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Honda Jazz Forums => Honda Jazz Mk3 2015 - 2020 => Topic started by: Hebden on February 12, 2018, 05:21:14 PM

Title: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: Hebden on February 12, 2018, 05:21:14 PM
Soon to move to an automatic SE ::) but I've no experience of driving an automatic gearbox car.  ::)

I'd really appreciate advice and all the tips you can share with me. Thanks all.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: olduser1 on February 12, 2018, 06:21:36 PM
Best advice get some miles in before your decide to switch, take a demo vehicle out on roads you know for at least 30-40 mins your local dealer should be able to help.
The Jazz CVT gearbox is a delight in town,  b roads & motorways, pop into D and  your off & away.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: VicW on February 12, 2018, 07:14:59 PM
When you first start driving an auto you will possibly still go for the clutch pedal.
This can be a little off putting especially if you catch the wide brake pedal.
Do not be put off by the way the auto box fitted to the Jazz operates. Unlike other types of auto box it is a stepless transmission so as you open the throttle the revs rise and the road speed catches up with the revs. Except under extremely wide throttle openings you will not notice it.
Enjoy.

Vic.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: AlanTR on February 12, 2018, 07:56:45 PM
My wife moved to our Jazz SE CVT from a 6-speed manual Hyundai IX20 CRDi with no problems at all and now wishes she'd move to an auto years ago.

Very easy transition - once you train your brain to keep your left foot planted on the floor, you'll have no problems. More relaxed driving, especially on busy roads and no chance of stalling!
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: peteo48 on February 13, 2018, 09:30:03 AM
Ignore any comments from me about the CVT - I haven't driven one only been driven in one!

My neighbour is 81. He gets a new car every 3 years with motability and he has just replaced a Civic CVT with a Jazz CVT. He finds them very easy to drive, very economical and wouldn't go back to a manual. He dos most of his driving around town.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: Downsizer on February 13, 2018, 10:46:38 AM
When manoeuvring, I find it's tempting to move the lever from D to R while still rolling forward, but this is probably bad practice and potentially damaging!
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: mikebore on February 13, 2018, 12:26:54 PM
Something to know is the algorithms controlling gearing and engine speed are biassed towards maximum economy and maximum use of the Atkinson cycle (lower power more economy).

Sometimes this results in the car behaving like it has a flat spot and not responding as you expected.

When this happens you can do one of three things:-

1. Flip the left paddle to select a lower gear temporarily. It will change backup when it is ready.

2. Slip it into S mode. You can change between S and D at will.

3. Push you foot harder on the accelerator pedal. To me this feels unnatural and the slowest way of getting more response.


S mode is also useful if you are waiting to accelerate into a gap in fast moving traffic.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: Jocko on February 13, 2018, 12:55:49 PM
I drove automatics for 25 years (albeit conventional Epicyclic gearbox types) and absolutely loved them. First serious spell was a 3 week hire car in the US, and when I got a shot of a manual, just before my return, I forgot to push the clutch in to stop. And that was after 25 years driving manuals. An auto is just so simple to drive and so natural. It takes no getting used to. You just push one pedal to go and the other to stop. Once driving the car, whatever you get, you will soon find what makes it work for you. Don't worry about it. Just enjoy the experience.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: andruec on February 13, 2018, 01:46:31 PM
3. Push you foot harder on the accelerator pedal. To me this feels unnatural and the slowest way of getting more response.
I find that a short, sharp jab does the trick. Not down to the floor but a very positive signal that the ECU cannot possibly ignore :)

It took a bit of practice but now I can almost always jump the revs up to 3,000 when I need and that takes the engine out of the Atkinson cycle.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: andruec on February 13, 2018, 01:51:07 PM
First serious spell was a 3 week hire car in the US, and when I got a shot of a manual, just before my return, I forgot to push the clutch in to stop.
Exactly the same deal as me. Took a trip to the States, rented a car. I didn't have any issues driving an automatic. I didn't even have to tuck my left foot under the seat because I never felt the slightest urge to press the clutch. But I had issues coming back to my manual even though I'd been driving a manual for nearly 20 years by then.

