A lot of people drive there is a "common problem", their cars are generally mainstream manual gearbox, while almost everyone always use the D block to drive, manual mode at all clear this thing. I asked why, they replied almost answers are similar, not use, dare not use, these puzzles with manual mode and we talk about it, hoping this article so users have to use the manual mode and use a deeper understanding.

"manual shift mode" is designed/role

Since the automatic transmission is a manual transmission after birth, wanted to comfort, convenience some to choose automatic, arbitrary want to feel more fun to drive, manual transmission on the election, why design manual gearbox? Everyone manual transmission models are aware because you can freely adjust the gear and speed, driving up feeling kind of dripping fun, sporty, very fun to drive.

Although conventional automatic transmission an advantage in maneuverability, ride comfort, but do not have the manual models as arbitrary ability, can not have both the advantages of both the gearbox it? Manual gearbox is in this case under born. It has at the same time lifting gear automatic function, but also with analog functions manually lifting gear, it makes the emergence of more models need not be limited to the shackles of conventional automatic transmission, so that drivers can have a shift like a manual shift freedom and fun to drive, it is important, when the vehicle encounters special circumstances can rely on this feature to be resolved.

Two common types of operations

At present, most automatic models (including the main transmission equipment type automatic transmission, dual-clutch gearbox, AMT transmission, CVT gearbox automatic models) come equipped with an increasing number of "manual intervention gear function "that is, the manual mode will be introduced. Current common manual mode operation formal point of view points from two types, one is increased relative to a conventional transmission shift lever on the basis of the manual mode, the other is in the form of a steering wheel shift paddles manual mode, the focus in this paper both operations are introduced in the form of a manual mode for everyone.

In the manual shift mode with the current models, the most common operation in two main forms, the first part is integrated in the transmission shift lever in manual mode, also called M or S gear (gear has at + - the gear identification), such a manual shift mode is currently the most common, intuitive operation, easy to get started.

Another is to increase both sides of the steering wheel paddle shift on the basis of the former, such manual shift pattern appears more like to focus reflected in some vehicle movement characteristics (vehicle positioning) models, the operation more efficient, more direct shifting process.

1, the manual mode shift lever

Such a manual gearbox mode by operating the shift lever is the most common, such as Volkswagen, Toyota, Nissan, Audi, etc. These brands gearbox in manual mode are all operational aspects of this form.

Specific use of: after the vehicle starting/running, the transmission shift lever is switched to the M block or the S block state (+ or - identified gear), by the forward and backward shift lever toggle to switch gears. (Some models without manual operation after switching to the manual shift mode, to enter the motion mode)

As long as the vehicle is in the activated state (idling or running) can be switched by the above-described manner to the manual shift mode operation, if the need to switch back to the D range during running, (automatic mode) only direct mode from the manual shift lever D range position can be switched back. (Right or left lateral switching gear)

There is one kind of transmission is manual mode the manual subtraction block design on the handle of the shift lever, a lot of the US Department of models in this design, such as Buick Ang Kela, Kore, such as Ford's Escape , using a similar method, in which only the difference between the manual switching mode switching manner is not a common gear shift lever by the push-pull mode. But by a button on the handle to operate the shift lever.

2, a steering wheel shift paddles

In fact, we can shift the steering wheel paddle extending understood to be a manual mode, it just adds to "another control mode" only in a vehicle with manual mode. Paddle shifter as a quick shift mechanism, the shift operation because the paddle wheel is located rear side, do not leave the steering wheel with both hands, so for more convenient and more efficient.

Different models of the steering wheel shift paddles in the use of the function is differentiated, the steering wheel and some models may be used directly in the D range shift paddles state shift operation, while others need to be switched to M or gear S after gear shifting function can use the steering wheel, at this point, a steering wheel shift paddles open manner very similar to the sheet and open the way the manual mode shift lever.

In practice mode, different brands operating in terms of the shift paddles is also somewhat different, the biggest difference is: the difference between paddles on the mode of operation of subtraction block, according to the mode of operation I will divide them into two categories, were introduced. Operation which involved does not necessarily apply to all of the brand, but can certainly give you some reference resistance, so you can get started faster shift paddles.

