Hey everyone,
I recently got a 2005 Limited Edition Roadster with a manual transmission, I have a few questions:
1) is anyone else in the Daytona Beach, FL or Orlando area?
And more importantly
2) I don't know if this is just the crossfire in general or my own opinion, but the gears seem incredibly short. By time I hit 20mph first gear is passing 4000 rpm and 2nd lasts until 45mph if I really push it. Where do you find the ideal shifting speed/rpm? And how do you launch the car off the line with such short gears? If I drive normally it seems like 0-10mph is 1st gear, 10-30 is 2nd, 30-45 is 3rd and then 4,5,6 can be anything after. Perhaps I just need to get used to the car to find the sweet spots.

Thank you all!

 

They used the transmission in some jeeps also so first IS really low. Many start off in second gear unless you want to get off the line then shift into second quick. One other thing, if you get on it in first don't try to jam it into second, let it find it's place and it will go much easier. I think I lose some time waiting on second to synchronize.

 

Thanks for the quick reply! That's really helpful, I just need to be more patient with the car

 

Another thing. If it wont go into first put it in second first then it will usually go into first then. Other cars I have had if it wont go into reverse you put in neutral, release the clutch, push the clutch back in and it will go into reverse. Not like that on our manuals. There is nothing wrong with your transmission, that just the way it is. Search notchy first to second and you will see many threads.

 

Welcome to the forum. There are a bunch of us in the Daytona/Orlando area! We do get togethers fairly often, to include the Daytona Beach Dream Cruise and other car shows throughout central Florida, as well as just general meet-ups. Events we attend are generally announced through the Florida Crossfire group on Facebook. Sometimes they are also posted here on the forum.

If you are on Facebook and you haven't done so already, consider joining both the Chrysler Crossfire Owners group and the Florida Crossfire Group.

 

The sweet spot for my 1st -2nd is 3,000 - 3,500.
I do not like slipping the clutch and lugging engine starting in 2nd.
A rearend around a 2.88 would be perfect for our 6 speeds.

 

When I am not in any hurry, I usually shift around every 10mph. I noticed since I changed my muffler I shift sooner in town to keep the noise down.

Page 172 in the owner's manual actually has recommended shift speeds (I just stumbled across this looking for another section):
1-2 = 15mph
2-3 = 25mph
3-4 = 40mph
4-5 = 45mph
5-6 = 50mph

Ryan

 

The trans was obviously desgned for something else. Somehing with a torqueless high winder. As mentioned it was used in the Jeep Wrangler

I find first good for my driveway, shopping malls, and stop and go traffic. Would also be good for pulling a 4,000 lb trailer and parades.

Wold make a good car for a learner since almost impossible to stall in first.

Personally prefer to start in second unless on a hill or in very slow traffic.

Part of the problem is that in my coupe a fast 1-2 makes the traction control go bananas. OTOH the car needs traction control particularly when the road is wet.

So in a way it fits the rest of the car: off the shelf components left over from the SLK. Quality components but old.

Definitely needs a different rear gear, I'd go as far as a 2.67 or 2.73. There have been rumors of one but nothing has surfaced.

 

Yeah, there does seem to be a lot of shifting involved - but I still enjoy it. I usually get caught in about 5 minutes of heavy traffic leaving work - 1st gear is pretty nice for that. I just dump it in first and idle my way along, everyone else is stop/go. Depending on the situation or mood I will start in 2nd. 2nd in this car is about equivalent to most cars 1st gear, so I don't think there is any harm, maybe a little more clutch wear.

I agree with you on training a new driver. Finally convinced my wife to try to drive it and told her to just concentrate on letting the clutch out, don't even worry about the gas. She humored me and got it around the neighborhood but she still doesn't understand why I would choose a standard over an auto. Ah well - to each his (or her) own.

I had traction control problems going into 2nd until I swapped out my rear shocks. I don't know if new shocks helped with "wheel hop" or what, but I can pretty much jump on it going into 2nd now without traction control killing the power.

Ryan

 

I usually shift at around 2000 rpm, more or less. It's pretty good about not lugging the engine even when in 5th or 6th at 40-45 mph. The short first gear is ideal for plowing snow. Finding a plow hitch that fits is a b*tch, though.

 

Regarding the Jeep references, yes the 6 speed manual in the Crossfire was and is used in Wranglers also. But, it was a Mercedes unit adapted for use in Jeeps, not the other way around. It was used (obviously) in the SLK 230, the SLK 320 and in the same vintage C class sedans. The spread of ratios 1-5 is low (relatively) for acceleration, which is good.
5th gear is 1:1, rather than 4th being 1:1 gear which is usually the norm in 6 speed applications.

 

Still think the 6-speed was designed for the N/A SLK200, a 138ps I-4 designed to compete with the Miata and just used for other cars when the public demanded a 6-speed.

**** should be marked GR-1-2-3-4-5 and that is how I drive it. (GR- Grade Retard aka "Granny"). It is just too low to be useful for acceleration.

 

I think it should be GR-1-2-3-4-OD. Its more like a 4 speed with a granny and an overdrive.

 

Would not disagree, I would expect two overdrive gears in a six speed. Top for long level low rpm cruising on Interstates.

Think it needs a 2.67:1 rear gear since 36" rear tires are not an option.

 

You guys just gotta love the new batch of transmissions, 7-8 forward gears? Oh my...






.

 

And to think, I had a 10 speed 60 years ago when I was 11 years old .......

 

And some 9's now. Maybe they should just use a CVT and be done with it.

What I love is all of the MFRs pitching "90% of the torque peak from 1800 to 6400 rpm". If so why do they need more gears ?