Manual Shifting the Automatic 2.5 AWD

[TomFoolery]

Does the 2.5 AWD in manual mode still govern the shifting points to some extent?

Meaning... does the car let you rev(rpm's) the gears or does it have an override that will automatically put the car in the gear it thinks is best?

I really don't like automatic but the pickings are slim for a lifted car with good gas mileage.
Already have to give up the "truck" platform... now manual transmission!

 

[CodyZoom]

You can take it all the way to the redline. I've driven many "manumatics" or autos with this manual mode, and the CX-5 is by far the best so far. It is true "racing style" where you push forward for downshifts and pull back for up shifts. Additionally, engine breaking is even easier b/c if you switch to manual mode with your foot off the throttle, it will downshift one gear, if you shift with it on the throttle, it will maintain whatever gear you're in. Again, the best "manual mode" I've ever messed with. I use it all the time, especially around town.

 

[dougal]

The manual mode works pretty much like a manual transmission with a few exceptions. It won't let you drop into a gear that it can't push (like 6th at 20 mph) and it will automatically drop into a lower gear for you (like 1st at a stop). Otherwise, it will rev to red line and you can put it into any gear you want - which is a positive for me. You can basically drive it in manual mode all the time. I actually use it a lot and go back and forth.

 

[CX-SV]

You can take it all the way to the redline. I've driven many "manumatics" or autos with this manual mode, and the CX-5 is by far the best so far. It is true "racing style" where you push forward for downshifts and pull back for up shifts. Additionally, engine breaking is even easier b/c if you switch to manual mode with your foot off the throttle, it will downshift one gear, if you shift with it on the throttle, it will maintain whatever gear you're in. Again, the best "manual mode" I've ever messed with. I use it all the time, especially around town.

Agreed, it's very effective. The throttle blipping/rev matching on downshifts for smoother downshifts is cool too.

 

[TomFoolery]

Thanks for the replies.

That's good to hear. I was fearful that it was just there for the looks and would just override when it thought it appropriate to shift.

Thanks

 

[IHeartGroceries]

Sooo...

To answer the OPs question (and I don't know it), it WILL upshift on its own, correct? It it is not capable of bouncing off a rev limiter.

My SHO is that way. The tachometer is digital (appears in the inst cluster in a digital LCD screen), and as a result, sweeps seemingly with a bit of a lag. As a result, it makes up shifts before you think you're near redline. It is a retarded PITA.

 

[phoned]

As mentioned the only time it will do things by itself
- slowing down it will downshift so it doesn't stall
- if you leave it at too high rpm for too long its supposed to upshift to prevent everything from overheating
- I don't think I've tested it but if you are cruising in 5th at fairly low rpm and slam the gas quickly it's very likely it will downshift to a lower gear so that you get speed quickly without needing to mess around. This is a safety feature I imagine.. my Mz3 did this and every other manumatic car I've driven.

I personally don't find the need to use it much. Leaving it in auto produces much smoother upshifts because it times things 100% properly where I am usually a bit off. I do use it for engine braking coming down hills or when getting off the highway. The auto mode is pretty damn good and had a good feel that is super easy to control with just knowing how much throttle to apply to keep it doing what you want. The amount of low-end torque compared to my other cars makes me not worry too much about keeping it in any sweet spot.

 

[phoned]

To answer the OPs question (and I don't know it), it WILL upshift on its own, correct? It it is not capable of bouncing off a rev limiter.

I don't believe so. Pretty sure I've hit damn close or just after 6000rpm or so and it wasn't going to do anything on its own at that point

 

[CX-SV]

Sooo...

To answer the OPs question (and I don't know it), it WILL upshift on its own, correct? It it is not capable of bouncing off a rev limiter.

My SHO is that way. The tachometer is digital (appears in the inst cluster in a digital LCD screen), and as a result, sweeps seemingly with a bit of a lag. As a result, it makes up shifts before you think you're near redline. It is a retarded PITA.

My Lexus IS350 bounces off the rev limiter (I've actually had this happen), it doesn't upshift. I assume the CX-5 will do the same.

