How do you drive your DCT?

Wally1552 · 03-20-2019, 10:36 AM

Just curious. When in S mode, do you take your foot off the gas when upshifting/downshifting or do you just change gears while never letting off the gas pedal? Is one better than the other in terms of DCT longevity?

M3anest · 03-20-2019, 10:46 AM

For starters, I always drive in S mode. It's honestly the way it should be driven. I've heard some people had their DCT transmissions replaced because they didn't let off the gas before shifting but strictly for track use. Not sure how it would end up just driving regularly.

Timujin · 03-20-2019, 10:55 AM

Huh? Let off before shifting? I should RTM

:

Grip Addict · 03-20-2019, 11:02 AM

I let off for downshifting because of the epic sounding rev matching, but upshifting? That is the whole point of a DCT.

Cbozz · 03-20-2019, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grip Addict

I let off for downshifting because of the epic sounding rev matching, but upshifting? That is the whole point of a DCT.

Agreed! DCT does not require you let off the gas when shifting...
No automatic transmission with paddles requires that..

Wally1552 · 03-20-2019, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grip Addict

I let off for downshifting because of the epic sounding rev matching, but upshifting? That is the whole point of a DCT.

makes sense

Siajoon · 03-20-2019, 12:42 PM

They say for good measure in a DCT you should always release the throttle while proceeding to press your left foot into the empty abyss before shifting.

PACarGuy · 03-20-2019, 12:48 PM

Always in Sequential mode. I like to pick my own gears after 30 years of driving MT's only.

And, from the owner's manual:

"S sequential mode

Shift up or down using the shift paddles or the
selector lever. You do not need to lift your foot
off the accelerator when doing so."

That's the point of the DCT and what makes it faster than rowing a manual. {Note I didn't say "better" than rowing a manual, just faster}.

As for downshifting, I'm usually changing down while braking, so being on the throttle isn't often an issue, and the car auto rev matches, but you certainly don't need to lift.

kyrix1st · 03-20-2019, 01:14 PM

I don't know anything about DCT, but this is how I properly drive my 6 speeder.

BayE30 · 03-20-2019, 01:20 PM

^^those shifts seems like days apart compared to DCT...

kyrix1st · 03-20-2019, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFCM3

^^those shifts seems like days apart compared to DCT...

Gear ratio.

If I wanted to shift faster I could but it would then use up synchros.

BayE30 · 03-20-2019, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyrix1st

Gear ratio.

If I wanted to shift faster I could but it would then use up synchros.

DCT shifts so fast sometimes your brain doesnt compute fast enough and you pull the paddle again...

amrazM · 03-20-2019, 01:59 PM

I dont Downshift while accelerating and I dont Upshift while braking.

Helmsman · 03-20-2019, 03:03 PM

Def no need to let off the throttle when shifting gears. The box is what keps together forever even during SC racing.

MrGatsby · 03-20-2019, 03:51 PM

Letting off the gas while shifting in a DCT does more harm than good.

Think of the DCT as if The Stig morphed with a very advanced robot, shrunk to a microscopic size, and lived inside your transmission managing your shifting at all times for you. The precision and speed is unmatched by any human. Calculating many variables, it determines exactly where the rpm's must be for optimal speed and minimal clutch wear during every shift.

Now add in a variable - human error, and it simply makes the lil' mini Stig work harder to calculate for our lack of precision.

spiderspider · 03-20-2019, 04:36 PM

would a thief let off the gas? there's your answer.

Redd · 03-20-2019, 07:16 PM

You don't need to lift off while downshifting DCT. In fact, DCT has a special mode to get you into the lowest gear for optimal acceleration - If say, you're cruising in 7th and some pesky racerboi needs to be taught a lesson, you floor the accelerator past the click point, then press the DCT downshift paddle. DCT will automatically drop you into the lowest gear possible for your current speed. No need to sequentially row thru the gears to find the right one, DCT does it for you. No need to lift off accelerator.

