Changing shift direction in manual mode

[Ojibguy]

Coming from a diesel Sportwagon, miss the torque and mileage. But also the manual mode of the VW's dual clutch trans. Moving the lever forward to shift up and back to downshift was intuitive. The CX5's transmission operates in the opposite directions.
Paddle shifters, which Mazda unaccountably forgot, would eliminate what I'd say is an odd foible. Thinking of going that direction. Meantime, is it possible to rewire the transmission controls so the shift lever is moved forward to go up a gear and back to go down?

 

[GJ-Molestor]

Coming from a diesel Sportwagon, miss the torque and mileage. But also the manual mode of the VW's dual clutch trans. Moving the lever forward to shift up and back to downshift was intuitive. The CX5's transmission operates in the opposite directions.
Paddle shifters, which Mazda unaccountably forgot, would eliminate what I'd say is an odd foible. Thinking of going that direction. Meantime, is it possible to rewire the transmission controls so the shift lever is moved forward to go up a gear and back to go down?

well get used to it, because that is the proper race inspired shifting pattern. I only see BMW and Mazda doing these, and they are the only two doing it correctly. every other brands method of going forward for upshifts and backward for downshifting is not correct.

why does your car not have paddle shifters? base model?

 

[sg11]

well get used to it, because that is the proper race inspired shifting pattern. I only see BMW and Mazda doing these, and they are the only two doing it correctly. every other brands method of going forward for upshifts and backward for downshifting is not correct

+1. Another reason why I love Mazdas. To me, it's the most natural shift pattern. The thinking is, for example, if you're braking and about to downshift going into a corner, the weight of the car is shifting forward and the natural tendency should be to push forward to downshift and then accelerating out of the corner shifts the weight to the back thus the tendency to pull back to upshift.

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

Moved because clearly not a how to post

 

[GJ-Molestor]

+1. Another reason why I love Mazdas. To me, it's the most natural shift pattern. The thinking is, for example, if you're braking and about to downshift going into a corner, the weight of the car is shifting forward and the natural tendency should be to push forward to downshift and then accelerating out of the corner shifts the weight to the back thus the tendency to pull back to upshift.

Yup, its a racy little feature that you will only find in high performance transmissions featured in clutch-less cars that have a little lever for shifting. Its by far the most natural feel.

 

[123373]

I have been using manual mode in my BMW for the past 6 years. Grabbing or flicking the shifter towards me (back) is the most natural why to shift especially during spirited driving. As stated you're already being push backwards during acceleration so why would you want to struggle trying to push the shifter unnaturally forward?

 

[GJ-Molestor]

I have been using manual mode in my BMW for the past 6 years. Grabbing or flicking the shifter towards me (back) is the most natural why to shift especially during spirited driving. As stated you're already being push backwards during acceleration so why would you want to struggle trying to push the shifter unnaturally forward?

Maybe if your car just isnt fast? Lol

Well the way mazda and bmw do it is correct so its a shame to see everyone else dicking around and doing something different..

 

[Ojibguy]

Thanks for the comments on Mazda's shift pattern.
Maybe paddles were offered on Mazda 6s, but on my CX5 (2016.5) they weren't an option in Canada. Would have got 'em for sure to get around the Mazda idiosyncrasy of a backward shift lever. Now considering adding them.
FWIW, I doubt Mazda's pattern was race-inspired. Tiptronic transmissions (as in Porsche, Audi, VW etc.) shift up when the lever is pushed forward in manual mode, down when pulled back. (At least the ones that don't have paddles do.) I'd bet a lot more Porsches than Mazdas have been raced -- albeit with standard or paddles rather than a shift lever.
As for forward for downshifts and back for upshifts being more comfortable for body position, that didn't seem to be a problem shifting a standard transmission up and down when rallying or auto crossing. We tried to keep the shift lever in a comfortable position all the time. Seemed to work.

 

[xtrailman]

Coming from using only manuals for around 45 years, I find the manual override in the auto very easy to use, once I remembered whether to move forward or back.

I wouldn't want any controls around the steering wheel which is already cluttered IMO.

