[jaycityatl]

I know there are lots of threads that discuss this topic, but I have specific questions I can't find an answer to - When cruising in say 4th gear, and knowing that I'm going to be coming to a stop at a light, should I downshift through every gear until I hit 1st? In a traditional stick, I would pop it into neutral and coast in. If I do that in the CC, but traffic starts moving again, how do I get into the right gear to rev match my current speed? Wouldn't one click of the paddle from neutral drop me into 1st gear? <Yikes>

Lastly, when gently rasing your foot off the accelerator to shift gears (as apparently recently reccomended by MNA), does this mean easing up on the pedal, or removing your foot entirely, allowing for the shift and then reapplying gas?

In the case of downshifting, can one downshift while braking, or not applying any gas? Is this a problem?

Your advice on how to properly drive this would be appreciated. Picking up my 2005 CC Coupe tomorrow. Thanks much,

Jason

 

[DeaneG]

I think driving it just like a manual is best, except you can "speed shift" with the accelerator on the floor when you want to have fun.

When in N, clicking either paddle will select a gear appropriate for your speed, not necessarily 1st.

Coasting to a stop, I usually go from 6th to N when the car tries to shift to 5th, then click into 1st as the car rolls to a stop (just like a manual). Or I double-click down to get 4th, then again to get 2nd, if I might need to accelerate again (again just like a manual).

For leisurely acceleration in traffic, I usually lift off most of the way so that the clutch is not transmitting much torque during disengagement and reengagement. I have a lot of stop & go and i think it will last longer that way.

The shift speed in my car seems to be determined by the accelerator position just as the shift starts. So click, then lift off, rather than lifting off then clicking, to get a reasonably speedy but smooth shift.

I predict the next post will say something like "drive it like you stole it!" or "slap that bee-otch" etc. Comes with the territory.

 

[BeeYouZeeZee]

Drive it like you stole it and slap that bee-otch!

 

[MaseratiBoy]

Drive it like you stole it and slap that bee-otch!

 

[DeaneG]

is it me or does it bog like a mother when shifting?

Unlike a conventional automatic or a DSG, but just like a manual transmission, our CC only has one clutch. So it has to (in order) cut engine power, disengage the clutch, shift gears, and re-engage the clutch and engine. During this time, there is no power going to the wheels. Could that be what you are feeling?

 

[DeaneG]

Drive it like you stole it and slap that bee-otch!

Drive it like you stole it and slap that bee-otch!

...............

 

[BeeYouZeeZee]

is it me or does it bog like a mother when shifting?

If you're not in sport mode, it shifts SLOWLY and feels like it bogs. In sport mode, it's awesome! Just keep your foot down until just before redline. You'll feel a surge of power as the HP peaks. With your foot still to the floor, shift up.. wham! I love this car!

P.S. Don't drive in Auto either!

 

[BigFoot]

I also notice a big difference in my GS between normal and sport mode.
I frankly don't know whether sport will wear clutch faster, but I guess I'll soon find out

 

[Niteroi]

I also notice a big difference in my GS between normal and sport mode.
I frankly don't know whether sport will wear clutch faster, but I guess I'll soon find out

Actually, in Sport mode your clutch will last longer. Some of the guys can explain better, but I guess it has something to do with less friction/slipping with the faster shifts.

 

[Niteroi]

Lastly, when gently rasing your foot off the accelerator to shift gears (as apparently recently reccomended by MNA), does this mean easing up on the pedal, or removing your foot entirely, allowing for the shift and then reapplying gas?

I didn't know about that one. Weren't we supposed NOT to do that? Did MNA changed that ?

 

[Niteroi]

Lastly, when gently rasing your foot off the accelerator to shift gears (as apparently recently reccomended by MNA), does this mean easing up on the pedal, or removing your foot entirely, allowing for the shift and then reapplying gas?

I didn't know about that one. Weren't we supposed NOT to do that? Did MNA changed that?

 

[jaev]

I didn't know about that one. Weren't we supposed NOT to do that? Did MNA changed that?

That's what has been reported here:

http://www.maseratilife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3846

 

[paradon]

Just don't cruise to a stop in neutral and then forget to shift to 1st gear.

You lose lots of cool points rev'ing the engine in neutral when the light turns green :-(

 

[davethechemist]

Just don't cruise to a stop in neutral and then forget to shift to 1st gear.

You lose lots of cool points rev'ing the engine in neutral when the light turns green :-(

I hate it when that happens. Cool factor plummets!

 

[DeaneG]

Cool factor plummets!

I practice my "I meant to do that" look in the mirror at home. Use it all the time in the Maser - when stuck in N at a stoplight, or too far sideways in a rainy corner, or when accelerating away from a patrol car hiding in my blind spot!

 

[BeeYouZeeZee]

I practice my "I meant to do that" look in the mirror at home. Use it all the time in the Maser - when stuck in N at a stoplight, or too far sideways in a rainy corner, or when accelerating away from a patrol car hiding in my blind spot!

We've all done it and it's actually quite dangerous. When you think you're gonna go, so does the asswipe (pronounced oz-weep-ay) behind you. What's really bad is you have to put your foot back on the brake to get it engaged. I have decided to compromize with the girl. I shift up and I let her shift down (some of the time) and I leave it in 1st at a light. Somehow I think leaving the car clutched is less strain on the transmission but I wonder what the throw-out bearing thinks???

 

[xraygun]

I know most on the board are of the opinion that sport mode is easier on the clutch, but I have to wonder about the wear and tear on the transmission. My experience with Italian cars is as they age you must baby the tranny until it warms up. Sport mode is slamming those gears around damn fast with cold trans fluid. Might it not be wise to drive in regular mode until the trans is warm and then engage sport mode? Clutch much cheaper than trans by a factor of 10 right? I know a lot of us are keeping these cars past warranty and I wonder if long term it might be a good practice. As to the throw-out bearing issue Buzz, does your car shift into neutral on it's own at a very long light like mine does? I think that might be part of the CC software to prevent unneccessary wear on that particular part.