B4 Auto Transmission AT & Engine Braking

[eric @ hotmail]

While I was scooting along the windy mountain way and downshifted to get set
up for an approaching bend I wondered whether the auto (AT) transmission in
the B4 could really handle this kind of treatment, or whether the 'manual'
mode was just a marketing gimmick?

The transmission normally will not allow up shift if speed is too low or
downshift if the speed is too high, as implied by the indicators on the
instrument panel.

Can the AT really be driven in similar vain as one would drive a manual?

 

[Sheldon]

While I was scooting along the windy mountain way and downshifted to get
set
up for an approaching bend I wondered whether the auto (AT) transmission
in
the B4 could really handle this kind of treatment, or whether the 'manual'
mode was just a marketing gimmick?

The transmission normally will not allow up shift if speed is too low or
downshift if the speed is too high, as implied by the indicators on the
instrument panel.

Can the AT really be driven in similar vain as one would drive a manual?

IMO I would kick the tranny down a notch to help you out, but don't let the
engine do all the braking. Brakes are a lot cheaper than tranny's. I tend
to keep mine on 3 when driving around town, and only drop it lower when I'm
climbing hills and the tranny can't make up it's mind what gear it wants to
be in. I also drop it to 3 when I'm going down steep hills and the car
starts running away from me. (97 Outback)

In a manual shift car you want to downshift to be in the right gear "before"
you accelerate out of a corner, and you're matching the revs at the same
time so all this is done smoothly. An automatic does that when you step on
the gas after completing the turn. Professional race drivers are shifting
coming into the turn, but they are using their brakes to slow down, not the
engine. And yes, Porsches and other high performance vehicles come with
clutchless transmissions, like the Tiptronic, but that's a completely
different animal.

 

[eric @ hotmail]

I sometimes have it in 2 when driving in slow city traffic, partly because
it keeps the engine revs higher and thus the turbo is spooled up and ready
to boost.

Similarly the down shift before a bend also increases engine and turbo
speed, and this allows you to adjust steering with the accelerator. So it's
not just about coming out of the curve, fine tuning with the accelerator
isn't possible if wallowing into a bend in 4th under brakes.

Your comments regarding matching the engine speed for smoother downshifts
and using brakes to slow the vehicle are appreciated. I wonder if that can
be achieved in practice with an automatic?

I think of the tiptronic as a manual animal with a robotic clutch system.

 

[Sheldon]

I sometimes have it in 2 when driving in slow city traffic, partly because
it keeps the engine revs higher and thus the turbo is spooled up and ready
to boost.

Similarly the down shift before a bend also increases engine and turbo
speed, and this allows you to adjust steering with the accelerator. So
it's
not just about coming out of the curve, fine tuning with the accelerator
isn't possible if wallowing into a bend in 4th under brakes.

Your comments regarding matching the engine speed for smoother downshifts
and using brakes to slow the vehicle are appreciated. I wonder if that can
be achieved in practice with an automatic?

I think of the tiptronic as a manual animal with a robotic clutch system.

If you're steering with the gas, why on earth did you get an automatic?
That's pretty advanced driving.