Car downshift in manual mode?

[mikegt2]

My question is when using paddle shifters is the transmission suppose to kick down a gear when you stomp on it ?

 

[D.J.]

Yes. That's what the kickdown switch does.

Stomp on it less (all the way down, but not depressing the kickdown switch) if you want wide open throttle without a gear change.

 

[mikegt2]

Ok thanks ! glad to know there nothing wrong with my transmission ! not really used paddle shifters much and noticed it yesterday .

 

[MerlintheMad]

In fact the car takes over and will downshift from 8th gear to 4th gear at 89 MPH, just like that. I'm not sure about the consistency of what @D.J. said about "all the way down" (sans kickdown): I'm pretty sure that my car has assumed control and downshifted there too, just not as dramatically? I need to test this more. Hah.

 

[SIMONGUEY]

recently found out about the kick-down switch and honestly... so damn cool!

 

[MerlintheMad]

recently found out about the kick-down switch and honestly... so damn cool!

Yeah, with my learning curve it took about a year for me to actually focus on that in the manual. (My first big revelation was manual gate: that took me about three months to discover: felt rather stupid about that, actually. )

 

[JSolo]

Manual cars ftw. Want to downshift, rev up downshift. If not, don't touch the gear shift. Simpler to drive.

 

[MerlintheMad]

^^ I've said it before: If the Stinger had a manual transmission option, that would be on my car as non-negotiable.

 

[JSolo]

See, as much as I love manuals, I truly don't know if I'd get another one for a primary vehicle in this area. A decade ago, coming off the bike on the left and a 6mt camaro it was a no brainer. Today, traffic is much worse out here.

 

[SIMONGUEY]

Manual cars ftw. Want to downshift, rev up downshift. If not, don't touch the gear shift. Simpler to drive.

like rev up the car before downshifting?

 

[D.J.]

In fact the car takes over and will downshift from 8th gear to 4th gear at 89 MPH, just like that. I'm not sure about the consistency of what @D.J. said about "all the way down" (sans kickdown): I'm pretty sure that my car has assumed control and downshifted there too, just not as dramatically? I need to test this more. Hah.

I am sure, that during the summer while towing a few dirtbikes at about 110kph in 8th gear, I have tapped the right flappy paddle, to switch to manual (stays in 8th) then floored the accelerator, to the kickdown switch - but not depressing the kickdown switch - car stayed in 8th. (Drive mode was "comfort")

I had a buddy with me in the car at the time and we were talking about the physical kickdown switch.

 

[JSolo]

@SIMONGUEY
Yes. You need to raise engine rpm slightly before going into a lower (shorter) gear. Same for upshifting but opposite. You let the rpm's drop slightly before shifting. How slightly? Usually few hundred rpm - 300-500rpm, depends how the trans is geared and how fast you're going. At higher speeds the rpm difference is higher between gears.

 

[SIMONGUEY]

@SIMONGUEY
Yes. You need to raise engine rpm slightly before going into a lower (shorter) gear. Same for upshifting but opposite. You let the rpm's drop slightly before shifting. How slightly? Usually few hundred rpm - 300-500rpm, depends how the trans is geared and how fast you're going. At higher speeds the rpm difference is higher between gears.

why exactly would I need to increase rpm before downshifting? I'm understanding the process but not the reason I guess.

thank you for the answer tho!

 

[D.J.]

why exactly would I need to increase rpm before downshifting? I'm understanding the process but not the reason I guess.

thank you for the answer tho!

If you don't raise the rpms yourself, (rev matching) the rpms will raise themselves for you when you dump the clutch after the gear change... Just won't be a smooth downshift if you don't blip the throttle on your downshift.

 

[JSolo]

Not only won't it be smooth but you will cause more wear and shock on the drive line. The best shifts are seamless - no driveline shock or suspension upset.

Simon, look at some manual driving yt videos.

 

[SIMONGUEY]

ahhhhh! ok, that makes sense then!!