Automate question

[dreamerman]

I bought one but have yet to install it. Is it possible to install it in such a way that if I remove the OBDII plug my transmission goes back to standard? Reason is my NX is new and still a way to go before first service. I do not want to show that I have a mod during servicing so the intention is to remove the OBDII plus and tuck it somewhere since servicing will use OBDII for diagnostic. Any thoughts will be appreciated.

[ant_schomacker]

Have a read through the manual. I’ve not long installed mine and I’m pretty sure that once you unplug it from the OBD port everything works as per factory standard.

[m_and_m]

Hi dreamerman,
auto-mate has been designed to return to factory operation when power is removed by unplugging the OBD2 connector. Internally there are relays that, when power is removed, just connect the factory wires back together to form the circuit.

If the control unit is removed, though, you need to install the link plugs that are provided to reconnect the circuit (to do what the relays were doing).

So, yes, just unplug and put the OBD2 cable in the transmission tunnel. The other think you can do is remove the LED/switch. Just peel back the rubber door trim, wind LED/switch cable into a coil, and locate under the steering column. This take less than a minute.

[HeavyPizzaz]

Hi dreamerman,

auto-mate has been designed to return to factory operation when power is removed by unplugging the OBD2 connector. Internally there are relays that, when power is removed, just connect the factory wires back together to form the circuit.



If the control unit is removed, though, you need to install the link plugs that are provided to reconnect the circuit (to do what the relays were doing).



So, yes, just unplug and put the OBD2 cable in the transmission tunnel. The other think you can do is remove the LED/switch. Just peel back the rubber door trim, wind LED/switch cable into a coil, and locate under the steering column. This take less than a minute.

Hey mate does this work the same for the Lock Up Mate? Eg if you somehow accidentally kick out the obd plug or something like that. A/T operation would just revert to normal?


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[dreamerman]

Hi

Thanks!!!

[m_and_m]

Hey mate does this work the same for the Lock Up Mate? Eg if you somehow accidentally kick out the obd plug or something like that. A/T operation would just revert to normal?

Yes, lockup-mate is the same.
Been designed so if you ever suspect the unit has a fault it will revert to factory operation by just removing OBD2 plug.

[dreamerman]

will revert to factory operation by just removing OBD2 plug.

GENIUS!!

[Paj11]

Is automate interaction free, just set and forget when in drive, I am the type of person that just likes to leave things alone, let it do it’s thing.

[Mundy55]

Is automate interaction free, just set and forget when in drive, I am the type of person that just likes to leave things alone, let it do it’s thing.

Read through this thread. It has some possibly extraneous info on torque converter operation but a lot on the action of the Auto-mate.

https://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=66739

[Ian H]

Is automate interaction free, just set and forget when in drive, I am the type of person that just likes to leave things alone, let it do it’s thing.

Yes, you can just turn it on or off at the switch as you like. Some have it off around town and on when out on the highway, particularly when towing, while others leave it on all the time and let it do it's thing. No driver input is required.

[Paj11]

Read through this thread. It has some possibly extraneous info on torque converter operation but a lot on the action of the Auto-mate.

https://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum...ad.php?t=66739

Mundy, you taking the piss, LOL. I stopped at Page 8, too much for me, what I did learn is there a lot of intellectuals on this forum, it was for interesting reading though, but I need lamen term discussion, but what I have determined at least for myself is that unless I do a lot of towing, which I don’t at the moment but will eventually do then it’s best to keep the $700 in my pocket. Even though the kit does have everyday driving benefits you can also get those same benefits from savvy driving, but as I do have a spare $700 laying around I am still keen on the kit, boys and their toys right, I have the tune, iDrive on order, why not a lock up kit?, then next year perhaps an Eaton Diff Locker.

[Mundy55]

Mundy, you taking the piss, LOL. I stopped at Page 8, too much for me, what I did learn is there a lot of intellectuals on this forum, it was for interesting reading though, but I need lamen term discussion, but what I have determined at least for myself is that unless I do a lot of towing, which I don’t at the moment but will eventually do then it’s best to keep the $700 in my pocket. Even though the kit does have everyday driving benefits you can also get those same benefits from savvy driving, but as I do have a spare $700 laying around I am still keen on the kit, boys and their toys right, I have the tune, iDrive on order, why not a lock up kit?, then next year perhaps an Eaton Diff Locker.

