Stupid question time , but I don't want to FAFO when it's easier to deal with the heat from a question
I've read the Owner's Manual Pg 198-202, watched a bunch of YT videos, searched through threads & more.... and I'm over analyzing it.

Manual Mode (M Button on Selector vs Temporary Manual Mode (Paddles+/-)

I know you must be in Drive before engaging the Manual Mode button on the Transmission Selector, but do you need to be Stopped when activating it, or can you be in motion and engage it anytime?

I've used the Paddles to engage TEMPORARY Manual Shift Mode, obviously while driving and 'assume' it would be the same as using the button, but again, I don't want to FAFO the hard way it's like some 4x4 locker and need to be stopped for "M" button usage.

Due to the 1 (First) gear remark in the Manual, the car needs to be stopped & in 1st t engage it, or it's just stating you can't start off in 2nd+ ??

Again, stopped or in motion?
Thanks

 

I have entered and exited manual mode while driving.

 

While driving is fine in the D position.. dont try to use the button in R.. that is useless.

 

I almost always driven in the M mode nowadays. Most of the time, I select M before I start driving, but often I select M after I begin driving. Makes no difference to the car.

 

you can change it on the fly just like the drive modes.

 

Thanks all, appreciate the feedback

 

Doesn't "R" put the car in RACE mode?

 

Not a stupid question - You can go to manual mode (button) anytime including while driving.

If you are in Auto and hit the paddle, for example to downshift, after about 8-10 seconds later, the car will return to Auto Mode again. In other words, the paddle shift will not keep it in manual.

 

I click M right before entering to tunnels.

 

Ever DD I had since my 1st car in 1959 until I bought my 2020 C8 Z51 had a 3rd pedal. Before I got mine talked with a fellow who had a new Ferrari and always used manual mode. BTW Ferrari has not had standard trans from about 2012, even for their front engine rear wheel drive cars they switched to DCTs. That is when the C8 was being designed. IMO no coincidence!

So for the 1st month I drove only in manual mode. Was driving about the way I drove my two prior C7s. 98% of my driving is local talking back roads to town. With the C7s no reason to use 7th gear and frankly never found 6th useful. So it was usually 1st thru 5th. The C8 Z51 turned out to be the same. Who needed the crazy 0.33:1 overdrive 8th gear. In fact 5th is 0.66:1 OD, good enough for me.

BUT have a problem at the end of the rural road I live on. From the stop sign I have to merge on an often very busy 4 lane divided highway. Making a 90 degree turn and accelerating rapidly to merge into ~70 mph packs of traffic the upshift paddle is out of position. You hit the Rev Limiter at 34 mph in 1st in the blink of an eye. As your fumbling for the upshift paddle to shift at 6500 rpm with traffic coming up behind fast - is no fun.

Then someone posted this video of a fellow who frankly drives less aggressively than myself and uses Z-Mode Power set to Track. Turned out DCT was doing what I was using Manual Mode, but automatically! And it's smart enough to shift out of 1st at 6400 rpm. That is where I often drive. Also don't even have to use the downshift paddles as you come to a turn. Just apply the brakes aggressively and it automatically downshifts one or two gears in the blink of an eye. Rev maturing each, great sound. Can and do use the paddles particularly if I drive in My Mode (only two I use.) Then will use the paddles to downshift and live with the temp manual mode until it times out

Here is that video (Oh as his title states: in Z-Mode Power set to Track in will not go into V4.) Not my reason to use but what occurs: )

You Tube

 

The 'M' on the button is for Machination. There is nothing manual about it really.