Downshifting Into 1st Gear With an SE

[Crisis]

Hi,
I'm on the fence about this.... Should I be manually downshifting into 1st gear. Can this hurt the transmission.
Thanks in advance.

[Peter Aawen]

Yes, you should (if/when you feel like it) & No, you can't!!



The SE is the same gearbox as the manual, identical in fact, with the addition of computer supervision of the shift process & a different clutch so that you can't hurt anything.

[Brentc]

Whatever you feel like doing, you won't hurt the gearbox. Unless of course you start abusing the downshifting at too high a speed for the proper gear.

[irvin48]

been doing it for over 7000 miles. saving my brakes.

[Peter Aawen]

..... Unless of course you start abusing the downshifting at too high a speed for the proper gear.

If you are travelling too fast or would cause revving outside the 'safe parameters' for the lower gear, the computer won't let you downshift anyway, so you won't hurt anything!

[Brentc]

If you are travelling too fast or would cause revving outside the 'safe parameters' for the lower gear, the computer won't let you downshift anyway, so you won't hurt anything!

Thanks Peter! Now I can take the rest of the day off.

[Pirate looks at --]

I down shift manually in ever gear! And as stated above, you will not do any damage to the transmission.

[Bob Denman]

That's the beauty of the "ESSIES": they make it easier for you; but it's always your choice!

[billybovine]

In my opinion. The only reason to let your Spyder auto downshift is because you are too busy or lazy to do it yourself. The auto downshift function is set up as a backstop function on the SE5. It is set to downshift at 2,000 rpm. That is the clutch engagement speed. As was said above. It will not let you manually downshift if the revs are too high.

[Bob Denman]

"Lazy"?
How about "impressed with the improvements that BRP has made in their shifting protocols."?

[jroberts650]

Hi,
I'm on the fence about this.... Should I be manually downshifting into 1st gear. Can this hurt the transmission.
Thanks in advance.

Sometimes i do, sometimes i don't. I don't really think it matters or harms anything.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

The auto downshift function is set up as a backstop function on the SE5. It is set to downshift at 2,000 rpm.

Backstop function??????????????????? I choose to disagree! I see it as a primary function of the SE system!

I don't worry about saving brakes either. My Maxima has over 100k miles and is still on the original pads. A replacement set is sitting on the shelf because I didn't need to change them thousands of miles ago like I thought I did. Don't abuse the brakes and they'll last a looooooonnnngggg time! And I don't drive slow, just stop easily. The 1330 engine does a good job of slowing the Spyder when you let up on the throttle.

[LateLifeCrisis]

Backstop function??????????????????? I choose to disagree! I see it as a primary function of the SE system!

I don't worry about saving brakes either. My Maxima has over 100k miles and is still on the original pads. A replacement set is sitting on the shelf because I didn't need to change them thousands of miles ago like I thought I did. Don't abuse the brakes and they'll last a looooooonnnngggg time! And I don't drive slow, just stop easily. The 1330 engine does a good job of slowing the Spyder when you let up on the throttle.

"And I don't drive slow, just stop easily."

And we all know at least one person who has two speeds - FAST and STOP!

[Chupaca]

Your choice...do it when you want to and you are covered it you are out of range. As for saving brakes the RT's go thru them much faster than the RS/GS/RSS/ST and the Se models faster than the Sm models. It does help the Se models some if you use engine compression to brake....

The gentleman with the Maxima that has 100,000 miles on its brakes should buy a set of pads for his RT and put them on the shelf and compare...��

[RiverCity45]

I prefer to match the gear to my speed/revs and driving conditions. YMMV.

[RinconRyder]

Downshifting vs using the brakes - which is more expensive to replace? Brake pads or clutch?

The same applies to cars.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Your choice...do it when you want to and you are covered it you are out of range. As for saving brakes the RT's go thru them much faster than the RS/GS/RSS/ST and the Se models faster than the Sm models. It does help the Se models some if you use engine compression to brake....

The gentleman with the Maxima that has 100,000 miles on its brakes should buy a set of pads for his RT and put them on the shelf and compare...��

BAJARON has said this many, many times folks change their pads far to EARLY in most cases because the STEALERS said to do it . ...... This wouldn't happen if they gave you your pads after they did the job tho ....... jmho ..... Mike

[DJFaninTN]

Your choice...do it when you want to and you are covered it you are out of range. As for saving brakes the RT's go thru them much faster than the RS/GS/RSS/ST and the Se models faster than the Sm models. It does help the Se models some if you use engine compression to brake....

The gentleman with the Maxima that has 100,000 miles on its brakes should buy a set of pads for his RT and put them on the shelf and compare...��

My 2007 Toyota Tundra just got a brake job. All 4 rotors replaced with 4 brake pads. All original from day one. My mileage was 160K miles. Pads still had life in them but I figured I was starting to push my luck.

[ruralgirl]

If you are travelling too fast or would cause revving outside the 'safe parameters' for the lower gear, the computer won't let you downshift anyway, so you won't hurt anything!

And, conversely, with my SE6, the computer won't let me UPshift until it decides my revs are high enough. (Nanny is such a control freak!)

[ARtraveler]

I have had both the manual and SE versions of tranny.

I prefer the SE these days. The automatic downshifting is very smooth and works fine for me. I use it 98% of the time. If I need to shift it down and crank the throttle for extra power to pass, then I am thankful that choice is also there.

Either way, I don't think you are going to hurt anything.

[ruralgirl]

The " NANNY " is protecting you ...... On a Manual if you up-shift too soon you can stall , which is very dangerous in traffic ....... so be careful what you wish for ................ sometimes Nanny knows best ........... Mike

Believe it or not, this time I wasn't complaining about the computerization. I actually love my SE!