Hello all, this is my first post! I've just recently realized how fun driving in DS mode is. When I first got my G37xS I was hesitant on using it; don't know why. Anyways, I just have a few questions for those who are used to driving in DS mode. I have never driven an manual car so these questions might be a little basic.

1. When I first switch the stick to the left to put it in DS mode, it says DS mode on the dash until I shift up. Then it puts it in the gear the car thinks I am in. This is normal I assume? Do I have to shift up first?

2. The car downshifts by itself I believe. Should I let the car do this or do it manually.

3. How often do you drive it in this mode? I love it so much I wanna always use it but are their any downsides? (Fuel econ etc.)

Thanks!!

 

Hello!

When you first move the stick over into DS mode, all it does is tighten up the shift points. It will now drive like a sportier automatic, the car will stay in lower gears and you'll get higher average RPM's before it shifts for you.

When you click up or down on the stick, it tells the car you want to manually adjust the gear. This is an electronic suggestion, rather than a hard change. The car won't shift if you will either redline, or don't have the necessary revs to move up a gear.

The car will downshift to avoid stalling, it probably doesn't hurt the car to let the computer downshift for you, like when you're slowing to a stop. After driving around for a while, you should get a feel for when your car downshifts.

I drive in this most of the time. Since you're in a lower gear more often, you DO burn more fuel, but no one bought the car for fuel efficiency anyways.


I hope that's all correct, there are plenty of other people on here who can give you a better explanation.

 

Thanks for the help! Just another quick question. So lets say I start driving down a street. I change to 2nd gear at around 2-3k RPM and than to third once I get my desired speed. Then, a stop sign is coming. So I downshift down to second than to first. The question is, at what RPM should I downshift. Because if i'm at 3000 at 3rd gear i'm not gonna downshift to 2nd.

 

You can just keep off the stick and the car will downshift itself to 1st at appropriate times. Just keep an eye on it and you can get a feel for it. Tentatively, I'd downshift if your revs drop below 2K

 

I spent the last hour or so trying to get a feel with it. But I noticed when I do downshift into 2nd I get the jerk. Is there something I can do to help that, like rev matching?

 

sounds like you should have gotten a 6MT !

 

Lucky for you, your car already rev matches! That's a big Nissan appeal. You're probably shifting too soon.

I would honestly just try driving in DS without shifting for a while and see where your car naturally shifts. Alternatively, get someone who knows how to drive stick to show you.

 

Mine REV matches also 2011, But I never drive in D, And I use the paddles 100% of the time , Makes the car so much mmore fun to drive..

IF you drive in DS all the time the tranny will relean and start driving like D unless your on it all the time.. Just use the paddles

 

Bottom line is stay away from Tranny's!! They will mess you up!