so this morning when i was driving and merging on to the freeway i saw a big rig coming into my merge lane (not thinking) i decided to pop it in "S" to gain more acceleration. (probably could have just used the paddles in "D") When i dropped it in "S" it didnt read out a gear # in the display and it didnt downshift, so i paddle downshifted and it put the car in 1st gear and so on until i reach highway speeds on 3rd.

My question is : was it bad that it went into 1st? I know that a no-no with manual transmission? Thoughts and comments are welcome. Thanks.

 

The TSX manual describes minimum and maximum speeds for each gear when using the "S" mode. IIRC, it also has some built-in enforcement and won't let you shift to a gear if you are currently below the minimum or above the max speed for the gear you are trying to shift to.

So, I'd be a little surprised if it let you stay in 1st all the way to "highway speeds," but maybe the enforcement only applies to when you try to shift, and it will let you stay in your current gear regardless of your speed.

I guess this is a long winded way for me to say RTFM to get the real answer.

 

ill45...I am pretty sure that no damage was actually done as the car won't allow you to shift until it feels you won't redline and do dammage. I am sure it is not great that you did it but if its only once in a while, I wouldn't worry too much.

 

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but am I the only one on here with a manual transmission? Seeing as how this is a sports sedan, I though row-it-yourself types like me were going to be in the majority. Most BMW 3 series owners I know drive sticks, so I just assumed the same would hold true for the TSX.

 

I think I read somewhere, or heard it on a youtube review, that 80% of the TSXs built would be Autos. So yeah, you're in the minority.

 

i kinda wish i went manual with tech. but u can't regret the past, oh well

 

you should not be shifting into 1st with ANY type of tranny (auto or manual). 1st gear is really only used for starting from a complete stop (ie. traffic light or stop sign for example). keep shifting into 1st gear and you'll find out what the inside of your tranny looks like, sooner or later.

fellow 6speed owner here. you're not the only one

 

I almost feel silly knowing that I'll be buying the 5AT when I prefer manual transmissions and have one now. However, living in NYC, I have spent too much time stuck in traffic in my car, and my knee just ends up hurting so much at the end of a drive. Maybe I've got weak knees, maybe my clutch is too hard, but for me, an automatic will make more sense. It's too bad that I will be getting this car with an automatic transmission, but I'm excited to have less knee pain....(btw, I'm only 26 so there must be something wrong with me, LOL!). Furthermore, my boyfriend and I take lots of roadtrips and when I'm the only one that can drive my car, it's a lot more tiresome. That's less of the reason why, but still a factor in my decision.

I'm even going as far as to not test drive the 6MT for fear of falling in love with it and buying it on the spot.

 

I'll agree with the NYC traffic but unless you're in manhattan, its not THAT bad. I wouldnt get an auto....i love manuals too much lol

 

where in NY are you? unless you're in manhattan, its not that bad

 

That's what happened to me. Went in with the intent of getting an auto so my girlfriend could drive it and because it would be easier in traffic. Then the salesperson offered me to try a manual they had out anyway. Needless to say it was like driving an entirely different car. The manual felt like it had 50 more HP and 50 more lbs ft of torque in a back-to-back drive. The rest is history. If my girl and I ever have a bunch of kids, she can go get auto in a minivan for herself.

 

LOL craig

 

I thought the same thing...then, I moved to Los Angeles.

 

Yep, a 5 mile drive to work takes takes me 40 freaking minutes. Gotta love SoCal traffic....

 

yeah, i've heard about the traffic out there. OMG, thats insane. I thought NYC is bad......lol