Dear Mazda, consider moving the shifter to steering column
- Thread starter gova
- Start date
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- Mazdaspeed6
I have a suspicion its placement is due to the concept of mimicking a manual gear shifter, especially in manual shift selection.
Chris_Top_Her
Contributor
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- San Antonio, Texas
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- '15 CX-5 Miata AWD
Umm no thanks. I like being able to easily control my gear when I want to engine brake or prepare for a hill etc.. ride a gear longer during acceleration stop n go etc etc honestly how much storage cup holders do people need.. get a purse LOL
Brakes are a lot cheaper to replace than a transmission. Plus you are using fuel to brake. For me, when I need to stop, I will use the old fashion way, applying the brakes.
+1
I am a manual transmission fan, all my vehicles are manual. That said, when I drive an auto, such as my wife's car or a rental, I prefer a column shifter myself. It amazes me how the consensus is that no one wants a manual in a family hauler or SUV/CUV, yet many say they want to act like they are shifting (manumatic).
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I agree, brakes are a lot cheaper than transmissions. However, in all modern cars, under almost any kind of deceleration, no fuel is normally consumed.
I just like the shifter on the console, easier to see and use than column shifters. I find column shifters more difficult to use, but it really isn't a big deal. I'm not sure what vehicles are available today with a column shifter though.
SayNoToPistons
Wheels, not rims...
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- CX-5 GT AWD w/ Tech, RX-8 GT 6spd w/ 'goodies'
What is this? A Dodge Caravan?
Mercedes has brought it back in a few models. Lots of trucks use it. Chrysler has introduced (or maybe re-introduced?) a circular knob on the dash for gear selection.
I don't think its a bad thing if manual shifting isn't used by the majority of drivers of the model, or paddle shifters exist. Opens up the center console a bit.
When you use the engine to brake you are putting a load on it. This will use more fuel compared to if you are to coast (leaving in D) to a stop and then brake. As far for the column shifter, no way! I don't want to be dragged back to the 1950s.
SayNoToPistons
Wheels, not rims...
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- CX-5 GT AWD w/ Tech, RX-8 GT 6spd w/ 'goodies'
Chris_Top_Her
Contributor
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- San Antonio, Texas
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- '15 CX-5 Miata AWD
Not sure I can agree with the using more fuel while engine breaking in a modern vehicle.. technically you engine brake whenever you let off the gas. However when you let off the gas and then move to a lower gear, and increase engine speed, the drag is more because the throttle is closed/less open than it would be if you had accelerated to that rpm (throttle open). In my opinion you can improve braking this way by reducing braking effort needed, less need to constantly be pushing the brake (annoying in stop and go to be behind a car that is constantly on/off the brake then accelerating and repeat), and you are usually in a more suitable gear when you are ready to accelerate again. Oh and don't forget engine braking to pass a speed trap opposed to passing with the brake on lol.
I guess the point I am trying to make is when you manually gear down the transmission to slow down, the engine is working to slow down the car. As a result the engine enters a higher rpms range than if you were to just to keep it in drive and use the brakes. The higher rpm you hit the more fuel you consume.
Not if the computer cuts fuel during this time.
Check your Current MPG next time you coast down a hill (99mpg).
You are right that the engine wear is greater when using engine instead of brakes, but there is a time when it should be done. When you are coming down a mountain, always brake with the engine, or the brakes will fade and you will go off a cliff!
Wrong. If your foot is off the gas while you are moving, there is no fuel sent to the injectors. The power for the braking comes from the vacuum against a closed throttle.
Technically yes, but the effect is soooooo minimal. The pressure differential from the vacuum is far less than the pressure differential you see under hard acceleration.
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johnny_boy02
Member
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- Mazda CX-5 Touring
Bring on the paddle shifters!
Not true. In the CX-5 and most modern cars, the engine does spin up when descending a grade in a lower gear but it is the momentum of the vehicle, assisted by gravity that is turning the engine faster. The engines ECU reduces or eliminates the amount of fuel injected. On a steep grade the engine will consume no fuel in the proper gear.
A carbureted engine WOULD increase fuel consumption under this condition, that is one of many reasons why FI is superior.
And my vote is to keep the console shifter. My 2010 F-150 has a front bench seat and I hate the steering column mounted shifter. So 1970's!
