From the way Fiat write it, DuaLogic, two words to make a new one, I always thought it meant Dua, arabic for To Summon.
And
Logic, a system or set of principles underlying the arrangements of elements in a computer or electronic device so as to perform a specified task.

So a computer/electronic device selects (summons) gears for you.

chris3234 said:

No Idea it's a manual gearbox with a robot placed ontop to operate the clutch arm and shift gear like a person would

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Only if that person had no idea how to operate a clutch and gearbox!

Goudrons said:

Only if that person had no idea how to operate a clutch and gearbox!

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When I first say a picture of the DuaLogic gearlever, I was confused on how you would use it, now it makes sense. Fiat should have made the automatic transmission gear lever shaped like the dualogic because is easy to see and use.

Rocco Reviews said:

It doesn’t sound like logic to me.

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Italian 'logic' is a thing apart...

There are inherent problems with the DuaLogic and most other single clutch automated manuals when you compare them to other forms of automatic systems (though all of these have there own problems).

As already described, it's a manual gearbox with a clutch that's automated.
The "Logic" part operates the gears and clutch for you, so unlike a torque converter it still has a dry clutch plate, pressure plate and hydraulics to operate it, but now it has a pump, manifold and electronics to operate it and the gears.

So when compared to a torque converter auto or a CVT, it still requires clutch replacements when the plate wears out, also as the clutch wears they can require a recalibration as it can lose where the biting point is which makes it's pulling away and subsequent changes even rougher.

Plus, when it's running, in drive and stationary for any length of time, it's slipping the clutch causing more wear, in a manual a driver might be tempted to select neutral until the traffic moves again, auto drivers used to other systems don't think this is needed, but it accelerates the wear on the clutch.

It might be just me, but I find it's biggest headache is it's lack of creep.
When in gear with the brake off a torque converter, CVT and dual clutch systems tend to creep. This makes them smoother off the line and also helps slow maneuvering, like parking and reversing.

With most single clutch systems, they'll only move with some input from the throttle pedal, so you really need to two foot them when slow maneuvering, one on the throttle to get it moving and one on the brake slowing it's progress as it's very hard to set the correct throttle input to get you to move slowly, smoothly. It's even worse reversing up a slope or hill, though a hill hold function can help with the initial move off.

One of the things I found particularly annoying when I've driven DuaLogics with stop start is it's restarting.
You stop with your foot on the brake and the engine dies.
Move your foot off the brake to pull away and it now has to restart the engine, dip the clutch, select a gear, set the clutch and pull away.

It can't do this in the time it takes to move your foot from the brake to the throttle.
I find it takes so long, the engine's running and I'm clogging the throttle, but I'm not moving, wondering what the feck has gone wrong.
Then suddenly, it thumps into gear and you pull away with far too much throttle on, looking like you should never be let loose behind the wheel of a car!
It's because Fiats system uses the starter motor for a restart and it takes too long, I've driven other systems, like Citroen's EGS that uses the capacitors and the alternator to restart, which is much faster so the problem doesn't manifest in the same way.

With any DuaLogic loaners I've had, I've generally forgotten to disable the stop start before setting off, but I soon remember, right after the first set of traffic lights!

For my latest car, I went out to buy a super mini auto so tested out pretty much everything on the market.
Ford recently changed their Powershift in the Fiesta to a proper torque converter and it's too sloppy for my liking, particularly around town where they are meant to work best.

The dual clutch DSG in VW/Seat were better, very sharp and smooth when motoring but a bit dimwitted setting off, approaching junctions that you slow right down for but realise you don't really need to stop can cause them to "think" about what they need to do for a split second.

The dual clutch EDC in the new Renault Clio was far better, instant changes, no pauses, super smooth even when you're mashing the throttle pedal.
The version this gearbox comes with has a bit more HP at 130, so it does tend to make better use of all 7 gears without ever feeling stretched.
It also appears more reliable that the DSG's dry clutch version, so I ended up buying the Clio with the EDC system, so far so good.

Goudrons said:

There are inherent problems with the DuaLogic and most other single clutch automated manuals when you compare them to other forms of automatic systems (though all of these have there own problems).

As already described, it's a manual gearbox with a clutch that's automated.
The "Logic" part operates the gears and clutch for you, so unlike a torque converter it still has a dry clutch plate, pressure plate and hydraulics to operate it, but now it has a pump, manifold and electronics to operate it and the gears.

So when compared to a torque converter auto or a CVT, it still requires clutch replacements when the plate wears out, also as the clutch wears they can require a recalibration as it can lose where the biting point is which makes it's pulling away and subsequent changes even rougher.

Plus, when it's running, in drive and stationary for any length of time, it's slipping the clutch causing more wear, in a manual a driver might be tempted to select neutral until the traffic moves again, auto drivers used to other systems don't think this is needed, but it accelerates the wear on the clutch.

It might be just me, but I find it's biggest headache is it's lack of creep.

When in gear with the brake off a torque converter, CVT and dual clutch systems tend to creep.
One of the things I found particularly annoying when I've driven DuaLogics with stop start is it's restarting.
You stop with your foot on the brake and the engine dies.
Move your foot off the brake to pull away and it now has to restart the engine, dip the clutch, select a gear, set the clutch and pull away.

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So are saying that whenever you come to a stop for an extended period, you have to put it in neutral?

Rocco Reviews said:

So are saying that whenever you come to a stop for an extended period, you have to put it in neutral?

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Yes just like a manual gearbox

Rocco Reviews said:

So are saying that whenever you come to a stop for an extended period, you have to put it in neutral?

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You don't have too, but it's wise.

When you think how it works, leaving it in gear for extended periods also continually runs the hydraulic pump (this acts as the clutches master cylinder) that activates the clutch slave cylinder to hold the clutch pressure and friction plate apart.

I'm pretty certain this caused a problem with the EGS system I had in a Citroen.
I took it for a valet and they left it running with the heater on full to dry out, I'm pretty certain it was left in drive with the pump running and the hydraulics under continual pressure.

I didn't think much of it until I noticed a oily drip from the bell housing a week or so later. It wasn't there before I know, otherwise the drive would have been stained.
I took it in to my local gearbox specialist who checked it and said the slave cylinder was leaking.

Due to the electronics they needed Citroen software to reset the system and prime the hydraulics after replacing the slave and reassembly, they just weren't equipped to replace it, they just topped up the hydraulic fluid and told me to take it to the dealers, which I did.

The dealer confirmed the slave was leaking and quoted me £1500 to replace a £25 part.
I shopped around a few indie Citroen specialists and the best I got was "We've never done one of them but we'll give it a go" for £1100.

It wasn't really my car, I inherited it and didn't really need it, so I got rid of it.
I couldn't prove the valet caused it, it could have been due to the car being stood idle for so long, but it did make me think they aren't the most reliable systems and big bills come pretty much as standard with them, which brings my back to the choice of the Renault Clio's EDC, it comes with 5 years warranty!