silverwolf72
New member
Just got a 1.4L turbo automatic. You can switch the transmission manually, does this help with mileage? what are you supposed to use it for?
Using Semi-Automatic?
- Thread starter silverwolf72
- Start date
2FR35H
New member
Depends on how you shift, It doesn't help me I have a 1.8 auto LS but I use it to have a lot more fun.. So I am not exactly feathering the pedal lol
Just for added fun in my case.
CoHPhasor
Active member
Many questions, many answers.
Q) Does it help with mileage?
A) Possibly - it depends on your personal techniques and you getting used to it.
Onto other reasons for it to exist.
Going down a steep hill and dont want to overheat/stress the brakes?
Downshift. (The automatic won't do it on its own)
Going into some curves and want to push it a little?
shift up/down at will.
Know that you won't need any real torque and want to save on gas?
Upshift/stay in higher gears.
Going up a long hill?
Don't lug the engine, stay in a lower gear. (Very bad to not)
^ Towing heavier loads, same thing
There are many on the forum who say "it isn't that responsive", "It doesn't just change gears because you hit the button!".
I wouldn't listen to them. My 1.4t auto shifts when I hit the button and although sometimes there is a slight delay, it isn't much longer than it takes them to toss the stick.
Up to you how/when you want to use it.
Basically, cars used to come with low gear selection options, this just narrows it to one.
(Remember " P R N D 2 L"? Or "P R N D 2 1"?)
Q) Does it help with mileage?
A) Possibly - it depends on your personal techniques and you getting used to it.
Onto other reasons for it to exist.
Going down a steep hill and dont want to overheat/stress the brakes?
Downshift. (The automatic won't do it on its own)
Going into some curves and want to push it a little?
shift up/down at will.
Know that you won't need any real torque and want to save on gas?
Upshift/stay in higher gears.
Going up a long hill?
Don't lug the engine, stay in a lower gear. (Very bad to not)
^ Towing heavier loads, same thing
There are many on the forum who say "it isn't that responsive", "It doesn't just change gears because you hit the button!".
I wouldn't listen to them. My 1.4t auto shifts when I hit the button and although sometimes there is a slight delay, it isn't much longer than it takes them to toss the stick.
Up to you how/when you want to use it.
Basically, cars used to come with low gear selection options, this just narrows it to one.
(Remember " P R N D 2 L"? Or "P R N D 2 1"?)
Kuntryboy865
New member
Many questions, many answers.
Q) Does it help with mileage?
A) Possibly - it depends on your personal techniques and you getting used to it.
Onto other reasons for it to exist.
Going down a steep hill and dont want to overheat/stress the brakes?
Downshift. (The automatic won't do it on its own)
Going into some curves and want to push it a little?
shift up/down at will.
Know that you won't need any real torque and want to save on gas?
Upshift/stay in higher gears.
Going up a long hill?
Don't lug the engine, stay in a lower gear. (Very bad to not)
^ Towing heavier loads, same thing
There are many on the forum who say "it isn't that responsive", "It doesn't just change gears because you hit the button!".
I wouldn't listen to them. My 1.4t auto shifts when I hit the button and although sometimes there is a slight delay, it isn't much longer than it takes them to toss the stick.
Up to you how/when you want to use it.
Basically, cars used to come with low gear selection options, this just narrows it to one.
(Remember " P R N D 2 L"? Or "P R N D 2 1"?)
I agree with the last point you made. It shifts every time I hit the button, I really don't see any delay. In my experience it doesn't help on gas mileage. The manual (book) says its for sportier performance and that when its in automatic its tuned to save gas, so if you want to get the most mpg out of it stay in automatic IMO.
whodoyouthinkyouaretoby
New member
My issue with it, and I don't remember experiencing this on my intrepid, is that it won't upshift any sooner than it would in auto mode.
example - I'm driving 28 mph (because the speed limit is 25), and the rpms are running close to 2000. I can't upshift until I hit 29 or a certain engine speed. I understand why... kind of, although I don't really think "lugging" an engine is too much of an issue with a torque converter.
Forgive and incoherence. I should be asleep.
example - I'm driving 28 mph (because the speed limit is 25), and the rpms are running close to 2000. I can't upshift until I hit 29 or a certain engine speed. I understand why... kind of, although I don't really think "lugging" an engine is too much of an issue with a torque converter.
Forgive and incoherence. I should be asleep.
