Comfortmatic Box, should I be afraid?

WESTY66

WESTY66

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All the gear, and no idea!
As per title, is there anything I should know about driving one of these box’s, I have driven torque converter box’s for years, even pre-select box’s, but not a “Robotic” auto, how are they different to a “proper” auto? Do I drive it like a proper auto?
 
It's like driving a manual, only a little gnome under the bonnet presses the clutch and changes gear for you. I'm on my third one. Had a bit of trouble with the second one but got it sorted and still bought another.

You either love it or hate it. I love it. You get proper engine braking, unlike with a 'proper' auto. Just don't expect it to perform like a sports car's gearbox... it's a commercial vehicle.
 
Been driving one for ten years without a problem (tempting providence) except the initial take off is a bit slower so allow for that, it’s very easy to drive and you can select the gears you want in manual if you prefer,
 
Main difference is they don't creep van doesn't move until you hit the gas. Also important not to let them ride the clutch i.e. if stationery on a hill in traffic don't hold the van in position using the throttle or will get a lovely burning smell from the clutch.

Had Comformatics in the last two vans done about 45k miles with them, not quite as good as a full auto but a hell of a lot better than a manual box.
 
Just as others have said. A little slow on take off from stationary, but just a case of adjusting to it.

Very happy with ours. Have a traditional torque converter gearbox on the car, but very happy with the comfortmatic on the van.

Takes 15-30 minutes to get used to the comfortmatic, and it's all easy-peasy from then on... :giggle: (y)

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Stick it in neutral when you stop at traffic lights etc. If you don't it's like sitting with your foot on the clutch pedal and can shorten the life of the clutch release bearing.

In very hilly places put it in manual and do the gear changes ourself. The problem is the 'box can't anticipate when to change gear. This is no problem going downhill but it struggles changing down a gear under load. The worst case is approaching a hairpin bend in second and leaving the transmission to decide when to change down to first. If it has to do this on the steepest part of the bend it won't be smooth. :) Much better to change down manually before you reach the bend.
 
DBK said:
In very hilly places put it in manual and do the gear changes ourself. The problem is the 'box can't anticipate when to change gear. This is no problem going downhill but it struggles changing down a gear under load. The worst case is approaching a hairpin bend in second and leaving the transmission to decide when to change down to first. If it has to do this on the steepest part of the bend it won't be smooth.
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My Euro 6one is a lot better at it than my last van.
 
WESTY66 said:
As per title, is there anything I should know about driving one of these box’s, I have driven torque converter box’s for years, even pre-select box’s, but not a “Robotic” auto, how are they different to a “proper” auto? Do I drive it like a proper auto?
Click to expand...
Yes and no i.e. somewhere in between. You don’t have the “bite, hold, momentum” of a torque converter auto so manual driving experience on hill starts etc. is required. It is simple to use and really is a good alternative to a “true auto”. I have been driving Autos for 20 years and I really like it. Don’t try the race off the mark style of driving and you will be fine. If there is a lag, you won’t notice it if you don’t try a Grand Prix start. Engine breaking is just as good as my 530D. Regarding using the manual change, never had to use it on current MoHo, only a couple of times on the last one but used the UP button on both. Take your time, get used to it and it will be fine (y) Good luck.
 
Lenny HB said:
My Euro 6one is a lot better at it than my last van.
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Lenny HB I agree.

My last two Comfortmatics were 3.0 litre 180hp versions and the take up of the drive was not always smooth. In reverse, the last one was as rough as a bear's arse!

The current one is a Euro 6 2.3 180hp and the drive take-up is very smooth, the gear changes are smoother and reverse is just as smooth. I was apprehensive about swapping from a 3 litre 180 to a 2.3 litre 180, but I'm not disappointed. It pulls along very nicely, even though it's a 5 tonne tag axle.

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Always been a fan of manual gear change but after all those French roundabouts thought I would try an automated box.
No way would I go back to manual now.
50k miles and I just select ‘forward‘ and away we go. So far I’ve never felt it necessary to go into manual selection.

