Downshifting in PDK v/s PDK-S question
#16
Three Wheelin'
I haven't noticed any difference between the two manual modes. Anyone? Perhaps there are non gear related differences like when PTV kicks in etc.
#17
#18
Race Director
Zulu, that's true; technically there are 4 modes since you can select PDK sport when in manual mode. I say technically only because I've played a little with manual mode both ways, and like Paul I can't tell an obvious difference. I believe quicker shifts and full power shifts which are normally allowed when PDK sport is selected in auto mode, are already implemented when manual mode is selected, but I'm not 100% sure about that.
#21
Instructor
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've just read the original press materials. I think there are really only 3 modes to our transmission: automatic, sport automatic, and manual (when you push the centre stick shift lever towards the left).
There is no mention anywhere that the actual shift speeds are different between the different modes. In other words, they are ALWAYS fast.
In manual mode, the driver will have full control of the gear selection (no automatic upshifting at redline, no automatic upshifting when flooring the throttle, but the car will automatically downshift at very low rpm's to prevent stalling).
In automatic mode, the car will drive like a typical automatic transmission. Downshifts will occur with aggressive throttle input, and it will upshift on its own. If driven gingerly, it will upshift very quickly to keep rpms low to save fuel. If driven aggressively, it won't upshift until redline. Obviously, the paddles or central shift lever can still be used to temporarily change gears on your own at any time, but after a while, it will revert to the automatic program.
In sport automatic mode, the main difference is that the car will NOT upshift as quickly as possible, even if driven gingerly. It will keep itself in a high rpm range so you will always be in the meat of the engine's power band. There is no need for it to downshift with aggressive throttle input because it always keeps itself in the proper rpm range for maximum acceleration. Most of us agree that this mode is often too much for normal street driving, and I completely concur. It's great for track driving though, if you don't want to shift yourself. However, I think it was Walter Rohrl that said that you don't even need sport auto mode on the track if you are aggressive enough and keep the throttle planted in normal automatic mode. Again, like the normal automatic mode, you can use the paddles or central shift lever at any time to temporarily change gears on your own, but after a while, it reverts back to the sport automatic program.
There is no mention anywhere that the actual shift speeds are different between the different modes. In other words, they are ALWAYS fast.
In manual mode, the driver will have full control of the gear selection (no automatic upshifting at redline, no automatic upshifting when flooring the throttle, but the car will automatically downshift at very low rpm's to prevent stalling).
In automatic mode, the car will drive like a typical automatic transmission. Downshifts will occur with aggressive throttle input, and it will upshift on its own. If driven gingerly, it will upshift very quickly to keep rpms low to save fuel. If driven aggressively, it won't upshift until redline. Obviously, the paddles or central shift lever can still be used to temporarily change gears on your own at any time, but after a while, it will revert to the automatic program.
In sport automatic mode, the main difference is that the car will NOT upshift as quickly as possible, even if driven gingerly. It will keep itself in a high rpm range so you will always be in the meat of the engine's power band. There is no need for it to downshift with aggressive throttle input because it always keeps itself in the proper rpm range for maximum acceleration. Most of us agree that this mode is often too much for normal street driving, and I completely concur. It's great for track driving though, if you don't want to shift yourself. However, I think it was Walter Rohrl that said that you don't even need sport auto mode on the track if you are aggressive enough and keep the throttle planted in normal automatic mode. Again, like the normal automatic mode, you can use the paddles or central shift lever at any time to temporarily change gears on your own, but after a while, it reverts back to the sport automatic program.
#22
Nordschleife Master
I've just read the original press materials. I think there are really only 3 modes to our transmission: automatic, sport automatic, and manual (when you push the centre stick shift lever towards the left).
There is no mention anywhere that the actual shift speeds are different between the different modes. In other words, they are ALWAYS fast.
In manual mode, the driver will have full control of the gear selection (no automatic upshifting at redline, no automatic upshifting when flooring the throttle, but the car will automatically downshift at very low rpm's to prevent stalling).