Like you I kept forgetting to press the clutch when I stopped but I also found myself irked simply having to press it to change gear. It just seemed such a pointless thing to do and the entire operation one that required ridiculous skill to do it properly (I was a member of the IAM back then and they have definite views about gear changing - head nodding by passengers is a hanging offence :) ).

The only aspect of the auto I didn't like was when it 'hunted' on a few long hills. But that was a hire car with only a three-speed box. This was also around the time that Honda released their revised Civic hybrid and I took one out for a test drive and discovered the joys of a CVT box. Initially I tried to buy a hybrid (I preferred the saloon shape even though it was going out of fashion) but they quoted me a six month minimum waiting period. The salesman had the sense to suggest I try a CVT Jazz instead and that was me hooked :)
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: CATech on February 13, 2018, 06:53:15 PM
Just got a Mk3 (67 plate) EX CVT after a 14 S and a 16 SE.
Best one ever. Got stuck on the stop start bumper to bumper hold up on the M5 last Friday. The CVT was a Godsend!!!

Go get one, you won't be sorry.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: Hebden on February 13, 2018, 10:15:23 PM
Thank you all very helpful.
No choice but to change - arthritis in the hip making life difficult. We had a good test drive and liked it. Deal done. Change over day is the 21st of the month.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: peteo48 on February 13, 2018, 10:21:47 PM
Thank you all very helpful.
No choice but to change - arthritis in the hip making life difficult. We had a good test drive and liked it. Deal done. Change over day is the 21st of the month.

Congrats. Various joint issues - shoulder and ankle - are steering me towards autos.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: valleyjazz on February 14, 2018, 10:21:01 AM
Reminds me of my dear old Dad,  I have pretty much driven automatics all my driving life and Dad used to rib something rotten, stating all the usual reasons why not, control, reliability fuel consumption etc etc. In his early seventies he started suffering from stiff shoulders and general aches and pains and I tried to encourage him to try automatic driving, would he... eventually I convinced him to try our car, after much muttering he did and it was his light bulb moment, following day we started the quest to find him something he liked, a nice rover 216 came up and he snapped it up. From that day on he would always say”why didn’t I do this sooner” it kept him and mum independent and on the road, safely until 3 months before he passed at the ripe old age of 98, (I used to go out with him every couple of months to see if he was safe, slow but perfectly ok)
Enjoy many years of safe and happy motoring, I am sure you won’t regret it.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: peteo48 on February 14, 2018, 02:40:25 PM
I'm test driving a 17 plate Mk3 CVT SE tomorrow! I'll report back.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: VicW on February 14, 2018, 07:01:39 PM
Interesting article in Auto Express.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/102640/it-won-t-be-long-before-automatics-outnumber-manual-car-sales?_mout=1&utm_campaign=autoexpress_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter

Vic.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: Jocko on February 14, 2018, 07:14:30 PM
When my wife was toying with learning to drive I suggested she learn on an automatic. No clutch and gears to worry about. Later, when she was comfortable driving in traffic and the like, she would up-skill to a manual.
In today's traffic, learning all the skills at once is no easy task. Things were a lot easier in 1965, when I learned to drive. Mind you, I had to learn to double declutch, as the three gear car I learned on had no synchromesh on first.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: AlanTR on February 14, 2018, 07:43:12 PM
I regularly flip-flop between my manual Hyundai I10 and my wife's CVT Jazz with no problems at all. Once you've got your brain trained, even at 70, it's a doddle.

Which do I prefer? The CVT - it's so much easier to drive. My next car will definitely be an automatic.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: VicW on February 14, 2018, 07:51:16 PM
Although I have driven autos for many years now I still appreciate the skill of driving a manual and being in the right gear at the right time.
Many years ago I used to regularly drive a lorry, an old Austin, with a six speed crash gearbox. I thoroughly enjoyed the  technique required to double declutch every gearchange especially the downward ones.

