Notices
C8 Stingray/General Discussion The place to discuss the next generation of Corvette including the Stingray.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Wheel Design

Automatic Mode question after downshift

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 19, 2025 | 03:26 PM
  #1  
D0lphan72's Avatar
D0lphan72
Thread Starter
Instructor
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 154
Likes: 47
Default Automatic Mode question after downshift

Happy Saturday everyone!

Last night I had a dream that I was cruising down the highway in my non- z51 in “my mode” when a mustang GT approached me and asked to do a drag race from 60 MPH. In this dream I agreed and although I was in drive mode I held the left paddle so it could downshift to 3rd gear. When we started moving i didn’t realize I had to shift myself from 3 -> 4 even though I was still in drive and not manual because I thought it would naturally upshift at redline.

The next time I have a dream about racing someone on the highway would there be anything I can do to ensure I can manually downshift in drive mode but the car will still shift itself once I floor it? Thanks!
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2025 | 03:35 PM
  #2  
BPHORSEGUY's Avatar
BPHORSEGUY
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 820
From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

  • When in auto mode and you over ride it the DCT will stay in manual mode which means you bumped off the rev limiter when your car did not up shift automatically. If you paddle down for a hard pull you must be ready for an almost instantaneous upshift. The car will revert to auto in about 10 seconds long after you hit the rev limiter!
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2025 | 03:35 PM
  #3  
FastLaneShoji's Avatar
FastLaneShoji
Heel & Toe
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 22
Likes: 31
Default

Sleep tight, SWIM.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2025 | 03:46 PM
  #4  
Ron_Attleboro_MA's Avatar
Ron_Attleboro_MA
Melting Slicks
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 2,203
From: Massachusetts
Default

Dream, check for police first! How do you have your Z-button setup.
Best to have in "Track-Mode" and the car will insure you are ready to dream on.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2025 | 04:04 PM
  #5  
D0lphan72's Avatar
D0lphan72
Thread Starter
Instructor
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 154
Likes: 47
Default

Originally Posted by Ron_Attleboro_MA
Dream, check for police first! How do you have your Z-button setup.
Best to have in "Track-Mode" and the car will insure you are ready to dream on.
have never really used Z mode because I felt the other modes have what I need covered. Can I set Z mode to be able to automatically shift for me in the scenario I posted on?
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2025 | 04:15 PM
  #6  
L72_coupe's Avatar
L72_coupe
Racer
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 405
Likes: 232
Default

Originally Posted by D0lphan72
have never really used Z mode because I felt the other modes have what I need covered. Can I set Z mode to be able to automatically shift for me in the scenario I posted on?
Z mode is fully customizable. set engine, trans, braking, etc to "track"...suspension to "tour" or "sport" for street use
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2025 | 04:18 PM
  #7  
D0lphan72's Avatar
D0lphan72
Thread Starter
Instructor
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 154
Likes: 47
Default

Originally Posted by L72_coupe
Z mode is fully customizable. set engine, trans, braking, etc to "track"...suspension to "tour" or "sport" for street use
yeah I did know that. Just wasn’t sure if engine settings would effect if I could downshift in auto and it would still upshift automatically
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2025 | 04:25 PM
  #8  
Ron_Attleboro_MA's Avatar
Ron_Attleboro_MA
Melting Slicks
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 2,203
From: Massachusetts
Default

You can only manually shift in "M-Mode".
If you downshift in any other configuration, the car's computer will override.
You should not need to downshift in "Track-Mode".
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 19, 2025 | 04:31 PM
  #9  
L72_coupe's Avatar
L72_coupe
Racer
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 405
Likes: 232
Default

Trying to help your dream

'track' setting will choose the lowest gear possible for the speed your traveling, and upshift normally at redline

hit Z instead of the paddle, no worries
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2025 | 04:33 PM
  #10  
RKCRLR's Avatar
RKCRLR
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,751
Likes: 10,184
From: Garden Valley CA
Default

Originally Posted by D0lphan72
yeah I did know that. Just wasn’t sure if engine settings would effect if I could downshift in auto and it would still upshift automatically
The driver modes won't effect whether or not the DCT upshifts at redline. Using the M button on the console puts the DCT in permanent manual mode and it will bounce off the rev limiter. However using the paddles puts it in temporary manual mode. In temporary manual mode it is supposed to automatically upshift at redline.

"The C8 has two manual modes. If you pull a paddle while in Drive, you get a temporary manual mode, which automatically times out, or can be exited sooner by holding the upshift paddle. In this mode, the car will automatically upshift at redline. If you press the M button in the center console, you get full manual mode. There's no time out, and the car won't upshift at redline."
https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-car...pecs-analysis/


Maybe your dream wasn't real.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2025 | 04:36 PM
  #11  
FrankT's Avatar
FrankT
Instructor
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 164
Likes: 5
From: Hutto Tx
Default

It's not clear why a manual down shift (in any mode) while in Auto mode would hit the rev limiter ..... But it does unfortunately. This would be a great improvement to have a setting for this!! Porsches will shift and not hit the rev limiter, not programable.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2025 | 04:38 PM
  #12  
D0lphan72's Avatar
D0lphan72
Thread Starter
Instructor
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 154
Likes: 47
Default

Originally Posted by RKCRLR
The driver modes won't effect whether or not the DCT upshifts at redline. Using the M button on the console puts the DCT in permanent manual mode and it will bounce off the rev limiter. However using the paddles puts it in temporary manual mode. In temporary manual mode it is supposed to automatically upshift at redline.

