beebjunk

Guys,

Have gone to an AT 350z after many years of driving manual cars (last was a Mini Cooper S). It's obviously not ideal but my personal situation makes automatic a must. With that in mind, does anyone have tips for driving an automatic transmission in an enjoyable manner?

My main gripes seem to be that in D mode, the transmission will often downshift during hard acceleration after a corner which really unsettles the car. Also, using the "manual" mode of the automatic doesn't seem to work, I don't have any confidence regarding which gear I'm in (since it downshifts by itself and also refuses to downshift if it thinks the revs will be too high).

Thanks in advance!

IronMedic

watch transporter 2 and see how they drive the audi. you need to drive your car like that. that is the only way to drive an AT Z.

NewJerZ

iTrader: (1)

Don't get it twisted, homie!! Unless you're Jason Statham (and have stunt drivers and special effects out da ***!), YOU can't bust a move like he can! LMAO!!

2fast4ya

iTrader: (21)

i agree that in "d" mode the car is difficult to drive on a road coarse, but
i had a great time using the manual mode in my car-i would come into the
braking zones and downshift once it hit 4k rpms and it would keep it in
the right powerband to exit the corner. if i let it get below that it was a
little boggy and would lose time waiting for power to build back up

beebjunk

Did you have any problems "knowing" the gear that you'd downshifted to? Or did you just downshift a couple of times and let the transmission take care of it (as it prevents you from downshifting too much)

z-u-later

iTrader: (43)

The A/T in the Z is refined compared to other cars. I have taken my Z in a road course and kept it in "auto" to concentrate on the lines, speed & smoothness, and it worked for me. Did not have any problems at all keeping up with more high-end cars like Porsches, M3s, & even a couple of C5s. In manual mode, you just need more time to get use to it and maximize its potential (powerband). I've never had a problem with my '06 Z downshifting by itself either.

Suvlaki

Use the manual mode. It takes a little getting used to because it feels so much different than an MT, but once you're used to it, u'll be able to do whatever you want.

nzpv03

iTrader: (3)

IT feels good to see other a/t z owners haha! I felt like a dunce on these forums...

sna66

iTrader: (2)

here's a tip, best way to drive an automatic is to sort out ur situation, drive to the dealership and trade up to a manual

HDPDZO6

I would, but I dont feel like getting crappier 1/4 times like 75 pct of MT driver's out there who think they are good.

DanielW

iTrader: (27)

word up

onedirtyz

iTrader: (3)

would anyone care to elaborate on this, for someone who's never driven manual at ALL? i understand the basics of gears, kind of ...... but i've never had the chance to try it out. i mess around with the manual mode once in a while but i really have no clue what i'm doing. anyone out there bored enough to write up a mini tutuorial?

2fast4ya

iTrader: (21)

[QUOTE=beebjunk]Did you have any problems "knowing" the gear that you'd downshifted to? Or did you just downshift a couple of times and let the transmission take care of it (as it prevents you from downshifting too much)[[QUOTE]no, i just kept an eye directed at the instrument cluster display
and shifted from there.

2fast4ya

iTrader: (21)

hey bro, glad to assist with your question, when in regular drive mode
just slide the gearshift lever over to the right(does not matter if you are
sitting still or driving)then always keep a close eye on the tach and then
upshift by pressing the lever forward as the revs get around 6000-6200
and repeat for each sequential upshift-if you then get tired of using that
mode then push lever back over to the left and it will then shift by itself
again

onedirtyz

iTrader: (3)

lol, not a 'bro'...
and i know how to use it that's not the problem.... it's more that i've no idea WHEN i should be upshifting/downshifting, or why.

2fast4ya

iTrader: (21)

[QUOTE=oneDIRTYz]lol, not a 'bro'...
and i know how to use it that's not the problem.... it's more that i've no idea WHEN i should be upshifting/downshifting, or why.[/QUOTE
i apologize for the "bro" statement i should not have assumed you were
a man, but in regards to your shifting concerns: if you have had the
chance to have your Z dynoed look at the graph to see where your hp and
tq number are maximized and try to upshift then to get the most power
or forward pull out of each shift, when downshifting it is best to not
shift too early where the rpms will shoot up too high because it will overrev
and fuel cut will kick in and it is bad to shift too late because it will then
have poor re-accel

Suvlaki

To everyone else, I am sorry for typing this up but this guy sounds desperate:

The higher the RPMs are at when you upshift, the more power and acceleration you'll get when you start the next gear (assuming you are at wide-open-throttle.)

Shifting up at higher RPMs = more power, less MPG. Shifting up at lower RPMs = less power, more mpg.

If you watch the tach when you are driving normally in D, it will upshift between 3000-4000 depending on how hard your pushing the accelerator. It is trying to prevent wear on the engine and get you the best possible MPG.

Suvlaki

Bah please don't start another AT vs MT war. It really gets old after 200,000est threads.

beebjunk

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Here's a specific question:

* Are you guys downshifting just prior to a turn and letting the revs build up and then take the turn?
* Are you downshifting whilst braking?

Going up gears seems fine (in fact, I don't mind D mode for that at all), it's dropping down for coners which is causing me the most trouble (and it's the bit I most enjoy too

onedirtyz

iTrader: (3)

first, i'll repeat, i'm not a guy.
second, desperate...for knowledge, yes. sorry if that bothers you.

thx for the info but not for the insult.