[808Chargerfan]

i was looking at a few pics at the shifters on the chargers and i couldnt seem to know how the autostick would work (as there doesent look like there is space on the shifter plate to shift manually) What would really help is if someone made a video of themselves or another owner using auto stick.

also, because you dont take your foot off the gas when you use autostick, would that blow the trans or motor.

Thanks a lot guys.

John

 

[lammy]

It just taps right or left. When it is in drive it sits in the middle. It is like a joystick. Slight tap to one side = upshift, tap the other way = downshift. It is very slick...

 

[lammy]

Sorry I didn't answer the blown engine question. The computer takes care of everythign for you. It is auto-magical. I can not be sure, but I believe that it works just like a standard automatic, you just have a higher level of control. I am sure that the techies that are all over this forum will explaine it much better than me. I actually am anxiously waiting for the good technical answer. I l;ove this forum for that reason.

 

[808Chargerfan]

so after you tap it right or left , it goes back to its first position, in the middle?

also, is there a switch that activates it?

JOhn

 

[lammy]

Back to center=Yes
Switch to activate=No

 

[brooks]

and, after your finished driving with the stick you can get back into the regular automatic mode by shifting to neutral, then back to drive

the autostick is a lot of fun
i've tried it off the line a couple times

but i really dont use it for anything else like regular driving, only use it when im gonna hit the gas hard

 

[nd4spd 4 a srt8]

and, after your finished driving with the stick you can get back into the regular automatic mode by shifting to neutral, then back to drive

the autostick is a lot of fun
i've tried it off the line a couple times

but i really dont use it for anything else like regular driving, only use it when im gonna hit the gas hard

or just shift + untill your back in drive.

 

[MoparG]

Lammy says that there is a higher level of control compared to a regular automatic. I differ in opinion in that you do not have a higher level of control over the 5 gears as in other automatics such as GM's automatics where you can select each gear manually.

Chrysler Group's Mercedes-sourced automatics' five speeds are not all used consecutively in upshifting and the same holds true for downshifting. Certain ideal gears are used (and determined by the computer) for upshifting and others for downshifting. Hence a true "full" control over the transmission is impossible. This is why the AutoStick feature is actually a requrement. It will be interesting to see how the Chrysler Group designs the action of the column shifter on the police Chargers. Likely it will be just a drive mode with no shifting ability unless they use tap shift buttons on the steering wheel (DCX are you listening?!).

 

[CO-Charger]

and, after your finished driving with the stick you can get back into the regular automatic mode by shifting to neutral, then back to drive

It didn't take me long during my test drive to figure this stick thing out.

Basically like any regular automatic you shift from park down to D (Drive - automatic mode). Then with each tap to the left (-), you go down in sequence (displayed on the instrument panel), 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Doing this puts you in "manual" mode. Then you are set for launching at the green. Each tap of the stick to the right (+), the sequence shifts up, 2, 3, 4, 5, and a final tap from 5th gear puts it back into automatic mode, D.

One caveat, the computer will monitor your lead foot and if you wait too long to upshift, its still an automatic and it will make the decision for you to prevent over-reving.

[Ok, I am just guessing on this last part about over-reving, I did not experience it or read it, just figured it would be the logical thing to program into a transmission like this. Anyone care to confirm this or correct me?]

 

[nd4spd 4 a srt8]

If you don't upshift does it bounce of the revlimiter or shift for you?
I know a few benz will just sit on the rev limiter untill you shift but some will shift for you. (i'm a benz tech)

 

[needasrt4]

the auto stick in the 06 charger is a lot diffrent then what i had in my 05 magnum

 

[ChargerJim]

AutoStick shifts for you ... it does not "bounce off the revlimiter". But it's important to undertand that AutoStick will hold the gear at high rpms versus shifting at a comfortable shift point like an automatic. I use AutoStick all the time and absolutley love it. It's the best of both worlds!

 

[maneval69]

Yes it is different
The only thing an auto stick is supposed to do over a regular automatic is allow you to select a gear regardless of speed or throttle position. Of coarse it want let you up shift to a gear that will take the rpm under a certain point, or down shift into a gear that would over rev the motor. The thing I most like about a true auto stick is the ability to upshift at full throttle before the automatic shift points. Which the 05's don't do but all 06 LX cars with the 5 speed do.
I don't know how they can get away with calling the 05 trans an auto stick.
I have tried to get the new software loaded on to my 05 magnum but the dealer will not do it. There may be some mechanical differences that limit the 05 trans. This may also have something to do with DCX dropping the 7/70 warranty.
________
ZOLOFT CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT

 

[MoparG]

'06 must be a more HD trans then to handle the manual inputs and at any speed (like a true stage II shift kit). Do they have trans coolers too. If not, perhaps this is something that should be considered becuase from what I remembered reading the LX trans is a the weaker Mercedes E-class trans available. Also a deeper trans oil pan (for more fluid capacity) with cooling fins on the bottom for better cooling at speed would keep the wear from heat build-up down to a minimum (especially if one is towing something).

 

[maneval69]

what I remembered reading the LX trans is a the weaker Mercedes E-class trans available

I read somewhere that the Charger got an "upgraded transmission" from the 05 300C and Magnum. Apparently the upgrade is across all 06 LX 5 speeds.


Didn?t Mercedes just come out with a new 6 speed auto.
May be to keep the Mercedes brand a step above the Chrysler and Dodge, they waited until the 6-speed was released before allowing the LX cars to have ?the same trans as the E-class?. You know Brand Separation. It?s likely the trans upgrade is just a programming change.
It would piss Mercedes E-class owners off if a Dodge had the same transmission.
Kind of like not offering the auto headlights in the Dodge cars, although the feature is already there. They actually make a part different to keep the headlight knob from moving over to the Auto position. Just to make the Chrysler 300 more ?classy?.
________
KINKYVIOLETX

 

[MoparG]

That's good news that the 06 has a slightly better trans program. Yes the 6 spd is available at Mercedes but unless Chrysler Group comes out with an Imperial I doubt we'll see it on a Chrysler as you are right about Brand Seperation.

I still would add a shift kit when available (like a TransGo), a cooler, and a finned deeper capacity trans pan and it will be bullit proof.

 

[nd4spd 4 a srt8]

the benz 7spd auto is nice. It shifts really fast, keeps the rpm's up high.

 

[MoparG]

it's just too bad that you can't access all the gears manually (tap shifts only) as the computer decides which ideal upshift gear to use and which downshift gear to use. In my Impala I have 4 detents and I use them all.

Yes, even though I am an an automatic enthusiast (shift kits rule) the thought of a manual seems almost refreshing as far as direct control.

Then again after seeing Star Wars III I figure technology is cool too but we won't talk about the numb feeling of Yaw control and everything else combined. Makes you yearn for some car that you can "feel" again.

 

[HIGH_HEMI]

Haven't really paid much attention to the autostik since buying the car except once....and then I just tapped it up in gear during acceleration. Today I put her in first and floored it. Shifts at redline sweet...and high rpms make a nice sound. Of course I wasn't on the expressway so I never could get out of second gear..... :sad: I definitely am going to use it more since reading this post.

 

[808Chargerfan]

thnaks a lot guys. Damn you guys have been a real big help!

but can someone make a vid of them using it so i know what its like?

John