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> Another example is highway driving and wanting to accelerate to pass someone. Sometimes the car decides that when I press the accelerator (while driving in 12
by switch007 4y ago
> Another example is highway driving and wanting to accelerate to pass someone. Sometimes the car decides that when I press the accelerator (while driving in 120km/h already), to shift down a gear to be able to speed up faster, but it's completely unnecessary, just go faster instead.
This is the number one problem I have with automatics!
Even in 'eco' mode, most tend to shift down. It seems completely wrong. It should just be in 'sports' mode that it always kicks down.
And I'm pretty sure I've driven an automatic car that had paddles to drive in manual mode but it STILL shifted down.
- mywittyname 4y agoHigh loads at low revs are stressful on engines, which is why automatics won't let you hit more than 20-30% load in a high gear.
- switch007 4y agoHas a modern engine ever failed from insufficient shifting down? I feel like it’s a non-issue in reality in modern engines? Also I assume your point doesn’t apply to diesels, and I’ve noticed the same shifting down in diesel autos.
- leetcrew 4y agoI doubt a modern engine has ever failed due to a single instance of lugging. they are pretty robust. but it does put unnecessary stress on the engine. it's similar to cruising on the highway in a low gear. the engine is designed not to fail at 5000 rom, but that doesn't mean it will last as long as if you just drive normally. why risk an early engine failure just to save a few dollars at the pump here and there? and the point does apply to diesels, the same as it does to any engine with pistons and a crankshaft. it's just that the operating range of a diesel is a bit lower.