Manual mode on Automatic

[Matt]

Being very forthcoming, I never quite learned how to drive a manual. My mom drove one forever in my childhood and always wanted to teach me, but getting the Auto always seemed easier.

However, now I'm really interested in this 'Manual mode', hearing that it gives a more sporty, exciting drive. Is there a 'How to drive manual mode' guide for someone who's never driven an actual manual trans before? I really want to get the hang of this thing and become master of my new vehicle.

 

[JimmyQ]

I'm going to assume there peddle shifters so I would look on YouTube for how to guides or google it

Jimmy

 

[acwdjon]

********For the record I have a feeling this will get moved to the transmission discussion******

In order to operate the manual mode you simply shift the car into "M" and use the plus and minus buttons on the left side of the shifter. The tranny is computer controlled so it wont damage your transmission. When you take off from a stop simply press the positive button to shift into second and so forth as you accelerate. When you go to pass a car just press the minus until you are in a gear you like. When stopping you can just slow down like normal and the transmission will downshift automatically. Its pretty intuitive knowing all this info and will take you no time to master and it is virtuallu impossible to harm your car. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Deliboy]

No mods will close this. We are not allowed to talk about this "gimmick" on our AT Sonics.

 

[svzuki]

********For the record I have a feeling this will get moved to the transmission discussion******

In order to operate the manual mode you simply shift the car into "M" and use the plus and minus buttons on the left side of the shifter. The tranny is computer controlled so it wont damage your transmission. When you take off from a stop simply press the positive button to shift into second and so forth as you accelerate. When you go to pass a car just press the minus until you are in a gear you like. When stopping you can just slow down like normal and the transmission will downshift automatically. Its pretty intuitive knowing all this info and will take you no time to master and it is virtuallu impossible to harm your car. Good luck and enjoy!

This can be used for two purposes. Short shifting for better fuel efficiency or longer shifting for a more sporty feel. Both are good reasons and fun to do. I have been doing this in the wife's car.

There is a negative that I am not a fan of. If you are coasting down to almost stopped and go to roll on the throttle the controller will have a hard time deciding between 2nd and 1st gear. It should stay in second until you are dang near at a standstill, but there are times when it doesn't. It will result in a very harsh feeling of a 3-1 downshift then RPMs much higher than you expect. It did not feeling very good at all and that harsh shifting cannot be good for the trans no matter what anyone thinks. I am no longer going to use the manual mode due to this single issue. It is really a disappointment as I would love to use it, but will not risk damaging the transmission as the logic used in the controller is not robust enough at all.

 

[Matt]

Thanks for the help, guys! That makes a lot more sense.

 

[doreo]

i have used the manual mode more times then she has been in drive and i have yet to experience a 3 to 1 shift. i have however forgot to shift when distracted or shifted to early and he tcm held the car in 1st longer then i wanted. but for the use the above poster is correct if you want to use it for fuel just shift around 2-2.5k and if you wana play around with a sporty feel then hold it out longer, dont remember what stock tune limits it at but i shift around 5-6k

 

[acwdjon]

This can be used for two purposes. Short shifting for better fuel efficiency or longer shifting for a more sporty feel. Both are good reasons and fun to do. I have been doing this in the wife's car.

There is a negative that I am not a fan of. If you are coasting down to almost stopped and go to roll on the throttle the controller will have a hard time deciding between 2nd and 1st gear. It should stay in second until you are dang near at a standstill, but there are times when it doesn't. It will result in a very harsh feeling of a 3-1 downshift then RPMs much higher than you expect. It did not feeling very good at all and that harsh shifting cannot be good for the trans no matter what anyone thinks. I am no longer going to use the manual mode due to this single issue. It is really a disappointment as I would love to use it, but will not risk damaging the transmission as the logic used in the controller is not robust enough at all.

I agree with you on all of it. I didn't want to hate on it, but....since you brought it up haha. I think ALLLLLLL the transmission programming could use work, manual mode and regular automatic mode too. Mine actually upshifts harder in auto mode (especially at low engine speeds) than manual mode but then downshifting is worse in manual mode like you said. I rarely use the manual mode anymore. And if I do, I just use it to upshift (for the exact reasons you mentioned) and then put it in Drive when I'm at speed or slowing down. I reallllly wish GM would've tinkered with the tranny a bit more and got it smoother. It isn't bad, but it isn't perfect.