MaximusB · 03-20-2019, 07:22 PM

Gangsta style. Left hand at 12 o'clock, right hand on shifter, seat recline way back till it is not touching my back.

PKL · 03-20-2019, 07:25 PM

I drive my DCT in S mode, all the time, and I never use the steering wheel paddles to shift. To me, that make it feels like a TRULY clutchless MANUAL transmission, and I LOVE IT!

And I do not take my foot of the gas when upshifting

amrazM · 03-20-2019, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redd

You don't need to lift off while downshifting DCT. In fact, DCT has a special mode to get you into the lowest gear for optimal acceleration - If say, you're cruising in 7th and some pesky racerboi needs to be taught a lesson, you floor the accelerator past the click point, then press the DCT downshift paddle. DCT will automatically drop you into the lowest gear possible for your current speed. No need to sequentially row thru the gears to find the right one, DCT does it for you. No need to lift off accelerator.

This is worst thing to do.

Montaver · 03-20-2019, 10:20 PM

Paddles only

Frozen · 03-20-2019, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amrazM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redd

You don't need to lift off while downshifting DCT. In fact, DCT has a special mode to get you into the lowest gear for optimal acceleration - If say, you're cruising in 7th and some pesky racerboi needs to be taught a lesson, you floor the accelerator past the click point, then press the DCT downshift paddle. DCT will automatically drop you into the lowest gear possible for your current speed. No need to sequentially row thru the gears to find the right one, DCT does it for you. No need to lift off accelerator.

This is worst thing to do.

No it isn't. It's designed for this.

