2003 Sport Mode 4-Speed Automatic
 

Good day everyone,

I'm looking for impressions on the Mazda's new Sport Mode 4-Speed Automatic Transmission.

Picture : Sport Mode 4-Speed Automatic Transmission
http://martin.boulinguez.com/images/sporttrans.jpg

I already had fun with this new technology Mazda brought to us, BUT, I think it can be improved in the next versions/models.

Here are my points :

- When I upshift, it should be faster;
- There should be a neutral point near Sport Mode, when stuck in heavy traffic, we could move to neutral without "snaking" up to the actual neutral position;
- 4 speed ? how about a 5th one ? driving 60mph at 2700rpm looks like high revs to me...

What do you poeple think about this transmission ? What do you think should be improved on it ?

Thanks for your time, please reply !

I dont have that.. (i just have reg AT) but i agree with your 5th gear idea... that's one thing i could never understand.... they should just make it the same as the MT... if the MT had 6, then the Sport should have 6.... its annoying that car manufacturers do that... .so many cars now are coming with 5speed AT, and now they are moving the MT to 6 speed..... so irritating

Weight and money, adding a five speed auto to a 130HP engine isn't really all that great of an idea.

Give me an SMG. I hope Mazda drags one stateside soon. Then you won't have to worry about the weak response times from the auto. And you can place it in automatic mode if you are too damn lame to use the paddles (or steering wheel mounted buttons in the MR2).

I have an 03 Protege5 with the sport auto.
1) I agree it would be nice if it responded more quickly to the movement of the shifter. Ive notice a 300-500rpm delay at times in higher rpms.
2) The trans is a 4 speed with an OD. So thats almost 5 gears. I did notice that its a very small OD though. RPM drop is only 400-500rpms. Its barley even noticable. I had to concentrate to noticing it.
3) Now I have a racing back ground. I am impressed with how you can use it to down shift into the turns like I would my race cars. With some practice and timing ive been able to revmatch the gears and make the shifts quite smooth. Just not enough power to really pull. But thats a different topic.
4)Overall im very impressed with the trans. When the warrenty runs out on this car I would turbo it but not sure if the auto could hold the power.

During your racing background did they teach you the definition of overdrive or anything about transmissions?

My 5-speed has an overdrive too, hey thats like almost a six-speed.

Actually when im instructing I teach my students more on driving technique then mechanics. But, my instructers never did no. Just my automotive experiance. No one can know it all. There is always someone out there who knows more. Since the question was on the functionallity of the trans. that is what I was providing. FYI for years in the automotive industry 5th on manuals was considered overdrive. Count the number of shifts the trans makes.

Exactly, 4 gears with OD = 4 upshifts/downshifts not 5.

Come on TheMan, I expected something good from you.

Anyway it would technically be 3 upshifts/3 downshifts on a 4-speed, starting out in first.

FYI, since you don't know that your lockup torque converter is kicking in. You only have 4 gears, there is not an electric overdrive system on our cars. The fourth gear is the overdrive. You should do some research and find out why its called an overdrive gear.

My transmission generally makes three shifts. Unless I'm on the highway, then I'll go for the fourth one.

The only "autostick" transmission that I've ever seen do what it's supposed to(shift quicker than a plain ol' AT) is Porsche's "tiptronic". If your not stuck in traffic constantly, I say, get the manual! It kinda goes with the sporty theme of the car, eh? <- that's Canadian!:D

and just to throw in the definition of an OVERDRIVE....that happens to be ANY gear whos combination with the transaxel gives you a final drive ration of LESS that 1:1 which is where the term OVERDRIVE comes from.....

those of you complaning how slow sport 4 speed auto shifts try some LUBERAGRD - little red bottle, buy it at Napa Auto Parts for about $11 it makes very nice difference on all auto's.
it makes regular 4 speed auto and sport one - quieter, more responsive firmer up/down shifts, cooler operation and it makes it last lot longer.
Just pump out 10oz. of your tranny fluid and add 10oz of Red Lubegard , also make sure your tranny fluid is not overfilled it will work better with a bit less of fluid than with too much.
Also I have noticed that my P5 4 speed auto shifts smoohter when engine oil is just a little bit under MAX mark on dipstick (3/4 full between MIN and MAX.

Confirmation
 

Do anybody confirm this theory being true ? Does that lube realy works without hurting the transmission ?

I just want to make sure before trying it.

Thanks for the infos.

Re: Confirmation
 

The Lubragard (or whatever he meant) probably works, as would a number of other products. Obviously, go with one that somebody has had experience with.

As for the engine oil making a difference in the feel of the transmission...uh, well, no.

Re: 2003 Sport Mode 4-Speed Automatic
 

I got one of these on my 03 Protege5 in September of last year and have already put nearly 10,000 miles on it.

1. I bought it because I spend WAY too much time sitting in commute traffic and having done that with a stick already didn't want to suffer through that some more. That said would I buy a sport auto vehicle again? the jury is still out, having 5 gears and quicker shifts would be a huge swing in it's favor

2. I have noticed the delay at high RPMs, it's just something you have to get used to and start planning for when driving with "spirit".

3. Their is a whine that comes from the tranny at freeway speeds that is an annoyance (from what I have determined the whine is from the tranny, not anything else and it may be reduced by going with a different tranny fluid, but haven't flushed and replaced it yet) Is this something that's totally overbearing, nope, most of the time I have music and can't even hear it. I have also read that going with a different kind of fluid will improve the shift speeds.

4. Is the tranny strong enough to turbo, from what I have read, it would appear that it is. It has been suggested that the Torque Convertor be strengthened with something like they offer at Level Ten if you go for turbo. In fact an the taller gears in an auto tranny are supposed to be suited quite well for turbo applications.

5. When I have been able to take it for a spirited drive it has perfromed well, It's very nice to be able to have control of the shift points and the gear you are in.

Bottom line the Sport Mode is what made me jump to the dark side and get an auto tranny for my commute. If it wasn't available I don't know that I would have bought the auto, or would have bought it with much more reluctance. That said if my commute was a whole lot shorter with traffic not as bad, there is still nothing that can replace 5 speed stick for the driving experience. Provided I move closer to work at some point in the future my next car will in all likelyhood be a 5or6 speed manual unless the "sport mode" autos really improve to be closer to the performance of a manual.

just my thoughts,

Jared

all valid points.

IMHO this "sport mode" should have SPORT out of the name. In no way can this be sporty or sporty purposes.

I don't like the way it responds or feels so I just leave it on drive. The only thing I can see compared to a "regular" automatic tranny is engine braking, etc.
Like if you are on a steep hill and need to be in a low gear (i.e. 1st or 2nd, like the "regular" automatics have selections) you'll use it for those cases....

I'll really like a neutral override to coast to stoplights though, instead of taking out of drive, but what do you expect from an automagic :)