Transmission 'Drag' While Coasting

[Scorpio Redux]

Compared to other automatic transmission cars I have driven, my Stinger (2.0T) seems to have a lot more 'gear drag' (friction) when I let off on the gas (at low speed, 20 mph) and coast in Drive (Comfort Mode). The feeling is a bit like that of regenerative braking in an electric drivetrain. Has anyone else noticed this? (But it does save on braking as I approach a stop sign!)

 

[Ucinn]

Transmission tuning.. my Mustang does this now that i had the trans tuned.. it's just the transmission being in the right gear if you have to hit the gas, less lag time for the tranny to select the right gear.

 

[ZyroXZ2]

Compared to other automatic transmission cars I have driven, my Stinger (2.0T) seems to have a lot more 'gear drag' (friction) when I let off on the gas and coast in Drive (Comfort Mode). The feeling is a bit like that of regenerative braking in an electric drivetrain. Has anyone else noticed this? (But it does save on braking as I approach a stop sign!)

Yea, this is a weird feel because it imitates engine braking if one was driving a manual. Personally, I don't like it: I'll just drive a manual if I want to engine brake.

As for many people stating this is about keeping the right gear, that's just nuts. Skip-shifting is the solution to sudden WOT, and my old car had an aftermarket tune that enabled skip-shifting and higher transmission line pressure. It could downshift two gears in the time this thing takes to decide on what gear it wants and it hasn't even shifted to that gear, yet

As for my personal take: I think it reduces brake rotor warp. Dragging on iron rotors just speeds up warping dramatically, so engine braking can reduce this by increasing low speed braking force while decreasing moderate brake pressure needed to slow down. Of course, without being one of the engineers, I could be just as wrong and sound pretty damned stupid right now

 

[upsidedown]

Yea, this is a weird feel because it imitates engine braking if one was driving a manual. Personally, I don't like it: I'll just drive a manual if I want to engine brake.

As for many people stating this is about keeping the right gear, that's just nuts. Skip-shifting is the solution to sudden WOT, and my old car had an aftermarket tune that enabled skip-shifting and higher transmission line pressure. It could downshift two gears in the time this thing takes to decide on what gear it wants and it hasn't even shifted to that gear, yet

As for my personal take: I think it reduces brake rotor warp. Dragging on iron rotors just speeds up warping dramatically, so engine braking can reduce this by increasing low speed braking force while decreasing moderate brake pressure needed to slow down. Of course, without being one of the engineers, I could be just as wrong and sound pretty damned stupid right now

Yes I have said in a few posts how bad (my opinion) the calibration and the jerkiness of the changes are and not up to scratch when driving in suburban traffic. However other members say they absolutely love the transmission and won't get a software update if it affected the shifts.

 

[Ucinn]

I am one of those.. I will not get an update if it comes out. I purposely had my Mustang tuned this way and love it. The Stinger shifts very soft in comparison, so if anything I would get it tuned for more firm shifts and hold them even longer.

 

[leecm]

Sorry to bump an old thread but I've been pretty bummed by the way my 2019 GT2 drags when downshifting while I coast anytime I'm ~30MPH or below. I've put about 700 miles on the car so far and it honestly has started to give me some buyer's remorse. None of the other cars I've driven recently (my 06 is250 and '12JKU, GF's 09 FX35) have had this drag effect. It honestly makes the car unpleasant to drive at low speeds because of how hard it is to coast and brake smoothly.

Do all Stingers drive like this? Is it an issue that only affects some models? Is it present in all but just more pronounced in some than others?

I'm hoping that it is something that I'll be able to get used to or adapt my driving style to, but the unpredictable timing of when the car downshifts leads me to believe that I'll never truly be able adapt to it.

 

[NS_Stinger]

You might be best suited to drive in eco mode. Eco mode will get you into the highest gear possible and avoid engine braking.

 

[NismoDPB]

Sorry to bump an old thread but I've been pretty bummed by the way my 2019 GT2 drags when downshifting while I coast anytime I'm ~30MPH or below. I've put about 700 miles on the car so far and it honestly has started to give me some buyer's remorse. None of the other cars I've driven recently (my 06 is250 and '12JKU, GF's 09 FX35) have had this drag effect. It honestly makes the car unpleasant to drive at low speeds because of how hard it is to coast and brake smoothly.

