probono

I understand that with an A8, ECO mode is automatically engaged except when using manual shift mode or when in track. I also understand that if you select manual mode, ECO is defeated.

What happens when you select manual mode, manually shift to 8th, and then drive onward without further using the paddles?

Does the trans operate just like when it is in auto mode, but without the hassle of ECO?

Ken

bigsapper

Are you actually talking about AFM? ECO mode just engages AFM more aggressively than the other modes. When in Manual, AFM is never engaged no matter which mode you're in.

Thunder22

it stays in 8th unless you slow to a speed that results in lugging the engine, and then it will automatically downshift, but it wont' go into V4 and it won't upshift if you speed up.

bigsapper

To clarify, the car does not automatically change "modes" under any circumstance. You can only change modes by turning a **** on the center console.

Do you own a vette?

Patman

Here is a question I've been wondering for a while. Let's just say you're cruising along in manual mode and are in 8th gear on the highway and the rpms are very low, say 1200 rpm. If you floor it under these conditions, will the trans automatically downshift for you?

Pliskin01

Nope, you can floor it in 8th and the car won't downshift for you. In manual mode, it only downshifts when you slow down enough to prevent it from lugging/dying.

Patman

I kind of figured that's the way it worked, just like the manual shift in my wife's BMW.

Thunder22

no it won't

probono

2015 m7

bigsapper

OK, so not much different than the manual, although AFM will engage in all modes while in drive, although under varying circumstances. The only way to "lock out" AFM is to use the manual mode and manually shift the car.

And it will engage in Track mode, although ostensibly you'll be driving in such a way that the AFM parameters aren't triggered.

AmmoVet

This is an interesting comment. I wonder what happens if it is in track mode with PTM engaged and you drive it in auto. May have to try this and see what AFM does.

bigsapper

I don't have PTM; I'm a base model. If you cruise in track mode on a level highway, it will engage. So that's also important to understand that the AFM triggers are also time based, i.e., so long at such and such condition.

djnice

It still goes into V4. Also, I was never happy with the way the A8 shifted in Auto for track driving. It shifts too much.

NSC5

And although I am not sure why anyone would do it, if you set driver mode to Eco then V4 mode will still occur even with the A8 in manual mode.

As others noted once you are in manual mode automatic downshifts will not occur until vehicle speed drops sufficiently that a lower gear must be forced. This is a potential safety concern for those who are used to driving an automatic transmission and then forget to manually downshift in an emergency when full acceleration is needed.

I use a Range module with my Z06 to prevent V4 mode even though the Z06 rarely goes into V4 mode.

felkebg

I let mine shift for me while I was getting reacclimated to track driving. My instructor was amazed how fast it shifted and I felt it never missed a shift. I am better now and it really heats up too fast to leave it there.