Auto trans manual mode

AFRIEND435 · 05-03-2015, 12:59 PM

I was wondering if anybody could explain what exactly happens when you put your auto trans in manual mode. It seems like there is more going on than just changing ratios etc. is there some remapping going on with engine also ? Just curious! My car is a 2011 328i base.

Thanks

Douche · 05-03-2015, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFRIEND328

I was wondering if anybody could explain what exactly happens when you put your auto trans in manual mode. It seems like there is more going on than just changing ratios etc. is there some remapping going on with engine also ? Just curious! My car is a 2011 328i base.

Thanks

It allows you to manually select which gear you want.

Also, a slight correction: the gear ratios are fixed, it never changes no matter what you do (it's set by the size of the sprocket).

AFRIEND435 · 05-03-2015, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douche

It allows you to manually select which gear you want.

Also, a slight correction: the gear ratios are fixed, it never changes no matter what you do (it's set by the size of the sprocket).

Yeah I understand that, but it does drop out of over drive when you put it in manual mode. The performance characteristics seem to change.

Douche · 05-03-2015, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFRIEND328

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douche

It allows you to manually select which gear you want.

Also, a slight correction: the gear ratios are fixed, it never changes no matter what you do (it's set by the size of the sprocket).

Yeah I understand that, but it does drop out of over drive when you put it in manual mode. The performance characteristics seem to change.

I notice a bit too. A little faster pedal response is all I get. More or less the same as when I select sport mode.

gtaccord · 05-03-2015, 02:39 PM

Probably much like sport mode, it locks up the torque converter.

VTECaddict · 05-03-2015, 03:01 PM

The ATs in this car are programmed to lockup the TC after setting off from a standstill.

DS mode probably sharpens up throttle response, but it will holder lower gears much longer and stay out of the top gears as much as possible to provide better response and a sportier feeling. Maybe 1-2 gears lower than it would in normal D mode.

I don't know if theres anything that says for sure it changes the throttle, but even just being in lower gears the car will feel more responsive and quicker.

AFRIEND435 · 05-03-2015, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

The ATs in this car are programmed to lockup the TC after setting off from a standstill.

DS mode probably sharpens up throttle response, but it will holder lower gears much longer and stay out of the top gears as much as possible to provide better response and a sportier feeling. Maybe 1-2 gears lower than it would in normal D mode.

I don't know if theres anything that says for sure it changes the throttle, but even just being in lower gears the car will feel more responsive and quicker.

Thanks for the response.

Longdoggy · 05-03-2015, 06:00 PM

Try the Alpina TCU flah

CantCatchMe · 05-03-2015, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longdoggy

Try the Alpina TCU flah

Yes yes and more yes to this! First thing I did when I got my car.

Hirschman · 05-03-2015, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longdoggy

Try the Alpina TCU flah

Won't do dick for him. He's got a 328.

Longdoggy · 05-03-2015, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hirschman

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longdoggy

Try the Alpina TCU flah

Won't do dick for him. He's got a 328.

Oh damn. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. Did not notice he was in the 328.

Mobile apps at their finest.

AFRIEND435 · 05-03-2015, 10:24 PM

Stayed away from 335 because I noticed so many lemon buy backs on eBay. Would still love to have one though. However I really like this car even though it's a little light on horsepower. Thanks for trying to help guys.

slimxb8 · 05-04-2015, 07:35 AM

From what I can tell....
it stays out of 6th gear...
shifts are quicker/firmer
goes from being softcore to hardcore lol. For me response gets raunchy compared to D mode.

One side note... been trying to solidify my query... I swear that in M mode, if you quickly tap to shift up vs just a slow pull it shifts faster.

ThatRWD · 05-04-2015, 07:40 AM

A monkey is released from it's kage, depending on if you shock its ass (upshift) or chest (downshift), it goes into your transmission and manually shifts it for you. With the Alpina flash he is known to work faster although it generally pisses of his parents.

Eddien123 · 05-04-2015, 10:07 AM

It try's to keep the RPMs near the powerband. typically around 2700-3200 rpm and if it goes any higher than that it'll shift unless you're driving aggressively. I use manual mode for the sharper throttle response but I'm looking to get a true MT for I hate Autos even though the ones in our cars are rather good.

Douche · 05-04-2015, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddien123

It try's to keep the RPMs near the powerband. typically around 2700-3200 rpm and if it goes any higher than that it'll shift unless you're driving aggressively. I use manual mode for the sharper throttle response but I'm looking to get a true MT for I hate Autos even though the ones in our cars are rather good.

What is a RPM near the "powerband" you speak of?

BeastMode335i · 05-04-2015, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

DS mode probably sharpens up throttle response, but it will holder lower gears much longer and stay out of the top gears as much as possible to provide better response and a sportier feeling.

Do you have any proof of this...?? Only reason I ask is because when I put my 335i into DS mode I feel like it hangs in the upper RPM range when I let off the gas and I have to feather the pedal to get it to upshift into a higher gear and get to a lower RPM..

Thanks!

