"Dano58" <dan.dibiase@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1167919102.095428.201720@42g2000cwt.googlegro ups.com...
> Thanls for all of the responses. I figured it was a function of these
> intelligent transmissions. Of course, I could read the manual but every
> time I think about it, the car isn't actually here....!

Take the Manual in the house, then when you're in the reading room, you
can find out all about the vehicle.

 

On Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:06:04 -0800, jim beam
<spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote:

>Gordon McGrew wrote:
>> On Wed, 03 Jan 2007 03:07:21 GMT, "Andy & Carol"
>> <aforn@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>>
>>> It called "Logic Grade" , that is why you won't grind
>>> up your rotors..read up on it.
>>
>> I would think that it would hurt your gas mileage though. At least it
>> would if you are anticipating a stop and just want to coast until the
>> light changes. Is it possible that it waits for you to touch the
>> brake pedal before it downshifts? That would make more sense.
>
>which is precisely what it does do - it takes the signal from the brake
>pedal switch.
>
>>
>> On the upside, completing the downshift earlier makes it ready to
>> accelerate on short notice. All-in-all, that is one reason why I
>> prefer manual transmissions. The AT will never have enough sensors
>> until they put in one that can read my mind.
>
>you haven't driven an automatic lately.
>

My understanding is that the cars do learn how you drive. Now, I'm not
really a car guy, but I'm a computer programmer. I can certainly see
how the computers could learn how you drive and act on it, but it
would also need to understand that a car can have more than one
driver. Until you actually have to log-in, it might get confused. Now
is this the guy with the lead foot or the lady with the sweet
disposition?

Perhaps they'll start using retinal scans or fingerprint detectors on
the steering wheel. It should be a good theft-prevention model, until
you try letting your designated driver take you home and it won't
start. And then it won't start for you because you're drunk.

Maybe we'd best forget the whole idea.

 

On Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:06:04 -0800, jim beam
<spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote:

>Gordon McGrew wrote:
>> On Wed, 03 Jan 2007 03:07:21 GMT, "Andy & Carol"
>> <aforn@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>>
>>> It called "Logic Grade" , that is why you won't grind
>>> up your rotors..read up on it.
>>
>> I would think that it would hurt your gas mileage though. At least it
>> would if you are anticipating a stop and just want to coast until the
>> light changes. Is it possible that it waits for you to touch the
>> brake pedal before it downshifts? That would make more sense.
>
>which is precisely what it does do - it takes the signal from the brake
>pedal switch.
>
>>
>> On the upside, completing the downshift earlier makes it ready to
>> accelerate on short notice. All-in-all, that is one reason why I
>> prefer manual transmissions. The AT will never have enough sensors
>> until they put in one that can read my mind.
>
>you haven't driven an automatic lately.
>

My understanding is that the cars do learn how you drive. Now, I'm not
really a car guy, but I'm a computer programmer. I can certainly see
how the computers could learn how you drive and act on it, but it
would also need to understand that a car can have more than one
driver. Until you actually have to log-in, it might get confused. Now
is this the guy with the lead foot or the lady with the sweet
disposition?

Perhaps they'll start using retinal scans or fingerprint detectors on
the steering wheel. It should be a good theft-prevention model, until
you try letting your designated driver take you home and it won't
start. And then it won't start for you because you're drunk.

Maybe we'd best forget the whole idea.

 

On Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:06:04 -0800, jim beam
<spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote:

>Gordon McGrew wrote:
>> On Wed, 03 Jan 2007 03:07:21 GMT, "Andy & Carol"
>> <aforn@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>>
>>> It called "Logic Grade" , that is why you won't grind
>>> up your rotors..read up on it.
>>
>> I would think that it would hurt your gas mileage though. At least it
>> would if you are anticipating a stop and just want to coast until the
>> light changes. Is it possible that it waits for you to touch the
>> brake pedal before it downshifts? That would make more sense.
>
>which is precisely what it does do - it takes the signal from the brake
>pedal switch.
>
>>
>> On the upside, completing the downshift earlier makes it ready to
>> accelerate on short notice. All-in-all, that is one reason why I
>> prefer manual transmissions. The AT will never have enough sensors
>> until they put in one that can read my mind.
>
>you haven't driven an automatic lately.
>

My understanding is that the cars do learn how you drive. Now, I'm not
really a car guy, but I'm a computer programmer. I can certainly see
how the computers could learn how you drive and act on it, but it
would also need to understand that a car can have more than one
driver. Until you actually have to log-in, it might get confused. Now
is this the guy with the lead foot or the lady with the sweet
disposition?

