2014 370z automatic transmission - manual mode

gpx123

Hey guys, got a 370z with automatic transmission and you know how when you move the gear stick to the left it goes to a sort of manual transmission not sure what its called think its called s-tronic or something like that?

But my question is how do you know when to down shift using the paddles? I've never driven a manual car in my life so this the closest I gotten I guess to it lol, but ok so I understand when you hear the motor at its peak you upshift but how do you downshift properly. Cause I feel like I'm doing it wrong, like when I start going slower and lets say I'm on 4 gear, I'll downshift when the speedometer seems to be like around the 2 and it feels weird cause the motor makes a loud noise and the speedometer arrow moves way to the right

any help appreciated : )

forza370z

That's Rev Matching. Totally normal. Don't be scared. As long as you don't downshift when your RPM is @ or above 5k.

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kenchan

wow, 2014...

you down shift prior to a turn to setup for the exit of the turn. watch a few vids on how people are downshifting on youtube.

also down shift a gear or two before making a pass.

forza370z

...then try it on the Gran Turismo 5 you will be a pro in no time.

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kenchan

Chuck33079

Are you talking about the tachometer, or the speedometer?

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gpx123

lol good point tachometer indeed



thanks for the advice guys, was scared i was doing it wrong

ElVee

First of all, don't downshift for now. The car will absolutely downshift for you and do it just fine. Just use your normal brake and let the car do it's thing until you're more familiar with this.

Second, you can upshift any time it lets you. It'll beep when you shouldn't. And if you take too long and let the tachometer needle get into the red, a light will flash on the dash and you'll hear and feel the engine basically limit itself from going higher until you shift it. You'll eventually learn to just shift before you hit that behavior. But there's no REAL need to stay in that gear all the way up to red.

Third, when you do decide you want to downshift and the engine suddenly roars a little louder and the tachometer needle jumps up, that is completely normal. In fact, that is one of the biggest visceral joys of this car, and any car that rev-matches. It's a great sound, and I try to get it every time I slow down and shift into 2nd. I know, I'm immature, but it's little joys like this that make life fun.

Lastly, I usually shift the car downwards myself. But I actually never shift down into first. I always let the car go from 2nd to 1st on its own. This is a historical habit for me. My other car ('03 eclipse) will let me downshift into 1st, but it will basically jerk the car to a crawl if I'm doing it too early; it's pretty violent. So I always let the Eclipse go down on its own, and thus I let the Z do the same. I've found myself accidentally shifting the Z down into 1st, but I've never had it suddenly jerk or heave at all; so it's likely far more safe than with my other car.

Find a large parking lot of long stretch or road and just go up and down the gears as you speed up and speed down. You'll get used to it.

The only thing I want to stress, is if you do get into the habit of downshifting with the paddles, don't RELY on the engine braking that will naturally happen as you do; be kind to anyone behind you and use your brake so they see your brake lights and know you're slowing down. I use this for braking a lot, but I always use my brake to some degree when someone is anywhere near behind me.

ElVee

Just to emphasize, these are the two reasons you want to actually downshift. Another way of saying it and why I usually drive in 2nd-to-4th gears most of the time until I'm up to 60mph is that I like having the power immediate at my fingertips. Punching the accelerator at 40mph while in 5th is unexciting, but doing so in 3rd gives me an immediate, wonderful kick up.

Left in auto, the Z wants to get up to 5th gear and even 6th as soon as it can, like by 30mph. This is pretty boring, to be honest. Using the paddles gives a great sense of driving control and more exciting experience, and without the "hassle" of a manual transmission.

Bullit79

^Good advice!

Also I noticed that sometimes I'll be coasting in a higher gear, but as soon as I tap on the brakes the car downshifts automatically. A few times I tried to downshift right when I'm braking and ended up dropping down two gears quickly

Anyone else ever noticed this?

kenchan

i think voltmeter...

kenchan

another good reason is to scare any dumbarse prius drivers in a tunnel or going through an underpass with nice exhaust.

forza370z

On a serious note OP, I don't think downshift to the 1st gear while the car is moving is a good habit unless it's nearly stopped. Other then that, downshift in this car is pretty bullet proof.

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brucelidat

The car will downshift itself when slowing down even in M mode so I mainly downshift to pass.

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gpx123

wow ElVee thanks so much for the really detailed post, taught me alot! much appreciated