"The C8 has two manual modes. If you pull a paddle while in Drive, you get a temporary manual mode, which automatically times out, or can be exited sooner by holding the upshift paddle. In this mode, the car will automatically upshift at redline. If you press the M button in the center console, you get full manual mode. There's no time out, and the car won't upshift at redline."
https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-car...pecs-analysis/


Maybe your dream wasn't real.
good write up thanks. Looks like I should try holding the left pedal longer when I downshift for it to go back into auto
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2025 | 04:58 PM
  #13  
BPHORSEGUY's Avatar
BPHORSEGUY
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 820
From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Tons of mis-information here ! In the ops dream he was driving along in auto when the Mustang pulled up and obviously wanted to race.
The op correctly wanted to be a gear or 2 lower BEFORE the start just as you would with a stick. Being in track or Z mode would have caused the car to downshift AFTER the start while the Mustang was already in max acceleration. In the given scenario unless the Mustang wants to give you a few seconds to "setup " only thing you can do is pump the down paddle a couple of times till you are at optimum powerband and then mash the pedal being ready for an instant manual paddle upshift before red line. Having the car down shift a couple gears in Z mode or not After the start, although only taking a few tenths of a second will not be conducive to a win.


Reply
Old Apr 19, 2025 | 05:08 PM
  #14  
BPHORSEGUY's Avatar
BPHORSEGUY
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 820
From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Originally Posted by D0lphan72
good write up thanks. Looks like I should try holding the left pedal longer when I downshift for it to go back into auto
No... that is not what you want to do! READ the above
BANG BANG 1 OR 2 DOWNSHIFTS WITH PADDLE THEN MASH THE ACCELERATOR and almost instantly do a paddle upshift before hitting rev limiter
If that doesn't work nothing else will !
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2025 | 05:50 PM
  #15  
BPHORSEGUY's Avatar
BPHORSEGUY
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 820
From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Originally Posted by Ron_Attleboro_MA
You can only manually shift in "M-Mode".
If you downshift in any other configuration, the car's computer will override.
You should not need to downshift in "Track-Mode".
Absolutely false..On the street I leave my car in auto almost all the time and override with paddles all the time. Unless I stupidly try to downshift to "over redline" or up shift to a "severe lugging situation" the computer does not even think of overriding my commands. An average passenger would not even know when I am shifting versus the computer. I have done this thousands of times over 2 years so please do not try to tell me I'm wrong!
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2025 | 05:58 PM
  #16  
Zormecteon's Avatar
Zormecteon
Melting Slicks
All Eyes On Me
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,831
Likes: 2,148
From: Kelso, Wa
Default

I would..


hit Z mode, and punch the gas.
It will pick the proper gear faster than you can pull that downshift when you hit the go peddle. ...

Track mode will change the suspension setting to too hard for the street. .. Z mode can set the engine/shift to track mode. ...
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2025 | 06:46 PM
  #17  
BPHORSEGUY's Avatar
BPHORSEGUY
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 820
From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

You don't hit the downshift paddle after you hit the gas you do it before. when you hit the gas the car is already in the correct gear and nothing is faster then that. In the ops scenario the race starts when he hits the gas, in my scenario the car is setup before the go signal so is faster since the car needs to do nothing, down shifts have already happened!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Automatic Mode question after downshift

Old Apr 20, 2025 | 11:29 AM
  #18  
Zormecteon's Avatar
Zormecteon
Melting Slicks
All Eyes On Me
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,831
Likes: 2,148
From: Kelso, Wa
Default

Originally Posted by BPHORSEGUY
You don't hit the downshift paddle after you hit the gas you do it before. when you hit the gas the car is already in the correct gear and nothing is faster then that. In the ops scenario the race starts when he hits the gas, in my scenario the car is setup before the go signal so is faster since the car needs to do nothing, down shifts have already happened!

by milliseconds.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2025 | 01:09 PM
  #19  
Andybump's Avatar
Andybump
Race Director
15 Year Member
Community Influencer
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,338
Likes: 8,491
Default

Originally Posted by RKCRLR
The driver modes won't effect whether or not the DCT upshifts at redline. Using the M button on the console puts the DCT in permanent manual mode and it will bounce off the rev limiter. However using the paddles puts it in temporary manual mode. In temporary manual mode it is supposed to automatically upshift at redline.......
Yes, it is, but adding to this - "When in Temporary Manual Paddle Shift mode, the transmission will automatically upshift if the accelerator pedal is pressed all the way to the floor". So, if the OP had the pedal fully floored it should have up-shifted like you said. Otherwise its going to be stuck in the Temporary Manual Mode until the aggressive driving stops for several seconds - here are the exit criteria:

To exit Temporary Manual Paddle Shift mode
do one of the following:
• Hold the + paddle for more than one second.
• Drive at a steady speed without
manual shifts or aggressive cornering for
several seconds
.
• Lower vehicle speed to 6 km/h (4 mph)
or less.





Reply
Old Apr 20, 2025 | 02:25 PM
  #20  
Red Mist Rulz's Avatar
Red Mist Rulz
Race Director
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 13,180
Likes: 10,522
Default

Originally Posted by D0lphan72
have never really used Z mode because I felt the other modes have what I need covered. Can I set Z mode to be able to automatically shift for me in the scenario I posted on?
No. If you manually override auto by using the paddles, the car will stay in manual mode for a period of time. You can put it back into auto mode by hitting the M button on the console twice, but that probably wouldn't be quick enough in your situation.

But if you just mash the pedal to the floor in auto mode, the car will still downshift without you having to hit the paddle. It might lag a bit compared to using the paddle, though.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:52 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-1
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE