How to use manual mode on automatic cars

Automatic cars are becoming more and more popular in Vietnam. Many current car models such as Honda City are having their manual transmission versions removed by manufacturers, focusing on upgrading automatic versions with integrated manual or sport mode to ensure a sporty feel for the driver.

Manual mode on automatic cars

For those new to cars, manual transmission on automatic transmission cars may sound quite complicated. However, this function basically allows the driver to use the gear lever or paddle shifters to switch between gears 1, 2, 3, 4... as desired, instead of "leaving" the automatic gear shifting to the car as in D mode.

Currently, the manual mode equipped on automatic transmission vehicles is often divided into 3 types by manufacturers. On some older vehicles, the manual mode is limited to a few gears 1, 2 or 1, 2, 3, the rest often use semi-automatic gear shifting mode +/- through the gear lever or paddle shifters integrated on the steering wheel.

Manual or semi-automatic gear shifting mode via the gear lever on most current car models is often marked with +/- signs for easy identification by users. Some sports-oriented cars are often marked with the letter M (Manual) or S (Sport) by the manufacturer. When shifting the gear lever from D to (+/-) or M, S to run in semi-automatic gear shifting mode, the driver can switch between gears himself similar to a manual transmission car, by pushing the gear lever to (+) to upshift, or pushing to (-) to downshift.

Of course, in this mode, the driver must place his hand on the gear lever like a manual transmission vehicle to control the gears appropriate to the operating conditions. Changing between D and manual mode (+/-) can be done even when the vehicle is running.

For vehicles with paddle shifters on the steering wheel, when the semi-automatic gear shifting mode is activated, the driver only needs to move the (+) gear shifter on the right to upshift, or the (-) gear shifter on the left to downshift. The gears the driver selects when shifting will be displayed on the dashboard. This allows the driver to still select the appropriate gears while operating without having to take his hands off the steering wheel, thereby helping to maintain concentration while driving.

In addition, some car models, in addition to D mode, also have a manual gear shifting mode limited to gears 1, 2, or symbols L, 2, 3. In which L (Low) is understood as the low gear corresponding to gear 1. The transition between these gears is done using the gear lever.

When to use manual shift mode

According to a technical expert of an automobile company, the semi-automatic manual transmission mode not only contributes to the exciting feeling of driving but is also suitable for use in many operating conditions to ensure safety and promote the power of the vehicle.

In fact, drivers with many years of driving experience believe that automatic cars with manual shifting mode, although not really giving the same feeling as manual cars, but somehow create excitement and more convenient operation. With some car models with paddle shifters on the steering wheel, when shifting gears, the driver can still feel the power, the response of the engine, and the change in engine speed.

However, some “new drivers” are used to driving automatic cars in D mode, so they often ignore the manual gear shifting function on the car. Mr. Hoang Thang, who is driving a Honda City, said: “I rarely use the manual gear shifting mode on the car. When I first bought the car, I saw that there was a gear shift paddle so I tried it. Because I was not used to it, sometimes when I changed gears, I felt the engine roar and the car jerked a bit. Because I usually only travel in the city and occasionally go on long trips, I usually drive in D mode for comfort and safety.”

Semi-automatic mode, using manual or sport mode is often used by many drivers when driving on the highway. In reality, when needing to overtake the vehicles in front, the engine needs to generate power, helping the car accelerate. At this time, manual mode is often used by drivers to shift to lower gears, optimizing operating capacity and torque to make the car accelerate more easily.

In addition, when driving on a steep pass. If in D mode, due to inertia when going downhill, the car often moves faster, causing the driver to use the brakes more. In the case that the driver often applies the brakes, the brakes will heat up and easily lead to brake pads burning and brake failure. Therefore, when parking on a long steep pass, experienced drivers often switch the gear lever to semi-automatic mode, use low gears to brake the engine to slow down the car and do not need to use the brakes much.

In addition, when the vehicle moves on difficult terrain. If in D mode, the automatic transmission often reacts quite slowly to changes in terrain. Therefore, using semi-automatic manual mode will help the driver master the gears, thereby promoting engine power to help the vehicle easily overcome terrain.