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Old Sep 23, 2020 | 11:27 AM
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Default C8 auto-shift

I just took possession of a new 2020 C8 Z51 three weeks ago. Four times now after starting the car and driving out of my subdivision in automatic, the transmission stayed in first gear and never shifted into second, revving up to 5500 RPMs before I put it in manual. There is less than 200 miles on it and I am accelerating slowly but it failed on four occasions to up shift to second gear while in automatic mode. Has anyone else experienced this issue or have any insight into it?
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Old Sep 23, 2020 | 11:30 AM
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Are you sure you are not in Manual Mode?
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Old Sep 23, 2020 | 11:34 AM
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In auto mine shifts to second about 15 mph. Your not touching the paddles that will cause it to stay in gear for a bit.
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Old Sep 23, 2020 | 11:39 AM
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Have you touched a paddle just before this occurs?

Touching a paddle results in the car staying in manual for about 6 seconds.
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Old Sep 23, 2020 | 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by blkvet6
Are you sure you are not in Manual Mode?
100% certain. I did not touch the paddles or anything other than leaving it in auto mode. It happened to my son first when he took it out just to drive around the block and I thought he was nuts.
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Old Sep 23, 2020 | 12:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Bikerjulio
Have you touched a paddle just before this occurs?

Touching a paddle results in the car staying in manual for about 6 seconds.
Absolutely certain. My son has a C7 and he took my car out to go around the block and came back complaining that this happened. I thought he was nuts until it happened to me three times
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Old Sep 23, 2020 | 01:05 PM
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A GM mechanic buddy just told me they were having an issue with solenoids needing to be cleaned.
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Old Sep 23, 2020 | 05:49 PM
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If true, having to "clean" solenoids after only a short time and few miles sounds concerning, isn't it?


Last edited by rmorin1249; Sep 23, 2020 at 05:54 PM.
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Old Sep 23, 2020 | 06:17 PM
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Originally Posted by rmorin1249
If true, having to "clean" solenoids after only a short time and few miles sounds concerning, isn't it?
for sure, if that was an issue with only 200 miles on the car, I’d be concerned too.
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Old Sep 23, 2020 | 06:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Andrewminton
Absolutely certain. My son has a C7 and he took my car out to go around the block and came back complaining that this happened. I thought he was nuts until it happened to me three times
Of course, both the mode and the driver's right foot have a part to play.

If you're flooring it, then yes, it will shift close to redline, and at moderate throttle, shift points will vary by mode.

If this is gentle throttle in Tour mode, and it's going to 5500, then a trip to the dealer is called for.

Your's is the first case I've read of this behavior. That being said, there are all kinds of glitches caused by long periods of storage and transit before delivery. Sometimes a "reset" will fix things. (disconnect battery negative for a few minutes and reconnect). Also make sure battery is fully charged. I'd still let the dealer try first.

Last edited by Bikerjulio; Sep 23, 2020 at 06:30 PM.
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Old Sep 23, 2020 | 08:20 PM
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I was babying it not being heavy footed at all and it was in tour mode. I thought my son had jumped on it but he assured me he was keeping it under 4000 RPMs like I asked him to. Each of the three times that happen to me, I was accelerating very slowly in tour mode and the engine was not fully warmed up yet. I contacted my sales person who basically gave me a ‘beats me’ attitude. I then called the service department and asked to speak to a tech. I have not heard back from them yet
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Old Sep 23, 2020 | 08:53 PM
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Hopefully the service people will be able to help. It normally shifts up quickly with light throttle.
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Old Sep 23, 2020 | 09:35 PM
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What drive mode were you in? Tour, Sport, or Track?
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Old Sep 23, 2020 | 10:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Bikerjulio
Hopefully the service people will be able to help. It normally shifts up quickly with light throttle.
This is understatement of the day, mine hits second before it's gone the length of the car at light throttle.
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Old Sep 24, 2020 | 08:44 AM
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^^^
A car length is still not quick enough IF in Manual Mode (where I have been driving) and making a turn from a stop light! Problem is when in 1st and turning, your hand is NOT in position on the steering wheel to pull the upshift paddle! Gets to 5000 rpm at the blink of an eye.

Compared to what I thought was a lot of torque multiplication in 1st in my my M7 Grand Sport (~10:1 combined gear and dif) the C8 Z51 is 14:1 combined ratio! Have not found a way to have it start in 2nd. Have to move forward, pull the upshift level then turn.

Last edited by JerryU; Sep 24, 2020 at 08:46 AM.
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