Hello everybody!

I got a 2003 Eclipse GS with Automatic - Tiptronic transmission. Here follows my 2 questions:

1) Consider a case where I'm going downhill, or nearing to a red light, waiting at a redlight, or in any instance where I don't want to accelerate but neither want I to engine-break (let the engine slow me down by downshifting).
Do you think it is harmful for the transmission system to shift to Neutral gear (N)? Is it OK to regularly shifting to N in traffic lights? Do you think this will save fuel? How would you shift in these situations?

2) Is there anything like a "clutch balata - clutch disk" in this tiptronic transmission? Should I avoid giving the gas pedal a push while shifting manually? Will using this tiptronic transmission at all times harm my transmission system in the long run when compared to total automatic usage? What is your mileage with tiptronic / automatic? Do you advice downshifting in order to motor-brake?

Thank you for your replies. I am new to mitsubishi. Any advice on the usage of the car is appreciated.

 

Aside from the fact that the driver can control WHEN the transmission shifts up or down, the transmission will shift EXACTLY the same as one without the autostick feature and functions just the same internally. With that being said, you should drive it as you would a basic automatic transmission. There is NO reason to ease off on the throttle under acceleration while in autostick mode and no reason to have to shift it into N at the stop light.. Remember- the autostick feature only gives you the ability to lock out upshifts or downshifts until you want it to happen- its still an automatic transmission and functions like one. As for engine braking- if you feel it is really neccesary as opposed to just using your brakes- i don't see the harm if done at the appropriate RPM range. Eventually, you may just learn to just keep it in D as most other drivers do once the appeal factor wears off.

Joel, CA

 

x2 Plus the only bad thing you can really do to is is drop it in park while still moving<cool noise> or nutral bomb the tranny. Other than that its going to be just fine.

 

The only real reason to manuely shift an automatic should be in snowy or icy conditions any other reason would be to look cool...

 

Not necessarily. They have these tektonic transmissions that have the option of shifting like a standard but can also be auto. Some people just like having a standard. But then again I can't use one of THOSE cuz it takes the whole point of having the standard (The fact that you have a clutch and don't lose the power it takes to shift) out of the standard trans.

 

Some manufacturers Autostick transmissions work great and definately add a sporty feel under manual shift mode. Unfortunately, Mitsubishi's autostick is NOT one of them. It just doesn't provide a sportier feel when in manual shift mode compared to while in Drive. When making an upshift (or downshift) command, there's a definate split second lag time instead of an instantaneous shift. On top of that, the clutch timing should be altered so that it shifts more positively and aggressively into each gear- instead, the clutch timing is more set towards comfort engaging the higher gear seamlessly as if driven normally. From what i've seen, most customers eventually get over it's "cool factor" and leave it in drive.

Joel, CA

 

Will changing regularly between N and D damage the transmission in long run? You might shift to N as much as you want with a manual transmission. This is very normal (that is how it is supposed to be used). But with the automatic, I suppose it is not manufactured to be regularly shifted between D N R (with respect to manual) changing the gear at every red light may not be "mechanically" suitable - wear the transmission. Do you agree? In any case, will changing to N save me fuel? what do you think? Thanks for your comments.

 

It shouldn't cause any unnatural wear and tear unless you're revving the engine and slamming into drive THAT wouldn't be good for the tranny lol. But you don't sound like the type to gun the engine and slam into D just to spin tire.