How much do you use manual mode on the AT?

[HandA]

I'm curious how often everyone uses the manual mode on the automatic transmissions.

I've only used mine occasionally. Mostly when I want to jump across traffic and don't want it to up-shift in the middle.

I've tried it on a more regular basis but I either forget to up-shift enough or find it harder when downshifting for a tight corner because I have to look at the dash to see what gear it is currently in and then knock it down several gears but not too many. Which is one point when it would be handy to use, when the transmission jumps back up a couple gears as I'm off the throttle on a 90 degree turn and then hit the gas and it has to decide to downshift again. I read where the new Mazda3 will hold the lower gear in higher G situations like that.

I guess if I used it more it would get like shifting a stick where I never really have to think about it.

 

[SayNoToPistons]

I like taking (perfect) on/off ramps relatively quick. Often I downshift into 3rd or 2nd for most <40mph off ramps because I like the assurance of having usable power when exiting the corner. Much like heel-toe downshifts I do in the RX-8 on the track or whatever applicable situation. For on ramps entering the highway, I downshift to a gear that keeps my RPM to at least 2500 RPM or higher depending on the merge space I have. With such anemic power and a quick to upshift transmission, throwing it into manual mode for these situations give me extra assurance that I can exit/enter safely.

Other than mentioned situations, I often leave it in auto. Not much grade change as I live in NYC. I do downshfit manually when I do hit steep hills, whether I'm climbing or goign down a grade.

 

[McFlyfi]

On ramps and off ramps mostly. Especially ones that are uphill. Floor it, hold the gear to near red-line, and shift.
I have a little cabin in the mountains, the drive there has a pretty good section of twisties along the Kern River. Always in manual mode there, and for the final climb to the cabin.
There are also a few hills around here that the tranny doesn't want to shift down readily on its own, but performs much better in a lower gear, so I use it there as well.

 

[nopalito24]

due to the lack of power, I use it all the time really, except in heavy LA traffic. So used to it by now.

 

[vroom]

I tried it a few times, but did not like the feeling of not knowing which gear I was in unless I looked at the dash. On a true manual, you can just go by feel. I guess it needs getting used to.

In any case, with the added power on the 2014 models I don't feel I need to use manual mode to squeeze out the power as much, and the 2014s have the kick-down button under the pedal to red-line it when needed. It's realy fast to react too. The only time I feel I could use it is when doing fast lane changes on a split second decision, the auto downshift when pressing the pedal can be a tad sluggish, but moving the stick into manual mode would take about just as long anyway...

 

[nXt]

I pretty much never use it on my 2014 2.5L. Smashing/holding the pedal down gives it the power I need. (My previous car 04 Mazda3 was manual).
I do sometimes get bored and try to go manual on the AT but then I feel like I'm wasting gas cuz I rev it high :/

 

[Dr_Watson]

Feel for you guys, 35 mph, 5th gear, uphill, 4 adults, foot down and away she goes! Sorry, couldn't resist!

 

[V8toilet]

I use it to hold low gears in stop and go traffic so I don't have to use the brake. Also use it on the highway with cruise control so the transmission doesn't downshift when going down hills for better mpg. Also use it to force a downshift for either engine braking or to power out of a low speed situation.

 

[TreyP]

Tried it once, that was enough. If I wanted a manual I would have bought one.

 

[Rafale]

Almost never

 

[atitus]

So far, I have never used manual mode. Only used the kickdown switch once, when I was merging onto the highway on a ramp that had a pretty steep incline.

 

[costermonger]

I downshift manually sometimes if I want to slow down gradually or maintain speed on a downslope without braking. I don't think I've ever asked it to up shift in normal usage; just into manual for the downshift and then back to auto.

4 months and 8000km and I'm still slightly in awe of this transmission.

 

[Evan55]

its great to set up a pass. get the downshift done and out of the way so you can accelerate immediately.

and occasionally ill pop it over to see what gear im in out of curiosity.

 

[MikeM.]

I use manual mode for descending mountain passes. Usually, 4th gear is good to maintain a safe descent and not have to ride the brakes the entire descent.

Once the programming of the auto shift logic is learned, manual mode is not as useful because you can control the transmission with throttle input. If you want to downshift don't ever ease slowly onto the throttle, always ask for the power immediately by quickly pressing the throttle to the desired position.

I have the 2013 without the kick down switch but it still kicks down the same way - the only difference is the pedal of the models with the kick down switch has tactile feedback. I did an experiment a few days ago. I drove on the highway at a steady 60 mph. All at once I floored it. The tranny instantly dropped down 3 gears (yes, all the way to 3rd gear) which put the engine rpm's just before peak power and allowed the car to accelerate through the strongest part of the rpm band before shifting into 4th gear and repeating the performance. I could not have done it better myself. The primary reason I use manual mode is to force the transmission to stay in a particular gear.

 

[CX-5um]

I use manual mode for descending mountain passes. Usually, 4th gear is good to maintain a safe descent and not have to ride the brakes the entire descent.

Once the programming of the auto shift logic is learned, manual mode is not as useful because you can control the transmission with throttle input. If you want to downshift don't ever ease slowly onto the throttle, always ask for the power immediately by quickly pressing the throttle to the desired position.
I have the 2013 without the kick down switch but it still kicks down the same way - the only difference is the pedal of the models with the kick down switch has tactile feedback. I did an experiment a few days ago. I drove on the highway at a steady 60 mph. All at once I floored it. The tranny instantly dropped down 3 gears (yes, all the way to 3rd gear) which put the engine rpm's just before peak power and allowed the car to accelerate through the strongest part of the rpm band before shifting into 4th gear and repeating the performance. I could not have done it better myself. The primary reason I use manual mode is to force the transmission to stay in a particular gear.

2013 auto model with no step button here. Not sure if it's a placebo effect but the computer seems to learns things on the fly. For instance I drive conservatively for a week. Out of the blue (like on a Saturday morning with empty streets) I redline the thing a couple of times. The computer seems to switch into a noticeably aggressive mode therafter. I use manual mode to get to 3rd or 4th on hills or freeway passing when currently in 6th gear.

 

[ourlee]

Not once the first 600 miles.