In another thread, hnefrdo saidI noticed this on my test drive. I may be buying an xA for my next car, and am interested in what people think of the high shift point on the auto. Is it annoying? Can you train yourself to modulate the accelerator to minimize it? Is it any different with stock vs. 17 inch wheels (I test drove the 17s but plan on getting stock)?

 

it has an OD button. i think my xA shifts great and very smooth. Personally I like that 1st to second revs a bit high, makes it feel more peppy for an automatic. I've taken 2 trips over the mountain passes and have to say the xA has been great going up pass and keeping it at 80 is never an issue even on steep inclines.

It may have to downshift and rev higher, but it goes goes goes!!! I've had it 3 weeks now, with 1 mile on it at purchase. I've put 2000 because of these 500+ mile trips I've had to take and I couldn't be happier.

 

Maybe the OD was disengaged when I did my test drive. If that was the normal OD mode, it hung onto first for WAY to long. I'll have to try it again and compare OD vs. non-OD... and also (hopefull) with the stock wheels.

 

Remember, it's also going to shift at a different point when it's "cold". Alot of newer cars with everything being computerized, seem to wind out 1st and 2nd gear longer untill things warm up. My Chevy Silverado used to do it all the time in the winter. My xA is 5-speed so I wouldn't know about it, but my wife's xB is auto and I noticed that it does it.

 

Just take it easy for the 1st half mile til the light goes out and then you can go like stink!

 

When I noticed the funny shifting, it was well into the test drive- maybe 10 minutes or more. So maybe the OD wasn't engaged.

 

If the overdrive was off, the light on the dash would go on. You'd have probably noticed it. I noticed on my xA (automatic) that it drove/shifted a lot smoother after 500 miles or so.

 

hnefrdo was talking about the 5speed transmission. The 1st to 2nd shift on the 5speed can be notchy. I had the same problem when I first got my car. Now, it seems to be broken-in...

 

I like the way it shifts. The longer acceleration is great for merging onto the interstate.

 

you'll get use to it

 

my xa felt alot smooth after 1000 or so miles. use the OD button helps in town driving as well.

 

Ah... my bad... I thought the hnefrdo was talking about an automatic. But it does linger longer in first (auto) than I would expect.