VTECaddict · 05-04-2015, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeastMode335i

Do you have any proof of this...?? Only reason I ask is because when I put my 335i into DS mode I feel like it hangs in the upper RPM range when I let off the gas and I have to feather the pedal to get it to upshift into a higher gear and get to a lower RPM..

Thanks!

The proof is how it works? Whenever you put it in to DS from D, it will downshift a gear or two even if you're going the same speed with the same amount of throttle. It will hold the lower gear longer because RPMs are higher than what it would be in D. And like you said, it will still hold a lower gear even if you let off the throttle.

BeastMode335i · 05-04-2015, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

The proof is how it works? Whenever you put it in to DS from D, it will downshift a gear or two even if you're going the same speed with the same amount of throttle. It will hold the lower gear longer because RPMs are higher than what it would be in D. And like you said, it will still hold a lower gear even if you let off the throttle.

Hmm, I only use it from a stop I don't switch it into DS while driving so maybe that's why I didn't notice that... For me it seems that from a stop when I speed up, it will switch into a higher gear but when I let off the gas "as if to downshift" it will just hang in the higher RPM range until I feather the throttle..

AFRIEND435 · 05-04-2015, 05:21 PM

when you put it in manual while driving the rpm jumps up a little like it has switched out of an overdrive mode. the tranny is probably programmed to help get the best mileage when in auto maybe. when you go into the manual mode it is just that, it is supposed to hold whatever gear your in until you change gears like it would be if you had a manual transmission. I was wondering if the computer changed anything regarding the engine also. such as valve timing, throttle response etc.

05-03-2015, 12:59 PM	#1
AFRIEND435 Private First Class 27 Rep 179 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW 435i m sport Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Auto trans manual mode I was wondering if anybody could explain what exactly happens when you put your auto trans in manual mode. It seems like there is more going on than just changing ratios etc. is there some remapping going on with engine also ? Just curious! My car is a 2011 328i base. Thanks
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05-03-2015, 02:39 PM	#5
gtaccord Major 56 Rep 1,465 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 335xi Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Maryland iTrader: (7) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i xdrive [0.00]	Probably much like sport mode, it locks up the torque converter.
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05-03-2015, 03:01 PM	#6
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	The ATs in this car are programmed to lockup the TC after setting off from a standstill. DS mode probably sharpens up throttle response, but it will holder lower gears much longer and stay out of the top gears as much as possible to provide better response and a sportier feeling. Maybe 1-2 gears lower than it would in normal D mode. I don't know if theres anything that says for sure it changes the throttle, but even just being in lower gears the car will feel more responsive and quicker. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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05-03-2015, 06:00 PM	#8
Longdoggy Master Bates 80 Rep 495 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW M340 xDrive Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	Try the Alpina TCU flah __________________ CURRENT: 2020 G20 M340 xDrive — Carbahn Tune RETIRED: 2011 E90 335i xDrive — Cobb AP3, PE Exhaust, Alpina TCU Flash, VRSF Charge Pipe 2017 Estoril Blue X1 M Sport — JB4
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05-03-2015, 10:24 PM	#12
AFRIEND435 Private First Class 27 Rep 179 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW 435i m sport Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Stayed away from 335 because I noticed so many lemon buy backs on eBay. Would still love to have one though. However I really like this car even though it's a little light on horsepower. Thanks for trying to help guys.
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05-04-2015, 07:35 AM	#13
slimxb8 First Lieutenant 51 Rep 308 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW 328i [0.00]	From what I can tell.... it stays out of 6th gear... shifts are quicker/firmer goes from being softcore to hardcore lol. For me response gets raunchy compared to D mode. One side note... been trying to solidify my query... I swear that in M mode, if you quickly tap to shift up vs just a slow pull it shifts faster.
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05-04-2015, 07:40 AM	#14
ThatRWD Major 109 Rep 1,062 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (0)	A monkey is released from it's kage, depending on if you shock its ass (upshift) or chest (downshift), it goes into your transmission and manually shifts it for you. With the Alpina flash he is known to work faster although it generally pisses of his parents. __________________ Sideways is the way of life. Last edited by ThatRWD; 05-04-2015 at 10:27 AM..
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05-04-2015, 10:07 AM	#15
Eddien123 Colonel 1861 Rep 2,554 Posts Drives: F30 335 6MT Join Date: May 2013 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	It try's to keep the RPMs near the powerband. typically around 2700-3200 rpm and if it goes any higher than that it'll shift unless you're driving aggressively. I use manual mode for the sharper throttle response but I'm looking to get a true MT for I hate Autos even though the ones in our cars are rather good.
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05-04-2015, 05:21 PM	#20
AFRIEND435 Private First Class 27 Rep 179 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW 435i m sport Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: California iTrader: (0)	when you put it in manual while driving the rpm jumps up a little like it has switched out of an overdrive mode. the tranny is probably programmed to help get the best mileage when in auto maybe. when you go into the manual mode it is just that, it is supposed to hold whatever gear your in until you change gears like it would be if you had a manual transmission. I was wondering if the computer changed anything regarding the engine also. such as valve timing, throttle response etc.
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