A Week of A/T Manual Shifting Mode

[finch1750]

I will say this about sport mode when in manual on the A/T. I believe it does affect shift times, especially downshifts, but I know it affects throttle response.

I have spent a few nights taking the car out to learn donuts (never done them before). I have been getting a hang of them pretty good, making a lap or two around cone. One night I was really struggling and couldn't hold a slide at all. I had forgot to put sport mode on, and once I did I didn't have the same trouble. Nothing else changed beside the sport mode, so the throttle input does change with sport mode on while in manual mode.

[jmaryt]

Originally Posted by sho220

All that's going to do is mess up your seats...

you'll be cleaning the car more often,and the "new" car smell will be vanquished!

[ScionFrsFan]

I think this thread is getting to my head now; I feel like my unichip works better with sport on in manual...Damm you guys lol

[Ocala FR-S]

A Week of A/T Manual Shifting Mode

Day 3

Nothing to report on Day 3 of the week of A/T manual shift mode only. I didn’t drive today, so at least I didn’t screw up any shifts. I did read a lot of interesting posts regarding the the different A/T shifting modes so I learned some stuff right here. It’s appreciated.

[ravenblackfrs]

Originally Posted by GNS

There is no perfect analogy, as you might expect, but my vast preference is for the pull to upshift / push to downshift method.

I must say, thinking about that, does seem natural. I wouldnt change the paddles per se but the lever, pull back to shift up and push to shift down. I like that idea. Often times, I feel I might accidentally shift in the wrong direction because of that very same idea. Subconsciously thinking just that.

[Kyubi]

You have a Frs and you didnt drive it today.... You should be shot... People in Australia would kill for that day... I'd kill for that day.

[zohare]

Originally Posted by Ocala FR-S

We should feel it. I found this same quote in a couple different reviews that seemed authoritative enough. "...a Sport Mode that quickens shift times and throttle response as well as shifting at higher rpm."

The owners manual in describing sport mode states "lower gears are used and gears change at a higher engine speed." It also states the obvious that sport mode controls are not carried out while in manual mode. No mention of quicker shifts and throttle response. But, the owners manual glosses over a lot of details.

I can't find anything that says whether or not the quicker shift times and throttle response of sport mode are also utilized in manual mode. Without yet having tried to discern this for myself, I would guess that manual mode works in one way without regard as to whether it is activated from normal mode or sport mode, and that manual mode would always take advantage of the quicker shift times and throttle response.

I suppose the shift response in manual mode could change depending on whether sport mode is on or off. Or maybe it only makes a difference while in temporary manual mode. I rather doubt all that.

I'll have to wait a week to compare the different modes so as not to disrupt my religious vow to drive only in manual mode all week.

Has anybody found documentation or had a clear experience to determine if manual shift mode utilizes the quicker shift times and throttle response of sport mode?

In sport mode the faster shifts aren't just perceived. I believe As in manual mode the torque converter stays locked when possible, so the sshifts are tighter and quicker

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2

[Ocala FR-S]

Originally Posted by Kyubi

You have a Frs and you didnt drive it today.... You should be shot... People in Australia would kill for that day... I'd kill for that day.

Whew, lucky for me, you are on the other side of the world. What can I say. Had to take the family in the Toyota Highlander out of town for the day for a volleyball tournament. A few months ago that would have been done in the 335i Sport Coupe. One of the drawbacks of virtually no rear seat.

[Ocala FR-S]

Originally Posted by zohare

In sport mode the faster shifts aren't just perceived. I believe As in manual mode the torque converter stays locked when possible, so the shifts are tighter and quicker.

Oh, I didn't know the torque converter could stay locked during shifts. That would certainly make for a tighter, quicker shift.

[Ocala FR-S]

Day 4

Here’s my Day 4 report of the week of A/T manual shift mode only.

Had time to drive around town and to take a long ride in the twistys of the Ocala National Forest. Still sticking to paddles only and it’s still a hassle for the stop then turn situations where 1st is wound out half way through the turn and the paddle can’t be reached. I’ll try reaching for the floor shifter tomorrow.

I can see where ultimately my long term driving habits will probably be in normal or sport mode and using temporary manual mode particularly for downshifts when coming hard into turns and setting up to accelerate out.

[M1schiev0us]

I'm just curious, what kind of steering technique do you use, shuffle or cross arm? In the mountains or along the Pacific Coast Highway I generally find that I'm able to reach my paddles at all times using cross arm so having to reach down to change gears is never an issue.

Also, I was taught to never change gears mid corner when driving quickly to prevent unbalancing the car (so no unintended Doriftu! ). As far as I know you're supposed to enter the corner in the gear you intend to exit/accelerate out with then shift once the car is pointed straight enough.

Are the stop-turn corners you're having a problem with really long enough/sharp enough to force a mid-corner gear change or take your hands off the wheel?

Sorry if you knew all that already, I'm just trying to figure out how you might be able to better navigate those turns so you don't need to use the stick as much...

[CircuitJerk]

Might also want to explore sport in auto mode. It can be surprisingly intuitive, frustrating and even disappointing depending on what you're doing.

[Ocala FR-S]

Originally Posted by M1schiev0us

I'm just curious, what kind of steering technique do you use, shuffle or cross arm?

Also, I was taught to never change gears mid corner when driving quicklto prevent unbalancing the car (so no unintended Doriftu! ). As far as I know you're supposed to enter the corner in the gear you intend to exit/accelerate out with then shift once the car is pointed straight enough.

Are the stop-turn corners you're having a problem with really long enough/sharp enough to force a mid-corner gear change or take your hands off the wheel?

Sorry if you knew all that already, I'm just trying to figure out how you might be able to better navigate those turns so you don't need to use the stick as much...

I agree with you on all your points. This is just part of a goofy idea of mine to drive all week in manual mode only. Clearly it's not the best for every situation but it's interesting to find out.

I use cross arm steering until I can't, like at city intersections where even a contortionist couldn't use cross arm.

We'll have to set racing school aside for a moment and think city driving. From a dead stop, first gear winds out before you can complete a left turn in a large city intersection. If you don't mind travelling 27 feet at a steady 5700 rpms with a Camry slowly crawling up your butt while you wait for the turn to end, then fine, otherwise it's well past time to shift.

I've tried shifting early, shifting late, and grabbing the paddle with the other hand where ever I might find it. The stick is the only reasonable option from first to second on immediate turns from a dead stop.

If you're not stopping, it's all great fun. For 90º right turns, brake hard, paddle down to second gear, and mash the gas.

[Subie]

Originally Posted by Ocala FR-S

Oh, I didn't know the torque converter could stay locked during shifts. That would certainly make for a tighter, quicker shift.

I highly doubt it does. You should be able to tell by paying attention for the lock-up following a shift.