Technical Dualogic gearbox - driving in manual mode

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Technical Dualogic gearbox - driving in manual mode

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Feb 2, 2015
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Hi,

I have a 500 1.2 Pop with the dualogic gearbox. When driving in manual mode should I upshift as is indicated on screen or should I change up according to how the car feels/sounds? I sometimes feel it indicates an upshift earlier than necessary.
Thanks
Connie
 
Hello Connie,
It's interesting that the 1.2 has a gearshift indicator - the 1.4 does not, though my other car does.

The gearshift indicator is only a general guide - the car doesn't know the driving conditions that are coming up next. Often it will suggest a shift up into 5th, but there is no point doing this unless you expect to maintain the same speed, or a slightly decreasing speed, for a reasonable distance. If you're about to speed up or slow down, the indicator does not know this - and it's better to stay in 4th.

The best technique for economy is to accelerate quite briskly through the gears (not redlining, but keeping between 2000 and 4000 RPM, because that's when the engine is most efficient) to get the speed you need, then change into 5th just to maintain the speed or coast along with accelerator pedal completely released. The more time driving with accelerator released, the less fuel used. Also, the gearshift indicator will not appear.

Driving slowly with constant slight acceleration prevents the chance of any coasting, and is not as economical - and, the gearchange indicator will often appear.

So really, the exact gear you are in matters less than the indicator suggests. It's more important to get off the pedal early, and avoiding the brake pedal is the best way to save fuel.

-Alex
 
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When using the Dualogic in manual, do you still lift off the accelerator pedal like a regular manual before changing gear?
 
When using the Dualogic in manual, do you still lift off the accelerator pedal like a regular manual before changing gear?

You don't have to, though I find that if I take my foot off the accelerator pedal momentarily then it helps make the gear change a bit smoother.

I suspect the ECU learns your driving habits over time and makes the gear changes smoother regardless though.
 
44sunsuts - i think it does learn, i don't find the Dualogic uncomfortable to drive when on Auto mod.
When i take my leg of the gas pedal whenever it shifts automatically - i feel its the other way around because when i do that the gear seems to work slower and not so smooth unless you are lifting your leg for 2 seconds - the Auto option makes it smoother for me.

I also use the manual option alot on my (1.4 - dont have a shift indicator) but mostly when on Sport mod, the ECO mod shifts terribly fast on Auto and bit annoyiog to drive when on manual but the sports mod is great, makes me wanna sell mine and buy the manual version.
 
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