K-A

My favorite moments driving this car is while through winding roads, RPM's up, music screaming (and by music, I mean Flat 6.... it's not a band.... but a lifestyle), and rapid shifting PDK in Sport+ both down and up. Basically, as much a sensory experience with as much of me learning thus engaging with thus connecting with the car as possible. A majority of my time in this car is spent exercising it through windy open roads, so consider my attention to these scenarios I'm about to detail my version of the attention most drivers out there put onto fluffy things like infortainment or auto cruise control or massaging seats, etc.

For starters; one thing I don't love is that the lower gears are so long, I can really only do that "run up then brap shift" (which I so enjoy) thing so much, as going into third after running it up in second has you nearing 80 MPH already.

And as a disclaimer: Yes, I know that these engines and PDK are mean to withstand tons of abuse and what I'm doing is pussycat stuff in the grand scheme. But for the sake of just understanding the science of it, here's my scenario then question:

Scenario 1: Always keeping it in 3rd, which essentially keeps the powerband always above 4K RPM's during spirited runs, then downshift into 2nd before going into a turn, quickly run it up in 2nd after the apex to hear it scream, shift into third, then just coast the car while STILL in 3rd into the next turn (again, this is not on track, so NOT going WOT into third as speeds get excessive) while the RPM's are doing the engine braking (basically, RPM's are always up, even when going at moderate speeds). Upside in terms of "stress to drivetrain" is that there isn't much shifting going on (though I like shifting) which means less PDK work, and less hard downshifts. Downside in terms of "stress" is that the RPM's are pretty much constantly in the upper range during these runs, so the engine is working "harder" even when it doesn't have to, and MPG plummets as the engine is spinning faster even when it doesn't have to.

Scenario 2: This is one that I did with my Macan S and previous turbo cars, as I didn't want the strain of constant heat buildup via the heavy boost that comes from keeping a turbo in upper RPM's for long periods of time. Basically it's going into a turn in 2nd (higher RPM), revving it out into 3rd (just like scenario 1), with the difference being then immediately upshifting to a "coasting" overdrive gear on long straights (between turns) so as to give the engine a "break" before entering the next turn and quickly wringing it out again (as opposed to going through a whole long straight in 3rd like scenario 1, which means RPM's are singing at 4+K RPM's the whole time while you're just going a moderate speed). Downside in terms of "stress to drivetrain" is that this method requires a LOT more upshifts and hard downshifts (just a lot more shifting in general), which I would assume puts more pressure on the PDK. Upside is that the engine doesn't sit at high RPM's too often (aside from many "quick bursts") and MPG is likely going to be better.

Now, I know turbo and N/A work a lot differently here for reasons I touched on above, but in this particular case, I'm more curious how you guys with N/A cars go about your "fun runs." Though, interested to hear anybody's "tactic" be it on road or track.

And I'll reiterate that my car is driven spiritedly quite often, so funny as this may sound to some; deciding on a proper tactic on a car you both want to get the most out of (responsibly) while minimizing strain or replacement of wear parts is something of a priority (especially if it's a keeper). Though, "deciding between which gear to be in" is a much better "problem" to have than "how long was I sitting in traffic today."

Would be interested to know the tactics that those of you who drive similarly employ.

CSK 911 C4S

I don't think you have to worry about your PDK..... it's very smart and if it doesn't like something it's going to tell you quickly.

I drive spiritedly on back twisty roads in auto/sport mode and PDK always want to be in 2nd gear with rev's hi .......so if it likes it what am I to say.

I've hit the rev limiter a few times while in manual mode and you'll know when the PDK/Engine is not happy........ it feels pretty violent to me when the engine cuts fuel or spark in that split second at hi rev.

K-A

R_Rated

Sport is the Goldilocks setting for me.... Normal is too soft and Sport + is VERY aggressive. Sport shifts pretty much exactly how I would in manual. Sport + is great for tunnels and being rambunctious with my exhaust.

Waxer

Quadcammer

Wow

Jabs1542

.2PDK

I'm in manual mode 100% of the time.

Bemo

Always a proper warm up and Sport mode or Manual with playing in the 2nd/3rd gear range, without breaking local speed limits too badly.

subwoofer

NoGaBiker

K-A, Auto in Sport+ isn't just aggressive -- it is programmed to literally hold a gear till redline, period. It is perfect for 10/10s all-out driving, where you always want to be in the lowest (numerical) gear you can be, for max power/torque in the 9A1. It is the perfect choice for track driving, because that is exactly what you should be doing -- staying in gear till redline (with some exceptions I won't go into). The Auto setting does this better than me (in Manual), i.e. I usually either wait too long and bang the rev limiter, upsetting things a little, or I shift a bit early to avoid that and leave 300 rpm on the table.

So Auto Sport+ is perfect at banging off redline-shifts every time and freeing me to do the steering and braking and setup. On the street, in the mountains, I used Manual Sport+ probably 80% of the time, but when I decided to push the car as close to the limits as I dared on (deserted) public streets, I'd shift to Auto for that same reason; let the computer make my shifts at redline every single time. (I using past tense because I don't have a PDK anymore.)

When driving in manual, I'd do it like you describe in Scenario 1; essentially, just like I do in a true clutched manual.

K-A

K-A

simplex

Don't worry about straining your 911. It's designed to be enjoyed and pushed.

Besides, the sooner you wear it out, the sooner you would be getting another one!

phow