Beginner question - how to drive in Manual mode?

[wuitsung]

I never tired the manual mode and afraid to play with it. Anyone can tell me how to use it? I read the manual for normal speed, it's M5 and less for engine brake??? So I don't need to apply brake?? really have know idea how it works... But I believe I still need the gas pedal and brake as in regular drive mode... so What is the difference???

[MinisterofDOOM]

You definitely still need to use the gas and brake pedals like normal in manual mode.Really, all manual mode does is lets you tell the transmission when to shift, rather than it doing what it thinks is best on its own. Everything else works just like normal.As for engine braking, it is NOT a replacement for normal brakes. But it CAN help take some of the load off your brakes in some situations. For instance, if you're driving down a hill, you can shift down a gear or two and the engine will hold the car back. That way you won't need to use your brakes as much, and you won't risk overheating and warping them.

Really, the only danger from manual shifting is being in too low a gear for an extended period of time (over-revving the engine) or shifting down too much. But the manual mode won't let you do anything that could damage the transmission...it won't downshift to 1st gear on the freeway, even if you tell it to, because that would destroy the transmission (and probably cause you to crash).

Even in manual mode, the transmission will do some shifting on its own. When you stop, it'll shift into first gear on its own, even if you stopped in a higher gear. Starting out in too high a gear can be hard on the motor and the transmission, so it downshifts for you to ensure that doesn't happen.

[wuitsung]

Thank you so much. It sounds if I don't use it properly, there is a chance that I will damage the engine......

Which mode do you think it consume less gas? Driver mode, Driver sport and Manual mode?

[SteveTheTech]

MoD hit it on the nose there.

The ability to select gear ratio to suit your needs is basically all that this should be thought of as. That being said the three modes (D, Ds, manumatic) all have their pros and cons and offer the driver several different options other than the typical D mode.

Although the computer has final control over shift timing (the switch is merely a suggestion) there is almost no risk of damage as the computer will retake control if conditions warrant.

[Mephisto75]

Give it a try you can't really destroy something. From my point of view its usefullness is low. As it has been mentioned above you can use it while driving down hill. I was expecting alot from the manual mode in connection with mpg but the system wont let you shift into higher gears as long as you dont have the proper speed. I was trying to shift into the 5th while driving 40mph. No chance!