ManuMatic, Rev Limiter and VDC observations
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ManuMatic, Rev Limiter and VDC observations
Ok, it's been 400+ miles since I completed the 1,200 mile break in period and reset the ECU.
"ManuMatic":
The "ManuMatic" is beyond doubt a useful tool if you like being in the correct gear for the road ahead of you. It does begin the shift the instant I toggle the stick. The actual shift is not sloppy (could be a skoshi bit faster). My only problem is that sometimes (and I haven't yet figured out the pattern) it doesn't shift at all even though I know I hit the detent. E.G. Switch from "Drive" to "ManuMatic" and the AT downshifts from 5th to 4th (I don't know why). Toggle the shift forward to the detent and release. The AT does not shift up into 5th. Toggle again and the AT shifts instantly and continues to do so for as long as I'm driving. (Anyone else experience this?)
The only problem with the AT in "ManuMatic" mode is the G35c HAS TOO MUCH POWER and the ENGINE IS TOO QUITE! [img]/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/img] E.G. Sitting at a stop light in 1st gear waiting for a hole in oncoming traffic so that I can "Right on Red". Hole opens. Attempt a hole shot. The G35 is off and running so fast that I'm glued into my seat with both hands gripping onto the wheel for dear life trying to keep it in line with the turn and I can't let go for fear of losing control so I'm a little late slamming the stick up into 2nd.
Rev Limit:
About 3/4ths of the way through the hair raising turn I just mentioned, I actually hit the rev limitter just before I could upshift to 2nd gear. I thought something had gone wrong with the AT before I noticed the tach dropping down towards 5k. Had to be the rev limitter. And no, I haven't any idea what speed I was going in 1st gear.
VDC:
That same day, about 4 miles east of that fast take off into a right hand turn I came to another right turn where I was leaving the hiway for my favorite twisty country road home. This turn has a right turn lane. The roads were wet but no standing water. Still in "ManuMatic" I downshifted through the gears to 2nd. I slammed into the turn, pointing the nose at the apex, and hit the throttle hard leaving the apex. I lost the rear end. Fortunately the tires found their grip and I didn't lose the car. The VDC did nothing. No "Slip" light and the VDC was turned on (I made sure later by pressing the VDC button for the first time in order to ensure that the "VDC Off" light worked).
Does anybody else have any real life observations to share regarding the "ManuMatic", rev limitter, VDC, speed limitter, mpg, etc...?
Oh, I just remembered, I'm not certain yet but driving in "ManuMatic" mode does seem to be affecting my average mpg. (I lost the trip odos when I reset the ECU so I lost some data for mpg log I'm keeping.) Of course the perceived mpg loss could be because of my HEAVY FOOT on the throttle.
I find myself doing about 50% "Drive" and 50% "ManuMatic" depending upon my mood but especially upon the traffic around me. Heavy traffic and I want to pay attention to the vehicles around me rather than what gear I'm in. This is where the engine being too quite comes into play. I'm sure that if I could hear it that it would be easier to keep track of the gears. Since I'm watching the road (instead of that little box at the bottom of the console) and since the "ManuMatic" stick doesn't give you a tactile indication of what gear you're in like an MT, it's easy to make a mistake. That combined with the fact that half the time I'm using the "Drive" mode of the AT and the other half the "ManuMatic" mode, it easy to find oneself doing 60mph in 3rd without realizing that I'm the one who is supposed to be doing the shifting.
Hmmm. A choice to make. Stay in "Drive" mode, let the AT do all of the shifting and I use the brakes. Easier to do, the G35 is still fast and fun and my mpg will probably be better (I was averaging almost 21mpg before resetting the ECU). Stay in "ManuMatic" mode. Being in the right gear for the current road/traffic conditions. Not using the brakes for the corners/turns. Blindingly fast takeoff when I hit the throttle (don't have to wait for a downshift since I'm already in the correct gear). Possibly 17mpg @ $1.92/gal [img]/w3timages/icons/frown.gif[/img]. Decisions. Decisions.
Screamin' Daemon - L5AT
"ManuMatic":
The "ManuMatic" is beyond doubt a useful tool if you like being in the correct gear for the road ahead of you. It does begin the shift the instant I toggle the stick. The actual shift is not sloppy (could be a skoshi bit faster). My only problem is that sometimes (and I haven't yet figured out the pattern) it doesn't shift at all even though I know I hit the detent. E.G. Switch from "Drive" to "ManuMatic" and the AT downshifts from 5th to 4th (I don't know why). Toggle the shift forward to the detent and release. The AT does not shift up into 5th. Toggle again and the AT shifts instantly and continues to do so for as long as I'm driving. (Anyone else experience this?)
