spartan Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 Rather than just resurrect an old thread, I'd thought I'd start a new one as my experiences maybe specific to the Tiptronic. Maybe because my car is Tiptronic, I tend to treat the gearbox much more like a manual than I would otherwise a standard auto. What I mean is, I don't just use it to change up when I want but I also use it for changing down (engine braking) for corners, etc. which also ensures that I'm in the right gear to accelerate once I'm through the corner, etc. OK - nothing new in this. However, I find applying a little throttle when changing down, eases the transition between higher and lower gears especially when done at higher revs (at lower revs the difference in gears is not nearly so noticeable so no head-banging-against-the-windscreen-jolt anyway). It takes some getting used to (you can't de-clutch so your timing's got to be right) but, of course this is akin to what you'd do (well, I do anyway) in a manual - 'blipping' the throttle (or heel-and-toe if you're really adept). I just wondered if anyone else was doing this with their Tiptronic or auto box in Manu mode even. Anybody? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 I tend to drive in exactly the same way with my "auto" - I only ever use full auto when I'm in traffic or being lazy, I don't really bother slipping into MANU anymore though, I just take control in auto mode, I'll only go full MANU if I'm on track or being naughty on the road. I've tried the blipping thing a bit and find it does smooth it out but as you say you have to get the timing right otherwise it just makes the transition even worse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spartan Posted June 24, 2008 Author Share Posted June 24, 2008 Thanks for the reply, Michael. Interesting! I tend to drive in exactly the same way with my "auto" - I only ever use full auto when I'm in traffic or being lazy, I don't really bother slipping into MANU anymore though, I just take control in auto mode, I'll only go full MANU if I'm on track or being naughty on the road. Can you explain a bit more about how you do that (bit in bold above)? Sorry if I'm being dense. I've tried the blipping thing a bit and find it does smooth it out but as you say you have to get the timing right otherwise it just makes the transition even worse Yes - BTDT! It takes a bit of practice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spartan Posted June 24, 2008 Author Share Posted June 24, 2008 (edited) Just re-read this: The Autobox Modes of Operation I think I know what you mean now. That thread is interesting because, if you're using the Tiptronic in Manual mode, it behaves like the standard autobox in 'Normal mode' with Overdrive on, e.g., if you forget you're in Manual mode and come to a stop whilst in second gear (say), the box won't try and start off in second, it just changes up through the gears as if in '2' on the standard auto. Similarly, if you're in a high gear in Manual mode and accelerate hard, the box will still automatically drop down into a lower gear. In this repect it seems the Manual mode of the Tiptronic is a bit different to the Manu mode of the standard auto. I've just realised that this difference in manual modes is perhaps why 'Snow' mode was added to the traction control - there's no way of 'locking' the Tiptronic auto. in a gear. Edited June 24, 2008 by spartan Made the examples a bit clearer (I hope) and 'Snow' mode. (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 Can you explain a bit more about how you do that (bit in bold above)? Sorry if I'm being dense. I don't press the MANU button but shift through the gears manually, it's been ages since I've used the car in a manner for me to make comparisons between the two modes but on a day to day basis I've never really noticed a huge amount of difference, the auto mode doesn't try to fight my choices, it does as it's told. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkR Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 Rather than just resurrect an old thread, I'd thought I'd start a new one as my experiences maybe specific to the Tiptronic. Maybe because my car is Tiptronic, I tend to treat the gearbox much more like a manual than I would otherwise a standard auto. What I mean is, I don't just use it to change up when I want but I also use it for changing down (engine braking) for corners, etc. which also ensures that I'm in the right gear to accelerate once I'm through the corner, etc. OK - nothing new in this. However, I find applying a little throttle when changing down, eases the transition between higher and lower gears especially when done at higher revs (at lower revs the difference in gears is not nearly so noticeable so no head-banging-against-the-windscreen-jolt anyway). It takes some getting used to (you can't de-clutch so your timing's got to be right) but, of course this is akin to what you'd do (well, I do anyway) in a manual - 'blipping' the throttle (or heel-and-toe if you're really adept). I just wondered if anyone else was doing this with their Tiptronic or auto box in Manu mode even. Anybody? I do exactly the same thing. I never ever drive in Auto on my Tiptronic, only in Manual mode using the tiptronic buttons. Nice to be able to enter the corners in a gear you want instead of trying to get the auto to kickdown when it feels like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spartan Posted June 24, 2008 Author Share Posted June 24, 2008 (edited) So, if only the gearbox had 6 gears instead of 4, maybe Tiptronic drivers wouldn't feel any 'manual envy' at all! Edited June 24, 2008 by spartan (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkR Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 Well, 6 gears would be better and also the ability to hold more power. Going single soona nd probably need a new gearbox then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 maybe we Tiptronic drivers wouldn't feel any 'manual envy' at all! I don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spartan Posted June 24, 2008 Author Share Posted June 24, 2008 Good for you! I'm in denial which suits my wallet just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesmark Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 Both my Supra's were auto. My first Supra was a J-spec and the gear changes were rough going from L to 2 and vice versa. So rarely used manu mode apart from spirited driving and using it for engine braking. My next Supra was UK spec and the gearbox was a smooth as silk (comparing to other autos I have driven). I used manu all the time and the only time I would drive in 'D' or not use manu mode was motorway driving or on a run where manu mode woudl rarely get used. I never changed gears without manu mode on, even though it causes no damage. After getting used to manu mode and times when to change up and down driving the Supra became even better and more involving that just boring old 'D'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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