Quote:
Originally Posted by SquadRogue
Oh well I went back to DRIVE and play with the paddles when its an emergency.
Doesn't have to be in manual drive to use the shifters
|
Hey, I know you're a cautious guy. That's not a bad thing. I also drive an automatic, I am probably less cautious by nature and probably have more driving experience. That last part is just because I'm old, I'm not bragging.
Anyway, I want to share my thoughts on the manual mode of the 86 with you, @
SquadRogue
Manual mode with paddle shifts is fun, especially on a track day, where you have to brake and accelerate a lot, and can anticipate what gear you will soon want to be in. Practising this is a Good Thing. You won't break your engine or gearbox. Keep it safe and legal, though.
Manual mode is only really useful for very aggressive driving. In city traffic it's just a nuisance, like a car with manual transmission. When coasting on the freeway it's pointless.
Personally, after driving a lot in manual mode trying to master it in this particular car, I have almost completely ceased using manual mode for anything but track days and very slippery, icy roads where shifting gears at the wrong moment means risking loosing both traction and control, and keeping the RPM in the low range is wise.
My favourite aggressive driving style is to stay in Drive with Sport and VSC Sport engaged, using the paddle to shift down if I know I want to speed up rather soon (just beating the kickdown, basically, and it feels good) or to engage engine brake when coasting downhill (this also feels good). I let the AT take care of shifting up, since it does it more accurately than I am able to.
Of course, aggressive driving is dangerous both to you and your surroundings, and requires gradual practise. So my advice is to not use VSC Sport until you're comfortable with how your car loses traction in normal mode and you're quite confident you can handle it, every time, in any situation. And don't turn VSC completely off on public roads, that's where the fine line between "aggressive" and "stupid" goes. In my opinion. Other people may disagree and call me reckless for using VSC Sport, and maybe I am. I haven't caused a crash this millennium, that's my only defense.
I sincerely hope you find this informative.
