My introduction to hypermiling the Smart

[The Atomic Ass]

Originally Posted by Ptero

The biggest key to high mileage in the Smart is probably understanding the transmission. A lot of people - and a lot of journalists who should know better (and even some dealer reps!) - seem to think the Smart has an automatic transmission and it has a problem of being too slow between gears. But that's not the case at all. The Smart has a manual transmission with an automatic cluch that shifts according to an optimized high mileage program. It is marvelous and it works perfectly. It even allows you to defeat the high mileage overlay with manual shifting similar to a Tiptronic that you find in high end sports cars and sports sedans.

This is the first transmission I have ever seen that is designed to do this. It even took me a while to figure out what it was. I was also under the illusion that the transmission was faulty in some way. I was even told at the dealer that I should lift my foot between shifts for proper operation. That is not the case.

I'd like to know more about this transmission if you have info on it, or a link that describes the mechanisms in greater detail...

[Ptero]

GERTAG 5AMT130 TRANSMISSION


KEY BENEFITS

Better fuel efficiency than manual transmissions
Manual and automated mode possible


KEY FEATURES
Max. Torque Capacity 130 Nm
Weight (dry) 33,5 kg
Installation length 364 mm
Input Shaft - Differential 183 mm
Synchronization
1st and 2nd gear single cone
3rd and 4th gear single cone
5th gear single cone
Reverse gear sliding gear
Gear Spread Ratio 4,1
Max. Gross Vehicle Mass/Gross Trailer Mass n.a.
Shifter System electromechanical
GETRAG Corporate Group - 5AMT130 TRANSMISSION

[Bullyveldt]

Imagine what you could get out of the three cylinder diesel Smart engine they gave the canadians. Very cool little cars I must say.