SUPER SONIC BOOM
Member
I absolutely love the "M" mode on the automatic, I've only used it a few times to see how fast it would be if I redlined it at every shift. Like y'all said, I have no problems upshifting (it's instantaneous for me), it's downshifting I have trouble with. Unlike a stickshift, it won't downshift to the previous gear if your going too fast (revs too high), you gotta just slow down & wait for your revs to go down, I guess it's for engine safety reasons (idiot proof so you don't overrev & blow your motor or tranny). This 'lil annoying aspect is the only problem for me, otherwise I just keep it in "D" for best mpg. If you want the best performance from the auto just drive with the T/C & Stabilitrac turned off & in "M" mode, boy is that hella fun! This car never ceases to amaze me on a daily basis, I love driving around without having to shift my own gears, **** I don't miss that ****ing clutch one bit lmao!
Eric Smit
Enforcer
It's not a dual clutch gearbox, so I still don't get it. I understand wanting a manual so you can choose your own gears, and I understand wanting an automatic so you don't have to, but I just can't wrap my head around wanting a normal sloppy shifting automatic so you can choose your own gears.
-Eric Smit
-Eric Smit
Kuntryboy865
New member
Lol, I didn't buy an automatic so I can use manual mode. Its just something to play with rather than something I bought the car for.
Eric Smit
Enforcer
Well, I do understand wanting to try something new out. While you may not have, there are a lot of people that buy an automatic and use the semi-auto mode or shift from 1-D manually, all because they don't want to use a clutch.
CoHPhasor
Active member
You're missing the point, looking in the wrong direction for justification.
It's simple, we don't want to have to shift all the time, or have spouses who don't want to shift, etc, etc.
There are many reasons you may want an auto and as the manual enthusiasts point out there are times you just can't beat a manual.
We get the option to use our car more like a manual when we want, you on the other hand never have the option to use yours as an auto.
It's not that one is absolutely better than the other in all situations.
It can be preference or a limitation of circumstance making one better than the other per application.
Spouse can't drive stick and will be eternally pissed off that you bought a car they can't drive?
- auto is better
Drive tons of twisties vigorously?
- stick is better
Have a very long stop and go commute?
- auto *can be better
Drive SCCA?
- stick is better
DevilSonic89
New member
i use it like that eric but i had to teach 2 people how to drive and thats y i bought the auto. I'm not going to have a novice driver mess up my clutch. Plus in some race car events..they use the auto-shift cars.
Eric Smit
Enforcer
But in the race car events they are using purpose built transmissions. For Formula 1: in terms of transmitting torque through the gearbox, a gear changes takes zero seconds. The time for the mechanical parts to complete the shifting mechanism is less than 0.05 seconds.
-Eric Smit
Kuntryboy865
New member
I use the automatic on my daily driving when I want to do a little sportier driving I switch to manual mode. Like CohPhaser said we have the option to switch between the two and I like having that ability.
DevilSonic89
New member
yea ur right eric but its the similiar idea tho.
plus like Co. said. we have the ability to switch out. And i bet with modding u can make with zero seconds instead of the 0.05 secs
plus like Co. said. we have the ability to switch out. And i bet with modding u can make with zero seconds instead of the 0.05 secs
Kuntryboy865
New member
Forget about all the F1 stuff, who cares? If someone wants an automatic and wants to use manual mode exclusively who cares, its their car, they've paid for it or making payments so.
Maddog2020
Active member
I got a manual for the 1st time since I've been married (19 years). I thought it would be fun to teach my wife how to drive a manual, she has never tried it. Now I'm having second thoughts, because she might like it. She will be red lining it all the time, killing my MPG and I may get stuck with the Malibu.
Bogus
Senior Member
Wait wait CoHPhasor!
Going down a steep hill and dont want to overheat/stress the brakes?
Downshift. (The automatic won't do it on its own)
Yes the automatic downshifts to 5 to keep you from drifting too fast down steep hills. I've experienced this a few times.
Know that you won't need any real torque and want to save on gas?
Upshift/stay in higher gears.
The auto always picks higher gears if you're light on the pedal. By the time you hit 40mph it's already in 6th gear.
There are many on the forum who say "it isn't that responsive", "It doesn't just change gears because you hit the button!".
I wouldn't listen to them. My 1.4t auto shifts when I hit the button and although sometimes there is a slight delay, it isn't much longer than it takes them to toss the stick.
The only delay I noticed was before I changed out my tranny fluid. After that minimal problems.