Engine Braking in Auto
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Engine Braking in Auto
Just got the car today. Auto and I love it. My question is are there any concerns when downshifting in the automatic? When I come up to a light I was downshifting to come to a slower stop and hear the engine rev a bit but after hearing the transmission clunk a few times I figured I should stop. Wondering what the general consensus was here.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 981
Likes: 157
Here's a related question: When you're in the normal driving mode letting the transmission shift on its own, does the car start free-wheeling at some point, i.e. does the engine speed go to idle while the car is slowing down below, say, 35mph?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 646
From: Retired to Mississsippi.
Just got the car today. Auto and I love it. My question is are there any concerns when downshifting in the automatic? When I come up to a light I was downshifting to come to a slower stop and hear the engine rev a bit but after hearing the transmission clunk a few times I figured I should stop. Wondering what the general consensus was here.
I have the 7 Speed Manual, so I hope some A6 owners chime in on this. The Auto has been around for some time in the C6's, if not the C5's (?) from what I understand so it's a proven Technology.
One other thing, are you following the proper Break In Procedure?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 78
From: Rancho Santa Margarita California
I can't speak to the C7 auto, by my Grand Sport gets paddle shifted down through the gears on every single stop. 60K miles so far, and not one problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
The A6 in my 2011 CTS-V (when in Sport Mode) would automatically rev match and down shift through the gears as you started stopping.
Same function on our 2008 Jaguar XK. It was a neat feature, and as playing in the twisters the auto would rev match before down shifting as you braked to enter a corner. Super cool.
But to be honest the 08 Jag had a better automatic IMHO than out 2011 CTS-V. Go figure?
Same function on our 2008 Jaguar XK. It was a neat feature, and as playing in the twisters the auto would rev match before down shifting as you braked to enter a corner. Super cool.
But to be honest the 08 Jag had a better automatic IMHO than out 2011 CTS-V. Go figure?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 32
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Hmm... This is good to know what everyone's experience is. I love to shift the gears and always have in my other cars. I never downshift to a crazy range. I mean the revs will pop up to about 3500 on a max. I think I'll wait until the break in is done to continue though.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 920
Likes: 81
From: Frankfort Kentucky
I do it regularly and it will not let you downshift until some preprogrammed maximum RPM range is reached. We have been doing it since the break in period was completed. In order to maintain V8 mode the only way to achieve this it to use manual shift mode. Plus it sounds so good when it gurgles and pops!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 10
From: Cumming GA
On order: Torch Red Z51
Same experience with me. I've got 11,600 miles on Lola now and downshift regularly with the paddles. But the most fun downshift is when you're in an area in the mountains where you can leave it in Auto and Sport mode. If you hit the throttle with authority, and then hit the brakes in a turn, the tranny will smoothly and very rapidly start downshifting at higher RPM's on it's own. Love it when it does that 
.
. I do it regularly and it will not let you downshift until some preprogrammed maximum RPM range is reached. We have been doing it since the break in period was completed. In order to maintain V8 mode the only way to achieve this it to use manual shift mode. Plus it sounds so good when it gurgles and pops!
Racer
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: Costa Mesa CA
It will not downshift if the RPM is too high for the next lower gear. When it does downshift it will blip the throttle automatically to match RPM for smoother downshifts, like when you heel toe a manual transmission.
I think the auto rev matching makes sense for GM from a warranty stand point making shifts more smoothly and it's more fun too on the automatic. I prefer doing it myself on my ZR1 as it's a skill acquired after many years of practice.
I think the auto rev matching makes sense for GM from a warranty stand point making shifts more smoothly and it's more fun too on the automatic. I prefer doing it myself on my ZR1 as it's a skill acquired after many years of practice.