEELING for the gears.

For example: when you come into a corner try pressing down about a 1/4, and the trans will find the right gear to take you right around with plenty of power, and no let down.

Another example: On a uphill freeway ramp. use power to keep things turning at or around the red line.

Play with it when you get your own car. There is no way in hell you will learn anything about the trans on a test drive. Only with practice will you get it. And that's part of the fun.
A2Jack

[jonnysan]

Originally Posted by dbwill

A demo car will shift nothing like your own car will after you have driven it for a while and the transmission has "learned" your driving style. The consensus of folks in our area is not to lift your foot for the shift. After about 1000 to 1500 miles it will greatly improve. I have found that for normal driving (easy and mild acceleration) automatic works just fine. If you have to accelerate rapidly, I have found that using the paddles or shifter leaver gives better and more control.

This is an important copy of your own post....

<<<<The first test drive felt to me like a man was hunkered down in the gearbox, clutching and shifting as best he could (possibly still learning). >>>

The demo cars are constantly being confused to learn a specific technique in shifting because different drivers have driven it and they had differing shifting habits. When you get your own, it WILL learn your driving style and you will find it to shift better and better.
When I first started using the automatic mode after I got the engine broken in (initial shift schedule too flat for break-in according to my experiences so car was exclusively driven in manual mode for 1st 1000 miles) I was lifting slightly at each shift point. I quickly found that technique to be pretty much a useless practice and stopped doing it.
Before long, the shifts were much smoother and quicker (but still with some delay) and as DB and A2 have said, the trans seems to loosen up some and shifting gets smoother and more at points where I shifted it in the manual mode. It really did adaptively learn my shifting habits. Basically, it shifts into second just before 20mph, third just before 30 mph, fourth just before 40 mph and into 5th at 50. The downshifts as you brake and decel will shift almost the same if you pay attention to what it is doing as it is doing it.
This transmission, IMHO, is far and away the sleakest transmission I have ever used. Having the ability to select a manual mode or auto mode to suit driving conditions is pretty trick in my book and adding to that it's ability to adapt to your driving habits is an added plus.
So moderate your opinion of the way the trans works based on what has been said here by owners rather than journalists (unless the journalist owns a smart) because chances are the car they drove was trained by a little old lady or a some Nascar driver and the transmission may be so confused it doesn't know when to shift for you....

John

[rwjrn]

When you take if for a test ride, just drive by putting your foot on the gas when you want to go, and taking it off when you want to slow down. Give the paddles a try and shift when it feels comfortable. I read a lot of things as well about just letting up a fraction or other techniques. I like the push down the gas to go and let up to slow down technique. Letting up on the gas while shifting will cause the nasty lurch.

[74AMX304V8]

the trans doesn't learn your driving habits. you adjust to it. any gas pedal movement to facilitate shifting is at the expense of clutch disc wear. with the clutch disc only warranty covered for one year/10k miles. you decide what is worth more. as an exercise in emergency procedures, try flooring the gas pedal, while during a regular acceleration attempt ( in an appropriate safe area ) see what happens...

[mmmeat]

Originally Posted by tishpit

What is the CORRECT way to drive the Smart in the AUTOMATIC mode

Like it's an automatic.

What you probably were doing is the same thing that everyone who drives the car for the first time does: when the car starts to shift, it feels like it's losing power, so your instinct is to push the gas pedal, which doesn't do anything until the shift is completed, at which case the engine tries to 'catch up' to where you've positioned the gas pedal. This is where much of the lurching comes from initially. After you've driven one for awhile, the lurching goes away as you learn to just keep your foot in one position.

Personally, I like the paddle shifters and the 'stomp and slap' method of aggressively driving the Smart. 'Drive it like you stole it' it the modus operandi here.

...This is, however, most effective on demo cars and probably shouldn't be done on your own personal Smart.

Your pal,
Meat.

[anthony94114]

I've stopped doing 'the lift'. It just seemed to confuse the car. Now I just push and go. Repeating what others have said, the tranny gets confused in a situation where, say pulling away from a signal light.. then having to lift off the gas instead continuing to speed up -that makes the transmission hunt and guess.

I really LIKE this transmission. It offers enough to keep it an interesting drive. Hope you find your sweet spot.

[unicycle]

Despite what others have said on different threads, the consensus among 'smart' drivers seems to be what everyone says here: DON'T lift your foot up between gears. I got out of the habit early on (a few weeks), and it's def'ly better driving since then. I just place my R foot on the gas just a touch and then I wait till at least 3rd gear b4 giving more.