Perhaps they'll start using retinal scans or fingerprint detectors on
the steering wheel. It should be a good theft-prevention model, until
you try letting your designated driver take you home and it won't
start. And then it won't start for you because you're drunk.

Maybe we'd best forget the whole idea.

 

On Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:06:04 -0800, jim beam
<spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote:

>Gordon McGrew wrote:
>> On Wed, 03 Jan 2007 03:07:21 GMT, "Andy & Carol"
>> <aforn@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>>
>>> It called "Logic Grade" , that is why you won't grind
>>> up your rotors..read up on it.
>>
>> I would think that it would hurt your gas mileage though. At least it
>> would if you are anticipating a stop and just want to coast until the
>> light changes. Is it possible that it waits for you to touch the
>> brake pedal before it downshifts? That would make more sense.
>
>which is precisely what it does do - it takes the signal from the brake
>pedal switch.
>
>>
>> On the upside, completing the downshift earlier makes it ready to
>> accelerate on short notice. All-in-all, that is one reason why I
>> prefer manual transmissions. The AT will never have enough sensors
>> until they put in one that can read my mind.
>
>you haven't driven an automatic lately.

Well, I'm sure they have improved somewhat since they made the one for
my '98 Ody, but I would be surprised if they now know in which gear I
want to do compression braking. I'm pretty sure they don't downshift
in anticipation of me wanting to do hard acceleration two seconds
before I touch the gas pedal. How does it know that, even though I am
doing a steady 40 mph, I want to stay in second gear to be ready to
make a move in traffic? Does it know not to downshift just before we
crest the hill? For my Ody, I would be happy if it just didn't
downshift when I hit Resume on the CC 4 mph below the target speed. I
would hope they have at least fixed that.

Bottom line is they are OK for average (or worse) drivers in light
traffic. But I definitely don't like them in heavy city traffic and
they just don't belong in any sports car IMO.

 

On Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:06:04 -0800, jim beam
<spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote:

>Gordon McGrew wrote:
>> On Wed, 03 Jan 2007 03:07:21 GMT, "Andy & Carol"
>> <aforn@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>>
>>> It called "Logic Grade" , that is why you won't grind
>>> up your rotors..read up on it.
>>
>> I would think that it would hurt your gas mileage though. At least it
>> would if you are anticipating a stop and just want to coast until the
>> light changes. Is it possible that it waits for you to touch the
>> brake pedal before it downshifts? That would make more sense.
>
>which is precisely what it does do - it takes the signal from the brake
>pedal switch.
>
>>
>> On the upside, completing the downshift earlier makes it ready to
>> accelerate on short notice. All-in-all, that is one reason why I
>> prefer manual transmissions. The AT will never have enough sensors
>> until they put in one that can read my mind.
>
>you haven't driven an automatic lately.

Well, I'm sure they have improved somewhat since they made the one for
my '98 Ody, but I would be surprised if they now know in which gear I
want to do compression braking. I'm pretty sure they don't downshift
in anticipation of me wanting to do hard acceleration two seconds
before I touch the gas pedal. How does it know that, even though I am
doing a steady 40 mph, I want to stay in second gear to be ready to
make a move in traffic? Does it know not to downshift just before we
crest the hill? For my Ody, I would be happy if it just didn't
downshift when I hit Resume on the CC 4 mph below the target speed. I
would hope they have at least fixed that.

Bottom line is they are OK for average (or worse) drivers in light
traffic. But I definitely don't like them in heavy city traffic and
they just don't belong in any sports car IMO.

