How do you shift?

[ShaneG_old]

Interesting article about how manufactures do manu-matic transmissions shift directions.


http://beta.roadandtrack.com/column/to_ ... e_question

Since these have become rather common place around the world now, I thought it would be interesting to see how the different ways are divided up among us.  I've owned a couple of different ones, but I still prefer a true manual.  Nothing replaces the feel of pushing a clutch and feeling the snick of a gear sliding smoothly into place.  8-)

I prefer pull for upshift, and push for downshift.

[expat]

My 5 Series has Tip-Tronic, pull up, push down. I agree with you and the article. It is the natural way to go about it. Think about a manual gearbox. To get all gears you pull to go up. Pull first to second, pull third to forth. From second to third is a diagonal movement. As for forth to fifth, well we just chuck it up in the corner . Also as you brake, you're pushed forward in the seat, so it's instinctive to push forward to downshift and the reverse when you accelerate. We have a VW Caddy at work that has push forward to change up. When you floor it and are pushed back in your seat and at the same time you have to push forward, it just does feel right.

Matt

[eno]

Not very sophisticated these triptonics ........ Mercedes trucks had (not sure without checking whether they still have) electronic power shift (EPS) boxes, 16 gears and more fun than a fun thing, even though they required a clutch to start and when stopping.
Although they were sequential, for the most part, they would choose gear ratios that were appropriate for the conditions and weight of the vehicle. On approach to a roundabout or other hazard that required slowing withough stopping you would brake and then slap the stick sideways and the gear for keeping running would be chosen. If you had to stop then just depress the clutch and neutral would be chosen if you were stationary .... to pull off push the stick forward and release the clutch  off you would go in the correct gear, after that it was all clutchless push for up a gear ...... pull for down.

[Craig.]

paddle shift all the way now. These tiptronic though it has to be pull for up push for down. Its how its worked in the racing cars for years.

[beaky]

Getting used to my rather stiff '90 Mustang gearbox... it and the clutch get moody sometimes.

[U4EA]

I be lovin' my (conventional) 5-speed Blazer.....wouldn't be caught dead in a 4WD vehicle with an auto tranny.

[ShaneG_old]

[quote]Getting used to my rather stiff '90 Mustang gearbox... it and the clutch get moody sometimes.

[Hagar]

[quote][quote]Getting used to my rather stiff '90 Mustang gearbox... it and the clutch get moody sometimes.

[ShaneG_old]

It can't hurt to try.
It must be remembered that American gearboxes are designed like garbage.  Hard to shift, hard to clutch, and expensive as hell to fix when it all goes wrong.   :-[ (wait till you have to replace that clutch, you'll see.  )

I got tired of grinding gears and cussing for it to just go into the gate on mine.  Once I started doing this, it was never a problem again.  It works on my 5-speed Plymouth Laser too. Without it, I just grind gears and get hard changes. With this technique, it's smooth like butter every time.   

[Hagar]

[quote]It can't hurt to try.
It must be remembered that American gearboxes are designed like garbage.

[Fozzer]

My old Vintage 1931 Brooklands Riley Nine, open, 1-1/2 seater, Supercharged, GP Racing Car, had a marvellous 4-speed + reverse, "crash", Silent Third, Gearbox, (straight-cut gears), requiring double de-clutching up and down through the Gears....loads of fun!... ...!

I also had a Wilson Pre-selector Gearbox for it...but the massive Gearbox was heavier than the bleedin' Engine!... ...!

The Gearbox in my British Army Petrol Scammel Tank Transporter, required judicious use of double-de-clutching as well...upon pain of death!...  ...!

Paul....my Motor-Bike's 6-speed gearbox is a dream to operate!.... ...!

[ShaneG_old]

[quote][quote]It can't hurt to try.
It must be remembered that American gearboxes are designed like garbage.

[Hagar]

[quote][quote][quote]It can't hurt to try.
It must be remembered that American gearboxes are designed like garbage.

[ShaneG_old]

I think it's more the quality of the work force behind the product.

GM & Ford of Australia is another good example. Their  cars & trucks have always been a notch above what we get here, and they've even brought a few here with some degree of success.

[Hagar]

[quote]I'm pretty off topic now aren't I?