C8 shift problem after update
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
C8 shift problem after update
(2022 C8 1750 miles) An update came up on my screen so I installed it a couple days later. Next morning on the screen it showed the update was complete and pressed the required okay. Noticed a shifting problem right after leaving the garage. I always drive in the Sport/Z mode so I could enjoy the exhaust sound and the aggressive shift. On the highway at 65-70 mph it would only shift up to 6th gear, no higher. I paddle shifted it to 8th and 10-15 seconds later it shifted itself back to 6th. Took it to my dealer and their assessment was that the update will not allow the shift in to 8th gear in the Sport mode. If I go to Touring it shifts fine right up to 8th gear. While driving 65-70 in the Touring mode and if I press the Z mode it will go right to 6th and stay there. Turn off the Z mode and it goes right to 8th gear. Anyone else have this happen after installing the update?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 248
From: Weatherford TX
No updates for me on my 2021, but I do notice when I go to "Z" mode, the transmission goes down 2 gears. I think what you are experiencing is normal for Z mode. i usually run Z mode in "My mode". haven't paid that much detailed attention to all that goes on in Z mode versus non Z mode.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,261
Likes: 1,431
From: Brentwood CA
If Z mode is set to its most aggressive engine/shift point it will not go above 6th gear unless you are doing above 85+ MPH or so (if not higher). Maybe before the upgrade you didn't have the engine/shift point at it's most aggressive setting. Move it down a notch and it will be back to where you had it before.
Bottom line, it is working as intended if set to its highest engine/shift point setting. Mine works exactly as you describe when I have it set to the highest setting.
Bottom line, it is working as intended if set to its highest engine/shift point setting. Mine works exactly as you describe when I have it set to the highest setting.
Last edited by Dave O; Jul 14, 2022 at 06:50 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 782
Likes: 656
From: Northern VA
2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Sounds like the car knows what gear to be in better than the driver 
In all seriousness, working as intended. If you want the higher gears for fuel economy then you'll need to be in tour. The more performance-y the setting the less the car cares about economy and the more it cares about performance.
I see way too many videos of people lugging the engines because they don't drive the car in the upper RPM bands where it belongs.
In all seriousness, working as intended. If you want the higher gears for fuel economy then you'll need to be in tour. The more performance-y the setting the less the car cares about economy and the more it cares about performance.
I see way too many videos of people lugging the engines because they don't drive the car in the upper RPM bands where it belongs.
Pro
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 545
Likes: 286
From: Lords Valley PA
6th gear in a C8 is good to just over 200MPH at redline. The car is aero limited to about 185 or so. So, in Z mode (or track mode) 7th and 8th speeds are irrelevant. Top speed in gears are slightly different Z51 to non-Z, but in general, the afore mentioned holds true. So, if you are on the track, extracting maximum acceleration, 7th & 8th would not be selected.
Al Engel. "Save the Wave"
Al Engel. "Save the Wave"
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,728
Likes: 1,463
From: Virginia Beach, VA & Port Charlotte, FL
After 2 separate OTA updates my Z mode settings automatically changed to "track" vs "sport" (which is my setting) with no change initiated by me. The shifts, as the OP described, were the same as his. I simply had to go into settings and change my Z Mode settings back. After that... no problem.