 

On Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:06:04 -0800, jim beam
<spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote:

>Gordon McGrew wrote:
>> On Wed, 03 Jan 2007 03:07:21 GMT, "Andy & Carol"
>> <aforn@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>>
>>> It called "Logic Grade" , that is why you won't grind
>>> up your rotors..read up on it.
>>
>> I would think that it would hurt your gas mileage though. At least it
>> would if you are anticipating a stop and just want to coast until the
>> light changes. Is it possible that it waits for you to touch the
>> brake pedal before it downshifts? That would make more sense.
>
>which is precisely what it does do - it takes the signal from the brake
>pedal switch.
>
>>
>> On the upside, completing the downshift earlier makes it ready to
>> accelerate on short notice. All-in-all, that is one reason why I
>> prefer manual transmissions. The AT will never have enough sensors
>> until they put in one that can read my mind.
>
>you haven't driven an automatic lately.

Well, I'm sure they have improved somewhat since they made the one for
my '98 Ody, but I would be surprised if they now know in which gear I
want to do compression braking. I'm pretty sure they don't downshift
in anticipation of me wanting to do hard acceleration two seconds
before I touch the gas pedal. How does it know that, even though I am
doing a steady 40 mph, I want to stay in second gear to be ready to
make a move in traffic? Does it know not to downshift just before we
crest the hill? For my Ody, I would be happy if it just didn't
downshift when I hit Resume on the CC 4 mph below the target speed. I
would hope they have at least fixed that.

Bottom line is they are OK for average (or worse) drivers in light
traffic. But I definitely don't like them in heavy city traffic and
they just don't belong in any sports car IMO.

 

Gordon McGrew wrote:
> On Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:06:04 -0800, jim beam
> <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote:
>
>> Gordon McGrew wrote:
>>> On Wed, 03 Jan 2007 03:07:21 GMT, "Andy & Carol"
>>> <aforn@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>> It called "Logic Grade" , that is why you won't grind
>>>> up your rotors..read up on it.
>>> I would think that it would hurt your gas mileage though. At least it
>>> would if you are anticipating a stop and just want to coast until the
>>> light changes. Is it possible that it waits for you to touch the
>>> brake pedal before it downshifts? That would make more sense.
>> which is precisely what it does do - it takes the signal from the brake
>> pedal switch.
>>
>>> On the upside, completing the downshift earlier makes it ready to
>>> accelerate on short notice. All-in-all, that is one reason why I
>>> prefer manual transmissions. The AT will never have enough sensors
>>> until they put in one that can read my mind.
>> you haven't driven an automatic lately.
>
> Well, I'm sure they have improved somewhat since they made the one for
> my '98 Ody, but I would be surprised if they now know in which gear I
> want to do compression braking. I'm pretty sure they don't downshift
> in anticipation of me wanting to do hard acceleration two seconds
> before I touch the gas pedal.

no, they provide a handy little lever that allows you to take care of
that by hand.

> How does it know that, even though I am
> doing a steady 40 mph, I want to stay in second gear to be ready to
> make a move in traffic?

see above.

> Does it know not to downshift just before we
> crest the hill?

press the brake and you'll find out. they have grade control logic.
increasing speed + zero gas = downshift.

> For my Ody, I would be happy if it just didn't
> downshift when I hit Resume on the CC 4 mph below the target speed. I
> would hope they have at least fixed that.
>
> Bottom line is they are OK for average (or worse) drivers in light
> traffic. But I definitely don't like them in heavy city traffic and
> they just don't belong in any sports car IMO.

tell that to porsche - last i heard, their autos were faster than their
sticks.

