Hey guys

I would like to know what the gear change is that happens between 50 - 60km/h. It happens in both auto & tippy mode. I thought that it wouldn't happen in tippy but still does the change over even though I didn't initiate it. Hopefully other 380 owners out there noticed the same thing?
Been a 380 owner for 3 weeks now & I've noticed that it goes through the gears quiet quickly when driving normally. I easily end up in 5th gear without even going above 2000rpm.
The gear box obviously 'learns' your driving style. I find that since I'm a very conservative driver when I need to do a quick take off it feels like it needs more motivation so it must of gotten used to my style of driving...??

Thanks guys

The gear change that happens around 50/60kph is 5th gear. That is normal, my 380 does that.

I would think that the transmission has adapted to your driving style, you can reset this though if you want to.

So you're saying that if I'm in tippy even though it says I'm on 4th I'm actually in 5th?

If you are using tippy, it should be in 4th. It shouldnt change unless you come to a stop. One way to test this is by cruising in 4th, then change to 5th and see if the revs change.

Actually, I dont think the tippy will let you select 5th when you are under 60kph. I am not a 100% sure though.

Braedz

So how can you reset the transmission? Disconnecting battery has'nt worked for me.

Disconnecting the battery should reset the transmission, it has worked for me. You can get your dealer to reset it for you.

So you're saying that if I'm in tippy even though it says I'm on 4th I'm actually in 5th?

I expect that you are feeling the torque convertor go into or out of lock up mode - Revs rise slightly when not in lock up as convertor is not locked at that setting

I expect that you are feeling the torque convertor go into or out of lock up mode - Revs rise slightly when not in lock up as convertor is not locked at that setting

this^

it's not a gearchange , it's the lock up torque converter as stated..

how can it change into 5th gear in tiptronic by itself ? lol
yes , it will only go into 5th above 60km/h

yeah the gear changes are funny when driving under 2,000 RPM... its much better in tippy when holding revs in sweat spot... but on the other hand... great machine anyway... was driving Corolla 08 in auto... and it was a trash...

I concur strongly with all of the above posts. Well played team.

it's not a gearchange , it's the lock up torque converter as stated..

how can it change into 5th gear in tiptronic by itself ? lol
yes , it will only go into 5th above 60km/h


LOL yeah OK make fun of me so it's out the way. It sure does feel like a gear change lol

So what's the torque converter actually doing then?

I'm finding this torque converter discussion really interesting. I didn't know it had a "lock up" mode...(tho my understanding of the mechanics of auto transmissions is extremely limited).

One thing I'd like to know is - is there a way to make the transmission feel more "direct"...i.e. so you don't get that effect where you hear the engine revving up without any increase in actual car speed (i.e. it is still in the same gear (e.g. 3rd) but not actually going faster even though the tacho shows engine speed increasing )? I know this would probably require a different mechanism in the torque converter etc, but is there a way to make the rev change without change in speed phenomenon stop/decrease? I guess i want the "direct" feel of a manual transmission...without a manual transmission (can i have my cake and eat it too?).

e.g. Can i use a higher viscosity transmission fluid or something?

This is a totally ignorant question - but just askin in case someone knows...

I tend to notice it's not so bad when I start up in winter, but in summer (Bris summer) after driving around for a while it gets very noticeable...which leads me to ask if installing a transmission cooler might make this effect less noticeable?

I'm finding this torque converter discussion really interesting. I didn't know it had a "lock up" mode...(tho my understanding of the mechanics of auto transmissions is extremely limited).




Have a look at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torque_converter#Lock-up_torque_converters

it's not a gearchange , it's the lock up torque converter as stated..

how can it change into 5th gear in tiptronic by itself ? lol
yes , it will only go into 5th above 60km/h

The 380 will change to 5th at 40km/hr as design intended. Heck I manual change my 3rd gen to 5th at just above 40km/hr. The torque converter is unlocked while accelerating to multiply torque. Once steady speed is reached, fluid is spun out and the two plates touch (lock up) and the revs drop 200 or so RPMs providing efficient driving.

The 380 will change to 5th at 40km/hr as design intended.

both of my 380's will only change into 5th at about 60kph, thats about 1200rpm. when i manually change the gears it wont let me shift into 5th unless i am above 60kph

both of my 380's will only change into 5th at about 60kph, thats about 1200rpm. when i manually change the gears it wont let me shift into 5th unless i am above 60kph

This is correct. It's not possible to change into 5th gear in a 380 until around 60km/h (sometimes it won't down change to 4th till about 55km/h when slowing down)

Disciple is right in the money there.

That is probably it learnt your driving style (sportier change). Drive it normally for a while and it will change. Have you tried manual changing to fifth at 40km/hr. My 5spd will downchange to 4th at just above 40. Mitsubishi deliberately programmed the auto to up change to 5th at 40 for fuel economy when driven economically.

Just regarding economy, i've found when driving that it's a little more economical to rev out 4th gear a little longer if you're planning to accelerate to 80; changing to 5th at 60km/h means the engine has to pull a little harder and uses more fuel to accelerate to 80km/h, so i change from 4th to 5th at 70km/h at the minimum.

Same thing for 3rd to 4th too, i find it better to change at 50km/h as opposed to 40km/h

(I drive watching my instant fuel meter more often than speedo/tacho/the road etc)

That is probably it learnt your driving style (sportier change). Drive it normally for a while and it will change. Have you tried manual changing to fifth at 40km/hr. My 5spd will downchange to 4th at just above 40. Mitsubishi deliberately programmed the auto to up change to 5th at 40 for fuel economy when driven economically.


both of my 380's will only change into 5th at about 60kph, thats about 1200rpm. when i manually change the gears it wont let me shift into 5th unless i am above 60kph

i dont think it can shift into 5th at 40kph because then the engine would be reving at 800rpm, which would be too low.

i dont think it can shift into 5th at 40kph because then the engine would be reving at 800rpm, which would be too low.

From car reviews by carsguide and various other car review magazines/online etc, they said the car accelerates without hassel from 40km/hr in 5th and happily revs at 1100rpm doing around 50km/hr in 5th.

That is probably it learnt your driving style (sportier change). Drive it normally for a while and it will change. Have you tried manual changing to fifth at 40km/hr. My 5spd will downchange to 4th at just above 40. Mitsubishi deliberately programmed the auto to up change to 5th at 40 for fuel economy when driven economically.

Considering my overall average fuel economy in my 380, worked out over the last 5,000kms or so is 10.0L/100km, I can assure you my driving style is grandpa esque. lol. The gearbox in the 380 simply will not change into 5th gear until 60km/h, regardless of it being in "D" or using tiptronic mode.


From car reviews by carsguide and various other car review magazines/online etc, they said the car accelerates without hassel from 40km/hr in 5th and happily revs at 1100rpm doing around 50km/hr in 5th.

I can tell you first hand that if that is the case, then those magazines are wrong. It will not shift into 5th gear until 60km/h, and if the speed drops down slightly to anywhere under 55km/h, it will down change immediately. 55km/h in 5th gear is only about 1050rpm at most. 60km/h in 5th gear is 1100rpm exactly. It will pull along, or even up hills happily at these RPM.