Richard.
 
Ya know, I have seen a bears arse, and fairly close up to be sure; I thought it was remarkably smooth for such a large creature. Lovely fur...

Another plus on the auto box, I've got one on my 3lt Pilote. Its the business, but like your man said its a commercial compromise. a modern sedans, Slick 6 speed, Borg-Warner it is not. Yes, you still have to be able to master a steep hill start and yes it can get a bit confused when going down hill as it wants to use engine breaking when you want to coast, but its not difficult to over ride.

Go for it. Its a blessing. Manuals are so 20th century.
 
ChrisL said:
Be careful at roundabouts, it'll change gear (slowly) just when you don't want it to, put it into manual anytime you need to pull out into traffic, so you can decide when to change gear.
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Lastest ones are a lot better,my current van it's only caught me very occasionally, last van I used to flip it into manual approaching roundabouts, don't need to on this one.
 
G7UXG said:
You get proper engine braking, unlike with a 'proper' auto.
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Errr since when? My Ford motorhome and the last 3 cars I've had have all got torque converter gearboxes and yes I do get proper engine braking. Went down Sutton Bank in the car once without using the brakes at all.
 
Never used manual mode (not intentionally, anyway).

I just leave it in Auto. Sometimes it seems reluctant to change down but all it needs is an override by pushing the lever forwards. Easy.

It takes a while to remember to be in auto 1st gear before turning the engine off. If it is in neutral it gets annoyed and beeps loudly which makes your passenger think you have messed up something important.
 
Just make sure you have breakdown cover! Read a lot of stories about breakdowns lately!
 
a re-copy of one of my posts from 2012

Hello,

I have ran Sprinters for many years. Since the Old T1/T2's.

I have only ever had one SprintShift, a motorhome and would never have another.

From memory when I specced my <2006 Company Sprinters. The SprintShift was �750 option, the True Auto was �950 (pre Discount and VAT).

The SprintShift was never fitted to 6 Series Sprinters (616CDi). I think on 6 series Sprinters with Auto Boxes, there was a limited tow capacity, 750kG I think.

Sprintshift is a robotised manual and not a true automatic. Mercedes no longer fit these in the Sprinter and only fit True Torque Converter 5 speed or 7G-Tronic 7 Speed gearboxes.

Yes, the do build the VW crafter under a License agreement. They fit a similar version of the SprintShift into these and this is now branded and marketed as "ShiftMatic" by VW. This gearbox is the same principle to the Fiat ComfortMatic or Iveco Agile gearboxes.

VW had to drop the noisy Pumpe D�se Engines in the crafter due to technical issues with MB's System. They now fit a new common rail version of VW diesel Engines.

I had no end of trouble with Mercedes and the SprintShift. At just 8,000 miles, 3 years old. One MB Garage said it needed a Clutch Position Sensor, another said it did not have such a thing. One said it could need a clutch postion sensor, a new clutch or a new hydraulic pump. But they would have to start with one and fit on a trial and error basis, wanting around �1,000 a try (up-to �3,000 with no guarantee it would work). One garage did not even know how to start it!. Bit of an embarrassment for my Nephew as he is the sales manager.

I got in-touch with MB in Germany who opened up a case. They said as the vehicle had been built in Argentina and Supplied in Germany to Eura Mobil for conversion, they would only cover it for 2 years warranty.

In the end, it was fixed by someone who had an Independent Garage on here. But I sold it straight after.

I now run a 5 speed Auto and a manual V6 Sprinter. The Garage that I had some dealings with re: the Auto said he avoids buying any Sprintshifts (Robert Williams Trading).

Yes, I know a lot of people who have had SprintShifts / still have them and swear by them. But they have been plagued, even at low mileages.

That was a bit long winded but hope it helps?.

