Want a faster Gear shift?

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Permalink Reply by Ian Pellant on October 16, 2008 at 11:04pm

There seems to be a big difference in the progamming between the US pure / passion and the Aussie turbo pulse. Here, "souftouch" (Auto) is not standard; it is a $750 option. Mine tends to shift so differently in softouch that the default manual shifting possibly gives me better fuel economy and control. I'm tending to use softouch (A) mainly when in parking lot type situations where concentration on idiots cutting across takes precedence over driving.

softouch on my smart will not shift into and hold 5th gear at speeds less than 50 mph / 80 kph. Manual will allow chugging down to 60 kph / 37 mph (1740 rpm) in 5th without much blinking of the shift down arrow. That's why I posted earlier that the softouch programming on my car seems set to higher shift points aimed at performance, more than economy.

Manual shifts are fast and smooth. I use the same accelerator movements as I would with a normal manual transmission, the smart electric clutch does exactly what I would do with a clutch pedal. (I have driven manual trannies for 40 years; never keen on automatics.) So I'm still a bit ambiguous about the softouch auto program.

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Permalink Reply by BigPerformance on October 20, 2008 at 4:35pm

"As I understand Smart has one ECU that controls the whole car. On the other hand cars like BMW and Mercedes have 2 units. One is the ECU and the other is the TCU. The TCU controls the Transmission in those cars. In the Smart the ECU runs the whole operation. As my car was remaped by Veloce tuning the car shifts faster and runs stronger. A few other people on this form have had their cars remaped and experience the same. I posted my video so you can judge the gear changes."

The smart 451 has TWO "ECUs" one for the engine and one for the gearbox.

Part numbers are as follows.

Transmission control unit A4515453232
Engine control unit A1321501979

Hope this clears it up once and for all.

BigPerformance

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Permalink Reply by Carlos on October 20, 2008 at 7:00pm

Your'e right, i'm also convinced now that the USA fortwo's have different gearbox ECU, cause in my country (The Netherlands) the 451 never goes into 5th at such a low speed. The shifting is very smooth and much much much better than the 450.

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Permalink Reply by Carlos on October 20, 2008 at 6:48pm

I think that in the USA the auto mode is programmed different than in other countries. Cause here in Europe it wont shift into 5th gear under 80 km/h! (50mph!)

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Permalink Reply by Ian Pellant on October 20, 2008 at 8:02pm

Thanks Carlos,

I have the same in Australia. The USA auto mode must be different programming as well as a different shift stick. In manual it will indicate an upshift from 4th to 5th at speeds between 60 and 80 kph. Shift and it stays in 5th in manual. Press the softouch auto button and it shifts down to 4th. Auto will not hold 5th at speeds below 80 kph.

The remaining question is whether the USA has a different clutch actuator program that is causing complaints about slow shifts. My pulse shifts quickly and smoothly, there isn't a long delay.

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Permalink Reply by Carlos on October 21, 2008 at 8:02am

I think it's just the idea that makes this problem. People compare it with a normal automatic gearbox, and if you do that, the smart gearbox is jerky. But in Europe, most people drive stickshift and if you get into a smart then, the gearbox is a nice feature. But i have to admit that I use the auto mode rarely, cause it shifts at higher revs that i would do. (3500 rpm+)

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Permalink Reply by marco on October 23, 2008 at 10:45am

Help!!!!! I don't succeed atrovare someone that programs my electronic of the gear!!!!! can you give me the name of....."company in italy that sell the software to be able to reprogram the gearbox"
thanks

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Permalink Reply by BigPerformance on October 23, 2008 at 11:55am

Big are pleased to announce that we are now doing gearbox ECU upgrades

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Permalink Reply by Tony Farrell on October 23, 2008 at 12:27pm

where is this available???

I'm in the US

thank you

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Permalink Reply by BigPerformance on October 23, 2008 at 12:53pm

I am in the UK.
You can send the engine and gearbox ECUs to me to be remapped.
£375 for the engine ECU remap and/or £375 for the gearbox ECU remap.

Both for £600

Ian@BigPerformance.co.uk

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Permalink Reply by Logan J on October 23, 2008 at 1:12pm

Where is the gearbox ECU located? Just curious.

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Permalink Reply by marco on October 29, 2008 at 12:25pm

where is this available?

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