I was having a discussion with a SAAB 9-3 owner who was saying his tiptronic changes down automatically even when he is in "tiptronic" mode; so occassionally, when he changes down from 5th to 3rd, the auto also changes, second guessing him, with the result he gets 2nd.

Does this happen with the 380 in tiptronic?

I know the auto will change down to 1st if you are in tiptronic and come to a halt but I haven't experienced it changing from say 5th down to second automatically thru a slow corner. Obviously the driver is supposed to select the right gear for the situation ala manual, but I wouldn't like it to start second guessing me when driving hard.

I was having a discussion with a SAAB 9-3 owner who was saying his tiptronic changes down automatically even when he is in "tiptronic" mode; so occassionally, when he changes down from 5th to 3rd, the auto also changes, second guessing him, with the result he gets 2nd.

Does this happen with the 380 in tiptronic?

I know the auto will change down to 1st if you are in tiptronic and come to a halt but I haven't experienced it changing from say 5th down to second automatically thru a slow corner. Obviously the driver is supposed to select the right gear for the situation ala manual, but I wouldn't like it to start second guessing me when driving hard.
Test it out? Probably the best way.

Magna's do, they have set speeds to where it will shift down, not sure about the 5 speed but the 4 speed shifts from 4th - 3rd at 55.

yes used to happen to me, which is most annoying.

Because the magna gearbox takes 1 or so seconds to react, the car's computer (being smart) & I (trying to look smart) can both changed down together particularly as you mentioned going hard round corners, resulting in a loud clang from the gearbox & neck breaking deceleration a second later when gearbox drop 2 gears from 3rd to 1st in rapid succession, surprising my passengers with the driver's (lack of) prowess.

I now leave the car in auto all the time.

yes used to happen to me, which is most annoying.

Because the magna gearbox takes 1 or so seconds to react, the car's computer (being smart) & I (trying to look smart) can both changed down together particularly as you mentioned going hard round corners, resulting in a loud clang from the gearbox & neck breaking deceleration a second later when gearbox drop 2 gears from 3rd to 1st in rapid succession, surprising my passengers with the driver's (lack of) prowess.

I now leave the car in auto all the time.
Haha i know the feeling! I'm scared to downshift for this reason. I only use it at traffic lights now (Even though it doesn't really make a diff, but passengers think its cool :P).

I was having a discussion with a SAAB 9-3 owner who was saying his tiptronic changes down automatically even when he is in "tiptronic" mode; so occassionally, when he changes down from 5th to 3rd, the auto also changes, second guessing him, with the result he gets 2nd.

Does this happen with the 380 in tiptronic?

I know the auto will change down to 1st if you are in tiptronic and come to a halt but I haven't experienced it changing from say 5th down to second automatically thru a slow corner. Obviously the driver is supposed to select the right gear for the situation ala manual, but I wouldn't like it to start second guessing me when driving hard.

Havent noticed it happen to me yet. I know I have been around a slowish corner in 4th gear in tiptronic mode and forgotten to change down and the car lugged its **** off so it didnt seem to automaticaly select the correct gear. Halfway round the corner i looked at the indicator on the dash and saw it was still in 4th :nuts:

I guess thats half the reason why I chose to buy an auto...couldnt be bothered changing gears lol

yes used to happen to me, which is most annoying.

Because the magna gearbox takes 1 or so seconds to react, the car's computer (being smart) & I (trying to look smart) can both changed down together particularly as you mentioned going hard round corners, resulting in a loud clang from the gearbox & neck breaking deceleration a second later when gearbox drop 2 gears from 3rd to 1st in rapid succession, surprising my passengers with the driver's (lack of) prowess.

I now leave the car in auto all the time.

Bugger...!:nuts:

Logically, I would have expected the software to engage a lower gear in tiptronic mode only when imperative to avoid engine or transmission damage; so 5th to 4th @ 50kph, 4th to 3rd @ 35 kph etc. This would take the auto mode out of the equation because the driver will always (95%) change down well above this...

Havent noticed it happen to me yet. I know I have been around a slowish corner in 4th gear in tiptronic mode and forgotten to change down and the car lugged its **** off so it didnt seem to automaticaly select the correct gear. Halfway round the corner i looked at the indicator on the dash and saw it was still in 4th :nuts:


That's how I'd expect it to work - it's encouraging. Hopefully the 380 has improved software to the previous tiptronic versions.

Was actually quite annoying when I had a TL for a while, but the tippy in the 380 is much better. It never down-changes and is pretty obedient, though whilst I haven't (and won't) try it, I imagine logically you'd still only be able to stretch the gears to a certain point before it changes itself, even in tippy mode.

My parents tiptronic Lancer hasn't done that to me yet.

My five speeder doesn't do it. in fact I'd have to go very slow for it to shift to 3. Normally
if I go around a corner it'll only lower to 4th. I have to manually chuck it down another gear
to get some go. Bear in mind that mine shifts into 5th at 40km/hr and revs at 1400 doing
just over 60km/hr.

it has never happened in my 5spd. and ive done some spirited driving.

Bugger...!:nuts:

Logically, I would have expected the software to engage a lower gear in tiptronic mode only when imperative to avoid engine or transmission damage; so 5th to 4th @ 50kph, 4th to 3rd @ 35 kph etc. This would take the auto mode out of the equation because the driver will always (95%) change down well above this...

thats how the tippy works in my awd, when pushing hard you make all the changes, but if you forget it's in tippy mode and slow down too much it will drop a gear (pretty much at the speeds you have listed), there is no point being in 5th at 30kmh, it overloads the trans...

Well I now have the huge total of 2500 kms covered and haven't found the tiptronic trying to second guess me at any stage so bad luck if you're a SAAB owner :D

magna guy i second that you have done some spirited driving! And geez its fun!