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www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Comfort-Matic

So when we changed our motorhome for a Mercedes with a Sprint Shift gear box lots of people said..................... Mercedes expensive to repair and Sprint shift gear box nothing but trouble. :xsurprised: Well we had it 4 and a half years and loved it, pulled like a train good on fuel and...
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk
 
I've done about 3500 miles in my from new 2.3l 130 bhp Comfortmatic PVC. Much of it motorway, but also the windy hilly single track roads around the top of Scotland. Overall it's great and I'd hate to have to do all the clutch work of the changes on those windy roads. I've driven quite a few robotised autos and CVT type autos in cars, and the Comfortmatic seems a reasonable drive especially in a vehicle that you aren't going to be throwing around for performance. I'd have a similar auto regardless of it's little foibles.

Haven't noticed any particularly jerky changes but at times you might wonder whether it is going to change up / down and the hill climb button is needed to keep better revs on longer gradients. But I've also had challenges on some steep descents where the traction + descent mode to get engine braking will come off if the revs / speed gets too high despite a low gear, so you'll still be hanging on those brakes a lot.

Most disconcertingly I've now had two incidents where the system has got itself confused and gone into some form of limp mode so you can't change change / engage gear, which would only reset by turning off the ignition. Not something that is pleasant when your on the middle lane of a motorway.
 
ChrisL said:
Be careful at roundabouts, it'll change gear (slowly) just when you don't want it to, put it into manual anytime you need to pull out into traffic, so you can decide when to change gear.
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Yep. My automated manual would only pull away in 1st (no manual selection option) and it was not only slow to pull away to enter a busy roundabout but it would change (slowly) to 2nd at about 15mph, slowing down and prompting the driver behind to hoot, flash and make rude gesticulations, especially on French roundabouts when few drivers signal their intentions to turn off or continue round.
I have DSG transmission in my car and it's sublime.
 
If you're moving from a torque-converter auto (or a twin-clutch auto) to a robotic IMHO you won't like it at all. I haven't tried a Comfortmatic but have owned or driven a couple of other makes with robotics. They are horrible. They perform manual gear changes with all the finesse of someone who is learning to drive. The down change into first is a drawn out affair just when you don't want it to be. After the first few miles you'll drive it manually. Any 'smoothing' of gear changes is (has to be) by slipping the clutch. I wouldn't willingly try another one.
 
Kannon Fodda said:
form of limp mode so you can't change change / engage gear, which would only reset by turning off the ignition.
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Hi.
Had this when first had the Ducato Auto. It appears that if you have.."Quick feet" Braking and accelerating within a Mili second time frame is NOT acceptable,so it goes on strike,this will right itself in a few seconds,if you just sit there and curse.. This appears to be common knowledge among......."Those with quick feet " :xThumb: :xThumb:,so,Welcome to the gang. NO HEEL AND TOE !!
Tea Bag
Edit. What IS scary,is what you have to do if you are stuck in traffic,i only read so much,so much was to much,so i put it back in the booklet folder,and now don't get stuck in traffic..result
 
tonyidle said:
If you're moving from a torque-converter auto (or a twin-clutch auto) to a robotic IMHO you won't like it at all. I haven't tried a Comfortmatic but have owned or driven a couple of other makes with robotics. They are horrible. They perform manual gear changes with all the finesse of someone who is learning to drive. The down change into first is a drawn out affair just when you don't want it to be. After the first few miles you'll drive it manually. Any 'smoothing' of gear changes is (has to be) by slipping the clutch. I wouldn't willingly try another one.
Click to expand...

That's not my experience... and I have owned and driven three of them (see post 2) a total of about 35,000 miles.

I also own a BMW 430 diesel with the 8-speed ZF gearbox. That really is smooth and sublime, but it's a different animal altogether and I wouldn't compare the two... built to do a different job.
 
Both MH and car have robotic automatics and I find them better than the old type of automatic gearbox as I can change up or down manually if necessary - not that I need to very often.

It did take a bit of getting used to after driving manual for years, and there is a new skill set required but it is soon picked up. i would not willingly change back to manual now.
 
Oh dear what have I let myself in for??
It’s not the latest offering, it’s coupled up to a 3.0L on a 63 plate!! Should be fun in the alps....not??

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