 

[BrianJ88]

I don't want to be an d***, but this is the exact reason I got a manual. I want to have complete control of the tranny. But everyone has there reasons for buying what they buy. And no matter what trans it is still a great car

 

[doreo]

if all els fails get a tune lol. my car shifts amazingly in auto and manual mode and it reduces alot of the limiters. the only time i ever have issues with my shifts is if i try to go from a stop and shift to 2nd to fast.

 

[svzuki]

I agree with you on all of it. I didn't want to hate on it, but....since you brought it up haha. I think ALLLLLLL the transmission programming could use work, manual mode and regular automatic mode too. Mine actually upshifts harder in auto mode (especially at low engine speeds) than manual mode but then downshifting is worse in manual mode like you said. I rarely use the manual mode anymore. And if I do, I just use it to upshift (for the exact reasons you mentioned) and then put it in Drive when I'm at speed or slowing down. I reallllly wish GM would've tinkered with the tranny a bit more and got it smoother. It isn't bad, but it isn't perfect.

I agree with the comments you made regarding the auto shifting. It is a bit rough and seems like they are not fully engaging the clutches when completing a shift. It isn't that well refined IMO and needs work as well.

I don't want to be an d***, but this is the exact reason I got a manual. I want to have complete control of the tranny. But everyone has there reasons for buying what they buy. And no matter what trans it is still a great car

Yea, well some of use cannot buy the manual when the car isn't for us. I bought this for my wife and she doesn't want a manual. I was thrilled at the idea that I would be able to manually shift the auto, but the design is just crap.

 

[acwdjon]

I don't want to be an d***, but this is the exact reason I got a manual. I want to have complete control of the tranny. But everyone has there reasons for buying what they buy. And no matter what trans it is still a great car

I hear you!!! If it weren't for the fact my car is a daily driver I would've loved to have had a 6 speed turbo. Heck, if I had the money I'd buy a 6 speed turbo in addition to my 6 speed auto 1.8 lol. Compared to my van and truck, this automatic transmission is very nice.

 

[2FR35H]

Being very forthcoming, I never quite learned how to drive a manual. My mom drove one forever in my childhood and always wanted to teach me, but getting the Auto always seemed easier.

However, now I'm really interested in this 'Manual mode', hearing that it gives a more sporty, exciting drive. Is there a 'How to drive manual mode' guide for someone who's never driven an actual manual trans before? I really want to get the hang of this thing and become master of my new vehicle.

Manual Mode is awesome I think even now my mileage is better cause of it.

On my car

its like this may be different for yours but just for an idea modify to accompany your car, just listen to your car and get in tune with it, it will tell you how far you can push it without messing up its a learning process you just gotta listen to it and shift accordingly.

1st - 1-11mph
2nd - 12- 26mph
3rd - 27- 40mph
4th - 41- 60mph
5th - 61 and above normally maybe 80mph
6th - everything higher than 81mph

I rarely use 6th gear but when i do it around the same speed at 5th so that i can just have a controlled speed and possibly save gas.

 

[bandita52]

it seems to me when i use "M" mode on my auto 1.8 the miles to empty (MTE) goes down a little bit and is this normal. i use it from time to time.

 

[snap0803]

My manumatic mode on my 2012 chevrolet sonic w 48000miles does not automatically downshift. In "D" I am also experiencing a jerk when the car downshifts from 3rd to 2nd (around 28 mph).

 

[Blue hedgehog]

I have played around with the manual mode. I'm not a huge fan possibly because if the shift switch. On mine when you press the up or down you can feel the switch detent but have to push even harder past the detent to get it to shift. I think it's a problem with the switch. Has anyone else noticed that or is it just my car?

Also I don't like that I can't force it into any gear I want over 3rd unless I reach a speed the computer deems appropriate. Such as 6th at 40mph.

On a side note. I have noticed its easier to get going I the snow if you start in 3rd. On my previous manual trans vehicles I would start in 2nd in the snow. Also if you stay in manual when it downshifts into 2nd just hit the up shift button to go back to 3rd. After that it will automatically downshift to 3rd and not automatically downshift to 2nd or 1st unless you hit the downshift button.