Using "M" Gear on Automatic Transmission

[sherob]

Originally Posted by LilMissAllie

Wait, So.... If I have mine on "M" I don't need to use the tap shifts? It's considered sport mode?

Just wanted to confirm.

Winner winner, chicken dinner...

[Mr. Stacy]

Originally Posted by LilMissAllie

Wait, So.... If I have mine on "M" I don't need to use the tap shifts? It's considered sport mode?
Just wanted to confirm.

Driving and Operating 9-31

M(Manual Mode): This position
allows the driver to select the range
of gears appropriate for current
driving conditions.

In M(Manual Mode) the
transmission will shift as an
automatic until the Tap Shift
controls are used. Tap Shift
activates driver manual gear
selection.

While driving in M(Manual Mode),
if Tap Shift has not been activated,
the transmission determines when
the vehicle is being driven in a
competitive manner. It selects and
holds the transmission in lower
gears and has more noticeable
upshifts for sportier vehicle
performance.

See Manual Mode on page 9‑32 for
more information.


9-32 Driving and Operating

Tap Shift allows the driver to
manually control the automatic
transmission. To use Tap Shift, the
shift lever must be in M(Manual
Mode). Vehicles with this feature
have indicators on the steering
wheel. The controls are on the
back of the steering wheel.

Tap the left control to downshift, and
the right control to upshift. A Driver
Information Center (DIC) message
indicates the gear the vehicle is in.
See Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5‑26.

While using the Tap Shift feature,
the vehicle will have firmer,
quicker shifting for increased
performance. The driver may
use this for sport driving or when
climbing or descending hills, to
stay in gear longer, or to downshift
for more power or engine braking.

The transmission will only allow
you to shift into gears appropriate
for the vehicle speed and engine
revolutions per minute (rpm). The
transmission will not automatically
shift to the next higher gear if the
engine rpm is too high. If shifting
is prevented for any reason, the
message SHIFT DENIED will
appear in the DIC, indicating that
the transmission has not shifted
gears. While in the Tap Shift
mode, the transmission will not
automatically downshift on hard
acceleration.


V8 ONLY

When in Tap Shift mode with a
V8 model, the driver can exit
Tap Shift by holding the right
(upshift) control for two seconds.
The transmission will return to
automatic shifting.

On V8 models, the driver may
choose to briefly enter Tap Shift
mode while in D (Drive). Tapping
either the upshift or downshift
control will place the transmission
in Tap Shift mode. The driver may
then exit Tap Shift mode by holding
the upshift control for two seconds.
The system will return to automatic
shifting after 10 seconds of cruising
at a steady speed, or when the
vehicle comes to a stop.

[Dragonman]

Originally Posted by LilMissAllie

Wait, So.... If I have mine on "M" I don't need to use the tap shifts? It's considered sport mode?

Just wanted to confirm.

Yes. The A6 has 3 shifting modes. D for normal driving, M for sport driving and tap shift control.

Once you hit either tap shift it will display M in the lower left corner of the DIC and there'll be a number indicating which gear the tranny is in. You can switch back to sport mode (automatic shifting) by holding the upshift tap lever for a few seconds.

Dangit. Tree'd by Mr. Stacy.

[pyroguy]

If you shift your car straight to 'M' on the gear selector it will be in Sport mode. The vehicle will hold the gear longer before shifting and where 'D' is displayed on the center display a 'S' will be displayed. Once you tap the paddle shifters you will see 'M1', 'M2', 'M3', etc. meaning which gear you are in as you manually shift your gears. In most Camaros if you hold the up shift paddle it will put you back in 'S' mode. However, early 2010's did not get that function. Hope this helps!

[SlingShot]

You can also use the Tap Shift in "D" for temporary gear changes.

[Mr. Stacy]

Originally Posted by SlingShot

You can also use the Tap Shift in "D" for temporary gear changes.

V8 Only

[ym2434]

^IDK about that because it works in my V6...

[havelegs]

i dont notice any difference in my M mode vs D mode.

[sswiss3000]

So I think we now have explained how the M and S modes work. Yet I still have no exact answer on how the Sport shifts in "S' mode get activated exactly. I believe it has to do with G forces, braking, and or acceleration.

There is exactly one turn in my town where i can get my car to truly go into sport mode and keep the RPMs at around 3k. When i hit this turn at speed, shortly brake and then got WOT out of it, the car keeps the RPMs at a much higher level and even does much harder down shifts when braking.

Does any one know what the exact parameters are to engage this mode?

[qcman]

Originally Posted by sswiss3000

So I think we now have explained how the M and S modes work. Yet I still have no exact answer on how the Sport shifts in "S' mode get activated exactly. I believe it has to do with G forces, braking, and or acceleration.

There is exactly one turn in my town where i can get my car to truly go into sport mode and keep the RPMs at around 3k. When i hit this turn at speed, shortly brake and then got WOT out of it, the car keeps the RPMs at a much higher level and even does much harder down shifts when braking.

Does any one know what the exact parameters are to engage this mode?

AFAIK the car senses you getting more aggressive with your driving and starts to hold gears longer etc. I'm not sure but I think it is related to throttle input more than anything. It only did it once on me and I was like WTF is wrong with my car lol until I got to understand it better.

[LSX Camaro]

Originally Posted by Blitz

Not trying to turn it into "one of those threads", but if you are driving in 'M' mode all the time, why didn't you save some money and just get a Manual?

Really?

[Mr Bobby]

all of the posts here are correct but there seems to be some confusion. When shifting into the M position you will notice that initially on the display it will show S. This is the sport mode and will actually only go into M mode after the paddle shift has been used. So you can drive in the traditional D mode of automatic, Shift into M mode with the shift lever which initially is S mode for sport, or use the paddle shifter to initiate M or manual mode. Happy driving

[fadal]

Hi, I have a question?

How much is the shift time, for v6 engine? In S mode and normal mode?

Thanks.

[BLU DUCE]

Originally Posted by Blitz

Not trying to turn it into "one of those threads", but if you are driving in 'M' mode all the time, why didn't you save some money and just get a Manual?

Simple answer cause I didn't want to.