Automatics with paddle shifters and full manual mode?

[Fred Smith]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 26 June 2025 at 17:59

[nikaiyo2]

BMW DCT pretty much does this, but it will change down if you are in too high a gear.

[tomsugden]

My Audi S5 does this if you move the gear selector to the left and use the paddles. If you don't move the gear selector over it will go back to auto.

[Nexus Icon]

Fred Smith said:

Which cars have automatic gearboxes with paddle shifters, AND have a fully manual option whereby if you press the button and put it in manual mode the car will literally NEVER change gear unless you have initiated the change with the paddles? It will literally let you destroy the engine, or simply cut out further acceleration at the red line, it will never ever ever change up even if it thinks you are over-revving it?

The A110 in track mode doesn't change up, I know that, it just pings off the limiter. I was fairly surprised one day accelerating onto the A34 at Winchester. I'd forgotten I'd left it in track mode whilst messing with the settings sat in the line of traffic coming off the M3.

[omniflow]

Every automatic car with paddle shifters that I have owned has worked in exactly the same way.

They will never change up automatically
They will always change down as you slow down - to prevent the engine from stalling.

This applies to cars from BMW, Alfa Romeo, Jaguar and Maserati ranging in age from 2007 to 2019.

[Krikkit]

Why is a McDonalds mode useful? Maybe I'm missing out but I don't think I've ever wanted to hit the limiter in a car for more than a fraction of a second

[budgie smuggler]

tomsugden said:

My Audi S5 does this if you move the gear selector to the left and use the paddles. If you don't move the gear selector over it will go back to auto.

So it wouldn't change down and would allow it to stall (e.g. if you were stationary then put it into 6th gear at tried to set off)?

Another question is does it ignore the kickdown button (under the accelerator - literally slamming the pedal to the floor and keep pressing
a little further)?

I have a car with DSG and overrides your chosen gear in both scenarios above. I know you can however have at least the kickdown function mapped out,.

eta- it will also not allow you to change down to a gear that would be over the redline

Edited by budgie smuggler on Thursday 19th June 14:07

[MikeGTi]

I can't imagine a manufacturer saying "yeah, I'll make it so you can just lunch the engine"

[Deep Thought]

Had it as described in my M2 DCT and now in my C43 with the 9G-Tronic box - the car will change gears rather than risk damaging itself.

I see that as a good thing.

Why would you want to be in the "wrong" gear for more than a split second?

[BlackTails]

I ve had true autos with paddles. In “manual” mode They always change down once the revs drop too low for the gear. From memory a rev limiter cuts in if you try to overrev.

Dual clutch autos (PDK). Flick the shifter to the left to put it in “manual” mode: same.

Single clutch automated manuals in manual mode. Same.

Three pedal manual: pretty sure I ve had some years ago that will allow you to overrev an engine to death and also to stall it in a gear that s too high.

I suspect - but don t know - that the downshift is there to protect the engine as much as a rev limiter.

Mildly curious as to why you want a car that lets you destroy its engine in at least two ways.

Edited by BlackTails on Thursday 19th June 14:19

[MikeGTi]

My DSG shifts up and down automagically, even when in manual.

The ZF in my Alfa only shifts down automagically in manual, it doesn't shift up at the limiter. Good job the engine's not some Italian thing.....

[scot_aln]

Deep Thought said:

Why would you want to be in the "wrong" gear for more than a split second?

Always helpful for our next thread on consumer rights and returning cars after the OP decided to utilise such a poor implementation of tech to allow an engine to destroy itself

[Deep Thought]

Fred Smith said:

(2) Which is precisely why I'll stick with a manual car - the moment a manufacturer puts in an auto gearbox they treat you like a kid, and I've not wanted to be treaten like a kid by anyone since I was about 14.

As is your prerogative.

[Deep Thought]

Fred Smith said:

(1) I don't want to be in the wrong gear, I want to be in the gear I choose to be in
(2) I don't want to think I am in one gear and then suddenly find I'm in another one
(3) The whole point is I don't want a car that damages itself or changes gears so it doesn't damage itself. I want a car that let's me drive in a way that risks damage, or drive exceptionally carefully so no chance of damage, or anything in between, exactly as I choose, because it's my F-ING car, not the manufacturer's car.

You're getting yourself all upset.

It would appear an auto isnt for you.

Noone is forcing you to get one.

Thats fine. I think we can all live with that.

[Evanivitch]

Fred Smith said:

(1) I don't want to be in the wrong gear, I want to be in the gear I choose to be in
(2) I don't want to think I am in one gear and then suddenly find I'm in another one
(3) The whole point is I don't want a car that damages itself or changes gears so it doesn't damage itself. I want a car that let's me drive in a way that risks damage, or drive exceptionally carefully so no chance of damage, or anything in between, exactly as I choose, because it's my F-ING car, not the manufacturer's car.

It's pretty cool that you drive without a rev limiter, I wish I was that brave.

I was going to recommend a Hyundai Ioniq hybrid anyway. Should be within budget.

[davek_964]

I doubt there is a single car with an auto gearbox that won't change down. Even cars with manual gearboxes - but paddle change only - will change down.

[Joe5y]

Is English your second language?

[Panamax]

Fred Smith said:

To be clear, which automatic cars with paddle shifters have a manual override button and NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER change gear for you.

I doubt such a creature exists.

In my experience, when you brake to a halt in any gear they will always be ready to set off again in 1st. I have never, ever had to downshift a paddle-shift auto while stationary. On the other hand I have set off in first, forgetting I was in manual, and headed for the rev-limiter. When you pull for 2nd the computer then adjusts torque (irrespective of throttle position) before engaging the gear.

One engineering advantage of an auto transmission driveline is that it can be built lighter as it doesn't have to put up with extreme driver abuse. You can't step off the clutch, make clutchless shifts or cause an over-rev on downshift. It would be nuts to design a modern computer controlled transmission which didn't protect the driveline from extreme abuse.

[Boringvolvodriver]

Our VW DSG will let you use the paddles to manually change gear and so far the only time I have noticed it changing down is when I am slowing down below a certain speed, normally to a stop.

It is no hardship to flick the paddle if I think I want to be in a different gear. what I tend to do is when say coming to a corner that I might want to exit in 3rd, is to make sure I change into third at the appropriate juncture.

If anything I find the 7 speeds a bit frustrating - one too many gears!

[TheLoraxxZeus]

Krikkit said:

Why is a McDonalds mode useful? Maybe I'm missing out but I don't think I've ever wanted to hit the limiter in a car for more than a fraction of a second

Honda life bud, if you're not banging it off the limiter for at least 3 seconds between shifts are you really a Honda bro? I think not.