Tiptronic Reving? Question on using tiptronic

[DaViper]

Hi everyone, this is my first post here. I just bought a new 2003 Laser Blue Protege 5, with tiptronic transmission (I wanted manual, but I was forced to get auto/tiptronic because my parents paid for it and threy wanted auto). I have never driven a tiptronic car before, and I pick the car up tonight. I was wondering, how high should I rev the engine to usually between each shift in this car when in tiptronic mode for best performance? Also, does anybody know if I can switch from tiptonic to regular auto while the car is moving?

Thanks!
-DaViper

 

[www.03msp.com]

I own one. I have had my 2002.5 for over a year. Rev as you like, being hard on it (as I sometimes), I go near redline then shift. I can tell you that it is somewhat fun to driving normal, drop it down to tiptronic mode and shift down to aid in stopping. Likewise yes you can switch from one to another at anytime of you in motion.

 

[DeanSweet]

if I remember correctly the Sport Automatic Gearbox will shift down and up for you if you rev too high or too low? There is a section in the owners manual that goes over this protocol.

 

[pingdum]

if I remember correctly the Sport Automatic Gearbox will shift down and up for you if you rev too high or too low? There is a section in the owners manual that goes over this protocol.

Close, it will shift down to first if you stop, but it will not shift up. You can switch between manual and auto at any time. Also, it will not let you shift down if you are revving too high.

 

[DaViper]

Thanks so far for that info, but I still haven't heard anything about when to shift with the tiptronic for best performance. I mean, what rpm's basically should I shift at with tiptronic, and also, do I have to stop the car to move the shifter from tiptronic mode to full auto mode?

Thanks!
-DaViper12

 

[SilvrProtege5NJ]

Well, seeing that the car is brand new I wouldnt be bringing the RPMs up to 6k for a little while. Depending on driving conditions the car will "tell you" the right time to shift. <the car really doesnt tell you but you know what i mean>. Also you do not have to stop the car to change from auto to tiptronic mode.

 

[SilvrProtege5NJ]

Let me rephrase that. The car doesnt actually tell you when to shift. I dont want you to be driving and think that car is going to tell you when to shift. But after some time you will be able to tell how the car will respond depending on where you shift...

 

[+ friction]

Thanks so far for that info, but I still haven't heard anything about when to shift with the tiptronic for best performance. I mean, what rpm's basically should I shift at with tiptronic, and also, do I have to stop the car to move the shifter from tiptronic mode to full auto mode?

Thanks!
-DaViper12

You can shift either way while in motion: AT to sport / sport to AT.

I pretty much shift mine when I would if it were manual. If you have ever had a stick, basically do the same thing you did w/that. Lower RPM shifts for better MPG, and higher RPM shifts for better performance.

 

[pingdum]

also, do I have to stop the car to move the shifter from tiptronic mode to full auto mode?

no

 

[DaViper]

Wow thanks everybody for such fast and helpful responses! I don't think I;ve ever visited a forum where so many people respond so fast! I will definetily spend some time here!

So, ok I won't go to high rpm's yet because the car is brand new, but for how long am I dsupposed to go really easy on the engine? I have always heard in the past there's a certain amount of miles you're supposed to put on the car to sort of "break it in," however I have no idea how many it should be. I'd really like to be able to do a little bit of fast accelleration etc to see what this car can do, but obviously I don't wanna mess it up....


Thanks!
-DaViper

 

[+ friction]

[B

So, ok I won't go to high rpm's yet because the car is brand new, but for how long am I dsupposed to go really easy on the engine?


Thanks!
-DaViper [/B]

The break-in period is 1,000 miles if you subscribe to its warnings (I don't ).

 

[eting_pro5]

actually i believe the break in period is 6,000 miles according to the owners manual...or is that 600...i don't know, i'd go with my first instinct cuz i remember thinking it was absurdly high.

For moderate acceleration i'd shift a lil over 4,000 rpm out of 1st and same for second. you can shift much earlier from third to fourth. A really good way to figure out when to shift is by driving in full auto mode. As you accelerate, if you like your rate, take notice of when the computer decides to shift. Apply your new knowledge to your tiptronic driving habits.

Occassionally i feel like the Pro5 is ultra slow, then i'll be driving in full auto and think the pedal is really sensitive...it's really just he ECU shifting later than i do in a normal driving experience...turns out the Pro5 is just slow, not ultra slow

 

[DeanSweet]

I tell guys/gals to treat their new cars like they do women/men...
Run them hard, fast and often if you just intend on running a one night stand mentality(read in Lease). If you plan on keeping her/him around for a while (the marrying type) then do what what the book says and treat them right, buy them gifts, take them out to dinner couple nights a week and most importantly be very loving(read in purchasing the car).
Me on the other hand... been with the same lovely girl since I was 15 (35 now) and go thu cars like most people do toothbrushes.

 

[+ friction]

actually i believe the break in period is 6,000 miles according to the owners manual...or is that 600...i don't know, i'd go with my first instinct cuz i remember thinking it was absurdly high.

Right on. Now that you mention it, not sure where I got that 1,000 figure (out of my ass, perhaps )

 

[loccusst]

Break in is 600 miles. The cool feature is when the gear aelction automatically goes to gear 1 when you stop. Just shift normal, i usually shift around 4,500 to 5,000 when cruisin around. The computer will not shift up for you...so be carefull. Don't do any hard accelerations for the first 600 miles from a stand still either or brake excesively hard. After that just drive it like you stole it. If you live in winter areas you'll love the fact that you can get traction by starting out in second gear instead of first.

 

[eting_pro5]

Someone really smart should make a mod so that i can go from first to neutral by tapping - again.......do it!

 

[loccusst]

Why?

 

[eting_pro5]

SO I CAN REV MY ENGINE AT STOP LIGHTS!! MAYBE EVEN DO MILD NEUTRAL DROPS!!!!.....really, i just wish i had a manual.

 

[greenman]

i usu shift around 5000. But it is kinda like a manual, the engine will tell you. Too bad it's not a manual though (grrrr.) Seems like the sweet spot is around 4 to 5 , I usu keep it around there in any gear if i want a quick response.

Once i was in a little race,(blah blah yada i know), and i wanted to go down to second b/c i was getting walked but it wouldn't go for me, it just blinked the gear that it was in, guess the revs were just too high.
(it was against an intrepid btw).

 

[mazda5protege]

FYI if you use the tiptronic more then you use auto you will develop transmission problems much sooner, do a search people who have over used it had transmission problems around 12,000 miles. It gets to the point where your car won't want to shift, or even worse get stuck in a gear.... some guy had his p5 or es get stuck in 3rd :wtf: