Hello everyone...I have an automatic R56 and have been driving for a few months now. I experiemented with the sport button(love it) and now I want to try the manual shifting(not the paddle shifters,tho) I only want to use the shifter. I looked through the Owner's Manual, but hardly any information is given. I'm afraid of damaging the engine if I shift incorrectly. Could someone help me on this? When to shift gears, etc? I tried a bit today, but didn't know what to do when the M1 went to M2 etc. I would appreciate any info...pleeeease be gentle...

 

You can't hurt the engine because he transmission will shift automatically at a certain rev count so no worries there. When to shift depends on what you are aiming at. If I'm going for economy then I shift between 2 and 3,000 rpm. If you want max perfomance then shift as close as you can to the redline.

 

I highly recommend getting an experienced manual driver to walk you through it (demonstrate, and then watch you do it). Even though there is no clutch to worry about, you still need to get a idea in your head of what's happening mechanically, and a hands-on teaching session will be worth 100x more than what any of us here can provide in words.

 

I agree, have someone drive you around in it to show you how to shift. Its pretty easy.

 

I'm surprised your MA didn't go over the use of the Manual mode in detail during delivery. Maybe I can help.. I'd strongly recommend you give the paddles a try. You'll love 'em once you get used to 'em. You don't say whether your car is an "S", or a base Mini (my car is a S with the auto) - shouldn't be too much difference in the way the trans operates.

Just remember that "pulling" the paddle with your fingers 'up-shifts' into a higher gear, and 'pushing' the paddle with your thumb downshifts into a lower gear. Both paddles do the same function(s). Pulling the shift left to the rear upshifts, and pushing to the front downshifts.

Here's a drill you can try. While driving at cruising speed (50-60 mph in 6th gear) in normal "D" mode (without engaging the "Sport" button or moving the shift lever), tap either paddle forward with your thumb (toward the windshield). You'll see that the trans downshifts to 5th. If you tap it again it'll kick it down into 4th. Note the gear indicator in the digital read out window - it'll show you an "M" and what gear you're in. Don't worry about kicking it down into "too-low" a gear, the computer won't let you do that.

Your tachometer will show you how fast the motor is running.. as you learn to use the manual mode, I'd suggest you keep the revs below 5000rpm - faster as you become more comfortable and confident.

If you don't do anything but drive the car normally after kicking it down into 4th or 5th with your thumb, within a few seconds the trans will revert back to standard "D" mode, and kick the trans back into 6th. You can continue on your merry way. I use this downshifting method sometimes to pass a car w/o going into the Sport or Manual modes. It helps me get around a car w/o waiting for the trans to downshift when I nail it.

Now.. get the car back up to cruising speed in "D" mode, push the Sport button so it's engaged, and bump the shift lever over toward your leg. If you're running 50 mph or so, the computer will kick the transmission down to 3rd or 4th gear, depending on how fast you're going. Note the digital readout - it should have an "M", with the gear you're in next to it.

When you have the Sport button engaged, "M" simply means that the car is locked in 'manual' mode, and you can use either the paddles or the shift lever to upshift and downshift the car. The trans will not upshift or downshift without input from you.

While the car is still cruising along at 50 or so, pull the paddle toward you,.. the car will upshift to 4th if you're in 3rd, or 5th if you're in 4th, and if you do it again it'll eventually upshift to 6th - again, depending on what speed you're running.

While you're cruising in 5th or 6th, bump the paddle with your thumb.. the trans will downshift - do it again and it'll downshift again. Again, it won't upshift or downshift until you make it happen.

If' you'd prefer to use the shift lever.. Simply engage the "Sport" button and pull the lever toward you. As you accelerate, pull the shift lever to the rear to upshift, and push it toward the front to downshift. If you have your foot "in it", you can really feel the difference in the way the trans shifts when you have it in Sport and Manual modes - there's a noticable difference in shift points, throttle response, and firmness in the suspension.

Take it out and play with the paddles and the shift lever. Just remember that unless you have the Sport button engaged, or the lever pulled toward you to engage the Manual mode, or both (oh, yeah..), the trans will revert back to "D" mode, and upshift to 6th.

That may help, it may not. It sounds confusing, but it really isn't. Again, if your MA didn't show you how the paddles and shift lever function, he didn't do his job.

Good luck!

 

Put the car in manual shift mode and use the normal throttle pressure you apply in driving the car.. See where it shifts. (likely around 4200 rpm) Then use your gear shift lever(pull back to upshift--push forward to down shift) at a point where you can hear/feel the engine "wants" to upshift. probably around 4500 rpm.

Then rev higher for more spirited driving.

Downshifts--just tap forward to not over-rev and upset the chassis balance.
Figure the engine revs will rise about 800 rpm each time you downshift one gear.

practice till you are smooth and the chassis stays balanced. The trans will not let you damage the engine. Practice till you are comfortable with your technique. You do not want a downshift to cause the car's weight to shift upsetting balance if you are downshifting to enter a corner at a lower gear for powering out of the corner.

 

+1

 

Is there any difference between pushing the sport button and pulling the stick toward me if I am not doing manual shifting? They both show "DS" in the display. Both seems to to auto shift at higher rev around 4k to 4.5k, and both seems to have sportier steering.