SMG Manual Shifts
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Not having read the manual - should you ever manually downshift into first gear or let the transmission downshift automatically. I can never seem to get a amooth rolling downshift - even at 2-4 mi per hour.
However, if I leave it in second coming to a halt it automatically shifts down evene in the manual mode.
Has anyone actually read the smg manual or know the correct procedure? Thanks
However, if I leave it in second coming to a halt it automatically shifts down evene in the manual mode.
Has anyone actually read the smg manual or know the correct procedure? Thanks
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Read the manual? whats that? hahaha
Either way is ok... Its a manual transmission... the car will rev match so theres no harm done. The car is programmed to downshift when its too slow for the engine so you wont stall it. I usually let the car downshift if knowing that I'll be comming to a complete stop anyways... If its just a slow down on the freeway or somthing I would manually downshift so I'll be in the right gear in the event I need to accelerate again.
As for getting a smooth down shift do you only mean going from 2 to 1? Cuz other wise all my downshifts are pretty smooth... I hardly downsift to first while moving that slow... theres no need. Unless I'm racing then I'll be up the the rev range and when I do use 1st it'll prob be like around >4K RPMS
Either way is ok... Its a manual transmission... the car will rev match so theres no harm done. The car is programmed to downshift when its too slow for the engine so you wont stall it. I usually let the car downshift if knowing that I'll be comming to a complete stop anyways... If its just a slow down on the freeway or somthing I would manually downshift so I'll be in the right gear in the event I need to accelerate again.
As for getting a smooth down shift do you only mean going from 2 to 1? Cuz other wise all my downshifts are pretty smooth... I hardly downsift to first while moving that slow... theres no need. Unless I'm racing then I'll be up the the rev range and when I do use 1st it'll prob be like around >4K RPMS
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As I had "complained" about before, my downshifts when rolling to a light are pretty rough, the entire car shudders (3rd to 2nd and 2nd to 1st).
I have had people in my car asking me whats wrong with it...
There is no blip of the gas when the car downshifts by itself, but there is one when I downshift. All I hear is a metallic clang/click noise.
My dealer in its infinite wisdom tells me its perfectly normal. BMW NA is next...
I have had people in my car asking me whats wrong with it...
There is no blip of the gas when the car downshifts by itself, but there is one when I downshift. All I hear is a metallic clang/click noise.
My dealer in its infinite wisdom tells me its perfectly normal. BMW NA is next...
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Originally Posted by 545smg' date='Oct 18 2005, 01:10 AM
Not having read the manual - should you ever manually downshift into first gear or let the transmission downshift automatically.? I can never seem to get a amooth rolling downshift - even at 2-4 mi per hour.
However, if I leave it in second coming to a halt it automatically shifts down evene in the manual mode.
Has anyone actually read the smg manual or know the correct procedure?? Thanks
However, if I leave it in second coming to a halt it automatically shifts down evene in the manual mode.
Has anyone actually read the smg manual or know the correct procedure?? Thanks
[snapback]185543[/snapback]
In my 2003 M3 I rarely downshift into 1st but, instead, let the SMG do it automatically once I have stopped. I have found that downshifts into 2nd are much smoother if you give the car a little gas while downshifting. Also, try this -- at around 65 mph in 6th, keep your foot on the gas and downshift into 3rd by quickly flicking the paddle or shifter 3 times. You should experience two things -- one of the smoothest downshifts ever and the power of the car as it takes off.
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Originally Posted by EBMCS03' date='Oct 17 2005, 09:37 PM
Read the manual? whats that? hahaha
Either way is ok... Its a manual transmission... the car will rev match so theres no harm done. The car is programmed to downshift when its too slow for the engine so you wont stall it. I usually let the car downshift if knowing that I'll be comming to a complete stop anyways... If its just a slow down on the freeway or somthing I would manually downshift so I'll be in the right gear in the event I need to accelerate again.
As for getting a smooth down shift do you only mean going from 2 to 1? Cuz other wise all my downshifts are pretty smooth... I hardly downsift to first while moving that slow... theres no need. Unless I'm racing then I'll be up the the rev range and when I do use 1st it'll prob be like around >4K RPMS?![W00t](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/w00t.gif)
Either way is ok... Its a manual transmission... the car will rev match so theres no harm done. The car is programmed to downshift when its too slow for the engine so you wont stall it. I usually let the car downshift if knowing that I'll be comming to a complete stop anyways... If its just a slow down on the freeway or somthing I would manually downshift so I'll be in the right gear in the event I need to accelerate again.
As for getting a smooth down shift do you only mean going from 2 to 1? Cuz other wise all my downshifts are pretty smooth... I hardly downsift to first while moving that slow... theres no need. Unless I'm racing then I'll be up the the rev range and when I do use 1st it'll prob be like around >4K RPMS?
![W00t](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/w00t.gif)
[snapback]185552[/snapback]
Thanks EBMC, My shifts and downshifts are as smooth as any automatic, it was just the 1st gear downshift to a stop. And you gave me the answer. So its ok to allow the transmission to downshift to first automatically when coming to a halt.
I've donwshifted into first by accident on occassion going about 10 miles per hour and although it startled me, it was smooth!
Just the 2-4 mph range, the auto is much and reve matching is much smoother than manually downshifting to first, then stop. Thanks again.
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Originally Posted by 545smg' date='Oct 18 2005, 10:32 AM
I've donwshifted into first by accident on occassion going about 10 miles per hour and although it startled me, it was smooth!
[snapback]185687[/snapback]
For me, the car is a manual so that means that I don't want the car automatically shifting for me ever -- including downshifting. If I downshift to first as I'm slowing down, I'll be ready to go when I need to...
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Originally Posted by markt540i' date='Oct 18 2005, 12:48 PM
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[snapback]185840[/snapback]
HAHA why? too complicated for you?
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#10
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Originally Posted by 545smg' date='Oct 18 2005, 07:32 AM
Thanks EBMC,? My shifts and downshifts are as smooth as any automatic, it was just the 1st gear downshift to a stop.? And you gave me the answer. So its ok to allow the transmission to downshift to first automatically when coming to a halt.
I've donwshifted into first by accident on occassion going about 10 miles per hour and although it startled me, it was smooth!
Just the 2-4 mph range, the auto is much and reve matching is much smoother than manually downshifting to first, then stop.? Thanks again.
I've donwshifted into first by accident on occassion going about 10 miles per hour and although it startled me, it was smooth!
Just the 2-4 mph range, the auto is much and reve matching is much smoother than manually downshifting to first, then stop.? Thanks again.
[snapback]185687[/snapback]
No problem.
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Although I have to say I do coast and let the car down shift a lot of the times only when I know i'm comming to a stop up ahead... if like slowing on the freeway or highway I suggest ALWAYS downshift to have the car in gear at all times. Its not good to let the car slow to 1K RPMs on the highway as theres no power when you need it.