 

Gordon McGrew wrote:
> On Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:06:04 -0800, jim beam
> <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote:
>
>> Gordon McGrew wrote:
>>> On Wed, 03 Jan 2007 03:07:21 GMT, "Andy & Carol"
>>> <aforn@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>> It called "Logic Grade" , that is why you won't grind
>>>> up your rotors..read up on it.
>>> I would think that it would hurt your gas mileage though. At least it
>>> would if you are anticipating a stop and just want to coast until the
>>> light changes. Is it possible that it waits for you to touch the
>>> brake pedal before it downshifts? That would make more sense.
>> which is precisely what it does do - it takes the signal from the brake
>> pedal switch.
>>
>>> On the upside, completing the downshift earlier makes it ready to
>>> accelerate on short notice. All-in-all, that is one reason why I
>>> prefer manual transmissions. The AT will never have enough sensors
>>> until they put in one that can read my mind.
>> you haven't driven an automatic lately.
>
> Well, I'm sure they have improved somewhat since they made the one for
> my '98 Ody, but I would be surprised if they now know in which gear I
> want to do compression braking. I'm pretty sure they don't downshift
> in anticipation of me wanting to do hard acceleration two seconds
> before I touch the gas pedal.

no, they provide a handy little lever that allows you to take care of
that by hand.

> How does it know that, even though I am
> doing a steady 40 mph, I want to stay in second gear to be ready to
> make a move in traffic?

see above.

> Does it know not to downshift just before we
> crest the hill?

press the brake and you'll find out. they have grade control logic.
increasing speed + zero gas = downshift.

> For my Ody, I would be happy if it just didn't
> downshift when I hit Resume on the CC 4 mph below the target speed. I
> would hope they have at least fixed that.
>
> Bottom line is they are OK for average (or worse) drivers in light
> traffic. But I definitely don't like them in heavy city traffic and
> they just don't belong in any sports car IMO.

tell that to porsche - last i heard, their autos were faster than their
sticks.

 

Gordon McGrew wrote:
> On Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:06:04 -0800, jim beam
> <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote:
>
>> Gordon McGrew wrote:
>>> On Wed, 03 Jan 2007 03:07:21 GMT, "Andy & Carol"
>>> <aforn@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>> It called "Logic Grade" , that is why you won't grind
>>>> up your rotors..read up on it.
>>> I would think that it would hurt your gas mileage though. At least it
>>> would if you are anticipating a stop and just want to coast until the
>>> light changes. Is it possible that it waits for you to touch the
>>> brake pedal before it downshifts? That would make more sense.
>> which is precisely what it does do - it takes the signal from the brake
>> pedal switch.
>>
>>> On the upside, completing the downshift earlier makes it ready to
>>> accelerate on short notice. All-in-all, that is one reason why I
>>> prefer manual transmissions. The AT will never have enough sensors
>>> until they put in one that can read my mind.
>> you haven't driven an automatic lately.
>
> Well, I'm sure they have improved somewhat since they made the one for
> my '98 Ody, but I would be surprised if they now know in which gear I
> want to do compression braking. I'm pretty sure they don't downshift
> in anticipation of me wanting to do hard acceleration two seconds
> before I touch the gas pedal.

no, they provide a handy little lever that allows you to take care of
that by hand.

> How does it know that, even though I am
> doing a steady 40 mph, I want to stay in second gear to be ready to
> make a move in traffic?

see above.

> Does it know not to downshift just before we
> crest the hill?

press the brake and you'll find out. they have grade control logic.
increasing speed + zero gas = downshift.

> For my Ody, I would be happy if it just didn't
> downshift when I hit Resume on the CC 4 mph below the target speed. I
> would hope they have at least fixed that.
>
> Bottom line is they are OK for average (or worse) drivers in light
> traffic. But I definitely don't like them in heavy city traffic and
> they just don't belong in any sports car IMO.

tell that to porsche - last i heard, their autos were faster than their
sticks.

