tiptronic downshifting

[DrPhill]

is it bad for the car if you downshift to slow down with the tiptronic?

 

[dacalo]

well i am no expert but i am sure it exerts a lot of stress on the engine as the rpm jumps up when you downshift.

 

[enigM@]

if u brake and lower the rpm's a bit, maybe it won't hurt

 

[Logan]

As they say,
It's cheaper to replace brake components than a transmission.

 

[dficken]

That's what it is for.
I downshift all the time with my sport shifter.
It works great.

 

[dficken]

Just don't go overboard a lot with it (i.e. go back to 1st at 30 mph)

 

[dichiee]

hehe I down shift a lot too... I even use it for engine brake haha

 

[Jim Frye]

Just don't abuse it.

Just don't go overboard a lot with it (i.e. go back to 1st at 30 mph)

The transaxle will not downshift if the speed is too high. For example: If you attempt to downshift into 1st from 2nd at 30 mph, the gear indicator on the dash will just blink at you and the shift will not happen. Jim

 

[dficken]

I understand that it will not let you downshift if it's "beyond" the limits. I was mainly just giving an example.

I downshift from 2nd to 1st @ 20-25 MPH and it throws my head forward pretty good. But what I was trying to say is I don't think it would be good to downshift at those extremes all the time. (btw... my first gear hits about 40mph before redlining)

Basically if I down shift and it puts me at 3k or 4k on the tac, It feels pretty good (for me).

 

[Dexter]

i dont get the point of the "tiptronic" (wrong name, but whatever). if youre going to be downshifting and all that jazz, why not just get a real manual?

 

[REMillers]

Why would you be using the sport shift all the time?? Its normally only for merging situations where you need a quick downshift, and track time.
Any other time it is useless as the automatic will be just as useful. Plus I wouldn't bet on it lasting if you used it all the time in everyday driving.

Dexter the sport shift is nice to have the combination of a auto and manual. In heavily traffic and casual driving its nice to have a auto. But when going to the track the auto sucks! So you flop it over and shift yourselfs. The shifts are fast despite what some people experiance.

Now if only we could get the system the M3's use in which the tranmission is actually a manual one. The clutch and everything is simply computer controled.

 

[Dexter]

i see. i understand and agree 100% REM......i just think driving with it enabled all the time is utterly pointless....like people pretend they are really driving manual or something.

 

[REMillers]

oh ya it is pointless I only use it for quick merging, fast cornering. Thats really about it.

But hey least we got a 6-change in dash compared to other Manual P5s (comes with the sport-shift as a package)

 

[AlaskaP5]

Hmmm,,, I got the sport shift, but no 6 in-dash CD player with my car. Is there a way to confirm that this should have been a package?

 

[REMillers]

You a 02?? Might not have been that year?

It was either the shift or the sunroof. But other people at the meet had the sunroof and manual but no 6-change. And they were 03's. Plus the dealer did mention it and it was on the tag.

Hmmm

 

[tmht]

I have an '03 5sp with 6disc and Sunroof. I believe Mazda calls it the Moon and Tunes package as you can't get one without the other.

 

[REMillers]

ok kewl, knew it was one of the combinations included it. Strange though no other 03s at the meet with the 5spd and sunroof had the 6-change.

 

[Jim Frye]

possible...

Hmmm,,, I got the sport shift, but no 6 in-dash CD player with my car. Is there a way to confirm that this should have been a package?

The "normal" way in the '03 model line is that the indash 6 CD player is part of an option package with the moon roof. The car could have been ordered from the factory with the sport auto transaxle and a standard default single CD stereo. The 6 CD changer is a dealer installed option or a Port of Entry installed option if the car doesn't get ordered with the moon roof/6 CD package option.
I recall that the '03 moon roof/ 6CD changer option package is a fair amount cheaper than the same two items purchased seperately in '02. In '02, the moonroof was a $560 option and the 6CD changer was $500. In '03, the combination option of the two is $690. A $370 savings. I saved a total of $810 MSRP by buying an '03 model instead of the identically spec'd. '02 I originally planned on. Jim

 

[dacalo]

i was considering stick but i have to commute all the time with traffic at its worst... so i had to settle with auto.

it is not too bad, as i can always use the semi manual to get some boost

 

[PatrickP5]

You a 02?? Might not have been that year?

It was either the shift or the sunroof. But other people at the meet had the sunroof and manual but no 6-change. And they were 03's. Plus the dealer did mention it and it was on the tag.

Hmmm

It's the 6-disc and the moonroof that come together - "Moon & Tunes."


Patrick