 

[dougal]

As mentioned the only time it will do things by itself
- slowing down it will downshift so it doesn't stall
- if you leave it at too high rpm for too long its supposed to upshift to prevent everything from overheating
- I don't think I've tested it but if you are cruising in 5th at fairly low rpm and slam the gas quickly it's very likely it will downshift to a lower gear so that you get speed quickly without needing to mess around. This is a safety feature I imagine.. my Mz3 did this and every other manumatic car I've driven.

I personally don't find the need to use it much. Leaving it in auto produces much smoother upshifts because it times things 100% properly where I am usually a bit off. I do use it for engine braking coming down hills or when getting off the highway. The auto mode is pretty damn good and had a good feel that is super easy to control with just knowing how much throttle to apply to keep it doing what you want. The amount of low-end torque compared to my other cars makes me not worry too much about keeping it in any sweet spot.

No, it will not shift on its own like that. Been there and done that. I have also been in
2nd and accelerated and it did not shift. I had to do it. I may not have hit the red line but I was close.

 

[phoned]

No, it will not shift on its own like that. Been there and done that.

So if you are in 5th or 6th and drop the hammer it won't? Are you sure? Pretty much all cars seem to have that over-ride and I swear the CX5 did too.. will test tomorrow going to work I guess.

 

[V8toilet]

You can start out in 2nd gear instead of 1st by pushing the lever twice in the row at a stop. It’s a nice feature if you want better traction in slippery conditions and if you’re in rush hour traffic and don’t want to keep going back to first.

 

[dougal]

Well, I can say I did completely slam it but when I have been in manual mode in 4th and needed to move fast, I had to shift down. Maybe if you hit the kick switch it will but I don't think have ever hit it. Manual mode appears to be manual mode with the exemption of things that would cause the car to stall.

 

[tibimakai]

I haven't tried it yet on my car, but on my ex VW Rabbit I had a smart feature that it would shift for you if you have reached 6000k RPM and you forgot to shift. Our car has this feature?

 

[IHeartGroceries]

View attachment 206213

My Lexus IS350 bounces off the rev limiter (I've actually had this happen), it doesn't upshift. I assume the CX-5 will do the same.

Must be nice!

The nannies are extremely irritating, coming from the Speed6.
Oh well. Nothing an aftermarket tune can't iron out.

 

[dougal]

So if you are in 5th or 6th and drop the hammer it won't? Are you sure? Pretty much all cars seem to have that over-ride and I swear the CX5 did too.. will test tomorrow going to work I guess.

Well, I just tried it today and it will not shift. I drove around 35 MPH on a flat road and shifted to manual mode. The car was in 5th. Slammed the gas and hit the kick switch. No shift. If you go back to auto mode, it will shift immediately.

 

[phoned]

Well, I just tried it today and it will not shift. I drove around 35 MPH on a flat road and shifted to manual mode. The car was in 5th. Slammed the gas and hit the kick switch. No shift. If you go back to auto mode, it will shift immediately.

Funny - I did the same thing a few days ago (forgot to report back) and soon as I hit the kick switch or whatever it went down into 3rd for me.

I got a 2014 as well.

 

[dougal]

Funny - I did the same thing a few days ago (forgot to report back) and soon as I hit the kick switch or whatever it went down into 3rd for me.

I got a 2014 as well.

I did not go through the switch. Just to it. Did you go through. I wonder if that has any impact. I have not actually gone through at all yet.

 

[phoned]

I did not go through the switch. Just to it. Did you go through. I wonder if that has any impact. I have not actually gone through at all yet.

Yes - up until the switch is stays.... once you actually click in the switch is when it does take over - which is not too unexpected of it. Makes sense for it to be like this an overall a good design.

 

[dougal]

Yes - up until the switch is stays.... once you actually click in the switch is when it does take over - which is not too unexpected of it. Makes sense for it to be like this an overall a good design.

Nice. I like it that way. It lets you get away with murder till the actual murder!

The bad side is occasionally, I will have it in manual and forget when I come to a stop. Upon trying to accelerate the engine, in first gear, will rev like crazy until I shift it. Alarming when it happens but reminds you to keep focus!