Vic.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: Downsizer on February 15, 2018, 12:26:49 PM
Interesting article in Auto Express.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/102640/it-won-t-be-long-before-automatics-outnumber-manual-car-sales?_mout=1&utm_campaign=autoexpress_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter

Vic.
In this article the reviewer describes the main types of automatic transmissions, and like many reviewers dismisses CVT as not suitable for a "keen" driver.  Presumably, by keen, he means someone who is more concerned about the sound of the car than the efficiency.  I think of myself as keen, and the great joy of CVT is the seamless ratio changing which matches engine revs to power required, whatever the road speed.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: peteo48 on February 15, 2018, 03:18:36 PM
Well - I had a test drive in a 17 plate 1.3 SE with the CVT at Cheshire Oaks Honda this morning. They are very good and let you loose on your own. The dealership is near the motorway so I was able to do a bit of a mix of driving.

I am sold completely and will be taking delivery of the car next Wednesday. I found there could be a bit of a lag when you opened the throttle but it soon caught up. Once up to cruising speed, the revs dropped right back. Even had a little go of the flappy paddles - I think they could be useful on occasions.

I am now a CVT convert and recant my former criticisms!
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: peteo48 on February 15, 2018, 03:34:06 PM
[imghttps://www.dropbox.com/s/st7x5iel37i2hcg/20180215_120058.jpg?dl=0][/img]

As you can see - not very good at this posting pictures lark. This is the new car.

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: andruec on February 15, 2018, 04:32:42 PM
Interesting article in Auto Express.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/102640/it-won-t-be-long-before-automatics-outnumber-manual-car-sales?_mout=1&utm_campaign=autoexpress_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter

Vic.
In this article the reviewer describes the main types of automatic transmissions, and like many reviewers dismisses CVT as not suitable for a "keen" driver.  Presumably, by keen, he means someone who is more concerned about the sound of the car than the efficiency.  I think of myself as keen, and the great joy of CVT is the seamless ratio changing which matches engine revs to power required, whatever the road speed.
I also like the sound of constants revs. To me it sounds like the engine is 'just getting the job done'. The more traditional rising, falling, rising of engine RPM sounds like it's faffing about.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: andruec on February 15, 2018, 04:35:15 PM
Well - I had a test drive in a 17 plate 1.3 SE with the CVT at Cheshire Oaks Honda this morning. They are very good and let you loose on your own. The dealership is near the motorway so I was able to do a bit of a mix of driving.

I am sold completely and will be taking delivery of the car next Wednesday. I found there could be a bit of a lag when you opened the throttle but it soon caught up. Once up to cruising speed, the revs dropped right back. Even had a little go of the flappy paddles - I think they could be useful on occasions.

I am now a CVT convert and recant my former criticisms!
Lol, good to hear. You can compensate for the lag through anticipation. Did yours have the rise/fall/rise when the accelerator was flat to the floor?

I find that the paddles are only really useful for selecting a lower gear when going down a hill. In normal driving they rarely seem to be under your fingers when you want them and anyway in discrete mode the box doesn't feel as smooth.
Title: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: jazzway on February 15, 2018, 05:08:38 PM
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/st7x5iel37i2hcg/20180215_120058.jpg)

As you can see - not very good at this posting pictures lark. This is the new car.
Congratulations Pete! Of course i expect a full introduction with photos in its own topic when you’ve collected the new car.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: guest1372 on February 15, 2018, 05:12:22 PM
.... like many reviewers dismisses CVT as not suitable for a "keen" driver.
Bit daft really as CVT has been banned from racing for offering too great an advantage. Williams FW15C in '93 and the ACU banned the 1911 Zenith Gradua (WW1 dispatch rider bike) from speed records.

