Why I don't like manual mode with the steptronic
#1
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Up until I bought my 525d, I've always had a manual transmission car. I've been trying to use the manual step mode on the 525d but I'm not getting on with it and I think it is down to the fact that it automatically downshifts for you. Because of this auto downshifting, it is hard to instinctively know which gear you are in which means I'm frequently looking down at the display. In a proper manual car you know instinctively as you downshift yourself.
With the 525d in manual mode, I'm either looking down at the display or spending a portion of my attention to listening for it downshifting. Both of these take away my attention to the road and surroundings which makes me feel uncomfortable and take away the enjoyment of the manual gear experience.
For this reason, I seem to leave it in D mode 99% of the time. What is everyone else's experience like?
With the 525d in manual mode, I'm either looking down at the display or spending a portion of my attention to listening for it downshifting. Both of these take away my attention to the road and surroundings which makes me feel uncomfortable and take away the enjoyment of the manual gear experience.
For this reason, I seem to leave it in D mode 99% of the time. What is everyone else's experience like?
#2
Contributors
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Originally from Koeln, Deutschland. Enjoying it in Bonita Springs, Florida Now :)
Posts: 7,421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Techno79' post='933214' date='Jul 5 2009, 04:21 PM
Up until I bought my 525d, I've always had a manual transmission car. I've been trying to use the manual step mode on the 525d but I'm not getting on with it and I think it is down to the fact that it automatically downshifts for you. Because of this auto downshifting, it is hard to instinctively know which gear you are in which means I'm frequently looking down at the display. In a proper manual car you know instinctively as you downshift yourself.
With the 525d in manual mode, I'm either looking down at the display or spending a portion of my attention to listening for it downshifting. Both of these take away my attention to the road and surroundings which makes me feel uncomfortable and take away the enjoyment of the manual gear experience.
For this reason, I seem to leave it in D mode 99% of the time. What is everyone else's experience like?
With the 525d in manual mode, I'm either looking down at the display or spending a portion of my attention to listening for it downshifting. Both of these take away my attention to the road and surroundings which makes me feel uncomfortable and take away the enjoyment of the manual gear experience.
For this reason, I seem to leave it in D mode 99% of the time. What is everyone else's experience like?
Listen to the engine and get used to how each gear feels. I am always in the right gear, even when not looking at the display, you'll be able to tell what gear you are in after a while.
#3
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Krozi' post='933216' date='Jul 5 2009, 09:25 PM
Well, since it is an Auto box, it is designed to shift as to not stall the engine. If you did have to down shift and the car wouldn't do it for you then it wouldn't be an auto box.
Listen to the engine and get used to how each gear feels. I am always in the right gear, even when not looking at the display, you'll be able to tell what gear you are in after a while.
Listen to the engine and get used to how each gear feels. I am always in the right gear, even when not looking at the display, you'll be able to tell what gear you are in after a while.
#4
Contributors
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Originally from Koeln, Deutschland. Enjoying it in Bonita Springs, Florida Now :)
Posts: 7,421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Techno79' post='933219' date='Jul 5 2009, 04:27 PM
It might be different in a petrol because of the larger rev range. In the diesel it all sounds too similar. This of course could just be me and I will keep trying to see if I can get used to it but so far I haven't.
#5
Senior Members
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Long Island NY
Posts: 865
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i agree with krozi, i am able to tell what gear im in just from the engine and the way its sounds according to the rpm's. Having a diesel probably does change that quite a bit.
#6
Originally Posted by Techno79' post='933214' date='Jul 5 2009, 10:21 PM
Up until I bought my 525d, I've always had a manual transmission car. I've been trying to use the manual step mode on the 525d but I'm not getting on with it and I think it is down to the fact that it automatically downshifts for you. Because of this auto downshifting, it is hard to instinctively know which gear you are in which means I'm frequently looking down at the display. In a proper manual car you know instinctively as you downshift yourself.
With the 525d in manual mode, I'm either looking down at the display or spending a portion of my attention to listening for it downshifting. Both of these take away my attention to the road and surroundings which makes me feel uncomfortable and take away the enjoyment of the manual gear experience.
For this reason, I seem to leave it in D mode 99% of the time. What is everyone else's experience like?
With the 525d in manual mode, I'm either looking down at the display or spending a portion of my attention to listening for it downshifting. Both of these take away my attention to the road and surroundings which makes me feel uncomfortable and take away the enjoyment of the manual gear experience.
For this reason, I seem to leave it in D mode 99% of the time. What is everyone else's experience like?
#7
I just simply don't use it. I knees moron that drove a Ford Focus auto like a manual. He would put the car in "1" and wait til it was high enough and then switch to "2" and so on. He was an insecure bastard, but for other reasons.
#8
Senior Members
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: London
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2006 520d - 19" 172s- Remapped - LCI taillights V6 cables - LCI xenon headlights - Denison 500 with BTA1500 - led interior lights - OEM led number plate lights
Planned mods:
Folding mirrors - Modmynav kit - High gloss shadowline trim -
Us using the manual mode on an auto more beneficial for the car - don't see why there would be any point otherwise. Also, wouldn't using manual box put the gearbox through more wear and tear?
#9
Contributors
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Bay Area California
Posts: 928
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2005 BMW 545i Sport Package, Jet Black
M166 OEM Wheels
M5 Style Body kit
RPI Scoop
BMC Air Filter
Valentine One Radar Detector
35% tint all around
i don't use steptronic either. the only time i use it when i pass the cops and need to slow down without pressing the brake.
in daily routine it's not really useful, my opinion. u can't put it in neutral (technically u can but it's not as easy as with manual). it doesn't give u a feeling of manual at all
in daily routine it's not really useful, my opinion. u can't put it in neutral (technically u can but it's not as easy as with manual). it doesn't give u a feeling of manual at all
#10
Originally Posted by vlad_b' post='933291' date='Jul 5 2009, 11:59 PM
i don't use steptronic either. the only time i use it when i pass the cops and need to slow down without pressing the brake.
in daily routine it's not really useful, my opinion. u can't put it in neutral (technically u can but it's not as easy as with manual). it doesn't give u a feeling of manual at all
in daily routine it's not really useful, my opinion. u can't put it in neutral (technically u can but it's not as easy as with manual). it doesn't give u a feeling of manual at all
I never use manual/steptronic when I'm stuck in a traffic jam or exiting the driveway, or driving slow and boring (but not out of choice). If it's "spirited driving" then it's manual mode all the way.