Auto Trans - Paddle Shifting

[Farmundeh]

I know that it’s well documented how “bullet proof” the mustang’s current automatic transmission is. However, 2015 is the first time the auto comes with paddle shifting. While I’m sure it’s meant to be more than just a novelty, is there any possible downside to always leaving the car in “S” mode and paddle shifting? Will it increase the wear on the transmission over time?

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[unintelligible]

I know that it’s well documented how “bullet proof” the mustang’s current automatic transmission is. However, 2015 is the first time the auto comes with paddle shifting. While I’m sure it’s meant to be more than just a novelty, is there any possible downside to always leaving the car in “S” mode and paddle shifting? Will it increase the wear on the transmission over time?

I doubt it. In fact you could argue that the paddles might actually sometimes decrease wear. Case in point, slow traffic where the speed varies between 10 and 30 mph or so, I might just elect to throw it in S and hold it in 2nd rather than leaving it in D and having it constantly shifting within the 1st and 4th gear ranges.

One of the nice things about the autos is that aside from doing dumb shit like neutral drops there isn't really anything that can break during the warranty period that could be blamed on abuse. You can paddle shift all day long and if the trans fails under warranty they'll replace it.

 

[Farmundeh]

I doubt it. In fact you could argue that the paddles might actually sometimes decrease wear. Case in point, slow traffic where the speed varies between 10 and 30 mph or so, I might just elect to throw it in S and hold it in 2nd rather than leaving it in D and having it constantly shifting within the 1st and 4th gear ranges.

I was thinking the same thing. I generally like sport and sport+ modes, but the shifting patterns are a little too all over the place. Figured i'll just solve the problem by shifting myself.

 

[mc lane]

well, it depends
if you take a Driver who knows what he or she is doing and this persons is dedicated to minimize wear, the 2015 solution is very helpful.
one example has been given already above. slow moving traffic
another case is taking over. you are stuck behind a slow moving vehicle, your car is in 4th or 5th gear. the time to overtake has come and you put the pedal to the metal, the kick down process (Maximum load and quick downshifting) is NOT increasing the lifetime of your Transmission...
the competent Driver would have shifted down to the proper gear, probably 2nd, as Long as he is moving behind the slow vehicle and without load on the drivetrain and as soon as it is time to overtake just hit the gas (without the Transmission shifting down fast and hard)

on the other Hand in the Hands of People who do not know what they are doing or who have the tendency to abuse their cars, the 2015 model offers a new range of possibilities to ADD wear to the Transmission (i.e. constantly using downshifting in high rpm ranges to reduce the cars Speed instead of using the device designed for reducing the Speed: the Brakes) (Keep in mind: you are not driving an overloaded 1960 truck. those vehicles needed this downshifting help because of relatively weak Brakes. a 2015 Mustang can be driven on the track without the Brakes Fading, so on the road the Brakes are absolutely able to do this Job with ease)

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