By 'keen' maybe they mean more involved.
--
TG

5 things you should never do in a CVT:
Primarily moving the selector while the vehicle is either moving or high-revving.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: VicW on February 15, 2018, 07:05:03 PM
things you should never do in a CVT:
Primarily moving the selector while the vehicle is either moving or high-revving.

If this is true you should not move between 'D' and 'S' while on the move which is obviously not true.
Presumably the statement refers to selecting 'P' while moving or selecting 'D' while going backwards or selecting 'R' while going forwards or revving the engine in 'N' then selecting 'D'.

Vic.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: Dayjo on February 15, 2018, 09:34:59 PM
What a load of twaddle!  :o

No wonder newcomers have so many misgivings/ doubts......

Just. Get in, and drive it!
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: jazzway on February 16, 2018, 03:06:54 PM
What a load of twaddle!  :o

No wonder newcomers have so many misgivings/ doubts......

Just. Get in, and drive it!
Once there was a time you needed a car, you bought one and drove away. Just that. :) There was no internet, no youtube, no “everyone want something to say, useful or not...”

There’s a wealth of information on the world wide web, one has to divide useful information from other. ;)
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: culzean on February 16, 2018, 03:17:33 PM
What a load of twaddle!  :o

No wonder newcomers have so many misgivings/ doubts......

Just. Get in, and drive it!
Once there was a time you needed a car, you bought one and drove away. Just that. :) There was no internet, no youtube, no “everyone want something to say, useful or not...”

There’s a wealth of information on the world wide web, one has to divide useful information from other. ;)

The internet is absolutely full of peoples opinions,  and plenty of self-proclaimed experts, not much hard fact though.   Having too much choice can make things harder especially these days because people know that as soon as they decide and buy something then something 'better  :-X ' is going to be introduced.  Only way to know if a car suits you is to drive the blooming thing and make your own mind up.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: peteo48 on February 16, 2018, 05:06:47 PM
The choice thing is a real issue. I think that's why I stick to Honda. It's my brand of choice (now I've ruled out EVs).
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: Hebden on February 21, 2018, 02:27:33 PM
Ooh just back from the swap and it’s been a lovely first drive. Quiet, freely and smoothly moving. Let’s hope the love affair lasts.

A bit of creep when in reverse. Perhaps that means a firmer foot on the foot brake. Seats  feel different too, maybe that’s just newness. Touch screen seems more responsive. Dealer suggested you need to give them a wipe every so often.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: ColinS on February 21, 2018, 02:53:20 PM
Congratulations.  And you never put yourself through the windscreen by using the phantom clutch pedal  ;)
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: culzean on February 21, 2018, 03:09:51 PM
Congratulations.  And you never put yourself through the windscreen by using the phantom clutch pedal  ;)

Good advice.

Keep your left foot out of the way,  I drove automatics for many years overseas (and my wifes in UK) and your left foot is not good for braking, it is just tempting fate to try to brake with it.. you never really want to brake and accelerate at the same time anyway.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: Jocko on February 21, 2018, 03:43:37 PM
No, don't get into left foot braking. Apart from anything else you may have to go back to a manual some day!
I only ever went for the phantom clutch once, long before I ever got an automatic of my own. It was a Ford Corsair, and it had a big, wide brake pedal. It is amazing the emergency stop you can manage with both feet on the brake!
I have to admit, since going back to the manual I have forgotten to de-clutch twice during rapid stops!

