OK, so here's the deal... I need some expert advice.
But I'll ask here anyway (just kidding):
I think the shift points for the CX-7 FWD are all wrong. I think it winds out too high before upshifting under light accelleration, and don't even get me started on how long it takes to upshift after touching the brake on a downgrade and then accellerating on to the flat.
Also, it seems like most suburban driving is done at 40-45 MPH and the tranny stays in 5th. That's OK if I anticipate needing acceleration, but usually I'm just tooling along trying not to get popped in a 35mph zone.
My thought is that I would either manually shift through all the gears or let it go auto to 5th and then manually shift it up to 6th. If you do need acceleration and stomp it, the tranny will downshift even when in manual mode. And it will downshift as you stop. But in 6th going 40-45mph the engine is just loafing at 1000rpm. I don't have enough data yet, as I just started this lately, and not even all the time, but I think I've moved from about 18-19mpg to about 22-23mpg with this technique.
The questions are:
1) Will I wear out the shifter switches going back and forth from auto to manual?
2) Am I hurting the engine moving along at 1000rpm?
3) Am I missing anything, either positive or negative, in my supposition that this is a good way to save gas while not killing the car?
and finally,
4) Is there any way to adjust the shift program short of a $300 chip?
Thanks guys, I depend on this forum for CX-7 information...
Frank.
But I'll ask here anyway (just kidding):
I think the shift points for the CX-7 FWD are all wrong. I think it winds out too high before upshifting under light accelleration, and don't even get me started on how long it takes to upshift after touching the brake on a downgrade and then accellerating on to the flat.
Also, it seems like most suburban driving is done at 40-45 MPH and the tranny stays in 5th. That's OK if I anticipate needing acceleration, but usually I'm just tooling along trying not to get popped in a 35mph zone.
My thought is that I would either manually shift through all the gears or let it go auto to 5th and then manually shift it up to 6th. If you do need acceleration and stomp it, the tranny will downshift even when in manual mode. And it will downshift as you stop. But in 6th going 40-45mph the engine is just loafing at 1000rpm. I don't have enough data yet, as I just started this lately, and not even all the time, but I think I've moved from about 18-19mpg to about 22-23mpg with this technique.
The questions are:
1) Will I wear out the shifter switches going back and forth from auto to manual?
2) Am I hurting the engine moving along at 1000rpm?
3) Am I missing anything, either positive or negative, in my supposition that this is a good way to save gas while not killing the car?
and finally,
4) Is there any way to adjust the shift program short of a $300 chip?
Thanks guys, I depend on this forum for CX-7 information...
Frank.
