What's your GTS MC Shift technique?

c4sman

c4sman

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Early days for me, but a feathering of the throttle as you request an up shift to smooth things out, or keep it pinned for a true "MC" quick shift when flat out. Interestingly the manual suggest not lifting even for a normal gear change.

How do you do it?

Also, how do I avoid kangarooing when reversing off the drive when the car is cold? Have tried letting it warm through of a few minutes but it seems to take some time to warm up?

Finally, any other gearbox related tips?
 
Felonious Crud

Felonious Crud

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Morning c4sman. I do what it says in the book and don't lift off at all.

As for that ealy morning jerking (!) here's a bizarre piece of black magic: before starting the engine push the throttle to the floor slowly three or four times. Then start. No one really knows why it works, but it does. Even Maserati, according to my local MD, doesn't seem to know why. But it will make the car more drivable and stop you looking a bit inept. :smile:

As for other tips, keep your eyes peeled for a "gear unavailable" message in Sport / MC and when driving / changing gear hard. I get it from time to time, as do others on here. Everything passes muster ok on the diagnostics and frankly it's not really an issue, but worth looking out for and then not worrying about.
 
S

sjc

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AdamN said:
Morning c4sman. I do what it says in the book and don't lift off at all.

As for that ealy morning jerking (!) here's a bizarre piece of black magic: before starting the engine push the throttle to the floor slowly three or four times. Then start. No one really knows why it works, but it does. Even Maserati, according to my local MD, doesn't seem to know why. But it will make the car more drivable and stop you looking a bit inept. :smile:

As for other tips, keep your eyes peeled for a "gear unavailable" message in Sport / MC and when driving / changing gear hard. I get it from time to time, as do others on here. Everything passes muster ok on the diagnostics and frankly it's not really an issue, but worth looking out for and then not worrying about.
Click to expand...
Yep all of this, and also manoeuvring in manual ( but not sport mode) also helps apparently.
 
c4sman

c4sman

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Thanks for all of the replies.

I will be giving all of the above a try on Saturday morning. Does the gearchange remain smooth for passengers without lifting off the throttle or are they a bit like nodding dogs? I certainly see that in Auto mode without adjusting the throttle to modulate the accelletation - pause - accelleration phases?
 
hodroyd

hodroyd

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Normal Auto can be a bit nodding dog, most drive in Sport as the change is quicker..!!
 
fcz360

fcz360

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Personally I do both depending on how im driving, its virtually impossible to use the MC shift on normal roads as your over the standard limit by the time you change to 2nd!!!

But if im pottering about or have passengers I do lift on change just slightly, its smooths the shift out, if im driving normally (fast) I dont lift. Its a trial and error thing and what you feel comfortable doing. Its not the best box, but fantastic on MC but its really hard to get 80% throttle anywhere!

With Adam on the reversing thing, i was told by Migliore a couple of years ago the throttle pedal trick - and it does work.

NEVER use automatic - its terrible and wears the clutch faster.

Oh and when it says "gear unavailable" on a track just keep pulling the paddle will go eventually - had it loads of times.
 
fcz360

fcz360

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hodroyd said:
Normal Auto can be a bit nodding dog, most drive in Sport as the change is quicker..!!
Click to expand...

you can drive in paddle shift without MC shift mode on (i.e. without the sport button pressed) but I generally dont..
 
c4sman

c4sman

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I think I get it now, basically I should be OK not lifting if in Sport mode due to the increased shift speed. Can't wait to give it a try.

BTW, the fact that I have to experiment with the gearbox to get things right is what I like about the gearbox!
 
Felonious Crud

Felonious Crud

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fcz360 said:
... its virtually impossible to use the MC shift on normal roads as your over the standard limit by the time you change to 2nd!!!

...

NEVER use automatic - its terrible and wears the clutch faster.
Click to expand...

Good point on the the real-life usability of MC. You need a clear stretch of road to do much of that!

As for the auto, good point. It really is completely shite. First test drive in the MC and I was amazed at how bloody awful the 'box was, until the salesman had the sense to select manual. And then I fell in love. (Not with the salesman, just for the avoidance of any confusion, charming though he was.)
 
conaero

conaero

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c4sman said:
Also, how do I avoid kangarooing when reversing off the drive when the car is cold? Have tried letting it warm through of a few minutes but it seems to take some time to warm up
Click to expand...

Sell it and buy a GranSport :)
 
B

Bowker Maserati

New Member
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AdamN said:
Morning c4sman. I do what it says in the book and don't lift off at all.

As for that ealy morning jerking (!) here's a bizarre piece of black magic: before starting the engine push the throttle to the floor slowly three or four times. Then start. No one really knows why it works, but it does. Even Maserati, according to my local MD, doesn't seem to know why. But it will make the car more drivable and stop you looking a bit inept. :smile:

As for other tips, keep your eyes peeled for a "gear unavailable" message in Sport / MC and when driving / changing gear hard. I get it from time to time, as do others on here. Everything passes muster ok on the diagnostics and frankly it's not really an issue, but worth looking out for and then not worrying about.
Click to expand...


Have to agree with all of the above....................
And to confirm we have no idea why this works but it is a godsend when manoeuvring around the showroom!
 
c4sman

c4sman

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Last question. When in manual sport mode but driving sedately do you let the box downshift itself on the approach to say a set of red traffic lights or do you do you DIY? I often do it myself for the lovely throttle blip at higher revs than the car would, but not sure what's best for clutch life etc?
 
Felonious Crud

Felonious Crud

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Mostly for downshifts I let the car handle thing I grim driving sedately. When coasting to a stop I hit neutral in second rather than the car having to also select first. Cuts down on a bit of clutch wear.
 
c4sman

c4sman

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1,255
AdamN said:
Mostly for downshifts I let the car handle thing I grim driving sedately. When coasting to a stop I hit neutral in second rather than the car having to also select first. Cuts down on a bit of clutch wear.
Click to expand...

Neutral idea sounds good, thanks AdamN.
 
c4sman

c4sman

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1,255
Yet another last question:frusty5:

Checked in with the dealers as they hadn't told me what the clutch wear was when it went through the warranty and service routine. It was just over 40% worn which I thought was high for a 10k miles car.

Does this sound high to you guys?

I think i am going to have to use all of the above techniques to extend its life!
 
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