Automatic Transmission switches to manual after driving a few blocks

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Permalink Reply by mr bad example on January 2, 2011 at 11:49am

another reason to get a pure. i've had mine 3 years. my only problem is it hunts between first and second at low speeds in auto. the roofs on passions glaze after a year or two. mercedes has no clue about these, a friend had his replaced twice so far. mercedes uses the same material on their brand cars with the same failure.

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Permalink Reply by Micheline le Hardy de Beaulieu on January 2, 2011 at 12:21pm

Hi:

I am also a 2010 Passion owner since August. You could trust me and could be sure that inadvertently you touched the paddle.... is really very sensitive. That happened to me twice and I also was sure I had not touched the paddle. At first, I was very worried but then I was careful and I realized that it happened because accidentally I touch the paddle.

I hope you feel more relaxed knowing that other people have experienced the same thing.

Micheline

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Permalink Reply by Daisy Chin on January 3, 2011 at 10:29am

I actually wanted a Pure but the dealer on have Passion so I bought this one. I am 100% positive I did not touch the paddle on the steering wheel as my hand was grabbing the wheel in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock position. I had to stop and put car in park and shift back to drive and after a few block it switched back to 1.

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Permalink Reply by CROCK 42 on January 3, 2011 at 11:42am

>> had to stop and put car in park and shift back to drive

No need to STOP...Just hold the "+" paddle in for TWO seconds and the "D" should return.

I love to use the paddle shift option.

Jerry

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Permalink Reply by Daisy Chin on January 3, 2011 at 12:33pm

Hi Jerry. Thanks very much for this great tip. Just want to make sure I understand -- I do not have to step on the brake to stop the car. Just continue driving and hold the "+" paddle in. Not quite sure what that means. Do I pull the + paddle toward me while still driving or do I push it away from me while still driving. Thanks MUCHO.

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Permalink Reply by CROCK 42 on January 3, 2011 at 1:53pm

>>Do I pull the + paddle toward me while still driving or do I push it away from me while still driving.

Pull the "+" paddle "toward" you--Yes! While still driving--Yes!

***NOTE*** This is on my 2009 Passion!

While my wife was driving my leg bumped the stick shift and put the trans into manual 5th...No big deal...untill she was going up a long grade LOL The smart just went slower and slower. She was not used to the smart car, and did not think to downshift :-) I slaped the stick back into auto and told her to STEP on the gas...all was OK.

If you are in a lower gear and forget to upshift---The smart car WILL upshift to the next gear at max-RPM.

Jerry

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Permalink Reply by Daisy Chin on January 3, 2011 at 6:43pm

Jerry, again THANKS ZILLIONS -- you've been a great help to me. How hard do I have to pull the paddle towards me? Reason why I ask is I have an elbow injury and it hurts when I have to pull or push or pick up more than 5 pounds.

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Permalink Reply by CROCK 42 on January 3, 2011 at 10:02pm

>>How hard do I have to pull the paddle towards me?

Not hard at all. You could do with a flick of a fingernail ;-)

Jerry

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Permalink Reply by Daisy Chin on January 4, 2011 at 9:41am

THANKS ZILLIONS, Jerry -- really appreciate your help.

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