Auto- Mate for PB/PC Challenger.

[m_and_m]

Do you want a 5th gear lockout feature?

I've had a request for a feature to stop the transmission going into 5th gear when driving through hilly country, to stop hunting between 4th and 5th. Peter - you don't need to reply

Is anyone else interested in this?
It's essentially the same as the old fashioned overdrive "off" button.

My idea would be to 'double click' the LED switch to toggle the mode overdrive ON and OFF. The LED would flash 4 times when on, and 5 times when off. Between engine starts it would reset to OFF

What's the opinion? Anyone think they need this feature?

[Ian H]

I like that idea. Wouldn't it also be good for towing when you don't want 5th ?

[m_and_m]

I like that idea. Wouldn't it also be good for towing when you don't want 5th ?

Yes.
Sometimes you do want 5th when towing as you can save on fuel.
Can always use SPORT too depending on condition.

[Ian H]

I use sport to hold it in 4th but change to D when going through a town so that the car will change up when required. I've often forgotten to shift back to sport when hitting the 100k zone again so if i had an option to stay in D but not go to 5th, that would solve that problem.

I do like the point about towing in 5th with the TC locked.

[old Jack]

With Auto Mate, 5th gear does not change up until about 78kph on flat roads and light throttle positions. When I was doing the testing with a 1900kg trailer through the hills and up the SE freeway I did not find the need to override the locked 5th gear when it was selected by Auto Mate. The only time I over rode Auto Mate was on steep descents and you get better engine braking and greatly improved ATF cooling.

OJ.

[Ian H]

Sounds good OJ. One thing I'm not sure on in the video, is the light an indication that it's locked or just that Automate is on? He says a couple of times that it's locked but I couldn't figure out how he knew, apart from maybe checking the revs.

[old Jack]

Sounds good OJ. One thing I'm not sure on in the video, is the light an indication that it's locked or just that Automate is on? He says a couple of times that it's locked but I couldn't figure out how he knew, apart from maybe checking the revs.

In Auto Mate the LED pulses until the ATF is up to temperature (40C) and the dash display is "D", once up to temp the LED stays ON and indicates that Auto Mate is doing its thing, you do not need to know if the TC is locked up or not, but the dash indicator displays the current gear so you can see which gear you are in at anyone time. When in Auto Mate the TC rarely unlocks once over about 15-20kph and in 2nd gear.


In Lockup Mate mode the LED flashes if the TC is not locked to remind you to change down a gear, when you change down a gear the LED goes "OFF" but the dash display still displays which gear you are in.


When Auto Mate is turned "OFF" then the LED is off and the dash gear diplay indictes "D".


OJ.

[Ian H]

Thanks for the clarification OJ.

[PeterC51]

I've had a request for a feature to stop the transmission going into 5th gear when driving through hilly country, to stop hunting between 4th and 5th. Peter - you don't need to reply

Is anyone else interested in this?
It's essentially the same as the old fashioned overdrive "off" button.

My idea would be to 'double click' the LED switch to toggle the mode overdrive ON and OFF. The LED would flash 4 times when on, and 5 times when off. Between engine starts it would reset to OFF

What's the opinion? Anyone think they need this feature?

Hell yes. PLEASE!

[Ian H]

Any updates on this guys ?

[old Jack]

Any updates on this guys ?

As of a few days ago, Marshall was waiting on hardware to be delivered from Japan to start production of the Challenger Auto-Mate. Once the parts have arrived and AM8 #1 is built and bench tested it will be fitted to my Challenger for double checking in vehicle.

Everyone has been very patient, but we have not been happy to release Auto-Mate until we were both happy with it. This has taken much longer than we expected, Lockup Mate was simple by comparison, a huge amount of testing and reprogramming has been required to get Auto-Mate to a level that is as good as Lockup Mate when you really get the manual gear changes correct, it is almost 10,000kms just on Auto-Mate development.

It is not perfect in every condition no, but no automatic that I have driven is!
To remind myself how good it is, I turn AM8 OFF for a few days and then I really notice how bad the factory programing really is.

I still prefer the control of the semi manual mode using either the sports shift or paddles, when I am off road, on gravel roads, steep descents or very windy roads as I can select the gear I want to be in and hold that gear rather than waiting for the Auto Mate to react when conditions change. Around the city, suburbs and general touring duties the trans is always in Auto-Mate auto mode.

Has it been worth all the time and effort?

For me yes, as it has transformed the Challenger is all driving conditions, reduced ATF, AIT and engine coolant temperatures, and improved fuel economy. It is a much nicer drive than the factory program, more responsive and is in the right gear when you need it to be 99.99% of the time.



OJ.

[Ian H]

Sounds good, thanks OJ.

[thorby]

Excellent, just recently bought a LS PB Challenger and have come across all this info while searching for ways to improve the auto.

Can't wait to get an automate!

Very interesting reading the journey so far, fantastic effort by you guys!

[m_and_m]

Progress update on auto-mate for Challenger

The finished prototype unit has been in OJs car now for several weeks now.
The SW is 100% functionally complete and we're doing final testing.
An issue uncovered last week is we think the adaptive learning is changing the amount of smoothness we can achieve. ie auto-mate works very well for a few days and then get a little bit rougher. Go back to normal DRIVE for a few days and then switch auto-mate ON again and all is OK again. The roughness is only noticeable if you're not towing, like when you're driving around town. With a load on the back it's fine. I have some ideas on how to resolve this.

The production parts have now arrived, and I now need to finish making 4 production units to install in Adelaide based cars.
Once these are confirmed ok and the adaptive learning quirk is solved, it will be fully released.
If you need a lockup-kit for a big upcoming trip, you can purchase a lockup-mate and I'll offer an upgrade it to an auto-mate in the near future.

Status on the Pajero version is here

Marshall

[Dicko1]

The finished prototype unit has been in OJs car now for several weeks now.
The SW is 100% functionally complete and we're doing final testing.
An issue uncovered last week is we think the adaptive learning is changing the amount of smoothness we can achieve. ie auto-mate works very well for a few days and then get a little bit rougher. Go back to normal DRIVE for a few days and then switch auto-mate ON again and all is OK again. The roughness is only noticeable if you're not towing, like when you're driving around town. With a load on the back it's fine. I have some ideas on how to resolve this.

The production parts have now arrived, and I now need to finish making 4 production units to install in Adelaide based cars.
Once these are confirmed ok and the adaptive learning quirk is solved, it will be fully released.
If you need a lockup-kit for a big upcoming trip, you can purchase a lockup-mate and I'll offer an upgrade it to an auto-mate in the near future.

Marshall

Dont worry too much about the Challenger mob...We Pajero owners need the upgrade!....lLOL. Good job...will make the Challenger a better car to drive.