DCT Question - Shifting from D to M

[TheCaptain]

Question: Is there any way go change from regular D driving mode to manual M mode without changing gears? I know you can hit the paddle and it will switch modes, but it will also cause a gear change. I know that if you are in D7 you can go directly to M7 by pressing the upshift paddle, but is there any way to go directly from, say, D4 to M4?

[Ed P]

If you're in D4, and you move the "stick shift" to the left (into M mode)... it should go to M4...

[TheCaptain]

Originally Posted by Ed P

If you're in D4, and you move the "stick shift" to the left (into M mode)... it should go to M4...

Moving the stick left changes it to S mode.

[Ed P]

Er... I though moving the stick to the left put it in M mode... and the "Sport" button put it in S mode... ?

[fcman]

Originally Posted by Ed P

Er... I though moving the stick to the left put it in M mode... and the "Sport" button put it in S mode... ?

In D if you flip a paddle you can control it and it will revert back to D after 30 seconds or so.

If you are in D mode and move the shifter left to M/S mode is will changed to S, which maintains gears longer than D but is still automatic shifting.

If you flip a paddle in S it will change to full-time M mode until the car is parked or put back in D.

If you are in D and then flip a paddle, then change to M/S before it reverts back to D, the tranny will stay in full manual mode.

Sport button sharpens throttle response and makes gear changes more aggressive.

[Ed P]

Thanks!

So the sport button and "S" mode are not related. Didn't know that! I thought it showed S4, S5, etc. when I hit the sport button. I guess I need to get out of "D" mode more often, and just play with it!

[elzorro4]

Originally Posted by TheCaptain

Question: Is there any way go change from regular D driving mode to manual M mode without changing gears? I know you can hit the paddle and it will switch modes, but it will also cause a gear change. I know that if you are in D7 you can go directly to M7 by pressing the upshift paddle, but is there any way to go directly from, say, D4 to M4?

Why do you need this? If you wish to make permanently manual shifting you have to move the stick to M/S mode. Once you move the stick it turns to S. This sets the gear changes to the highest revs posible. So, in order to change gears, you will make them manually unless you hit 7k rpms, which turns de S to M. It is the same as if it would change to M instead of S.

[Ed P]

This is really all clear as mud... but I don't recall the manual being very clear on this either...

[Dilmorecg]

I have not found a way to do this...I usually just go up then down quickly with the paddles or down then up quickly depending on what rpm I am at.

[Ferms135i]

Originally Posted by Dilmorecg

I have not found a way to do this...I usually just go up then down quickly with the paddles or down then up quickly depending on what rpm I am at.

This ^^ . I have not found a way to do this either. Just quickly upshift when you slide the gearshift lever over to m/s and sometimes it won't downshift.

Now, if there was a way to put it into neutral while driving (I.e. when coming to a stop) I'd be a happy person. I know most people probably don't care, but I think it'd be nice.

[JRMorgan]

Originally Posted by TheCaptain

Question: Is there any way go change from regular D driving mode to manual M mode without changing gears? I know you can hit the paddle and it will switch modes, but it will also cause a gear change. I know that if you are in D7 you can go directly to M7 by pressing the upshift paddle, but is there any way to go directly from, say, D4 to M4?

I have to say I find this question funny. Because the act of wanting to change a gear is the only reason to go to manual mode. So just hit the paddle when you actually need to change the gear.

[TheCaptain]

Originally Posted by JRMorgan

I have to say I find this question funny. Because the act of wanting to change a gear is the only reason to go to manual mode. So just hit the paddle when you actually need to change the gear.

It's not true that the only reason to go to manual mode is because you want to change a gear.

There are many situation were the driver may want the transmission to hold the current gear. Going to manual mode will prevent it from shifting unexpectedly, either up or down.

[methodz]

Yeah I was wondering the same thing. They should have made an "S" button next to the "Sport" button. Moving the stick to the left to take you to a mode selector for TWO different functions seems kind of silly to me. They did it right on the E90 M3. Shifter to the left put you in "M" mode and kept the gear you were on and then there was a little button that had like 5 different profiles for you to choose from though it didn't have a true "S" mode which i do find convenient on the 1'er just wish it was better implemented.

[TheCaptain]

So it looks like it can't be done. It seems weird that they left out the ability to do this (unless you're in 1 or 7th gear). Personally I would rather they left out S mode completely and just have either D or M mode along with the sport button.

[davis449]

Originally Posted by TheCaptain

So it looks like it can't be done. It seems weird that they left out the ability to do this (unless you're in 1 or 7th gear). Personally I would rather they left out S mode completely and just have either D or M mode along with the sport button.

I agree and disagree. I wish they would do it more like the Audi DSG where you bring over the gear shift and it's in manual mode, sport mode is it's own selection.