 

On Fri, 05 Jan 2007 18:00:46 -0800, jim beam
<spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote:

>Gordon McGrew wrote:
>> On Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:06:04 -0800, jim beam
>> <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Gordon McGrew wrote:
>>>> On Wed, 03 Jan 2007 03:07:21 GMT, "Andy & Carol"
>>>> <aforn@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> It called "Logic Grade" , that is why you won't grind
>>>>> up your rotors..read up on it.
>>>> I would think that it would hurt your gas mileage though. At least it
>>>> would if you are anticipating a stop and just want to coast until the
>>>> light changes. Is it possible that it waits for you to touch the
>>>> brake pedal before it downshifts? That would make more sense.
>>> which is precisely what it does do - it takes the signal from the brake
>>> pedal switch.
>>>
>>>> On the upside, completing the downshift earlier makes it ready to
>>>> accelerate on short notice. All-in-all, that is one reason why I
>>>> prefer manual transmissions. The AT will never have enough sensors
>>>> until they put in one that can read my mind.
>>> you haven't driven an automatic lately.
>>
>> Well, I'm sure they have improved somewhat since they made the one for
>> my '98 Ody, but I would be surprised if they now know in which gear I
>> want to do compression braking. I'm pretty sure they don't downshift
>> in anticipation of me wanting to do hard acceleration two seconds
>> before I touch the gas pedal.
>
>no, they provide a handy little lever that allows you to take care of
>that by hand.
>
>> How does it know that, even though I am
>> doing a steady 40 mph, I want to stay in second gear to be ready to
>> make a move in traffic?
>
>see above.

Right, you can force the downshift or hold the gear manually but a.
then its not automatic and b. it is clumsy to shift especially on the
steering column.

>
>> Does it know not to downshift just before we
>> crest the hill?
>
>press the brake and you'll find out. they have grade control logic.
>increasing speed + zero gas = downshift.

My comment is that the transmission downshifts when I dont want it
too, i.e. just before cresting the hill when I would manually just
stay in the higher gear for a few more seconds.

>> For my Ody, I would be happy if it just didn't
>> downshift when I hit Resume on the CC 4 mph below the target speed. I
>> would hope they have at least fixed that.
>>
>> Bottom line is they are OK for average (or worse) drivers in light
>> traffic. But I definitely don't like them in heavy city traffic and
>> they just don't belong in any sports car IMO.
>
>tell that to porsche - last i heard, their autos were faster than their
>sticks.

That is because most Porsche buyers are people who want to show off
how rich/cool they are and don't really care about driving it or even
know how.

 

On Fri, 05 Jan 2007 18:00:46 -0800, jim beam
<spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote:

>Gordon McGrew wrote:
>> On Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:06:04 -0800, jim beam
>> <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Gordon McGrew wrote:
>>>> On Wed, 03 Jan 2007 03:07:21 GMT, "Andy & Carol"
>>>> <aforn@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> It called "Logic Grade" , that is why you won't grind
>>>>> up your rotors..read up on it.
>>>> I would think that it would hurt your gas mileage though. At least it
>>>> would if you are anticipating a stop and just want to coast until the
>>>> light changes. Is it possible that it waits for you to touch the
>>>> brake pedal before it downshifts? That would make more sense.
>>> which is precisely what it does do - it takes the signal from the brake
>>> pedal switch.
>>>
>>>> On the upside, completing the downshift earlier makes it ready to
>>>> accelerate on short notice. All-in-all, that is one reason why I
>>>> prefer manual transmissions. The AT will never have enough sensors
>>>> until they put in one that can read my mind.
>>> you haven't driven an automatic lately.
>>
>> Well, I'm sure they have improved somewhat since they made the one for
>> my '98 Ody, but I would be surprised if they now know in which gear I
>> want to do compression braking. I'm pretty sure they don't downshift
>> in anticipation of me wanting to do hard acceleration two seconds
>> before I touch the gas pedal.
>
>no, they provide a handy little lever that allows you to take care of
>that by hand.
>
>> How does it know that, even though I am
>> doing a steady 40 mph, I want to stay in second gear to be ready to
>> make a move in traffic?
>
>see above.

Right, you can force the downshift or hold the gear manually but a.
then its not automatic and b. it is clumsy to shift especially on the
steering column.

>
>> Does it know not to downshift just before we
>> crest the hill?
>
>press the brake and you'll find out. they have grade control logic.
>increasing speed + zero gas = downshift.

