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Terasec

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have been driving Manual for the past +10yrs,
and honestly dont know how to drive auto,
Feel like i should ease up on the gas to help the tranny switch gears,
never knew if that was right or wrong,
did the same with the Pat,
noticed someone stated in a post on the CVT possibly downshifting when you take your foot of the gas,
tried keeping my lead foot slow and steady on the gas since yesterday,
Very slow, and very steady,
doesnty make for a very enjoyable drive but
did notice my average RPM's stayed down,
from about 3K to about 2.7K,
figure as i learn to drive this auto, should be able to squeeze out a couple more MPG's
 
#2 ·
Terasec said:
I have been driving Manual for the past +10yrs,
and honestly dont know how to drive auto,
Feel like i should ease up on the gas to help the tranny switch gears,
never knew if that was right or wrong,
did the same with the Pat,
noticed someone stated in a post on the CVT possibly downshifting when you take your foot of the gas,
tried keeping my lead foot slow and steady on the gas since yesterday,
Very slow, and very steady,
doesnty make for a very enjoyable drive but
did notice my average RPM's stayed down,
from about 3K to about 2.7K,
figure as i learn to drive this auto, should be able to squeeze out a couple more MPG's
Click to expand...
Good luck, friend!

I'm in the opposite boat from you... hubz is going to have to help me brush up on my manual skills ~ he taught me years ago, but I haven't had to drive manual since! All of my cars have been automatic, but all of his have been manual; our Pat will most likely be manual next year so I need to start my schoolin'! ;)
 
#3 ·
the only way to drive

:Racing:For me, the only way to drive or feel your vehicle is with a manual transmission. Well worth the learning. For full control, maximum efficiency, use of compression (saves your brakes), possibility to start the engine by pushing the car when battery is dead, slow start in second gear on very slippery surface, fuel economy in many cases...But most of all, the pleasure to know that YOU are in control. :banana:

BTW Have you ever seen an automatic transmission motorcycle???:eek:

My two cents worth.:D
 
#4 ·
even with a CVT you are in control...

the driver still must decide to apply gas, brake, steer, what radio station to listen to or select the correct song on an iPod, eat, drink, chat on cell phone, talk to passengers, curse at fellow motorists, apply lipstick (hopefully just the ladies), retrieve items that the kid drops in the back seat, avoid accidents, choose whether or not to run red lights, to speed or no to speed...

seems that there is a whole lot that still must be done even if you aren't shifting for yourself? :)

I am too lazy to want to drive a 5-speed manual. I can't wait for the day we just get in a car and it drives us to and from work (then I can get a couple extra minutes of sleep!).
 
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#5 ·
Driving an automatic.

I have a back problem and driving a standard would hurt to much! My 2007 Pat 4WD now has 1,500 kms on it. I accelerate at 1,800 to 2,500 rpm's. Very smooth and fast acceleration. My gas mileage is 27-29 miles per Canadian gal. I think about 23 US gals. The window sticker said that's what I should be getting. And this is combined city and highway (mostly city). Like any car it all depends how you drive it.
 
#6 ·
Terasec said:
I have been driving Manual for the past +10yrs,
and honestly dont know how to drive auto,
Click to expand...
Well you picked a wacky auto tranny to sharpen your teeth on.

The CVT behaves differently than any other auto I have driven.
Took me awhile to get use to it, but I now like it and find it kinda fun.
 
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#7 ·
Terasec said:
I have been driving Manual for the past +10yrs,
and honestly dont know how to drive auto,
Feel like i should ease up on the gas to help the tranny switch gears,
never knew if that was right or wrong,
did the same with the Pat,
noticed someone stated in a post on the CVT possibly downshifting when you take your foot of the gas,
tried keeping my lead foot slow and steady on the gas since yesterday,
Very slow, and very steady,
doesnty make for a very enjoyable drive but
did notice my average RPM's stayed down,
from about 3K to about 2.7K,
figure as i learn to drive this auto, should be able to squeeze out a couple more MPG's
Click to expand...
The CVT constantly adjusts to your engine speed, you lay off the throttle, generally speaking, it will kick back down.

