In addition to the automatic, modern automatic transmissions also offer the option of manual shifting. We provide advice on how and when to use it correctly to achieve the best possible results.
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In most modern automatic transmissions, there is a function that everyone knows about, but few can really use it correctly and smartly. This is an option manual shifting, whether by means of a gear changer on the central tunnel or paddles under the steering wheel. Now let’s forget about “sporting use” for a moment and let’s go back to normal, real life, where you go to work in the morning, pick up your partner in the afternoon and then go shopping. Ordinary day? Looks like it.
The machine can handle most situations by itself
Today’s modern transmissions are so sophisticated that, in principle, the necessity of any manual shifting is eliminated. Why also, when the “automatic machine” can do it so well. There is no reason to interfere with his work in any way. And it doesn’t really matter if you have a classic gearbox with a hydrodynamic converter of torque or a dual-clutch version. The intelligence of the control units has moved into the spheres where they can mostly predict flawlessly what will happen in a moment.
Mostly. And that’s exactly what the “buried dog” is all about. There are situations that even the best automatic prediction cannot evaluate the situation under the wheels of the car better than an experienced driver. And exactly for these moments the option of manual shifting is so valuable on automatic transmissions. In short, it’s about being able to “take over control”, similar to how a pilot in the cockpit of an airplane takes control during a more difficult landing and presses the “autopilot off” button on the dashboard.
Three situations where “manual” is better
The first of these situations is merging into the fast lane, for example on a motorway. Even with full acceleration, some transmissions do not accelerate as well as when v in manual mode, you downshift by one or two steps and press the gas pedal to the floor. At that point, instant acceleration is usually better. In addition, you can more accurately estimate the moment for the next gear depending on the situation. Advantage? You will not be a “traffic brake”, and you will also eliminate the possibility of someone coming at you from behind at high speed.
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Another situation is a wintery, icy, or muddy “something” under your car’s wheels, when the very last thing you need is for the transmission to shift into a higher gear and send you forward at higher speeds. Here, manual shifting is absolutely necessary, or the choice of a special winter/muddy mode in the gearboxes they offer. The moment you know the transmission isn’t going to do anything you don’t want it to do, it’s much easier to get out of a sliding hazard than after an unexpected “kick” forward.
And thirdly, a similarly suitable manual option is to tow the trailer, or departures with him. Sometimes it is better to keep the engine in the optimum torque band a little longer than the automatic would evaluate for its own, in order to achieve the necessary speed. A kit weighing hundreds of kilograms more than what the automatic transmission is “calculated” for it has completely different demands on the drive chain than those of an empty car. An engine constantly operating where it does its best work (without having to pick itself up from idle again and again) will reward you with longevity and reliability.
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