Driving in manual mode

[Tomster]

so I have verified that if in manual mode you don't downshift to a lower gear as speed decreases, the car will automatically downshift to lower gears.

The manual says that the car will not automatically upshift, which reading between the lines, you could exceed redline.

So if running in manual mode, will the car allow me to "money shift" if I were to try to select too low a gear for a particular speed? In other words, are there protections built into the shift logic in manual mode?

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[Alex.Envy]

Idk really, try it and find out. The team will be please to know

 

[Goose17]

so I have verified that if in manual mode you don't downshift to a lower gear as speed decreases, the car will automatically downshift to lower gears.

The manual says that the car will not automatically upshift, which reading between the lines, you could exceed redline.

So if running in manual mode, will the car allow me to "money shift" if I were to try to select too low a gear for a particular speed? In other words, are there protections built into the shift logic in manual mode?

Yes, there are protections built into the manual shift logic Tom. It will not let you downshift if the resulting RPM will be above redline.

My “tranny technique” is to only select manual mode when cruising (not performance driving). If you are trying to max perform the car, leaving it in auto mode will result in shifts perfectly nailed at 7500 RPMs, which you cannot replicate in manual mode. You’ll either short shift it or hit the rev limiter since the RPMs are shooting up so quickly.

Also of note, with all of the customization on the fly (drive modes, dash modes, exhaust modes, shift modes, etc.), it’s easy to forget what you all have selected. I had a funny thing happen back when I had my base car... I was driving with the tranny locked in M. My wife called and the light ahead went red. I stopped and while I was chatting, the light turned green. I decided to hammer the gas to let the wife hear the awesomeness of the Shelby. I forgot I had selected manual shift mode and found how well the rev limiter works!

So, I save manual tranny mode for just cruising around town. When it’s time to boogie, I leave it in auto. Of course the paddles are always live allowing you to override auto selection at any moment if you so choose.

 

[CJJon]

Agree with Goose. There was a time when manual trans could be faster, but those days are gone. Folks tend to still think that you get better performance in manual mode though. Then there those who look down on auto trans for other reasons.

The only reason I would get a new car today with manual trans is theft deterrent. Although, I replaced my shifter with a round knob and it looks manual. I think that will suffice.

 

[Tomster]

Yes I know the trans tune is as good as a pro driver, but sometimes it may be fun (more engaging) to select your own gears.

Any reference to the protections? I'd hate to learn something the hard way.

 

[Cgouzoulis]

2 observations on this:
1. For guys who are drag racing (at this point in time) and have a tune and performance parts on their cars, manual shift could be necessary at the strip as there currently is no trans tune. Guys who have the 8k rpm patch will find that their car shifts "early"
2. I think the whole "let the car shift" applies to most skill sets except when you get into higher skill levels. Example being: Who went to track attack and rode with an instructor at the end? The group of instructor I had all were shifting on their own, and admitted to being faster that way
For most of us here... I agree, let the car shift.
I do agree with goose, cruising around and shifting is good fun IMO. I also feel that sometimes on the street cruising the trans shifts a bit too much so anyone who drove true manual before can prevent unnecessary shifting

 

[Cgouzoulis]

Yes I know the trans tune is as good as a pro driver, but sometimes it may be fun (more engaging) to select your own gears.

Any reference to the protections? I'd hate to learn something the hard way.

As for protection Tom, I have noticed if I try to upshift too early and the next gear is too low on an RPM, the gear indicator on the dash flashes and it will not shift. Havent attempted to grenade the motor on a downshift though LOL

 

[Goose17]

2 observations on this:
1. For guys who are drag racing (at this point in time) and have a tune and performance parts on their cars, manual shift could be necessary at the strip as there currently is no trans tune. Guys who have the 8k rpm patch will find that their car shifts "early"
2. I think the whole "let the car shift" applies to most skill sets except when you get into higher skill levels. Example being: Who went to track attack and rode with an instructor at the end? The group of instructor I had all were shifting on their own, and admitted to being faster that way
For most of us here... I agree, let the car shift.
I do agree with goose, cruising around and shifting is good fun IMO. I also feel that sometimes on the street cruising the trans shifts a bit too much so anyone who drove true manual before can prevent unnecessary shifting

I have done three “pro rides” at track attacks/track tours and the pros were all letting the car shift. I asked at the first event I attended and the pro driver said he cannot out-shift the car’s programmed logic.

Valid point regarding the raised rev limiter... if you want to shift north of 7500, you’ll have to lock the tranny in to manual mode.

If the trans is shifting more than you’d like in auto mode, simply change driving modes. How/when the car shifts is different in track mode versus normal mode.

 

[Tomster]

As for protection Tom, I have noticed if I try to upshift too early and the next gear is too low on an RPM, the gear indicator on the dash flashes and it will not shift. Havent attempted to grenade the motor on a downshift though LOL

Exactly. I have a call unto tremec, but they aren't returning calls or answering the phone.

 

[Cgouzoulis]

I have done three “pro rides” at track attacks/track tours and the pros were all letting the car shift. I asked at the first event I attended and the pro driver said he cannot out-shift the car’s programmed logic.

Valid point regarding the raised rev limiter... if you want to shift north of 7500, you’ll have to lock the tranny in to manual mode.

If the trans is shifting more than you’d like in auto mode, simply change driving modes. How/when the car shifts is different in track mode versus normal mode.

Weird. In my session they said the exact opposite. LOLOLOL I guess different drivers will have different preferences

 

[Cgouzoulis]

I have done three “pro rides” at track attacks/track tours and the pros were all letting the car shift. I asked at the first event I attended and the pro driver said he cannot out-shift the car’s programmed logic.

Valid point regarding the raised rev limiter... if you want to shift north of 7500, you’ll have to lock the tranny in to manual mode.

If the trans is shifting more than you’d like in auto mode, simply change driving modes. How/when the car shifts is different in track mode versus normal mode.

As far as driving modes, it doesn't matter to me. If Im in normal it wants to up shift too much and shifting is frequent, in sport it wants to down shift in rapid succession which seems necessary to me

 

[Jmeo]

I asked the instructor during the morning portion, the driver I chased all day, and the driver who ripped me around the track, and they all said that the car is way waster in auto shifting mode. They assured me this, without a doubt.

Different day, different way I am feeling.

 

[V00D00]

so I have verified that if in manual mode you don't downshift to a lower gear as speed decreases, the car will automatically downshift to lower gears.

The manual says that the car will not automatically upshift, which reading between the lines, you could exceed redline.

So if running in manual mode, will the car allow me to "money shift" if I were to try to select too low a gear for a particular speed? In other words, are there protections built into the shift logic in manual mode?

The trans will not let you shift up or down into a situation that would damage it. you can not go over redline on oem tuning, what ford is referencing is staying ON the limiter. the only way to go over it, would be if the tires start to spin while your already up there, at that point i believe its going to cut power anyway, in any mode, and may or may not throw a wrench,

The probablility of hurting something even if you did go OVER, is next to 0, as many of us, on more power, are routinely taking the car to 8500, and has been tested as high as 8800 IIRC

 

[CJJon]

If you think about it they (Ford) had to design it to be mostly idiot proof. I bet you'd have a hard time breaking the auto trans shifting it manually whatever which way.

My biggest problem with manual shift is forgetting to downshift at a stop. It's super hard to do a hole shot from the light in 4th gear. Chugga-chugga!

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