Just always remember the old driving rule of Easy gas and Easy brake and you'll be just fine!
 
#8 ·
patriotpierre said:
:Racing:For me, the only way to drive or feel your vehicle is with a manual transmission. Well worth the learning. For full control, maximum efficiency, use of compression (saves your brakes), possibility to start the engine by pushing the car when battery is dead, slow start in second gear on very slippery surface, fuel economy in many cases...But most of all, the pleasure to know that YOU are in control. :banana:

BTW Have you ever seen an automatic transmission motorcycle???:eek:

My two cents worth.:D
Click to expand...
you mean this auto tranny motorcycle?
 
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#9 ·
Winter tires

I believe that it was two years ago that in the Province of Quebec they passed a law that all cars must have winter tires for the winter months. A good idea. Again we have the problem that drivrs think they can drive faster. All it really means is that you have better traction. I have found a difference with such tires when going up steep hills or driveways. I'll keep the all season tires that came with my Pat. These are standard equipment on the Canadian version of the Patriot North. The mud and snow tires are a softer rubber and hold the road on ice. Here all the roads are plowed 24/7 and salted/gravel mix, especially at intersections. Plows are out when three inches of snow are predicted. But you see them out on clear days to remove ice too. I always listen to the weather and leave at least a half an early to get to where I'm going. If it's really bad I leave late to avoid all the stupid drivers who still think it's summer.
 
#10 ·
I had to get reacquainted with the auto tranny too. I'm a control freak and it still bothers me when the CVT reacts when I least expect it to. Each day it gets better. I just need to let go. :)

I am actually looking forward to winter this year because it will be the first time in 35 years (yes, I am *that* old) that I have driven an auto tranny in winter. Hmmm, I have had my Pat for 4000km now and I have never put her in 4WD yet. Note to self - check out the 4WD before the snow flies.

Remember that the Pat is a tad different. It is primarily a FWD drive auto. I like that aspect because the idea of pulling a car through snow (FWD) sounds a lot more sane than pushing a car through snow (RWD). As I recall, the 4WD mix for the Pat is 60% front and 40% rear. Should be quite stable what with the ESP, ABS and all. I am sticking (pardon the pun) with the OEM SR-As for this winter season at least.

I have never done the winter tire thing. I had an 85 Mazda GLC that had Bridgestone all-seasons as OEMs. They were amazing. I swear I could drive up a tree with those. I do not expect the same performance from Goodyear.

Any tips for an old manny tranny codger like me new to automatics and 4WD? Like, when it is snowing, do I keep the Pat in 4WD for the entire trip even though some parts of the street/highway will be bare?

Thanks. :)
 
#11 ·
You don't need to have the 4WD Lock on unless you are in heavy snow or sand or mud. Leaving the 4WD Lock off does not mean you are running in FWD only, rather you are running in AWD(All wheel drive). My Subaru Outback had AWD. Under normal conditions, dry conditions on the highway, it sent 90% traction to the front wheels and 10% to the rear, as conditions got worse the distribution would be changed by the computer as needed with 50% front and 50% rear being the maximum. The car was an absolute mountain goat on snow and my son-in-law now has it. So, the Patriot goes one better than the Subaru, giving you AWD and full time 4WD as needed. Not a bad combo, since it is both efficient and has maximum traction when you need it.:smiley_thumbs_up:
 
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#12 ·
I once had an '86 Toyota SR5 4x4 truck that, believe it or not was an automatic. I'd bought this used and it's the only auto SR5 that I had ever seen.

It was great for real 4x4ing and I could never tell much of a difference between the auto and my buddies 5 speeds out on the trails. What an awesome little truck.

I have posted in the newbie thread about taking the Pat on a run up a muddy slick logging road, about the closest thing I could think of to snow right now. It exceeded my expectations.

I think the ESP with awd 4x4 will be great on snowy and icy roads. I really can't see locking this baby in to 4x4 unless you are in real trouble.
 
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Homer1969
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