It has been about a month since I got my 2014 Stingray with A6 and Z51. This is my first Corvette with mode selection, so I am not familiar with normal operation. Yesterday, I took my Stingray for a ride in track mode. The only other time I drove in track mode, I had one of my granddaughters with me, so I took it easy. This time, I did not have my granddaughter with me, so I got on it. Even though it was not a long ride, I did notice a difference from sport mode (the mode I drive in most.) One time, as I was approaching a signal light, I let off the peddle and as I was slowing down, the downshifts were very noticeable. It was a heavy acceleration followed by letting off the gas and coasting to the intersection. The downshifts seemed to be early, causing the RPM to increase at each downshift. Is that normal?

 

yes, you will notice some differences between sport and track mode. In track shift points are different

 

The downshifts from this transmission are hard and redicilous, ive got the z51 package on a 2018 so A8. I seriously dislike all the extra gears today. Im use to 5 C5's great 4 speeds. Anyway, Ive read whete GM has a new fluid that solves or helps the hard downshift. Close to $500 ive heard and no guarantee. It's almost impossible to stop smoothly on these anyway and the added head jerk bump, at the light is redicilous.

 

In my '15 with A8, Track Mode gives pretty aggressive shifting, including simulated rev matching down shifts and delayed upshifts when you let off the gas. The programming even anticipates corner exits and holds lower gears for max acceleration. When you're driving hard, you may also see a message on the dash flashing something like "Performance Shifting Engaged". I've been pretty impressed with how good it all works. What you experienced is normal.

 

I have an M7 so no hands-on experience with the A6 or A8 automatics. Is what you're experiencing just in Track mode or all the other modes as well?

 

Thank you all for the info. I do recall seeing posts about the new fluid. I also recall seeing posts about a triple flush helping with some shifting issues. Although, I also recall that being more prevalent with A8.I will look for the "Performance Shifting Engaged" indication the next time I go on a track mode ride. Thanks again everyone!

 

To answer Flattman's question. The rev up downshifts are only in track mode. I also noticed the upshifts being more aggressive when I stomp on it in track mode. I expected that, since the non-track mode shifts are softer and take longer. It is kind of like having a variable shift kit, there when you need it and not annoyingly there when you don't need it.

 

Theres a feature to automatically select the best gear for passing when you stomp it. Sorry forgot the name.

 

Doesn't it do that in even tour mode if you hammer it hard enough?

 

I think you are experiencing GM's early efforts at auto trans for racing. I am seeing more and more road/track tests where they find that putting the car in 'Track' (or similar in other brands) ends up being just as fast as trying to manually shift. A couple of years ago I watched a guy in a C8 run an autocross. In my 19 C7 M7, I get into 2nd and it stays there. His C8 was shifting quite a few times on the same course. Talked to him afterwards and he said the amazing thing is that he sometimes hears exhaust sound changes, or his peripheral vision picks up a tach swinging, but he never feels a thing. It never upsets the car. It is unbelievable what well programmed computers can do for cars.

 

I know, right? People keep say "I don't know why I have a check engine light when the car runs so smooth.". Sorry, gone are the days you smell, touch, feel things. You want to know, use the gauges or set up a display.

 

What is the difference between Tour and Sport?

 

From my standpoint, not much. I tried Sport a couple of times when I first got my Z06 9 years ago and decided it wasn't worth the bother turning the ****. Now track mode on a track when using the sub modes Wet, Dry, Sport 1, Sport 2 and Race are a lot of fun. My Z06 is an M7 but I have ridden around the track in GSs with A8 transmissions. To get car to respond properly you need to be in track mode but you also have to be aggressive on the throttle. If you aren't aggressive on the throttle the car knows you aren't serious and it will not shift as well as it will when the throttle is wide open or near wide open. I rode around the Glen in a GS A8 with an experienced driver who set the Track Mode to Race and let the car shift for itself. The up and down shifts seemed to be timed perfectly for the situation we were in. When braking into a corner the car downshifted to the proper gear and as he rolled onto the throttle to accelerate away from the apex of the turn the transmission selected the correct gears and timed the shifts perfectly. For 40 minutes of WOT or near WOT the transmission held the LT1 between 5000 and 6400 rpm and most of the time it was running between 5500 and 6400 rpm. It was a quick violent high G ride with the car accelerating, braking and cornering at max Gs. Sport doesn't get you there.

Bill

 

How about the difference on a Stingray with Z51 package and never any racing normal driving mostly 35 -45 mph, vwey occasional less than 10 times a year on 60 mph? I really don't see much if any value to those modes, for my driving.

 

triple flush not required/needed on the a6!!

 

Mode diffs from the manual are below. Of the 10 applicable features, 7 are differnt between Tour and Sport.
I find a noticable difference in the steering feel between the two modes. In Tour mode, it feels like you are driving a Toyota Avalon. In Sport, you get a much heavier, weighter feel. It's 2 different cars.
The exhaust mode picks up nicely vs. Tour as well. If you are paying attention, you can feel the throttle and shift diffs but they are much less than the steering or exhaust.