Qustion regarding manual shifting

[chuckml97]

In manual mode, downshift suppose to be automatic in complete stop. But I notice that the auto downshift to 1st gear after stop doesn't work all the time. While driving in 3rd or 4th gear and make a complete stop it will always go down to 1st gear by itself. But if I driving in 2nd gear and make a complete stop, the transmission doesn't go down to 1st gear all the time. I have to downshift manually sometimes.

Is this normal? Do any of you notice the same thing?

 

[Davicho]

Totally normal operation. If you are in 2nd gear it will not downshift to 1st because the transmission is completely capable of starting in 2nd gear to get moving.

 

[chuckml97]

Interesting. So I don't even need to downshift to 1 manually in such case? Just leave it in 2nd and start there? Hard to believe for someone that is used to manual transmission.

 

[Davicho]

Yeah, I thought it was odd also when I first experienced it in my Mazda5, so when I got the CX-9 and it also did it I was not surprised at all, but it is normal I beleive it states it inside the owner's manual???

BTW, it will also downshift for you if say.... you are in manual mode in 5 or 6th gear and you punch it, however, you will have to upshift yourself once again.

 

[dougtx]

Interesting. So I don't even need to downshift to 1 manually in such case? Just leave it in 2nd and start there? Hard to believe for someone that is used to manual transmission.

As a life long MT driver, it doesn't really seem that strange at all. In icy/snowy conditions, I would often pull out in 2nd gear rather than first to avoid spinning my tires.

 

[chuckml97]

Thanks for the replies.

I just read the owner's manual, there it talks about fixed 2nd gear mode, in this mode, the gear stay in the 2nd and start there from complete stop. You can enter this mode in complete stop by up shifting once. Not sure if this is the same thing I experianced. I am kind of confuse.

As a proud new CX9 owner, I want to learn all the details about the car.