The only problem with the AT in "ManuMatic" mode is the G35c HAS TOO MUCH POWER and the ENGINE IS TOO QUITE! [img]/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/img] E.G. Sitting at a stop light in 1st gear waiting for a hole in oncoming traffic so that I can "Right on Red". Hole opens. Attempt a hole shot. The G35 is off and running so fast that I'm glued into my seat with both hands gripping onto the wheel for dear life trying to keep it in line with the turn and I can't let go for fear of losing control so I'm a little late slamming the stick up into 2nd.
Rev Limit:
About 3/4ths of the way through the hair raising turn I just mentioned, I actually hit the rev limitter just before I could upshift to 2nd gear. I thought something had gone wrong with the AT before I noticed the tach dropping down towards 5k. Had to be the rev limitter. And no, I haven't any idea what speed I was going in 1st gear.
VDC:
That same day, about 4 miles east of that fast take off into a right hand turn I came to another right turn where I was leaving the hiway for my favorite twisty country road home. This turn has a right turn lane. The roads were wet but no standing water. Still in "ManuMatic" I downshifted through the gears to 2nd. I slammed into the turn, pointing the nose at the apex, and hit the throttle hard leaving the apex. I lost the rear end. Fortunately the tires found their grip and I didn't lose the car. The VDC did nothing. No "Slip" light and the VDC was turned on (I made sure later by pressing the VDC button for the first time in order to ensure that the "VDC Off" light worked).
Does anybody else have any real life observations to share regarding the "ManuMatic", rev limitter, VDC, speed limitter, mpg, etc...?
Oh, I just remembered, I'm not certain yet but driving in "ManuMatic" mode does seem to be affecting my average mpg. (I lost the trip odos when I reset the ECU so I lost some data for mpg log I'm keeping.) Of course the perceived mpg loss could be because of my HEAVY FOOT on the throttle.
I find myself doing about 50% "Drive" and 50% "ManuMatic" depending upon my mood but especially upon the traffic around me. Heavy traffic and I want to pay attention to the vehicles around me rather than what gear I'm in. This is where the engine being too quite comes into play. I'm sure that if I could hear it that it would be easier to keep track of the gears. Since I'm watching the road (instead of that little box at the bottom of the console) and since the "ManuMatic" stick doesn't give you a tactile indication of what gear you're in like an MT, it's easy to make a mistake. That combined with the fact that half the time I'm using the "Drive" mode of the AT and the other half the "ManuMatic" mode, it easy to find oneself doing 60mph in 3rd without realizing that I'm the one who is supposed to be doing the shifting.
Hmmm. A choice to make. Stay in "Drive" mode, let the AT do all of the shifting and I use the brakes. Easier to do, the G35 is still fast and fun and my mpg will probably be better (I was averaging almost 21mpg before resetting the ECU). Stay in "ManuMatic" mode. Being in the right gear for the current road/traffic conditions. Not using the brakes for the corners/turns. Blindingly fast takeoff when I hit the throttle (don't have to wait for a downshift since I'm already in the correct gear). Possibly 17mpg @ $1.92/gal [img]/w3timages/icons/frown.gif[/img]. Decisions. Decisions.
Screamin' Daemon - L5AT
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Joined: Dec 2002
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Re: ManuMatic, Rev Limiter and VDC observations
Congrats on finding the joys of the Manumatic!
Yes the Manual mode in the G coupe is such a sweet setup! The only thing better that I have driven is the SMT in the new M3 and its not THAT much better. The biggest advanatage there is that you can adjust the shift points from granny to full-on race car.
Sometimes the G will not downshift for me because it thinks the RPMs are still a little too high... but this is not often anymore. I love downshifting to a stop light or through a turn.
On your experience with the turn and slipping the rearend... NEVER do that with VDC off unless your on a track or autocross circuit. From what you describe, the VDC did its job in that you didn't loose control. I did a simmilar thing playing around with my VDC off and did lose the car for a second. Caused some cosmetic damage which is now fixed.
Don't worry about missing some shifts at first because the rev limiter will keep it safe, you won't do that with more practice.
Yeah, the MPG takes a hit in manual mode because our foots are in it all of the time so we can hear that sweet exhaust.
To me, the manumatic mode in this car is do great because if you want sedan-like cruise leave her in D and if you want sports car, leave her in manual mode. If you listem, the exhaust note sounds more aggressive and the car feels more powerful when you in manual mode. I don't think its my imagination!
Yes the Manual mode in the G coupe is such a sweet setup! The only thing better that I have driven is the SMT in the new M3 and its not THAT much better. The biggest advanatage there is that you can adjust the shift points from granny to full-on race car.
Sometimes the G will not downshift for me because it thinks the RPMs are still a little too high... but this is not often anymore. I love downshifting to a stop light or through a turn.
On your experience with the turn and slipping the rearend... NEVER do that with VDC off unless your on a track or autocross circuit. From what you describe, the VDC did its job in that you didn't loose control. I did a simmilar thing playing around with my VDC off and did lose the car for a second. Caused some cosmetic damage which is now fixed.
