I apologize if this subject has been discussed here before but, I have not been able to find it. I just passed my 500 miles break-in period so, starting to rev the car. It is a BASE model with the A8. The question is:

Is there a mode where the A8 in Auto mode would hold RPMs in gears? I have tried in Tour, Sport and Track mode but, as I run at high RPMs on winding roads, the transmission is NOT holding the gears. I could be up to near 6K RPM but as soon as I lift off the gas to brake, the engine RPM drops down to about 1500, which is not where I want to be entering a curve. The owner's manual also claims that by long-holding the downshift paddle even in AUTO mode during braking the transmission will keep on downshifting. That is also not happening in my car. Is that feature only in the Z51?

Is there a way to keep up the RPMs in Auto mode or the Manual paddle shift is the only way to do so?

 

I always drive in sport mode. My car only has 150 miles on it so far but the other day i got into it for a sec and it did hold my rpms at 4k (probably for like 5 seconds, i was actually waiting for it to shift to the next gear). Its not gonna hold the rpms at 6k, i mean the car redlines at 6500 i believe. Either way when i performance drive, i use the manual mode and use the paddles. Its much more fun.

 

Here is what the Owner's Manual says about downshifting the A8:

"If the left (−) minus paddle is held down briefly, the transmission will downshift to the lowest gear possible for the vehicles speed. If the paddle continues to be held as the vehicle slows, downshifts will continue to occur as vehicle speed allows. This feature also works while in Temporary Manual Paddle Shift mode, but the driver must first press and release the (−) minus paddle to enter Temporary Manual Paddle Shift mode, then press and hold the (−) minus paddle briefly. "

So, the question is; if those would be "performance downshifts" that the Manual is talking about or simply downshifting to lower gears, ending up with 1500 RPM in a lower gear? That would eliminate the A8 in AUTO mode from performance driving over winding roads or tracks. I'm asking because I do have other cars with "intelligent" transmissions that hold RPMs in AUTO mode, depending on the driving intensity. Wondering if the Stingray A8 can also do that and am I missing a setting to change?

Yes, I know manual shifting is fun but, sometimes in less than track intensity driving it is a nice to have an AUTO mode that allows for spirited driving by holding up the RPMs in the lower gears.

 

My car is a base 15 a8 and it holds around 4-5k rpm if I get on it in either sport or track mode without using the paddles. I get a message saying performance shift mode activated. It will slowly up shift every 5 secs or so after I ease off. It does it almost every time I accelerate quickly past 5k or so.

 

Thanks. That is EXACTLY what I am looking for. Now the question is how to activate the "performance shift mode"?

My '15 A8 car with 600 miles on the odometer does not do that.

 

2015 base A8 here and I had posted earlier about how much I enjoy the A8. In that same post I mention when in track mode (stick in auto) the trans will hold lower gears more when driving aggressively. I especially notice high rpm downshifting during high "g" on clover leaf and tighter turns and heavy braking (all without touching the paddles). I read there was a learn characteristic that the car learns the driver's intent for certain maneuvers when repeated multiple times. Who knows, maybe I was smoking crack... In any case, loving this new ride. Better than any previous Vette!

 

I was on a 2400 mile return trip from dealer and what was interesting is that the car would not rev more than 5500 rpm's when I was less than 1500 miles. After that point was reached the car rev'ed to 6500. Not sure I understand some running high rpm's under 500 miles.

 

How many miles do you have on your car? I'm wondering if the computer is more aggressive when holding gears in high rpms when the engine goes past a certain amount of miles.

 

Yes, that is what I am also hoping for. I only have 680 miles on it right now.

Do you have to initiate that performance mode by downshifting with the paddle with the shifter still in the AUTO position?

 

haha i was asking the other fella that posted that lol. Yes both our cars have very low miles. Picked up mine last Friday, i only have 200 miles on it. I believe that once you pass 1500 miles you will see a difference and it will hold the rpms much higher. In another thread someone mentioned that the owners manual say to not do very aggressive driving or take teh car to the racetrack or any of those types of events until you pass 1500 miles.

 

So I probably should not admit this for fear of being chased with pitch forks but mine entered performance shift mode even during the break in. I bought mine a week ago today and just rolled 750 miles this afternoon. The only difference I noticed was the yellow and red caution band on the tachometer disappears now when it warms up where as it stayed on constantly during the breakin. I don't push any buttons or use the paddles at all and it engages performance shift all on its own when I accelerate into the high rpm.

 

haha no worries its hard not to get on these cars. Mine is at like 250 miles right now and i have got on it a few times as well. I have not gone over 5k rpms.