Do all Stingers drive like this? Is it an issue that only affects some models? Is it present in all but just more pronounced in some than others?

I'm hoping that it is something that I'll be able to get used to or adapt my driving style to, but the unpredictable timing of when the car downshifts leads me to believe that I'll never truly be able adapt to it.

I would say you perhaps are just not used to this type of transmission. Most 8 speed automatics with a sportier tune perform like this. I personally love it as I am a big fan of engine braking. As was mentioned eco or smart mode is probably your best bet for driving at low speeds.

 

[eflyguy]

I've been pretty bummed by the way my 2019 GT2 drags when downshifting

I would say my experience is completely opposite of yours when driving on twisty mountain roads.

I've driven other vehicles with manual-shift auto where that kind of control was needed. After many miles, I've determined the paddles are virtually unnecessary on the Stinger. Perhaps on a track - I'll find out this weekend..

 

[GRStinger]

The OP has the 2.0. I can't respond to that since I have the 3.3 / haven't driven the 2.0. I assume there's a different transmission tune. But I generally have the opposite experience, but it certainly depends on the drive mode you're in. There is definitely more 'gear drag' in Sport, and I think the lower shift-points are just right for spirited driving in Sport. Conversely, there is much more 'coast' in normal/Comfort mode. The last automatic I had was a Altima coupe 3.5 V6 with CVT trans. No drive-mode selection but there was much more engine brake in that car than in my Stinger in Comfort.

 

[leecm]

The engine braking that I experience happens in both comfort and sport mode (and to a lesser degree in eco mode.) The amount of braking is equal in both comfort and sport, but sport is more jerky when it brakes. If I coast up to a stop light, the engine will brake until it's damn near idle. That seems excessive, but then again, my other cars didn't seem to engine brake at all. I guess it's just something I'll have to get used to.

 

[POS VETT]

I actually love this way the drivetrain behaves. I dislike the typical "old" automatic transmissions characteristic, they are loose, gooey, and lazy to downshift. As long as it doesn't hurt the transmission, "active" engine braking using downshift during coasting is very nice in my opinion. I've been noticing this kind of drivetrain calibration in several vehicles including GM K2-gen pickup trucks ('15, '16, '17 Sierras and '18 Silverado), Corvette C6 ('8 Coupe), Toyota GSX30 ('12 Avalon), '16 Ford Transit Connect (with 2.5l and 6AT), and '18 Stinger GT.

The way I see it, the calibration keeps the engine in rpm range where the injectors are shut down, boosting fuel economy and prolonging the life of the brakes. Not that I care about fuel economy, but it's a little bonus.

 

[Gferg01]

The OP has the 2.0. I can't respond to that since I have the 3.3 / haven't driven the 2.0. I assume there's a different transmission tune. But I generally have the opposite experience, but it certainly depends on the drive mode you're in. There is definitely more 'gear drag' in Sport, and I think the lower shift-points are just right for spirited driving in Sport. Conversely, there is much more 'coast' in normal/Comfort mode. The last automatic I had was a Altima coupe 3.5 V6 with CVT trans. No drive-mode selection but there was much more engine brake in that car than in my Stinger in Comfort.

This is my experience too. Came from a Maxima with a CVT and V6. Going down hill there is definitely engine braking. However when I switched to the Stinger, in any mode other than sport, on that same street, it would still hunt for a higher gear going down hill, forcing me to apply more brake. It doesn't bother me either or just what I was used to vs what I have now.

I will also agree that it will coast and keep dropping a gear as you slow to almost a crawl which I haven't experienced in other cars. It seems like its programmed to inly shift at that minimum speed (i.e. 47-48 mph is minimum for 8th gear, 34-35 is minimum for 7th) and nothing else . More pedestrian cars will drop a gear or two, but will hold till you get to a crawl before going to 2 or 1 smoothing out that entire experience. Doesn't bother me either way, just comes down to programming. I'm sure other cars with sporty intentions behave very similar.

 

[CaliSting]

The great automatic transmission tuning is what sold me on the Stinger. It’s not transmission drag it’s 8 speed going into correct gear and you feeling engine braking. Very sporty! . I loved trans on mountain roads. Perfect downshift as I’d brake into turn. Not as good as my wife’s pdk trans in her Porsche but very good for auto trans.

