down shift
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 432
Likes: 188
From: powder springs georgia
down shift
I read that if you want to pass someone and want a lower gear just hold down the downshift paddle and it will go to the lowest gear..That way you can nail it and quickly pass..
My question is do you have to release the gas pedal? or can you step on it while holding the downshift paddle..I am not just sure how you get into the lower gear the fastest..
I did read in the manual but no mention on what to do on the accelerator....release..........hold.... get on it..........hit brake ?????
Thanks for info....
My question is do you have to release the gas pedal? or can you step on it while holding the downshift paddle..I am not just sure how you get into the lower gear the fastest..
I did read in the manual but no mention on what to do on the accelerator....release..........hold.... get on it..........hit brake ?????
Thanks for info....
Livin the Life
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 1,800
From: Simi Valley, CA
2024 C8 of the Year Winner - Modified
Prepare for max RPMs! It will go the the lowest gear….which could be like 6th to 3rd! That could be a hair raising experience or catch you by surprise so be prepared.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,482
Likes: 668
From: Kilmarnock Va
you are so right. And if it’s not a hot day. Maybe a little moisture on the road and you might have problems. This is with 495 HP. Not even sure how it’s going to act with 670 hp.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 169
Likes: 96
From: Mill Creek, WA
@Kracka - The C8 Shift Paddles will respond to inputs (temporary M Mode) even when the Transaxle -is not- in M Mode.
@SoCal C8 is correct that using the Down Shift Paddle (pull and hold) will down shift the Transaxle to the lowest available gear, which can get very "exciting" in a blink of an eye.
We have found that just mashing the throttle prompts adequate Transaxle down shifts when needed for passing.
Happy C8 Motoring to all! -Rick
@SoCal C8 is correct that using the Down Shift Paddle (pull and hold) will down shift the Transaxle to the lowest available gear, which can get very "exciting" in a blink of an eye.
We have found that just mashing the throttle prompts adequate Transaxle down shifts when needed for passing.
Happy C8 Motoring to all! -Rick
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,833
Likes: 2,151
From: Kelso, Wa
That works.. For SURE... I use the the Z mode button as a push to pass, but mostly I forget about that and just romp on it. 90 + in the blink of an eye.
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Race Director
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From: Fulshear, TX
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,943
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From: NE South Carolina
In the rural area where I live I often use Z-Mode. Benefit over Track mode is you can set Ride to Touring if you want. I have it and My Mode, which I also use, set Ride to Sport. In addition to more aggressive Track shifting up and down you get Track Throttle progression (Heck in my C7 Grand Sport bought a Vitesse Throttle Controller to get past the slow tip-in in Touring, which I used until I got the MRC software upgrade for $350. In my 2014 Z51 without MRC I drove in Track and was used to the fast tip-in, especially when taking off with my M7.)
Also have a higher nannie intervention threshold! Yep, like driving a different car!
Last edited by JerryU; Jan 23, 2022 at 06:27 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 585
Likes: 460
I read that if you want to pass someone and want a lower gear just hold down the downshift paddle and it will go to the lowest gear..That way you can nail it and quickly pass..
My question is do you have to release the gas pedal? or can you step on it while holding the downshift paddle..I am not just sure how you get into the lower gear the fastest..
I did read in the manual but no mention on what to do on the accelerator....release..........hold.... get on it..........hit brake ?????
Thanks for info....
My question is do you have to release the gas pedal? or can you step on it while holding the downshift paddle..I am not just sure how you get into the lower gear the fastest..
I did read in the manual but no mention on what to do on the accelerator....release..........hold.... get on it..........hit brake ?????
Thanks for info....
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 195
Likes: 108
as others said the throttle is the quickest way to get down shift. If you want to just go down a gear in prep before hitting throttle just tap the paddle. You dont want to drop to lowest gear possible. Only time I have dropped to lowest possible gear is before entering a corner to reduce speed. Be careful when trying a quick pass as triple digits come quick.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,562
Likes: 1,579
If i am not in Z mode already, I hit Z mode and if it doesn't drop down a gear (usually does), I just tap the paddle right away. You can do all of that while already on the gas.
