Question about manumatic

[k@osx71]

I have an '04 Sedan, and when I shift to manumatic, its always on 5th, is that normal? I was reading the manual and it said normal driving should be on 5th or 4th (but normally 4th), 2nd & 3rd for hills, and 1st for going down hill using engine brake. Also, when using manumatic, are you actually manually shifting gears? 'cuz it's always on the 5th for me...

[smockers83]

I wouldn't really listen to the manual, just go with your instincts and watch the RPMs just as you were driving a manual because obviously different speeds and instances call for different gears. And to answer your other question, no you aren't actually shifting the gears, you're just telling the computer when you want it to shift.

When you switch over, are you at a cruising speed where you would be in 5th, or at a standstill? If you're at a standstill and its in 5th, you have a problem, but if you're cruising and it's already in 5th its not a problem.

[k@osx71]

I tried switching to manumatic in various speeds, cruising at 40mph, 80mph, and stand still, and yet its always at 5th.... So I'm guessing it shouldn't do that.... weird....

[chad1200]

when i'm on the highway in AT and i throw it in manual mode it down shifts into 4th. i use my manual mode all the time to slow me down, too. watch out when you drop into 2nd, though. it sounds and feels like your transmission's going to drop. happy shifting!!!!

[k@osx71]

well, I'm getting my car back from the Collission Center on thurs. so I guess I'll try it again when I get it back. I miss my G!!!! an entire week gone~!!

[Kendahl]

Automatic transmissions like to live in the highest possible gear. They will downshift if you press down harder on the accelerator pedal. Some questions:

Does your car shift properly in fully automatic mode?

When it does, do you see the tachometer jump up or down and does the display change?

When you shift in "manual" mode, can you feel the shift do the tachometer and display change correctly?

If any of the answers is "No", you have a problem that needs a mechanic to fix.

[C-Kwik]

I would think it will stay in the gear it wqas in when you switched to the manual mode. As Kandahl said, auto trannies like to be in the highest gear possible, this is done to increase gas mileage. Try accelerating briskly from a stop and switch into the manual mode while accelerating. You'll probably find the car is in a lower gear.

[risingson]

yea, it sounds like something is broken.. the way the manual mode is, when you switch to it, it will be in the same gear it was in in automatic.. and say youre in 5th and you come to a stop, it will bring the car down to 1st gear... so when you speed up again, youll have to tap it forward, shifting up through the gears again.

[k@osx71]

ok, something is def. wrong then. I just got my car back today, and I tried the manumatic again. I tried downshifting and it slowed down the car, then I shifted up from 3 to 4 and I felt the car shifting. Weird thing is, when I come to a complete stop, it doesn't drop to 1, I had to shift it to 1... I guess I'll take it into the dealer for that one...