Don't worry about missing some shifts at first because the rev limiter will keep it safe, you won't do that with more practice.
Yeah, the MPG takes a hit in manual mode because our foots are in it all of the time so we can hear that sweet exhaust.
To me, the manumatic mode in this car is do great because if you want sedan-like cruise leave her in D and if you want sports car, leave her in manual mode. If you listem, the exhaust note sounds more aggressive and the car feels more powerful when you in manual mode. I don't think its my imagination!
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Re: ManuMatic, Rev Limiter and VDC observations
Just checked the MPG after one tank of drving 50% in "Drive" and 50% in "ManuMatic".
!!!! [img]/w3timages/icons/frown.gif[/img] 16.4586767mpg [img]/w3timages/icons/frown.gif[/img] !!!!
Before that when I was using "Drive" in "Granny" mode due to the break in period. I was averaging 20.12573604 mpg.
I'm going to do a couple of tankfuls in "Drive" mode just to feel better about the mpg. That 16.5mpg is worse that what I was getting in my '97 Lincoln MarkVIII (~17mpg). And that car is 1,000lbs heavier (engine was a DOHC 32v 4.6L V8 w/280hp, auto was 3spd with a true O/D (1:1 ratio)). 'Course, even in "Drive" mode I can't help getting into the throttle. This G35c is just too much fun to drive. [img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]
Perhaps the VDC did work. I didn't feel any ABS pulses nor did I feel any cutback in throttle. Perhaps the VDC worked so fast that the "Slip" light did not come one like I've seen it do while driving in the snow (I have the 17" wheels with the A/S tires).
Anybody out there who thinks they've felt the VDC kick in during a tail out event?
Perhaps the VDC is a recorded event which we could capture via the ODBII? Just plug in a laptop or one of those ODBII hardware recorder plugs and then check for a VDC event when we think one has/should occur.
We really need to get someone to get the specs on the ECU so that some enterprising entrepreneur can come up with at way to capture real time data about our "Rides". [img]/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/img]
Screamin' Daemon - L5AT
!!!! [img]/w3timages/icons/frown.gif[/img] 16.4586767mpg [img]/w3timages/icons/frown.gif[/img] !!!!
Before that when I was using "Drive" in "Granny" mode due to the break in period. I was averaging 20.12573604 mpg.
I'm going to do a couple of tankfuls in "Drive" mode just to feel better about the mpg. That 16.5mpg is worse that what I was getting in my '97 Lincoln MarkVIII (~17mpg). And that car is 1,000lbs heavier (engine was a DOHC 32v 4.6L V8 w/280hp, auto was 3spd with a true O/D (1:1 ratio)). 'Course, even in "Drive" mode I can't help getting into the throttle. This G35c is just too much fun to drive. [img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]
Perhaps the VDC did work. I didn't feel any ABS pulses nor did I feel any cutback in throttle. Perhaps the VDC worked so fast that the "Slip" light did not come one like I've seen it do while driving in the snow (I have the 17" wheels with the A/S tires).
Anybody out there who thinks they've felt the VDC kick in during a tail out event?
Perhaps the VDC is a recorded event which we could capture via the ODBII? Just plug in a laptop or one of those ODBII hardware recorder plugs and then check for a VDC event when we think one has/should occur.
We really need to get someone to get the specs on the ECU so that some enterprising entrepreneur can come up with at way to capture real time data about our "Rides". [img]/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/img]
Screamin' Daemon - L5AT
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: San Diego, CA
Re: ManuMatic, Rev Limiter and VDC observations
I've felt the VDC kick in. I took a wet corner a little too aggressively, and the back end started to fishtail. While I like to think that my past experience with an 83 Crown Vic would have enabled me to instinctively ease off the throttle and correct the skid, alas, I did not have time. Before I could react, the rearend abruptly jumped back into a straight line, and the VDC light blinked at me. It was a bit forceful in it's correction, and I was jostled a little bit side to side. Rather cool, I thought. The next thought was, "Again!" [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]
2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter
2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Mishigan
Re: ManuMatic, Rev Limiter and VDC observations
hahahahaha you gotta be careful though dude, you dont want what happened to <font color=green>Pesti</font color=green> to happend to you! (on the sedan forums) [img]/w3timages/icons/frown.gif[/img]
<font color=blue>-Ramb<font color=red>0</font color=red></font color=blue>
Yeah, Mongolians!
<font color=blue>-Ramb<font color=red>0</font color=red></font color=blue>
Yeah, Mongolians!
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,946
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From: San Diego, CA
Re: ManuMatic, Rev Limiter and VDC observations
Yeah, no kidding. Tough luck to him. That's why I left the VDC on. [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]
I probably won't find out what she can do with the VDC off until Solo2 comes to town at the end of next month.
2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter
I probably won't find out what she can do with the VDC off until Solo2 comes to town at the end of next month.
2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter
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