How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

[Daktari]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

Hi there,

Dave, that's interesting about the starting in 2nd or 3rd gears. How do you do that? I've never tried starting in a higher gear as I use the auto setting most of the time and our Winters are fairly kind as far as ice and snow goes.

When the car is not moving, I thought the gears always reverted back to neutral even when in the select shift mode... How do you overide that? That's something I'll have to try just out of interest.

Al the best, Gordon.

[Goldwing]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

Gordon,
You can start in 2nd or 3rd by up shifting at a stop, I use the manual shift when I want to play a little, but most of the time I'm shiftless and let the trany do it's thing.

[Daktari]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

Thanks for that answer on 2nd and 3rd gear starting. I never knew that could be done. Looks like I didn't read through the manual close enough.

Gordon.

[LBPatt]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

Brakes, cheap...transmissions, VERY EXPENSIVE...

[steelblue5505]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

Gordon,
I have Borlas. I don't push it, I don't watch the rpms.
I love the sound of the Borlas, never bought them for the suggested increase in HP.
I also have the SST transmission. Lots of times in town I put it into 4th instead of allowing the transmission to shift up to 5th. This gives me great sound from the Borlas, gets some great looks from the other cars in traffic as we flow from traffic light to traffic light. Once onto a freeway ramp I shift up and just let the Bird's computer take over.

As for starting a poll which is an excellent idea, BirdWings could do it for you if you ask her nicely. She is very helpful.

[AntarcticDave]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

Gordon,

The transmission, in manual mode, only goes back to 1st at a stop if you were in 4th or 5th at the time. If you are in 2nd or 3rd it stays in that gear.

[Daktari]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

Thanks for that, I'm learning all the time.

Gordon

[davidstan]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

May be in my head but it seems to have more pickup in manual. However, i use it rarely.

[Icebluebird]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

As Les said brakes are cheap when compared to the cost of replacing an engine, transmission and a rear end!

In racing you use the gears to help slow down to both retain control through power and to keep the brakes cooler. After the race is over, the drive train is torn down and rebuilt so there is no problem putting a strain on it.

If you are coming down a steep mountain road maybe you would want to consider shifting to a lower gear to help with engine braking but you should keep the speed down to protect the engine and transmission.

[justjon]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

What is the red line on these cars? Is it different for the 02's? Why isn't it marked on the tach?

[BADOS]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

Never use it. I guess I'm lazy.

[RetroFan]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

When I'm in San Francisco, I use it all the time.

[Bruce]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

I seldom use it! In fact in the last 5+ years of owning these birds I may have used no more than 5 times.

[V8 Cat]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

Only use if for going down steep hills or in the mountains. Hardly ever use it for acceleration. I think the transmission can pick the optimum shift point better than I can. I wish it was easier to tell what gear you've selected.

[UncleTurbo]

Re: How many use the semi-manual regularly ?

The retro T'birds all have rev limiters incorporated into the engine computer management system. IF you run up too high in any gear the motor will sputter and not rev any higher until you shift to a higher gear. It is a jerky process and not too good for the other drive train components, drive shaft, U joints and rear end gears. Bumping up to the rev limiter will protect the motor but is tough on the rest of the car. I have hit it a few times in 1st and 2nd gear. I move the gear selector at 6,000 rpm and it shifts before the rev limiter kicks in. Since the motor in my '04 has the variable valves it gets into the high revs very quickly in 1st and 2nd gear. In 3rd you are going way above the speed limit before the rev limiter will engage. If you installed a modified "power chip" in your bird you may not have a rev limiter and you need to watch the tach or risk the consequences.

I do not have the "slap shift" option on my bird but it is likely the same tranny. Since it has 1, 2, 3, D4, and D5 options it is pretty similar to the slap stick. I use D4 alot for town" driving and on rural 55 mph highways. The extra engine breaking is nice and a bit more zip when you nudge the accelerator is evident. On hills and when driving aggressively I'll drop into "3" and the car just seems more agile and responsive. The mpg goes down the tubes but the fun factor is the main focus at these times. If you have the standard tranny set up you can still drive your t'bird in a manual like mode and have all the fun you can stand. If you goose it starting in 1st be prepared to move to 2nd quickly or you will hit the rev limiter. I disengage the "traction control" as my first step whenever I'm in the mood for fun driving.

I don't have borla exhaust, and my hearing is so bad it probably makes no difference. When the hearing aids are in I do enjoy the exhaust note. Since my bird seems to have prettly "flat" handling characteristics it is fun to run "twisty" roads at a good clip.