Does anyone use Direct Mode?

[stack316]

Have had the ‘21 CX5 GT with PP for three years, I use the paddle shifters often, and when I do I put the shifter to the left to M mode.

today I never moved the shifter to the left and tried using the paddle shifters and found out what “direct mode” was… interesting if I will ever use it on purpose. Does anyone use it?

 

[Odrapnew]

While not Mazda CX5's, both my Fords do similar. It's a nice feature.

I use them if I want to prepare to accelerate quickly or jump up to next gear.
Also, with the Fords, if you downshift and stay off the throttle, it'll hold that gear until it gets too low in rpm or you use the throttle, then it goes back into automatic mode.

My Explorer seems to hold on to 5th gear longer than it needs to, so I hit the upshift paddle to get it into 6th gear.

 

[Dash Riproc]

I've not heard the term "Direct Mode" but I recently learned about this from this thread. I did not know that's how paddle shifters worked but once I did, they suddenly made a lot more sense.

My only complaint is that the transmission shifts back to D too quickly for me - I wish it stayed in the gear a little longer.

D

Thread 'Thoughts on paddle shifters'

Oct 27, 2024

It took me a while but I finally got the hang of driving my wife's 2024 Prem Plus in manual mode. It has the paddle shifters but I find them to be awkward and not conveniently positioned a lot of the time because I'm turning the wheel and can't easily access the correct one. I always gravitate back to the floor shifter.

Am I doing it wrong? What's the point of paddle shifters? Is there a particular situation where they might offer an advantage?

• Dash Riproc
• Replies: 16
• Forum: CX-5 General

 

[N7turbo]

Yes, often. Use it for engine braking downhill, coming to a stop light or sign, passing on the highway, etc.

 

[ruthrj]

Yes, often. Use it for engine braking downhill, coming to a stop light or sign, passing on the highway, etc.

Same, I downshift to third every day for engine braking downhill. Then I press and hold the up shift paddle at the bottom of the mountain to return to standard operation. I never fiddle with the shift knob.

 

[Lazy2.5]

My Explorer seems to hold on to 5th gear longer than it needs to, so I hit the upshift paddle to get it into 6th gear.

I sometimes do that too. If the engine load isn't high enough to warrant staying in 5th gear, the transmission is likely unnecessarily holding gears due to old/dirty transmission fluid, filter. late, lazy shifts, holding gears too long are all telltale signs of this.

 

[ADS-B]

I use manual mode most of the time, almost exclusively. I discovered the Direct mode accidentally and tried to use the paddle shifters but no joy. Unless I keep both hands on the steering wheel, I find extremely difficult to use the paddle shifters. And then the shifters are positioned at 09:00 and 03:00 o'clock, rather than 10:00 and 02:00... Anyway, my car has the paddle shifters but completely useless for me.

 

[AL Cx5]

I sometimes do that too. If the engine load isn't high enough to warrant staying in 5th gear, the transmission is likely unnecessarily holding gears due to old/dirty transmission fluid, filter. late, lazy shifts, holding gears too long are all telltale signs of this.

I added a ground to the trans a couple of weeks ago as an experiment. To my surprise the shifts are quicker. I landed the ground on the top of the trans to the frame after removing the air filter box.

Like you, I use the Direct Mod for engine breaking, mostly 3rd and 2nd.

 

[Odrapnew]

I sometimes do that too. If the engine load isn't high enough to warrant staying in 5th gear, the transmission is likely unnecessarily holding gears due to old/dirty transmission fluid, filter. late, lazy shifts, holding gears too long are all telltale signs of this.

I agree with that, although my Explorer has done it since new (bought new >10 years ago).
I've done a few drain/fills with transmission fluid over the years, but still acts the same.

It was one of the first things that bugged me about the vehicle. If I got on the freeway going 60mph and just kept light throttle, it would hold 5th gear and not upshift. I'm sure I could have brought it in for a reflash or something like that, but I eventually just got used to that quirk and either lightly lift throttle or hit the paddle.

 

[skid00skid0]

I added a ground to the trans a couple of weeks ago as an experiment. To my surprise the shifts are quicker. I landed the ground on the top of the trans to the frame after removing the air filter box.

Like you, I use the Direct Mod for engine breaking, mostly 3rd and 2nd.

The tranny is grounded to the engine by several bolts.

 

[AL Cx5]

The tranny is grounded to the engine by several bolts.

I know and it LIKES a ground to the frame right under the battery ground.

If I didnt have several friends who trans grounded their Toyota, Ram, Charger and others I would say this was a placebo effect.

I've posted the gains grounding the cylinder head on 2 sides to the frame a well. Grounding the heads to the frame is well documented and standard procedure in Efi drag cars. They mostly use a dumb trans like a Power Glide. My electronic drag trans, Nag1, is grounded. It has the fastest trans brake in the planet and shifts like a Linkco.

We hold the world record for the fastest 1/4 mi Gen3 NA Hemi for over 2 years. We must be doing something right.

I'm not asking you to agree. It works so I reported.

Have a good day!!

 

[Lazy2.5]

I agree with that, although my Explorer has done it since new (bought new >10 years ago).
I've done a few drain/fills with transmission fluid over the years, but still acts the same.

It was one of the first things that bugged me about the vehicle. If I got on the freeway going 60mph and just kept light throttle, it would hold 5th gear and not upshift. I'm sure I could have brought it in for a reflash or something like that, but I eventually just got used to that quirk and either lightly lift throttle or hit the paddle.

The transmission is likely smart enough to justify holding that gear.

I often run into that exact same scenario with my Mazda 6 . I just lift off slightly or upshift like you said, although based on the engine load and the throttle position im using in that moment, it makes sense why it's holding 5th.

 

[Dash Riproc]

Yes, often. Use it for engine braking downhill, coming to a stop light or sign, passing on the highway, etc.

Same, I downshift to third every day for engine braking downhill. Then I press and hold the up shift paddle at the bottom of the mountain to return to standard operation. I never fiddle with the shift knob.

I was taught that engine braking puts undue wear on the transmission, and since brake pads are much cheaper and easier to replace than transmissions, should only be done sparingly if at all. Is that not true?

 

[ruthrj]

I was taught that engine braking puts undue wear on the transmission, and since brake pads are much cheaper and easier to replace than transmissions, should only be done sparingly if at all. Is that not true?

Everything in moderation. My daily drive from home has 1000 ft elevation change over a mile and a half. Putting my car in 3rd gear at the top of the mountain and keeping it there won’t strain the transmission. Rpm’s on the engine stay between 2500-3500, and I don’t drag the brakes the whole way down the hill. Such is life unless I want to deal with warped rotors and the potential for brake failure in my scenario (mountain driving).