 

[Monterra]

Nope, Porsche came around and is now doing it right, enjoy:
http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/street-smarts/porsche-shifts-shifting-gears-article-1.2428386

 

[Ojibguy]

Thanks Monterra, I stand corrected. Still hunting down a paddle kit for the CX5, tho'--

 

[Conrad 16.5]

Coming from a diesel Sportwagon, miss the torque and mileage. But also the manual mode of the VW's dual clutch trans. Moving the lever forward to shift up and back to downshift was intuitive. The CX5's transmission operates in the opposite directions.
Paddle shifters, which Mazda unaccountably forgot, would eliminate what I'd say is an odd foible. Thinking of going that direction. Meantime, is it possible to rewire the transmission controls so the shift lever is moved forward to go up a gear and back to go down?

We also had a Sportwagon TDI (2012) before the CX-5. The Mazda was the replacement after the buyback. This is our first Mazda and I keep comparing the CX-5 to the JSW. To me the VW was a much better car with way more thought put into the design of pretty much everything. I didn't use the manual mode in the VW much so the direction of the s*** pattern doesn't bother me much. I'd much rather have proper indicator lights inside the cabin (as the VW had) than the 'proper' shift pattern.

 

[mazdadude]

It is possible to swap the + and - for the changes...

You can swap the wires at the harness plug, or you could also use those + and - wires to install a switch that would reverse the positions as you desire.

However, I would just install and enjoy the PADDLE shifters, as that is the best mod I have done on any of our CX-5's thus far.

Never having to lift your hands from the steering wheel to make a manual shift is not only comfortable, but a wonderful safety benefit as well.

 

[Monterra]

Paddle shifters would be nice I guess- particularly on cars not named mazda, bmw and now porsche

 

[GJ-Molestor]

FWIW, I doubt Mazda's pattern was race-inspired. Tiptronic transmissions (as in Porsche, Audi, VW etc.) shift up when the lever is pushed forward in manual mode, down when pulled back. (At least the ones that don't have paddles do.) I'd bet a lot more Porsches than Mazdas have been raced -- albeit with standard or paddles rather than a shift lever.
As for forward for downshifts and back for upshifts being more comfortable for body position, that didn't seem to be a problem shifting a standard transmission up and down when rallying or auto crossing. We tried to keep the shift lever in a comfortable position all the time. Seemed to work.

This just doesnt make any sense. Its not because Porsches are raced more, that has nothing to do with it. Its because Mazda and BMW were the only ones to note that proper performance transmissions are ALWAYS push for downshift, pull for upshift. They were being observant and the only two brands I see that decided to get it done properly.

 

[ColoradoDriver]

Unfortunately paddle shifters are not currently on the CX-5. That said, it is possible to install some.

As for the transmission, I agree with others that I like the current format, but if you were so inclined could probably rewire which is which.

 

[GJ-Molestor]

but if you were so inclined could probably rewire which is which.

... essentially time wasted to make your manual mode the incorrect format

 

[Ojibguy]

This just doesn’t make any sense. It’s not because Porsche’s are raced more, that has nothing to do with it. It’s because Mazda and BMW were the only ones to note that proper performance transmissions are ALWAYS push for downshift, pull for upshift. They were being observant and the only two brands I see that decided to get it done properly.

Okay, I give up. I’ll look for some paddles or rewire the transmission to shift the way I want. I don’t want to bug people, or perpetuate this conversation along the lines of the interminable, and at times absurd, 0w20-or -5w30-oil conversation. I definitely don’t want to go there.

Still, I’m grateful for the education. I’m especially indebted to GJ-Molestor, apparently as much an expert on transmissions, their history, and driving techniques in general as he is on oil viscosity and Mazda engine pedigree.

GJ, it turns out, is also an authoritative Mazda historian with insider dope on how the company works. From him, for instance, I learned that only Mazda and BMW were “observant” enough to notice that “proper performance transmissions are ALWAYS [his caps] push for downshift, pull for upshift.”

