Any harm to switching from auto mode 'D' to manual mode and back while driving?

Lee123

I'm lazy and drive around in the 'D' automatic mode quite a bit when in traffic, but frequently like to switch to manual mode at a light or when there's not much traffic and then will switch back to automatic mode later without stopping. This doesn't seem to have any adverse effect on the car, but I'm sure I read something saying to only switch modes when not moving. That could well have been from some other car I was considering since it's possible to download owners manuals and I did that for two or three other cars that I was considering and one was a used SL55 AMG that had an automatic with manual mode. There's not a word in the 370z owner's manual saying not to do this, but I wanted to check and see if I just missed something so I don't damage my almost new car.

cptspeed

I change back and forth all the time with no ill effects. I think if it was a no-no then it wouldn't even be possible.

Cyberium

Switching over to "D" mode from Manual mode doesn't harm your car in anyway. It's the same exact thing as when you hit the downshift paddle while in "D" mode and the car downshifts for you but then goes back to "D" after a short while. Going to "D" mode from Manual just changes into a lower gear for you... thats all.

That's what makes this auto so great... the abiilty to switch on the fly.

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douglaslperry

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flashburn

Yep, I do it all the time to downshift to slow down. I'll pop it into Manual mode just to downshift, and then switch right back to Drive mode.

VCuomo

Why? Just use the downshift (left) paddle on the steering column (you don't need to shift into manual mode just to downshift).

Lee123

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate all the responses. This one sure is a lot better than the last automatic I had a few years back.

flashburn

It's mostly out of habit from my old car that didn't have paddles. I'm pretty random about it, sometimes I'll use the paddles and sometimes the stick.

abakja1

Now if you shift it into Reverse or Park,..

that's a totally different story...
Im surprised that there is no "mode" to select what kind of shifting is done in the auto mode. Such as Comfort, Sports, etc,..for holding revs longer or being more aggressive.....

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gumpy

Not a 100% true, you can dump the car into gear from neutral with the revs up and i'm pretty sure that's bad for the transmission... and as others have mentioned you can put the car into park while it's moving... and that sux...

Lee123

Maybe everyone else knows this, but I just noticed today. Moving the shifter lever to the left for manual does more than just changing the shifting to manual. When driving along at 50 on a flat road the tach indicates about 1700 while the display says D. If I move the lever to the left for manual and do nothing else, the display changes from D to 5 and the RPM's go up to about 2100 or 2200. The first time that happened I thought maybe I had started up a little hill right before moving the shifter, but I've tried it about 10 times now. Looks like it shifts from 6th to 5th when putting it in the manual mode at 50 mph. I guess it thinks anyone who wants to shift manually would still be in 5th at 50 mph, which is a reasonable guess.

fullmonty

Its perfectly alright to switch it back and forth. Also I think when you move it into man. mode it just automaticly downshifts. Never really paid that much attention

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flashburn

Pretty sure it drops it down two gears, but I can't remember.

sonic370

Your right it does drop it down two gears.
I guess its in 7th or overdrive when its switched over to manual