Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: SP_3.2 on 11 July 2009, 21:04:01

Title: To all auto drivers
Post by: SP_3.2 on 11 July 2009, 21:04:01
Do any of the auto box drivers change down for roundabouts using manal shift.

And does this do any harm to the box. Have always just keep mine in drive but have been doing today.....Takes me back to my old manal box days ;D ;D ;D.

Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: Andy B on 11 July 2009, 21:06:28
Quote
Do any of the auto box drivers change down for roundabouts using manal shift.
No.  ;)



Quote
And does this do any harm to the box. .
......
No  :y
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: Big_Al on 11 July 2009, 21:16:32
Sometimes do that. Gives a good bit of engine braking. As far as i know it is OK to do and no harm will occur :-/ :-/. never had no probs with it on any auto box motors I've had. done it with all of them :y :y :y  Al
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: Tony H on 11 July 2009, 21:17:20
For a bit of fun set the box in second it wil kick down into first turn the traction control off select sports mode and its good for 80 mph plus 8-) good fun on the twisty bits ;) :)
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: rich1980h on 11 July 2009, 21:18:42
I did the manual changes at roundabouts and the misses thought it was my fault that the gearbox had gone on my omega. Thankyou for posting this. I WIN AGAIN!!!. Still does not help my gearbox tho  :(
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: Big_Roger on 11 July 2009, 21:25:27
Hi,
I have driven auto now for about 40 yrs, and never messed with manual changes except for down steep hills, or narrow winding roads where gearbox was constantly changing.

I don't think you will do any harm if what you want is a trip back in time.

Only thing that would concern me, is the addittional wear you will be causing to the sliding electrical contacts on the gear selector, which would not have been allowed for in the design.

HTH
Roger
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: odin on 12 July 2009, 08:37:22
the auto box will only change down when veh speed and engine revs permit so no damage will be done i often do this on steep hills for engine brakeing
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 12 July 2009, 08:39:58
Certain Forum members use an Auto like a Manual anyway ::) :y
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: Marie on 12 July 2009, 08:41:40
i have 2 auto's ( it wasnt planned just the way it worked out)

i have never done this i let the gearbox do it just because i have never needed to plus i am scared i might break it! ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: feeutfo on 12 July 2009, 09:45:48
only ever use it down hills tbh. Sports mode covers my "other" needs. Cant see any harm either way.
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: Lazydocker on 12 July 2009, 10:26:27
Quote
Certain Forum members use an Auto like a Manual anyway ::) :y

Who's been talking! ::) ::) ;) ;)

I change down at most junctions TBH. Won't do any harm, although some might say it will wear the selector switch. IMO it will do the opposite, keep it working!

I do it to take advantage of engine breaking as I don't see the point of burning pads for no reason! Especially useful when towing the van :y :y :y
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: Ian_D on 12 July 2009, 10:55:47
Quote
Quote
Certain Forum members use an Auto like a Manual anyway ::) :y

Who's been talking! ::) ::) ;) ;)

I change down at most junctions TBH. Won't do any harm, although some might say it will wear the selector switch. IMO it will do the opposite, keep it working!

I do it to take advantage of engine breaking as I don't see the point of burning pads for no reason! Especially useful when towing the van :y :y :y

PMSL - Yeh pads are really expensive aint they!  ;D ;D ;)

I would rather use brakes than put extra wear on the engine / box tbh.

Having said that, I have used the box to assist slowing down a little bit, or locking it in 2nd + sport mode and taking it for a blast down twisty roads is also a good en!  ;D :D
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: Lazydocker on 12 July 2009, 12:19:48
Quote
Quote
Quote
Certain Forum members use an Auto like a Manual anyway ::) :y

Who's been talking! ::) ::) ;) ;)

I change down at most junctions TBH. Won't do any harm, although some might say it will wear the selector switch. IMO it will do the opposite, keep it working!

I do it to take advantage of engine breaking as I don't see the point of burning pads for no reason! Especially useful when towing the van :y :y :y

PMSL - Yeh pads are really expensive aint they!  ;D ;D ;)

I would rather use brakes than put extra wear on the engine / box tbh.