In automatic mode, the car will drive like a typical automatic transmission. Downshifts will occur with aggressive throttle input, and it will upshift on its own. If driven gingerly, it will upshift very quickly to keep rpms low to save fuel. If driven aggressively, it won't upshift until redline. Obviously, the paddles or central shift lever can still be used to temporarily change gears on your own at any time, but after a while, it will revert to the automatic program.
In sport automatic mode, the main difference is that the car will NOT upshift as quickly as possible, even if driven gingerly. It will keep itself in a high rpm range so you will always be in the meat of the engine's power band. There is no need for it to downshift with aggressive throttle input because it always keeps itself in the proper rpm range for maximum acceleration. Most of us agree that this mode is often too much for normal street driving, and I completely concur. It's great for track driving though, if you don't want to shift yourself. However, I think it was Walter Rohrl that said that you don't even need sport auto mode on the track if you are aggressive enough and keep the throttle planted in normal automatic mode. Again, like the normal automatic mode, you can use the paddles or central shift lever at any time to temporarily change gears on your own, but after a while, it reverts back to the sport automatic program.
There is no mention anywhere that the actual shift speeds are different between the different modes. In other words, they are ALWAYS fast.
In manual mode, the driver will have full control of the gear selection (no automatic upshifting at redline, no automatic upshifting when flooring the throttle, but the car will automatically downshift at very low rpm's to prevent stalling).
In automatic mode, the car will drive like a typical automatic transmission. Downshifts will occur with aggressive throttle input, and it will upshift on its own. If driven gingerly, it will upshift very quickly to keep rpms low to save fuel. If driven aggressively, it won't upshift until redline. Obviously, the paddles or central shift lever can still be used to temporarily change gears on your own at any time, but after a while, it will revert to the automatic program.
In sport automatic mode, the main difference is that the car will NOT upshift as quickly as possible, even if driven gingerly. It will keep itself in a high rpm range so you will always be in the meat of the engine's power band. There is no need for it to downshift with aggressive throttle input because it always keeps itself in the proper rpm range for maximum acceleration. Most of us agree that this mode is often too much for normal street driving, and I completely concur. It's great for track driving though, if you don't want to shift yourself. However, I think it was Walter Rohrl that said that you don't even need sport auto mode on the track if you are aggressive enough and keep the throttle planted in normal automatic mode. Again, like the normal automatic mode, you can use the paddles or central shift lever at any time to temporarily change gears on your own, but after a while, it reverts back to the sport automatic program.
#23
Three Wheelin'
ive tried both manual and sport manual specifically to compare shift speed and they feel identical. Even some of those low speed shifts that actually feel a bit slow. I.e. you get a half second lag after pulling the lever and then an instantaneous shift.
#25
Nordschleife Master
The whole point of manual shift control is when you want to shift...you shift..There is no magic with the pds sport button unless you are in automatic.
Last edited by rockitman; 10-13-2014 at 08:11 AM.
#27
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Of course, when you shifted was up to you (i.e., manual mode) but the time it took the gearbox to shift gears was incrementally (or perhaps milliseconds) faster? And given how we're talking milliseconds here, not sure any human being while driving could appreciably notice the difference.
#28
Race Director
Funny - I always drive in manual and his weekend I selected the "sport" button to see what would happen -nothing, I think there are only 3 modes. I am going to see what the car manual says.
#29
Race Director
The other thing that happens when you select sport mode is that upshifts occur at full power; there is no "intervention" of engine power (as Porsche calls it) to smooth out the shifts like there is in regular auto mode. Whether this applies in manual mode, or whether choosing manual selects all of the performance features of the gearbox by default is unknown, at least to me.
Last edited by Mike in CA; 10-13-2014 at 05:52 PM. Reason: sp
#30
I just tried
looks like there is a small jolt in upshift in manual sport mode compare to a smoother upshift in normal manual mode. anybody felt the same, or my brain just want to be convinced that something happen?
For downshift, I would say louder gas throttle.
looks like there is a small jolt in upshift in manual sport mode compare to a smoother upshift in normal manual mode. anybody felt the same, or my brain just want to be convinced that something happen?
For downshift, I would say louder gas throttle.