Well, yes, it did get a little technically heavy.

Whether or not to get the Automate depends on why you are buying it and how you drive, being either primarily for fuel economy or transmission temp reduction. My experience in local, stop start driving, is that it makes little or no difference to fuel economy (perhaps even a little worse) and is slightly less comfortable due to either or both not getting into a higher gear as early and due to transmission vibration in the 1500 to 2000 rpm range. There's a lot more gear changing, too. However there is a marked but not huge decrease in transmission temp, but again the magnitude of the reduction depends on your local topography, how often you stop and start, and what speed you get up to.

Denmonkey, in his videos, feels the car is more responsive and likes the automate for the feel. I don't find this myself.

The biggest fuel economy difference and transmission temp reduction occurs on the open road especially if towing and on hills. Even if not towing the difference is great.

If you are not towing or not doing much open road stuff, then the fuel economy justification is, to me, arguable. For example, if you only do a third of your driving open road per year, lets say 7,000km, and get a 2L/100km reduction there, you'll save 140L per year or about $170 per year on current prices. So on that basis the break even is about 4 years.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Automate as I do a relatively high amount of open road driving and towing a camper. For me its about protecting the transmission by keeping transmission oil temps significantly below 80deg instead of being 100deg or more.

[Dicko1]

Well, yes, it did get a little technically heavy.

Whether or not to get the Automate depends on why you are buying it and how you drive, being either primarily for fuel economy or transmission temp reduction. My experience in local, stop start driving, is that it makes little or no difference to fuel economy (perhaps even a little worse) and is slightly less comfortable due to either or both not getting into a higher gear as early and due to transmission vibration in the 1500 to 2000 rpm range. There's a lot more gear changing, too. However there is a marked but not huge decrease in transmission temp, but again the magnitude of the reduction depends on your local topography, how often you stop and start, and what speed you get up to.


This is so true. When I see people post about getting 9 lts per 100 klms I know that they dont live in a hilly environment. Same as towing with the auto mate. I can leave mine in 5th gear whilst towing 1800kg with no problems, on the Bruce Hwy....Drive up to Cooktown and its a different story.


Denmonkey, in his videos, feels the car is more responsive and likes the automate for the feel. I don't find this myself.


I found the same. The car was a lot more responsive and felt a lot better to drive. Same for my mate who got the kit after driving my car. His wife said she noticed the difference in the cars driving almost straight away as she uses the NS daily.


The biggest fuel economy difference and transmission temp reduction occurs on the open road especially if towing and on hills. Even if not towing the difference is great.

If you are not towing or not doing much open road stuff, then the fuel economy justification is, to me, arguable. For example, if you only do a third of your driving open road per year, lets say 7,000km, and get a 2L/100km reduction there, you'll save 140L per year or about $170 per year on current prices. So on that basis the break even is about 4 years.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Automate as I do a relatively high amount of open road driving and towing a camper. For me its about protecting the transmission by keeping transmission oil temps significantly below 80deg instead of being 100deg or more.

Fuel saving is a byproduct for me. Protecting the tranny was my reason for buying the kit as well..

[m_and_m]

Even though the kit does have everyday driving benefits you can also get those same benefits from savvy driving

Hi Paj11,
You can't when driving below 80-90 kph. I was a savvy driver, monitored my trans temps, and knew about towing in 4th to ensure the torque converter locked up.
However, I hit numerous driving situations where you just couldn't lock the torque converter and maintain low temps. For example, climbing up to Hotham on the asphalt, or climbing Vic HC hills in low range. Any windy uphill and the temps are high (even when not towing), but particularly when towing as the car is working much harder than normal.

After just 50,000km my transmission oil was burnt (recommended service is 190,000km). All this lead to the development of lockup-mate, then auto-mate, as I had a real problem I couldn't solve 'as a savvy driver'.
Unless you monitor your trans oil temps you don't even know how hot it's getting. The warning lamp is set to 147degC, after which the oil is done for, and the trans impacted.

As Dicko said, transmission protection was the #1 factor, with fuel savings being a really nice benefit.