If your used to lazy shifts and coasting feel this probably isn’t car for you. You might be able to find aftermarket trans tune designed for fuel economy that leaves it in taller gear longer on decelerations .

This is why I always say this car is perplexing to me. Transmission tuning like a sports sedan but car marketed as relaxing long drive Gran Turismo. Transmission isn’t lazy it’s more sports car like. Same thing with steering . Very quick steering for a car that should be relaxed for touring. It’s like engineers and marketing guys were having a fight. Marketing guy “We have made a Gran Turismo for the masses. Built for those relaxing long drives”. Engineering guy “uh yeah marketing guy ...hey KIm Sung lets put an LSD in this thing and while we’re at it quick steering rack, tune transmission like a race car, put big brembo brakes on, lets give car low profile roof and small racing steering wheel.” It’s what makes this car really interesting to me.

 

[Fboost]

The more you drive it you will be able to tell when it is about to downshift.
In sport mode I ease off the brake just a touch when I know it's about to downshift
I don't have this problem in comfort, maybe you use a lot of brake pedal pressure to stop? Maybe try braking a little earlier so that the stop is more progressive that way the car will downshift softer and you will hardly notice it, also easier on your pads and rotors.
I can only assume that you are braking hard as I have not had an issue when in comfort mode.
The only thing related that bugs me is when your just about to stop the pedal requires extra pressure to pull the car up, I also heard some journalists complain about this as well.

 

[DrGCS3]

Sorry to bump an old thread but I've been pretty bummed by the way my 2019 GT2 drags when downshifting while I coast anytime I'm ~30MPH or below. I've put about 700 miles on the car so far and it honestly has started to give me some buyer's remorse. None of the other cars I've driven recently (my 06 is250 and '12JKU, GF's 09 FX35) have had this drag effect. It honestly makes the car unpleasant to drive at low speeds because of how hard it is to coast and brake smoothly.

Do all Stingers drive like this? Is it an issue that only affects some models? Is it present in all but just more pronounced in some than others?

I'm hoping that it is something that I'll be able to get used to or adapt my driving style to, but the unpredictable timing of when the car downshifts leads me to believe that I'll never truly be able adapt to it.

Have you tried the coasting feature that disconnects your transmission? I can’t recall it’s exact name, but it’s one of the customizable options that I recall seeing. I personally like the downshifts but it seems like this may smooth things out for you. And save fuel I guess, or so it claims.

 

[falanger]

Personally I love the downshifting for a silly reason; if you have a catback/midpipes, it makes for some cool sounding pops and gurgles from the exhaust as you slow down. Even after thousands of miles, I haven't grown tired of that yet.

 

[leecm]

Thank you all for the responses. It's comforting to know that a lot of people like the way the Stinger engine brakes. That gives me some hope that I'll get used to it and possibly even enjoy it in the future.

 

[Christopher A Herman]

Thank you all for the responses. It's comforting to know that a lot of people like the way the Stinger engine brakes. That gives me some hope that I'll get used to it and possibly even enjoy it in the future.

You can try the Coasting feature which decouples the transmission from the engine during coasting, but only in SMART and ECO modes. On Mulitmedia Screen go to SETUP->Vehicle Settings->Coasting and check the box. I tried this out but didn't like the complete absence of engine braking--I ended up using the brakes a lot more and did not like that tradeoff, so I disabled it, again.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Have you tried the coasting feature that disconnects your transmission? I can’t recall it’s exact name, but it’s one of the customizable options that I recall seeing. I personally like the downshifts but it seems like this may smooth things out for you. And save fuel I guess, or so it claims.

Coasting is only on MY19 I believe.

Thank you all for the responses. It's comforting to know that a lot of people like the way the Stinger engine brakes. That gives me some hope that I'll get used to it and possibly even enjoy it in the future.

I wondered if you were complaining about the "hit in the back" I read on here a few months ago: the downshifting in auto (not using paddle shifters) was so rough that it alarmed the driver. And then there was/is a TSB to flash the transmission programming. Some said the result eliminated the harsh downshifts, but lobotomized their Sport mode so that it didn't feel any different than Comfort. Maybe one said that, I don't recall.

Anyway, if your trans isn't in need of a TSB looksee, or if it is, at least you'll know it is working normally.

My GT1 downshifts very smoothly. But then I am extremely light on the brakes in every situation but driving fast up to corners I am taking "spiritedly", or emergencies.