Just curious if anybody with the auto actually uses the autostick feature and uses it as a manual. I've had the car for two weeks and was in a real daring mood and decided for some reason in LA traffic to use it at a red light. It didn't go so well as it really jerked into second and suddenly slowed down considerably. I'm sure I didn't know what on earth I was doing, considering I've never driven stick, and I doubt I'll ever really use the "manual" autostick feature again, but just wanted to get people's thoughts on it.

 

its good when you need a lower gear and the kickdown just won't do, like coming out of a corner or when you are going to overtake. I use it to blast past people then go straight back to auto.

Thats about all its good for.

 

I use it autocrossing. But mostly just 1st and 2nd gears and I've used it on winding roads.

 

Gears : 1-2 = 15mph 2-3 = 25mph 3-4 = 40mph 4-D = 45pmh

 

I'll have to check mine. I'm getting more than 25 mph out of second gear. On an autocross course the only time I hit 3rd gear is if they have a long straight and that's not very often. But I do hit the rev. limiter. I'll check it when I get home and see what the actual numbers are. I'm not looking at the speedo when I'm pushing this thing around cones.:lol: I drove my Explorer today.

 

driveing the car in auto allows the transmission calibration to shift for you taking in account a number of things such as load, speed, throttle input, traction control on/off etc.. and is designed for a smooth ride or shift and not necessarily performance. In the stick mode most of these inputs are over ridden and allows the driver to control revs and shift points which will equate to quicker excelleration and snappier throttle response in passing situations etc. My wife drives the XF the most and leaves it in auto but I use it alot when I drive .

 

i use mine a lot. mainly before getting dust-free brake pads...to eliminate the heavy dust....down shift...instead of braking.

i use it when switching lanes in front of others on the freeway...i don't want to hit brake lights if traffic slows in front me and **** the person off behind me i just moved over on.

 

ditto. I downshift a lot approaching stops. but I let the automatic take over for upshifting.

 

Continually.

I live in the mountains; it makes a fun car even more so.

 

no shame. nobody is born knowing how to do this stuff. for your own safety, as well as enjoyment, i really think you should take the car off somewhere, out in the country or big empty parking lot, and wring it out some. what the car was doing was putting you in the best rev-range for acceleration. i suspect you get a little uneasy when the car revs high, like maybe you're going to hurt it or something. relax. it absolutely loves to do that stuff. that's what it's built for. one of the biggest advantages of a car like this is it will save your life by driving you out of trouble. not unlike motorcycles, the accelerator will save your life when the brakes will kill you. it's a fact.

in that parking lot, run it up to maybe 50 mph and turn the wheel left or right, fast, all the way. suprise. i'll bet you didn't know it could turn like that. get up to 60 and lock up the brakes. really stand on em. the seat belt will snug you in and the car will stop almost instantly and dead straight. my mechanic's favorite phrase is "drive it like you stole it!"

and remember...tires are way cheaper than airbags.

dan

 

Hey Dan�c
Been on, in, around motorcylcles for almost 40 years.

"not unlike motorcycles, the accelerator will save your life when the brakes will kill you. it's a fact."

First time I've heard it put that way. So true. Thanx, I plan to steal it from you.

 

i'll be out on the warrior (v-twin, 1700cc 600lbs at almost 100bhp) most of this afternoon. one thing we bikers all know is that tailgaters can kill you. bikes, and crossfires, stop very, very quickly. the idiot in the s.u.v. behind you does not.

one other thing i've learned on the bike: it's invisible. why else would the 17 year old girl in the gmc, on the cellfone, turn right in front of you. i mean, sweet little thing wasn't really trying to murder you on purpose. was she? at that point you can lock it up and get creamed by the other sweet little 17 year old girl on the cell fone in the gmc on your tail or you can slalom and let them finish their conversation in person.

dan

 

Thanks guys. I wasn't sure if we could use it to downshift, especially at high speeds to slow down when you see cops, so they don't see you hit the brakes. I thought I could, but was worried I might blow the engine or something switching from auto to manual at high speed like that. I'll have to try it!

 

I use the hell outta my autostick! I love it! I loved it on my Eagle also but this is WAY different and feels way better in performance... but is it bad to use the autostick ? does it degrade the trans at all ?

 

I thought I was around 40mph in 2nd gear the other day. Cuz I was in 2nd and saw a cop come around the corner and thought "OH S**t", looked down and I was just below the speed limit of 45. WHEW :roll:

 

Well.... I wouldn't drop it down two into 3rd gear real quick from 80 some MPH... And it'll cut way down on the brake dust on the front rims too!

Here's a little secret about cops (I know)... if you see them, they already saw/clocked you.