Fiat Ducati Comfort Matic Gearbox
Are other members familiar with this type of gearbox. I recently read an article with regard to this type of gearbox, and subsequently changing the hydraulic fluid on the gearbox. Have any members had this done, if so did they have to have it done at a Fiat dealer. Has anyone encountered problems or issues with this gearbox, if so are there any preventative measures that need to be undertaken
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It’s an automated manual gearbox, ie electronically operated, and doesn’t have a great reputation.
The current 9 speed torque converter box is far superior.
An internet search for Ducato Comfortmatic should help you and this result jumped out at me -
https://www.practicalmotorhome.com/advice/fiat-comfortmatic-gearbox
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Our previous van had a comformatic gear box. We were used to driving automatic cars, so it certainly felt odd. I got on better with it than other half. He had a couple of nasty moments when it went into limp mode for no apparent reason, once on the A1. Pull over. Turn engine off, start again no problem. We were told that if you managed to press both accelerator and break at same time, this could happen. It was one of the reasons for changing the van to one with a proper auto gear box. Can’t help with the hydrolic fluid question.
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There is an interesting article in the MMM June magazine on the Comfortmatic suggesting that many of the problems can be attributed the fluid in the hydraulic system. The do have online versions on the magazine but I am not sure if there is a charge.
David
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David
you have read the same article as me. I find the gear changes smoother in manual than in the semi auto, which is great on motorway or dual carriageways. At least it does not creep when you don’t want it to. I have also read pressing accelerator and brake not good idea.
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I find that on a modern car that has a drive by wire throttle, if you press both pedals it will effectively turn the throttle off .... I've been driving autos with two feet for years so have found this out by experience. But they have never gone into limp mode if both pedals are pressed.
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I have been driving a Fiat Comfortmatic gearbox for just over a year now but don't know anything about serving them which I will now investigate.
I haven't had 'Limp' mode but on a couple of occasions 'Auto N' was selected rather than a gear. I do find the brake pedal and throttle pedals are rather small and close together for my size 13 feet and the instructions definitely say DO NOT press the brake and accelerator pedals together.
All in all I do enjoy drive it but would prefer a conventional auto gearbox. The things I don't like about the Comfortmatic gearbox are :-
There is no creep facility which is helpful for holding on a slight incline.
The 'take off' appears slow compared to a manual.
The gears change up quickly in an eco type fashion. (very good for fuel consumption !)
There is no 'Park' facility and you have to rely only on the handbrake.Bill
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Hi W19TB,
I've had my Mileo 243 with this gearbox for 3 years now, covered 12k miles & currently in Europe for a 2nd tour.....
Last year we drove the San Bernardino & Grossglockner passes with no problems.
It does try to change up early & hangs in a low gear on descents, sometimes this is needed but other times I just opt for manual for the next higher gear.....
No, it isn't a conventional auto or DSG but it works for me as I drove pre-select & semi auto buses for many years.
Service book says: gearbox oil change at 1st service but Fiat Dealership said this is not required for 'low mileage' vehicles..... I'm assuming that it will be a requirement once it reaches what the normal service interval is, 2 years/18k miles.
In between time, Fiat are happy to offer what they call a low mileage service.
However, I would probably insist it being done this year given how hard it has worked on our travels.
hth
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I also have a semi auto box but not the Comfortmatic. IVECO brand it as the Agile gearbox which has been developed with ZF drives. Its a 6 speed box and I have done over 60,000 miles without any problems.
Bill, I got caught out by these boxes not having a Park position, that combined with what I consider a poor handbrake on the IVECO. I learnt the hard way. Did you know that with the engine running, if you put them into gear, ideally 1st, and switch off the engine it will stay in gear effectively stopping the vehicle from rolling back or forward. These means you are not totally reliant on the handbrake.
peedee
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... Did you know that with the engine running, if you put them into gear, ideally 1st, and switch off the engine it will stay in gear effectively stopping the vehicle from rolling back or forward. These means you are not totally reliant on the handbrake.
This is effectively what Smart intend you to do. When you put it into reverse & switch off the engine, the gearbox is locked into reverse. I do that with my Roadster as it spends more time parked up in my garage than being driven. (and they laughed at SAAB 😉)
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