Transmission observation...

[3slndr]

I agree with supergeek,though I tend to shift @3500 to4500seems to be the sweet spot in the rpm sounds great with the remus exhaust ecu even blips the throtle during down shifts,this trait is subdued with the stock pipe .Sure is fun to drive kind of like owning street legal quad, with air conditioning.

[deltadart]

I remember the first time my dad let me drive the car. It was a 1966 VW Beetle with the 4 speed manual transmission. I was 12 years old and he said your going to learn to use a clutch because anyone can drive an automatic. I had a motorcycle since I was 9 so I already knew how the clutch and shifting of the gears went. I was really glad I learned how to drive the manual transmission. In some cars it's the only way to go.

[jonnysan]

Originally Posted by fpage77

I've always driven in D but not so sure how to drive in manual. I've never driven a manual transmission so how do you know when to change gears.

20mph...2nd
30mph...3rd
40mph...4th
50mph...5th

Simple as that. The automatic schedule is pretty close to this both on the downshift and upshift, I have found. The only way it would be different is if you kick it down by flooring it.

[wiltjk]

Information Overload...

So, we all have our crutches to help us know when to shift, right? RPMs, throaty sound of exhaust system, MPH, etc. (all great suggestions, by the way)

Still, to a person new to manual shifting, this all can be intimidating, fostering more fear than the good intentions it is meant to offer (when everyone tells me how easy bungy-jumping is, I tend to still question whether or not it's for me).

I treat manual shifting like potty-training. The best advice for potty-training is to not take any advice on potty-training as it will only frustrate when your child doesn't match up to what the books you read or others tell you.

Rather, just do it and find what works for you. The smart has no clutch and will shift for you in manual mode when it's limits are reached, so there is no need to fear you will damage anything.

As you play with it, you'll figure it out

Now, once you hurdle that first hump of adoption (and you're shifting like the best) the advice from others in this post can most certainly help you refine what you've learned to optimize for mileage, sensation, or performance.

Besides, you'll find that it's really fun!

[John_H]

Originally Posted by wiltjk

So, we all have our crutches to help us know when to shift, right?

But it's an electric crutch controlled by the computer in both automated an manual modes.

[jwight]

The smart has no clutch...

Make that clutch pedal.

[mredding]

I have driven a manual gear shift for many, many years and moving to an automatic drive is quite a different experience. First my left leg was always jumping up to go to the clutch and then my left arm gets ready to change gear, but these impulses are fading now.

I find the automatic driving causes a lot of lurching, which is when I reach for the gear lever.

I will switch to manual once I am more familiar with the car. There is a lot to get used to. But I am very happy with it, and I have only had it for three days.