Automatic shifting
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
From: Yelm WA
Automatic shifting
I went to autocross my auto c7...I put it in manual and in 2nd....it downshifted to 1st when I slowed for a turn but I didn't know till I heard it over revving? why did it downshift if I put it in 2nd on manual?
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 143
Likes: 63
[QUOTE=corgiriever;1593645065]I went to autocross my auto c7...I put it in manual and in 2nd....it downshifted to 1st when I slowed for a turn but I didn't know till I heard it over revving? why did it downshift if I put it in
The computer nanny can override the paddle shifters any time it wants if it thinks you may damage the delicate A8. You really don't have full manual control with the paddles.
The computer nanny can override the paddle shifters any time it wants if it thinks you may damage the delicate A8. You really don't have full manual control with the paddles.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 262
From: Port Charlotte FL
My guess is you accidently hit the paddle. When I had my 2014 Auto and I got stuck in bumper to bumper traffic .. I would switch to manual and leave it in 2nd. That would be good from 0 to about 25 MPH ... worked perfect in stop and go traffic. It never shifted on its own.
Last edited by dmhines; Dec 12, 2016 at 09:17 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,437
Likes: 590
From: Tellico Plains Tennessee
Here's my take on what might have happened.
First of all, the A8 always is and always will be an automatic transmission, no matter what mode. The paddles are really just sensors to the computer managing the transmission. They request up shifts and down shifts. If the computer is happy with it you'll get that shift. In manual mode it will automatically down shift as required by speed but will not automatically up shift without shift selection.
In your situation you selected 2nd gear in manual mode and are slowing as you enter a turn. By software programming the transmission will not down shift to first by itself until you stop. Since you were on a track during aggressive driving it shouldn't have down shifted at all. Unless you somehow pulled, bumped, whatever, the left paddle requesting a down shift. Then, if within computer parameters, you get a whopping rev match followed by sweeeet music from open NPP pipes.
The manual describes more about down shifts such as selecting the lowest possible gear for a situation, or by holding it you get progressive down shifts as speeds allow. It also gives you max shift points by speed for the different axle ratios. I've been impressed with mine though I don't track it. Its quite a piece of machinery.
First of all, the A8 always is and always will be an automatic transmission, no matter what mode. The paddles are really just sensors to the computer managing the transmission. They request up shifts and down shifts. If the computer is happy with it you'll get that shift. In manual mode it will automatically down shift as required by speed but will not automatically up shift without shift selection.
In your situation you selected 2nd gear in manual mode and are slowing as you enter a turn. By software programming the transmission will not down shift to first by itself until you stop. Since you were on a track during aggressive driving it shouldn't have down shifted at all. Unless you somehow pulled, bumped, whatever, the left paddle requesting a down shift. Then, if within computer parameters, you get a whopping rev match followed by sweeeet music from open NPP pipes.
The manual describes more about down shifts such as selecting the lowest possible gear for a situation, or by holding it you get progressive down shifts as speeds allow. It also gives you max shift points by speed for the different axle ratios. I've been impressed with mine though I don't track it. Its quite a piece of machinery.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 514
Likes: 105
From: Georgia
My guess is you accidently hit the paddle. When I had my 2014 Auto and I got stuck in bumper to bumper traffic .. I would switch to manual and leave it in 2nd. That would be good from 0 to about 25 MPH ... worked perfect in stop and go traffic. It never shifted on its own.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,446
Likes: 313
From: Tarpon Springs FL
FL Events Coordinator
Here's my take on what might have happened.
First of all, the A8 always is and always will be an automatic transmission, no matter what mode. The paddles are really just sensors to the computer managing the transmission. They request up shifts and down shifts. If the computer is happy with it you'll get that shift. In manual mode it will automatically down shift as required by speed but will not automatically up shift without shift selection.
In your situation you selected 2nd gear in manual mode and are slowing as you enter a turn. By software programming the transmission will not down shift to first by itself until you stop. Since you were on a track during aggressive driving it shouldn't have down shifted at all. Unless you somehow pulled, bumped, whatever, the left paddle requesting a down shift. Then, if within computer parameters, you get a whopping rev match followed by sweeeet music from open NPP pipes. The manual describes more about down shifts such as selecting the lowest possible gear for a situation, or by holding it you get progressive down shifts as speeds allow. It also gives you max shift points by speed for the different axle ratios. I've been impressed with mine though I don't track it. Its quite a piece of machinery.
First of all, the A8 always is and always will be an automatic transmission, no matter what mode. The paddles are really just sensors to the computer managing the transmission. They request up shifts and down shifts. If the computer is happy with it you'll get that shift. In manual mode it will automatically down shift as required by speed but will not automatically up shift without shift selection.
In your situation you selected 2nd gear in manual mode and are slowing as you enter a turn. By software programming the transmission will not down shift to first by itself until you stop. Since you were on a track during aggressive driving it shouldn't have down shifted at all. Unless you somehow pulled, bumped, whatever, the left paddle requesting a down shift. Then, if within computer parameters, you get a whopping rev match followed by sweeeet music from open NPP pipes.
The manual describes more about down shifts such as selecting the lowest possible gear for a situation, or by holding it you get progressive down shifts as speeds allow. It also gives you max shift points by speed for the different axle ratios. I've been impressed with mine though I don't track it. Its quite a piece of machinery.
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