(http://classiccars.brightwells.com/images/lots/af3_6.jpg)
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: olduser1 on February 22, 2018, 11:06:21 AM
Enjoy your new Jazz
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: peteo48 on February 22, 2018, 02:00:40 PM
Glad you are enjoying the new car. I'm enjoying mine. First Tesco trip this morning and first refuel. We'll have to keep comparing notes :)
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: CATech on February 22, 2018, 04:09:16 PM
Had my EX CVT for 3 weeks now....done 500 miles (mostly on M5 and60-65mph) and a little disappointed at the real world ( .... yes I write down petrol fill-ups into a spreadsheet......sad) mpg.
I'm getting 42-45mpg....I was getting 55-60 in the manual SE. I'm guessing that the engine is still "tight" ?? and we've had c-c-c-c-cold weather.
Though I thought engines were now "run -in"??
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: Jocko on February 22, 2018, 04:17:53 PM
( .... yes I write down petrol fill-ups into a spreadsheet......sad)
Doesn't everybody?
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: mikebore on February 22, 2018, 04:22:45 PM
Had my EX CVT for 3 weeks now....done 500 miles (mostly on M5 and60-65mph) and a little disappointed at the real world ( .... yes I write down petrol fill-ups into a spreadsheet......sad) mpg.
I'm getting 42-45mpg....I was getting 55-60 in the manual SE. I'm guessing that the engine is still "tight" ?? and we've had c-c-c-c-cold weather.
Though I thought engines were now "run -in"??

I felt my engine was tight when new. It seemed much happier after 15000 or so, but this is subjective. It wasn't reflected in fuel consumption, but I may have been driving harder as it loosened up. Engine seemed quieter and smoother too.

I track all my fuel usage with Fuelly on my iPhone. Very easy to add litres and miles while still at the pump. Attached is a current screenshot from my phone. (Data is also uploaded to Fuelly and accessible on computer).

Overall average is 46.0 average over 23,328 miles. I am not a hypermiler, and use the performance available up to the speed limits.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: Downsizer on February 22, 2018, 04:54:24 PM
Had my EX CVT for 3 weeks now....done 500 miles (mostly on M5 and60-65mph) and a little disappointed at the real world ( .... yes I write down petrol fill-ups into a spreadsheet......sad) mpg.
I'm getting 42-45mpg....I was getting 55-60 in the manual SE. I'm guessing that the engine is still "tight" ?? and we've had c-c-c-c-cold weather.
Though I thought engines were now "run -in"??
I've had a mk3 cvt for 20,000 miles, after 70,000 in a mk 2 manual.  Fuel consumption has been consistently around 8% better in the Mk3, with a real world lifetime average of 50.4mpg for the same driving pattern.  Cold weather certainly seems to affect
consumption.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: andruec on February 22, 2018, 04:56:24 PM
Had my EX CVT for 3 weeks now....done 500 miles (mostly on M5 and60-65mph) and a little disappointed at the real world ( .... yes I write down petrol fill-ups into a spreadsheet......sad) mpg.
I'm getting 42-45mpg....I was getting 55-60 in the manual SE. I'm guessing that the engine is still "tight" ?? and we've had c-c-c-c-cold weather.
Though I thought engines were now "run -in"??
What? That's appalling. I am currently getting around 45mpg (yes, measured pump to pump) from a 25 mile round-trip commute including two miles of rush hour traffic in the evening. On a long motorway run I'd expect over 60mpg. Close to 70mpg in fact. Although I do tend to sit in lane one at around 60mph with the cruise control on.

But cold weather seems to impact the Mk3 more than any other car I've owned. Come summer (if it ever does, please God) I'll expect to return to well over 50mpg on my commute. Typically around 55mpg.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: Jocko on February 22, 2018, 06:17:14 PM
The cold weather has destroyed my mpg. Wet roads have a huge impact (even worse of you have wide tyres). Throw wind into the mix and the wee car struggles.
Title: Re: What's your best advice for a new automatic Jazz
Post by: peteo48 on February 22, 2018, 09:43:28 PM
( .... yes I write down petrol fill-ups into a spreadsheet......sad)
Doesn't everybody?

I certainly do! Panicked when we went down to Cornwall last September. The app for fuelly on my smartphone doesn't seem to work (almost certainly something to do with me) and I hadn't got my lap top. Took a manual note everytime I filled up. Updated fuelly before we unpacked!