Downshifting with an AT

AngelNismo

So I recently played with the manual mode using the stick shift (don't like the paddles). I find of course on straight lines I will never beat the automatic shifting, but on slow local street driving I like using the stick shift because of an unexpected surprise, the rev match downshifts.

I'm confused why on auto it doesn't make the sounds of the downshift rev matches when they sound so good?

I guess with an AT you just downshift down to 1st gear as you can't go into neutral, or do most ppl just go to 3rd or 2nd and then break and restart on acceleration?

I also find it enjoyable to not have to go fast to get cool rev sounds when you're on local streets going less than 15 MPH, as in AT you usually have to go at higher speeds to get the higher rev sounds, anyone experience the same?

Thanks, and sorry for the uber noob comments/questions!

kenchan

AT in general will shift at low rpm to save fuel, thus you probably aren't hearing the higher rpm rev-match.

why not do that manually when you feel the mood? shift up an down, just force the engine to rev higher to make it a more lively drive.
like hold 2nd gear to 5k rpm or something.

AngelNismo

Yeah wasn't sure if other people "drove lively" b/c of the feel/sounds of the car on the higher part of the rpm band. I'm sure it's bad for gas, not sure if it's bad for the car, but sure is fun!

6spd

The issue of the sound "quality" is so blown out of proportion in my opinion. I love the raw sound.

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DavidZ370

Dont downshift to first. With at

kenchan

Yep, you dont buy a car like the Z unless you want to have fun driving!!

DavidZ370

I buy Prius for spirited driving

AT+Z= BLEHH

Memphis370Z

Jordo!

Unless it explicitly says not to in the owner's manual (which if it does, I missed it), provided you are at the correct speed (< 5 mph and coming to a stop), why not?

The very fact that you can suggests it is not inherently stressful on the trans, provided road speed and engine speed are appropriate -- the ECU will not allow an up shift if the engine speed will be too low, and although I haven't tested it, it probably won't let you downshift such that you would rev too high.

To the OP: It all depends on how much extra throttle would be needed to optimally match engine speed to gear. If you are already about at the right speed, there won't be much if any blipping.

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Exhaust

I think he might be referring to the fact that its damn near impossible to shift to 1st comfortably without jerking the car hence having the ECU do it for you.

Jordo!

Fair enough, but FWIW, I can generally do it without any issue... at worst, the ECU will beat me on the punch by a fraction of a sec. I've never managed to drop from, say, 3rd to 1st in an attempt to get in 2nd -- 3rd has a fairly wide range, and you can coast in 2nd with virtually no throttle for a while.

I've only ever managed to "missshift" from 4th to 2nd because the ECU beats me to 3rd (seems like there is a much more narrow engine speed in decel for 4-3 for whatever reason).

That is literally my only beef with the 7AT -- otherwise its pretty much perfecto for me.

Anyway, I only ever drop into 1st only on decel to stop at about 5 mph or less, right before coming to a complete stop. I don't recall what actual road speed the manual recommends for 2-1, but it's probably something like that...?

I'll look it up.

EDIT: I must be misremembering something from a Toyota manual; they don't even indicate that the the ECU will drop a gear automatically if needed, with the exception of first. when stopping. Am I missing something? I'm looking at a 2010 manual.

I'd love it if it would only ever drop from 2nd to 1st -- that would eliminate my only gripe.

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