JonMN

Greetings! Rookie question. I went from a 6 speed manual (911) to double clutch paddle (Audi S5) and now to an A8, which is a little different. I am REALLY happy with it, but had a question regarding manual shifting.

In manual mode, when slowing for a corner or a stop, are you downshifting manually or letting it downshift on it's own?

BWF07

Not sure if you are even on the correct Forum. Are you referring to the 8 speed automatic available in the C7 Corvette? Or are you talking Audi?

If you are talking Corvette, you need to go over the C7 forum section, but in the A6 I downshift with the paddles, but the transmission will auto downshift when you slow down but only to second. You have to manually pull the paddle to get it into first. Not sure how the A8 works.

JonMN

DOH! I searched first, then posted in the wrong section. Thanks Mods for moving me.

The A8 does go all the way to 1st. I was hoping that some A8 owners would give me their preferences--manual downshift vs. letting the car downshift. Thanks for your reply!

NSC5

When I first got my Z06 I used it only in manual mode because I didn't want it entering V4 mode during the break-in period. Most of the time I let it downshift on its own when coming to a stop and it does so smoothly.

Now I have a Range AFM module (kills the V4 mode) and most of the time my A8 stays in full auto except when I feel the need for more control over it.

Maxie2U

When I have my A8 set to "M" (manual mode) which is most of the time I downshift when slowing down and coming to a stop. If I didn't want to do that I would have it in auto mode ("D").

Casey VP26

About 2 months ago I started paddle downshifting when in automatic, at that time the light on the console switches to M automatically and remains on M until the trans goes back to auto and then the indicator light goes back to D, now I use this feature all the time it makes driving a lot more fun. While in D (automatic) I find myself downshifting to almost every Light or Stop Sign.

Casey VP26

You can do the same thing while in auto mode (D"). I was not aware of this also until about 2 months ago. Try it.

L8ter

I pretty much like the what transmission does in auto mode for most of my driving, however when I get into the twisties manual mode keeps that sudden down shift at bay which can upset the balance of the car.

Maxie2U

Yes, I am aware of that but I prefer manual mode over auto mode except when on a long (highway) road trip.

joemessman

Yeah. Casey is right. Goes to M when you downshift with the paddle. It also rev matches. Works great. I am usually in Auto, but going down hill I'll paddle it to a lower gear or two. And it will soon go back to Auto, or you can pull the upshift paddle and hold it a few second and it will go back to Auto.
I have 10K on my car and have tested and punished the shifting to what I consider the limits and it is as smooth as silk. I love drives with a lot of curves to corner. I just put it in 3rd Manual and let'er rip.

Stangslayer

Sorry, but there is no rev match with the automatic transmissions, only with manuals.

dmhines

Apparently you never drove one. Both A6 and A8 rev match on down shift.

Frodo

I drive my '15 base Stingray, A8, down a mountain road from home nearly every day, 7% grade and over a mile downhill. I paddle shift to a lower gear to brake against the engine, same as you would a manual transmission. I've discovered the tranny will hold my gear selection the entire way down the mountain rather than revert to auto mode in six seconds as described by the owner's manual. Even if I accelerate during the decent it will hold my selection. The car knows, somehow, that I'm still on a downhill run and will hold my selection. After the road levels out the transmission will shift back to auto mode as expected. How cool is that?

I agree the automatics do rev match. Its a little unnerving when you first do it. There's a split second of feeling like you're speeding up rather than slowing down upon downshifting.

jovette

Ernest_T

Mine rev matches. And it can be disconcerting when it doesn't immediately decelerate.

kei2thehwy

What I was looking for. Just got my gorgeous C7 A8 convertible, so when I WANT it to go back to auto, I can either wait for the car to decide, or hold the upshift paddle longer. Thank you!!

My new summer romance 2024...

Vetteman Jack

I use the manual mode on my A6 quite often. A little more driver engaging rather than just letting the car shift itself.

vader86

I usually let it do its thing, but whenever I feel like I want the downshift burble I'll do it myself.

kodpkd

I have a 2014 A6. I have had the car less than a year. After reading about some of the trans issues these cars have, I started to drive it a little different. First of all, I changed the fluid to be sure it was the correct fluid and the correct level. When I first got the car I started driving it in manual mode and I would down shift at higher RPM's, this sounded cool and helped slow the car down. I have since changed how I down shift. I now wait until the RPM's get to about 1000 RPM's. I feel this puts much less stress on the trans. I also wait until the engine temp gets into the green and the yellow warning lines go away to drive aggressively. The other benefit of manual shifting the A6 is the trans will shift a LOT less. I can keep it in the same gear longer and not let it go to 6th gear just to down shift to 3rd seconds later. I think manual shifting will cut in half the total number of shifts the trans makes. When I feel like getting a bit aggressive I do, It is still a fun car to drive.
I hope you remove the front bra.