Having said that, I have used the box to assist slowing down a little bit, or locking it in 2nd + sport mode and taking it for a blast down twisty roads is also a good en!  ;D :D

Not talking price  :o :o :o  But wears disks too, and risks glazing etc. I'd just prefer to make use of the engine. :y :y
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: wakeyomega on 12 July 2009, 12:23:26
Nope, only use manual going down very steep hills
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: Beau on 12 July 2009, 19:04:07
How many revs does your auto take to get from 3rd to 4th as mine takes ages and goes upto 5000 before i feel it change gear or am i doing something wrong??  :-/
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: VXL V6 on 12 July 2009, 19:10:26
Try tapping the S button just before a bend for a bit of engine braking!

To be honest 99.9% of the time i'm a lazy arse driver!  ::)
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: Ian_D on 13 July 2009, 00:12:53
Quote
Try tapping the S button just before a bend for a bit of engine braking!

To be honest 99.9% of the time i'm a lazy arse driver!  ::)

Must admit, I do that quite often on the motorways.

I call it the 'S'low button then!  ;D
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: i260 on 13 July 2009, 00:30:14
Quote
Hi,
I have driven auto now for about 40 yrs, and never messed with manual changes except for down steep hills, or narrow winding roads where gearbox was constantly changing.

I don't think you will do any harm if what you want is a trip back in time.

Only thing that would concern me, is the addittional wear you will be causing to the sliding electrical contacts on the gear selector, [size=20]which would not have been allowed for in the design.[/size][/b]
HTH
Roger

Er, I think that may have allowed for that in the extensive testing at some point, after all , that is the point of testing - to see if they can break it!

Basically, if you start using the gears to slow down (up?) to a junction you will see worse fuel comsumption, but have a bigger grin. If you back off the gas a little earlier, ease off on the breaks and just coast to the junction in D then you will see the best mpg you can.
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: cleggy on 13 July 2009, 00:32:38
Driven autos for years, leave it in drive and go! why complicate the issue? sport for fun, and manual when needed for steep inclines etc.
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: Chris_H on 13 July 2009, 08:53:49
I go to great lengths not to use the brakes if at all possible.  Mostly achieve that by reading the road ahead and backing-off early.  You can have great fun when stopping on a hill, to see if you can judge bringing it to rest behind the car in front without touching the brakes.

I use the Sport button a lot for losing little bits of speed and keeping it to 30mph on gentle down-hill stretches.

Use lever on steep gradients and in stop-start queues.
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: Andy B on 13 July 2009, 09:01:11
Quote
I go to great lengths not to use the brakes if at all possible.  Mostly achieve that by reading the road ahead and backing-off early.  You can have great fun when stopping on a hill, to see if you can judge bringing it to rest behind the car in front without touching the brakes.

I use the Sport button a lot for losing little bits of speed and keeping it to 30mph on gentle down-hill stretches.

Use lever on steep gradients and in stop-start queues.

 :-?  :-?  :-? I hope I don't end up behind you on the road!  ::) It's bad enough when you're behind a diesel who brakes with the gearbox, engine brake doesn't put brake lights on!
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: tunnie on 13 July 2009, 09:16:19
i shift mother tunnies auto when driving in a 'got to get someware' way  ;D

I find it gives better control, also just driving normally i tend to shift manually as i like to hold the gears a little longer than what the box thinks is best
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: Jimbob on 13 July 2009, 09:34:56
S button for a bit of engine braking, again ease off very early, they go for ages like that.

when family with me, sport mode is enough

some lever playing for real fun though, keeping those revs over 4k  :D
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: V6Rich on 14 July 2009, 08:49:24
I frequently use the 'box manually on automatics, mainly to hold a gear for roundabouts and bends when I don't want any unexpected downchanges in the middle of a turn.  I also do so occasionally for overtaking manoeuvres so that the car is already in the required gear before I begin an overtake, rather than having to kick it down once I have pulled out.
Title: Re: To all auto drivers
Post by: Agemo on 14 July 2009, 09:29:40
 "engine brake doesn't put brake lights on!"

I used to drive trucks, with engine retarders that applied the brake lights, not good to follow in traffic as the brake lights were constantly flashing. Now that IS annoying.
There are times when you should override an auto's decisions, but it is usually better to let it do it's job automatically.
Brakes are  lot cheaper to replace than gearboxes.