Auto Downshifts In Manual Mode?

[bquicksilver]

Just curious, do most of you pull the paddles as you decelerate or simply let the car downshift for you? I'm asking about a deceleration to a stop light/sign, not a track event.

I typically just pull the paddles to downshift at ~1250rpm, but the car shifts itself much smoother at ~1000rpm and I'm wondering if my current driving style is just unnecessary wear on the DCT?

[Craze]

I only shift manually when driving hard and in that case i shift up and down myself

I see no point shifting manually up if going on a leisurely drive

[Nikolov]

I drive my car in manual 100% of the time and I always downshift when slowing down. 0 issues with my DCT.

[josec70]

Same here ... almost always in manual w/ downshifting and zero issues.

[Flying Ace]

I posted about something similar here: http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1464594

my issue is that I think that you may be lugging the engine at speeds 2k and below in gears 3-7. I would not feel comfortable downshifting at 1000 or even 1500.

I've decided the best DCT program to use in all applications is D3 which is akin to if you're doing it manually, keeping the engine speeds above 2k at all times, even in gear 2 if possible.

[TLK]

I think downshifting to utilize engine braking for normal stopping is just a matter of situation and personal preference at that moment. The DCT logic will prevent you from downshifting if the resulting RPM will be above redline, so even the danger of a missed downshift on a manual gearbox is not even there.

Lugging is when you try to accelerate in too high a gear at too low RPMs, and the ability of the engine to speed up is actually limited by the gearing. There's no lugging when you are slowing down since the fuel is essentially shut off.

https://jalopnik.com/actually-engine...ine-1818491096

I drive in manual 3 all the time. I tried the auto modes but use them rarely. No issues with downshifting or engine braking.

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by TLK

I think downshifting to utilize engine braking for normal stopping is just a matter of situation and personal preference at that moment. The DCT logic will prevent you from downshifting if the resulting RPM will be above redline, so even the danger of a missed downshift on a manual gearbox is not even there.

Lugging is when you try to accelerate in too high a gear at too low RPMs, and the ability of the engine to speed up is actually limited by the gearing. There's no lugging when you are slowing down since the fuel is essentially shut off.

https://jalopnik.com/actually-engine...ine-1818491096

I drive in manual 3 all the time. I tried the auto modes but use them rarely. No issues with downshifting or engine braking.

I agree on your lugging comment, my point is, sometimes you slow down and the car downshifts in auto mode, and then you need to speed up again right away, and you'll be caught in 3rd gear at 1200 RPMs...and that can't be good. My manual M3 would almost stall if that was the situation and certainly I can hear and feel the drivetrain strain in that car if that was the case.

That's why in auto, I keep it at the 3rd setting, bc it most situations, it downshifts at 2000 rpms

[bquicksilver]

This conversation is more related to deceleration in daily traffic and just minimizing wear (if only mild) at such times. Lugging isn't an issue there as TLK noted. Sure, if I'm cruising around and accelerating from 1100rpm I'd agree that's "lugging" it. I don't have much data on how easily the M5 knocks in that second scenario so I won't comment there.

In all honesty I was just feeling out the group to see if others drove that way to work around engine braking when there's no fun to be had at 13mph as you approach a light.