2-1, the left lower gear, plus the right gear

This form of paddles shift is the most employed one, is left paddle downshifts, right paddle is upshift, specific mode of operation as follows: the vehicle is idling/running gear will be engaged in, or M S block (D block portion in a state models can be manual mode), through the finger "inwardly hug" approach subtraction gear shift operation with a paddle, is displayed in the manual mode is switched to the traffic computer information corresponding gear, the driver driving the information display on a computer to determine the current gear case, no more difficult operation.

Note that: If you need to start with a manual mode, models of different brands of gear in manual mode start is different, and some models can even start with a 2 block 3 block, some brands may be used only 1 block start, proceed to the actual vehicle. Shift paddles this mode of operation of the current brands involved are: BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, most models equipped with shift paddles.

2-2, both paddles can be subtraction block

This operation forms one kind of shift paddles slightly different supra, except that both sides of this shift paddles operation can be carried out subtraction block, that is the side not above plus, minus side the method of this shift paddles higher degree of integration in function, and in many cases higher controllability, more convenient operation.

For example: when the vehicle is turning, whether to play to the side direction, both hands in this case, there must be at the bottom side of the steering wheel, that is if the shift paddles described above, then upshift if necessary at this time, the operation it will have limitations, but if this is the subtraction block both sides of the paddle, either hand can be carried out simultaneously upshifting or downshifting operation, which increases the vehicle (for example in a high speed over the limit state bend) controllability. Say flaw, in fact, used to use other forms of paddle shifters owners need some time to adapt a little longer.

In operation, two kinds of shift paddles are basically the same, the same need to first transmission lever engaging the shift gear M or S - after (or + identity gear) open the manual mode, and then performed by the paddle hands thumbs operation, it is pushed outward upshift, downshift was press inward. This shift paddles currently used brands are designed: (excluding optional racing wheel vehicles) MINI, Porsche Panamera like.

pregnant block models

Many prefer to use pregnant stopper portion also designed brand models equipped steering wheel shift paddles, such as Benz, Buick, there is no difference in operation, the same method is used to switch to M or S block after the vehicle starts to open the manual mode. (Some models also operable in a block state D)

Currently used most pregnant block design car brand is Mercedes-Benz, in testing this feature when it encountered a small episode, found on the steering wheel shift paddles and operation "of the shift lever + shift paddles" test GL500 models slightly different models, the main difference is that: if the idling state start to use the manual mode, an upshift operation is not performed directly shift paddle, a stopper must Save paddle, then the computer displays the driving gear is D1, then an upshift can be operated by the upshift paddle. If you want to revert to the D block mode, just use your fingers hold upshift paddle 2-3 seconds to automatically return to the D block model in motion. (This method is suitable for the majority of its Benz includes a steering wheel shift paddles function models)

Edit learned from dealer: Currently the old models shift paddles on the shift logic are like this (include E-Class, M Class, R Class, ML, GL, etc.), but the future of the new Mercedes-Benz models will be will change this situation, with a new shift logic (can be directly started by paddle upshifts when idle), but now the introduction of new shift logic models only the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-class models.

minority ownership steering wheel shift buttons

In addition to the steering wheel shift paddles described above, there are some models of the manual mode button is used in the form of a steering wheel, it is not much difference in the form of several shift in the use of the above described, except that this design the manual mode is performed by a subtraction operation stop button multifunction steering wheel button area.

For example Buick GL8 and Ssangyong Actyon, both of them are in the manual mode is switched to the M gear speed, the manual mode is performed by adding or subtracting a shift operation button on the steering wheel, this form of manual mode there is no inconvenience in use, just need to adapt to it.

Of course, in addition to several manual mode described above, for some high-performance supercar, the way they shift and common civilian models will be relatively large difference, such as the Ferrari 458, it is no traditional transmission gear design, totally dependent on the vehicle driver to select a different "driving mode" shift pattern is selected, it is only the manual mode of operating a steering wheel shift paddles form, shift pattern will vary, of course, these luxurious supercar is not within our scope to give today.