My comment is that the transmission downshifts when I dont want it
too, i.e. just before cresting the hill when I would manually just
stay in the higher gear for a few more seconds.

>> For my Ody, I would be happy if it just didn't
>> downshift when I hit Resume on the CC 4 mph below the target speed. I
>> would hope they have at least fixed that.
>>
>> Bottom line is they are OK for average (or worse) drivers in light
>> traffic. But I definitely don't like them in heavy city traffic and
>> they just don't belong in any sports car IMO.
>
>tell that to porsche - last i heard, their autos were faster than their
>sticks.

That is because most Porsche buyers are people who want to show off
how rich/cool they are and don't really care about driving it or even
know how.

 

On Fri, 05 Jan 2007 18:00:46 -0800, jim beam
<spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote:

>Gordon McGrew wrote:
>> On Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:06:04 -0800, jim beam
>> <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Gordon McGrew wrote:
>>>> On Wed, 03 Jan 2007 03:07:21 GMT, "Andy & Carol"
>>>> <aforn@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> It called "Logic Grade" , that is why you won't grind
>>>>> up your rotors..read up on it.
>>>> I would think that it would hurt your gas mileage though. At least it
>>>> would if you are anticipating a stop and just want to coast until the
>>>> light changes. Is it possible that it waits for you to touch the
>>>> brake pedal before it downshifts? That would make more sense.
>>> which is precisely what it does do - it takes the signal from the brake
>>> pedal switch.
>>>
>>>> On the upside, completing the downshift earlier makes it ready to
>>>> accelerate on short notice. All-in-all, that is one reason why I
>>>> prefer manual transmissions. The AT will never have enough sensors
>>>> until they put in one that can read my mind.
>>> you haven't driven an automatic lately.
>>
>> Well, I'm sure they have improved somewhat since they made the one for
>> my '98 Ody, but I would be surprised if they now know in which gear I
>> want to do compression braking. I'm pretty sure they don't downshift
>> in anticipation of me wanting to do hard acceleration two seconds
>> before I touch the gas pedal.
>
>no, they provide a handy little lever that allows you to take care of
>that by hand.
>
>> How does it know that, even though I am
>> doing a steady 40 mph, I want to stay in second gear to be ready to
>> make a move in traffic?
>
>see above.

Right, you can force the downshift or hold the gear manually but a.
then its not automatic and b. it is clumsy to shift especially on the
steering column.

>
>> Does it know not to downshift just before we
>> crest the hill?
>
>press the brake and you'll find out. they have grade control logic.
>increasing speed + zero gas = downshift.

My comment is that the transmission downshifts when I dont want it
too, i.e. just before cresting the hill when I would manually just
stay in the higher gear for a few more seconds.

>> For my Ody, I would be happy if it just didn't
>> downshift when I hit Resume on the CC 4 mph below the target speed. I
>> would hope they have at least fixed that.
>>
>> Bottom line is they are OK for average (or worse) drivers in light
>> traffic. But I definitely don't like them in heavy city traffic and
>> they just don't belong in any sports car IMO.
>
>tell that to porsche - last i heard, their autos were faster than their
>sticks.

That is because most Porsche buyers are people who want to show off
how rich/cool they are and don't really care about driving it or even
know how.

 

On Fri, 05 Jan 2007 19:35:03 -0600, Gordon McGrew wrote:

>
> Bottom line is they are OK for average (or worse) drivers in light
> traffic. But I definitely don't like them in heavy city traffic and
> they just don't belong in any sports car IMO.

I would agree that they do not belong on any sports car, but IMO, the only
time I really WANT an Auto is for heavy city traffic.

 

On Fri, 05 Jan 2007 19:35:03 -0600, Gordon McGrew wrote:

>
> Bottom line is they are OK for average (or worse) drivers in light
> traffic. But I definitely don't like them in heavy city traffic and
> they just don't belong in any sports car IMO.

I would agree that they do not belong on any sports car, but IMO, the only
time I really WANT an Auto is for heavy city traffic.