Auto Stick Problems

Mysto · May 5, 2008

I had a problem with the Auto Stick feature. It kept going into 1st gear from D(Drive) - not only annoying, but caused me to over-rev the engine a couple of times. At first I thought that I might be doing something wrong - not shifting straight down or hitting the stick with my hand etc. but my wife actually saw the display go from D to 1 as I was pulling into traffic.

I took it back to the dealer and found out that some defective shifters had gotten out. They replaced mine and everything is working as normal but thought I would post a heads up in case anyone else is having the problem.

DrugRunR · May 5, 2008

Thanks for the heads up.
I have made the mistake a couple of times by accidentally hitting the shifter and getting stuck in 1st gear...

Will H · May 6, 2008

Good to know. Thanks

scout8541 · May 7, 2008

Thanks for the infor.

Scout8541

Keeping Fingers Crossed · May 7, 2008

You know what...I have to learn how to use this feature to the best of its ability and for what it is intended to do.
Is everyone in agreement with my belief that for basic city and highway driving its not utilized? If I was so inclined to drag racing some kid in a small mazda, with a loud muffler and big wing on the back, then it would be something i could use?
I did use it on one occasion....I put it in 1st, while I was going down a very steep paved hill, as a means off minimizing with break wear.
Can anyone else provide some examples like above where you think this feature is a great benifit? Can I improve gas mileage by utilizing it?.As a FYI, 90% of my driving is highway driving back and forth to work, (non rush hour), and any weekend driving is city, but I do my damndest and am quite sucessful in avoiding traffic jams.
Thanks for any insite.

TJinWV · May 7, 2008

I use it to help accelerating up to speed when getting on the interstate. Our onramp is an uphill slope, and the interstate continues the slope for another 1/2 mile or more. It just doesn't seem right to have the CVT pegging the motor at 6000+ RPM for a minute straight just to get up to interstate speeds.

Keeping Fingers Crossed · May 7, 2008

I see....so you will interupt the normal 'shifting' (for lack of a better word) mode that takes place, and throw it into a higher gear earlier in order to keep the natural revs down.

TJinWV · May 7, 2008

No, just the opposite. I'll hold it in a lower gear for longer, rather than letting it hit 6000 rpm for a minute straight at what the CVT deems is the "optimal" gear. In this particular instance, anyway, there is no normal 'shifting' - because I need to get up to speed, the CVT jumps to 6000 (or so, just an approximation) and screams.

dokboy · May 7, 2008

I had been driving sticks for the last 15yrs and find myself now downshifting the autostick almost all the time for traffic lights and stopping. I like the extra engine braking. Other than thet it stays in D.

DrugRunR · May 7, 2008

Keeping Fingers Crossed said:
.
Can anyone else provide some examples like above where you think this feature is a great benifit?

Yes
On the way to work I drive 7.5 miles
It is a 45mph speed zone.
When I get to 40MPH, I manually bump it up to 6th gear
Then when I hit 50, I hit the cruise and hit bump it into D.
6th gear manually has no lock up feature on the torque converter (guessing) because when I hit D, it lowers the rpm down 200 (@50mph)

If you are going at a lower speed for a extended period of time then I recommend that you bump up the gear. At 23mph you can put it in 6th.

stockblackxj · May 7, 2008

using it in the city seems to help the economy. shifting to 6th brings the rpm down a fair bit compared to the natural rpm of the full auto. this has been what I have found but this is at 60-70 kph city. not sure what speed the two methods have equal rpms at.

sgsgsg · May 7, 2008

When in "D" push the accelerator into the floor and when the engine revs up to 4000-4500 shift into "-". You'll experience a nice ass kick

Then shift into "+" when the engine comes up to 5500-6000. Avoid automatic shifthing (it happens on 6000) and keep the engine in a maximum torque range (5000-5500).

And don't tell me pat is slow after that ;-)

Auto Stick Problems

Mysto

DrugRunR

Will H

scout8541

Keeping Fingers Crossed

TJinWV

Keeping Fingers Crossed

TJinWV

dokboy

DrugRunR

stockblackxj

sgsgsg

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities