Paddle shifting automatic downshift
 

I just started messing with the paddles and it is awesome. Anyways I was wondering if most people are just allowing the transmission to down shift on its own or manually using the paddle to downshift. I'm just doing regular street driving and I feel like the transmission does such a good job of downshifting on its on. I want to keep my transmission in the best shape possible.

FR-S are meant to be driven hard, not pussified.

I don't think it makes any difference in terms of wear to the transmission whether you manually downshift it or if it does it on its own.

If I'm coming to a full stop I'll just let it downshift in its own, but if say I'm slowing into a corner I'll manually downshift to keep the RPMs in the range I want. The ECU generally just downshifts enought to keep the engine from stalling as the RPMs drop.

Don't listen to people who tell you to hammer your car when they aren't making your car payments...

Let the car get up to operating temp before pushing it and follow break-in procedures and you'll be fine...

if your driving a bit hard, just put it in sport mode and enjoy. the shift points are so nice you dont even need to interfere and it even downshifts hard if needed - its really quite good. first time i tried it i was shocked how well and fast it works. i love the AT on the FR-S !

I was curious about this as well because I'll be getting an automatic and I can't drive a standard car, but I was thinking I might try the paddle shifters at least. I figured the upshift might not be too difficult without the clutch because I at least understand the workings of a manual, but I don't know anything about the downshift.

Just make yourself use it you will quickly adapt. It will probably be a bit awkward at first especially is you've never been an MT driver, but it makes the experience much more interactive, and gives you almost the same level of control.

The automatic gearbox won't downshift if the RPMs will end up being too high, so it's pretty fool proof

Blip the throttle all day. I like the sound, can't wait for a new exhaust kit. :)

Edit*: Wasn't paying attention that this was in reference to the automatic. My bad.

All the above.

To answer the OP, I didn't set out for this to happen, but I've gotten so used to the paddles that while driving I do downshift more than the computer on most drives, even when in "full auto". In fact, I no longer think about it, it just happens. I even double-down on the shift quite often from 6th to 4th when passing.

When "coasting" to a stop though, I only downshift when in manual mode, mostly out of laziness. I think the manual mode waits to long to downshift in a normal stopping situation, but it works fine in auto.

About this double-down shift, I've seen it in person with a friend, and with this smart automatic, how long should a noob like me wait before even considering attempting a proper double-down pass?

you didnt really answer his question

His question clearly was whether ppl let the car downshift automatically or if you press downshift on the paddle

he didnt ask whether you thought it should be driven hard? i dont get it ...

why did you say that lol

but yea i think if someone wants to beat their car to shit, more power to them, but be prepared for more frequent services and part replacing

PS: i UPSHIFT the car on my own but i agree. it feels better to let it downshift on its own when city driving :)

Just try it. I do it all the time. The computer won't let you push the car past redline the worst you'll really do is scare people with how badass your car sounds as the RPMs jump.

Exactly.

If you want to watch the computer at work, put the car in manual mode and notice the small up/down arrows on display next to the gear number. It will display an up arrow/down arrow or both depending on what the computer will let you do at the time. If you get in the higher revs you'll notice the down arrow disappears. That means a downshift would put you in "violation" of the rev limiter and the computer won't let you do it.

Now, you can stay in your current gear and run right up to the rev limiter and stay there all day, or you can upshift, but you can't downshift.

This also applies when in full "auto" or sport mode even though you can't see the arrows. My theory is part of the reason this auto does such a good job of shifting is it ALWAYS knows what it can or cannot do. It doesn't have to have a committee meeting first to decide if what you are asking is OK.

Exactly. If the TCU lets you downshift, you aren't hurting anything by doing so. Take charge, run it how you like.