Like others have said, blink twice and you are at the limits of any interstate or highway in the USA.
I like using the Z mode because I have my steering set to TRACK, which makes it a lot stiffer. You are going to want that just in case it starts to get away from you. Heavy steering helps to dampen "driver induced oscillation" and/or over-corrections.
Like others have said, blink twice and you are at the limits of any interstate or highway in the USA.
I like using the Z mode because I have my steering set to TRACK, which makes it a lot stiffer. You are going to want that just in case it starts to get away from you. Heavy steering helps to dampen "driver induced oscillation" and/or over-corrections.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 2,553
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From: Rochester Hills Michigan
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2019
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From: Central Illinois
Phil, I'm assuming you mean in 'Drive' only? I've tried stomping the throttle in 5th gear manual and was not impressed with the acceleration. Apparently because in manual it was holding 5th with no downshift. I know I probably answered my own question but want to verify.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 2,553
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From: Rochester Hills Michigan
I've driven in 'Manual' exclusively in the 3 months I've had my C8. Come Spring when I'm back on the road I'm going to have to try 'Drive' mode and see the performance differences when I let the trans make the decisions. 
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,943
Likes: 12,359
From: NE South Carolina
^^^
Yep, drove mine for a month in only Manual Mode trying to get past my 60 years of every DD I owned having a 3rd pedal! Stopped when a poster showed in a video driving in Z Mode Powertrain set to Track, it's a different car. (That also solved my hitting the rev limiter in 1st when accelerating while turning from a stop sign where the up-shift paddle is out of position- gets to ~35 mph in the blink of an eye.) Heck it drove just like I was in Manual Mode and the way I drove my 2014 C7 and 2017 Grand Sport.
Most folks would not drive that way but in my rural area, was logical for me on our roads. Never used 6th in the M7 C7s as found no place it made sense. Didn't use the Interstate so no need for 7th. I shifted at higher rpm than many and always downshifted for ALL turns even going from 5th when causally making a turn in town.
Big difference in using "Drive" in say even Sport Mode and Z Mode Powertrain set to Track. I also use My Mode set to Sport and it shifts as it does in other Modes, at lower rpm up and down and uses all 8 gears and V4. In Z Mode seldom shifts past 5th. Yep as some state, the C8 feels more of a Caddy than sports car. In Z mode set property and not driven like an "old man" it's no Caddy!
It also has throttle tip-in and nannie threshold benefits, see post 11.
Yep, drove mine for a month in only Manual Mode trying to get past my 60 years of every DD I owned having a 3rd pedal! Stopped when a poster showed in a video driving in Z Mode Powertrain set to Track, it's a different car. (That also solved my hitting the rev limiter in 1st when accelerating while turning from a stop sign where the up-shift paddle is out of position- gets to ~35 mph in the blink of an eye.) Heck it drove just like I was in Manual Mode and the way I drove my 2014 C7 and 2017 Grand Sport.
Most folks would not drive that way but in my rural area, was logical for me on our roads. Never used 6th in the M7 C7s as found no place it made sense. Didn't use the Interstate so no need for 7th. I shifted at higher rpm than many and always downshifted for ALL turns even going from 5th when causally making a turn in town.
Big difference in using "Drive" in say even Sport Mode and Z Mode Powertrain set to Track. I also use My Mode set to Sport and it shifts as it does in other Modes, at lower rpm up and down and uses all 8 gears and V4. In Z Mode seldom shifts past 5th. Yep as some state, the C8 feels more of a Caddy than sports car. In Z mode set property and not driven like an "old man" it's no Caddy!
It also has throttle tip-in and nannie threshold benefits, see post 11.