Not even the laggards at Porsche noticed how to shift an automatic, in fact. It wasn’t until 2015 that it tweaked its Tiptronic transmissions to operate like Mazda’s and BMW’s. (Props to Monterra for this info, including a reference.) I think Tiptronics on VW and Audi remained push-forward-to-upshift configuration. At least the one on my late, lamented TDI Sportwagon did. But whatever. Could be VW was preoccupied with its diesel scandal and didn’t get around to it.

In any case, my takeaway from GJ-Molestor’s transmissionana, is that it that if our Mazdas shift as they do, they must have “proper performance transmissions.” I love that. Who knew? None of that 6- or 7- or 8- gear DSG crap for us. And for sure not CVT. A proper performance trans. And when it came to shift pattern, Mazda and BMW (coincidentally GJ-Molestor owns one of each) were “the only two brands…to get it done properly.”

Actually, I’m still not 100% sure about that. But there I go again. I’m really am done with this topic. It’s best that the conversation returns to beer, like the one on oil blessedly did to the relief of us all.

The beauty of beer is, you pull the draft lever back to fill a glass. At least you usually do. I’m sure I’ll hear if it’s otherwise.

 

[GJ-Molestor]

Okay, I give up. I’ll look for some paddles or rewire the transmission to shift the way I want. I don’t want to bug people, or perpetuate this conversation along the lines of the interminable, and at times absurd, 0w20-or -5w30-oil conversation. I definitely don’t want to go there.

Still, I’m grateful for the education. I’m especially indebted to GJ-Molestor, apparently as much an expert on transmissions, their history, and driving techniques in general as he is on oil viscosity and Mazda engine pedigree.

GJ, it turns out, is also an authoritative Mazda historian with insider dope on how the company works. From him, for instance, I learned that only Mazda and BMW were “observant” enough to notice that “proper performance transmissions are ALWAYS [his caps] push for downshift, pull for upshift.”

Not even the laggards at Porsche noticed how to shift an automatic, in fact. It wasn’t until 2015 that it tweaked its Tiptronic transmissions to operate like Mazda’s and BMW’s. (Props to Monterra for this info, including a reference.) I think Tiptronics on VW and Audi remained push-forward-to-upshift configuration. At least the one on my late, lamented TDI Sportwagon did. But whatever. Could be VW was preoccupied with its diesel scandal and didn’t get around to it.

In any case, my takeaway from GJ-Molestor’s transmissionana, is that it that if our Mazdas shift as they do, they must have “proper performance transmissions.” I love that. Who knew? None of that 6- or 7- or 8- gear DSG crap for us. And for sure not CVT. A proper performance trans. And when it came to shift pattern, Mazda and BMW (coincidentally GJ-Molestor owns one of each) were “the only two brands…to get it done properly.”

Actually, I’m still not 100% sure about that. But there I go again. I’m really am done with this topic. It’s best that the conversation returns to beer, like the one on oil blessedly did to the relief of us all.

The beauty of beer is, you pull the draft lever back to fill a glass. At least you usually do. I’m sure I’ll hear if it’s otherwise.

Have you ever heard of an opinion before? Then you proceed to mis-interpret something I wrote on your thread and decide to completely lose your mind? my friend, you do need to grab that beer and chill out a little.

I never said that BMW and Mazda make Performance transmissions. I specifically mentioned earlier that they derive the shift pattern from performance transmissions. All I was saying is that Mazda + BMW make well geared and responsive transmissions. Which has little to do with a performance transmission. Relax yourself.

Now the whole 0w20 - 5w30 debate Im sure I went too far with some of my ideas, but if its not suspicious to you that CAFE is changing oil weights in two countries out of the whole world for a 0.2 MPG savings, well I must admit you are a little naive.

So just relax a little and drink your beer. Its not the end of the world here.

 

[Ojibguy]

Sorry if I offended, but you said about the Mazda's shift pattern, "Yup, it’s a racy little feature that you will only find in high performance transmissions." Opinion, maybe, but it suggests to me that you think Mazdas have high performance transmissions, no?
Out of curiosity, from which "performance transmissions" did Mazda and BMW drive their shift pattern? Most I've come across have paddle shifters. Also, if Mazda has a high performance transmission, how would you characterize a twin-clutch DSG transmission?