03-20-2019, 10:36 AM	#1
Wally1552 First Lieutenant 122 Rep 334 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: HI iTrader: (0)	How do you drive your DCT? Just curious. When in S mode, do you take your foot off the gas when upshifting/downshifting or do you just change gears while never letting off the gas pedal? Is one better than the other in terms of DCT longevity?
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03-20-2019, 10:46 AM	#2
M3anest Private 86 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2013 M3 Alpine White Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: ON iTrader: (0)	For starters, I always drive in S mode. It's honestly the way it should be driven. I've heard some people had their DCT transmissions replaced because they didn't let off the gas before shifting but strictly for track use. Not sure how it would end up just driving regularly.
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03-20-2019, 10:55 AM	#3
Timujin Major 352 Rep 1,005 Posts Drives: GMC Sierra Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: California iTrader: (9) Garage List 2010 BMW M3 [0.00]	Huh? Let off before shifting? I should RTM: __________________ We grow food to feed the animals so we can eat the animals
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03-20-2019, 11:02 AM	#4
Grip Addict Banned 1082 Rep 713 Posts Drives: ///M3 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: PA iTrader: (9)	I let off for downshifting because of the epic sounding rev matching, but upshifting? That is the whole point of a DCT.
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03-20-2019, 12:42 PM	#7
Siajoon ///Majestic 1857 Rep 2,091 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 ///M3 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1)	They say for good measure in a DCT you should always release the throttle while proceeding to press your left foot into the empty abyss before shifting.
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03-20-2019, 12:48 PM	#8
PACarGuy Captain 679 Rep 973 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3 DCT ZCP Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Philly burbs, PA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 E92 M3 [8.33] 2019 G01 X3 (wife's) [0.00]	Always in Sequential mode. I like to pick my own gears after 30 years of driving MT's only. And, from the owner's manual: "S sequential mode Shift up or down using the shift paddles or the selector lever. You do not need to lift your foot off the accelerator when doing so." That's the point of the DCT and what makes it faster than rowing a manual. {Note I didn't say "better" than rowing a manual, just faster}. As for downshifting, I'm usually changing down while braking, so being on the throttle isn't often an issue, and the car auto rev matches, but you certainly don't need to lift. __________________ 2012 E92 M3 \| ZCP \| DCT \| Space Grey Metallic \| Black Novillo \| BE/ARP \| MPE V2 \| AA green filter \|BMW CF Rear Spoiler, RW Carbon Diffuser, CF Front Splitters \| DTEC 160W Angel Eyes Last edited by PACarGuy; 03-20-2019 at 03:10 PM..
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03-20-2019, 01:14 PM	#9
kyrix1st Colonel 2359 Rep 2,360 Posts Drives: G87 M2; E92M3 MT&DCT; M3 euro Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: nyc iTrader: (0) Garage List 2004 BMW Z4 [0.00]	I don't know anything about DCT, but this is how I properly drive my 6 speeder. __________________ Pass me if you can.
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03-20-2019, 01:20 PM	#10
BayE30 Lieutenant Colonel 1341 Rep 1,881 Posts Drives: 2011.75 E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (5)	^^those shifts seems like days apart compared to DCT... __________________ I am never able to post pictures on forums, all my pics are on IG @baye30 https://www.instagram.com/baye30/ Current Garage - [2011 E90 M3 ZCP] [2005 E53 X5 3.0 Sport] [1988 E30 325IS 24V]
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03-20-2019, 01:59 PM	#13
amrazM mTekMods 2135 Rep 2,897 Posts Drives: like a granny. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Manhatan iTrader: (1)	I dont Downshift while accelerating and I dont Upshift while braking. __________________ 2011 Frozen Black/Fox Red E90 M3 650+WHP G-Power Supercharged First DCT to Manual Conversion Worldwide KW CS, BBS RI-A, BW Headers, Snow 2.5
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03-20-2019, 03:03 PM	#14
Helmsman Major General 4464 Rep 7,107 Posts Drives: 2011 AW E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0)	Def no need to let off the throttle when shifting gears. The box is what keps together forever even during SC racing.
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03-20-2019, 03:51 PM	#15
MrGatsby Second Lieutenant 348 Rep 203 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: M town iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 E92 M3 [0.00]	Letting off the gas while shifting in a DCT does more harm than good. Think of the DCT as if The Stig morphed with a very advanced robot, shrunk to a microscopic size, and lived inside your transmission managing your shifting at all times for you. The precision and speed is unmatched by any human. Calculating many variables, it determines exactly where the rpm's must be for optimal speed and minimal clutch wear during every shift. Now add in a variable - human error, and it simply makes the lil' mini Stig work harder to calculate for our lack of precision.
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03-20-2019, 04:36 PM	#16
spiderspider Captain 312 Rep 657 Posts Drives: E90 M3 DCT, 991 C4S, E46 330i Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Danville, CA iTrader: (0)	would a thief let off the gas? there's your answer.
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03-20-2019, 07:16 PM	#17
Redd Brigadier General 3896 Rep 4,160 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW E92 M3 Dakar Edition Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Malaysia iTrader: (0)	You don't need to lift off while downshifting DCT. In fact, DCT has a special mode to get you into the lowest gear for optimal acceleration - If say, you're cruising in 7th and some pesky racerboi needs to be taught a lesson, you floor the accelerator past the click point, then press the DCT downshift paddle. DCT will automatically drop you into the lowest gear possible for your current speed. No need to sequentially row thru the gears to find the right one, DCT does it for you. No need to lift off accelerator.
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03-20-2019, 07:22 PM	#18
MaximusB Major 1394 Rep 1,292 Posts Drives: 13 Frozen White E92 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	Gangsta style. Left hand at 12 o'clock, right hand on shifter, seat recline way back till it is not touching my back.
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03-20-2019, 07:25 PM	#19
PKL Brigadier General 848 Rep 3,274 Posts Drives: 2020 M4, 2022 X6 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Fernando Valley iTrader: (1)	I drive my DCT in S mode, all the time, and I never use the steering wheel paddles to shift. To me, that make it feels like a TRULY clutchless MANUAL transmission, and I LOVE IT! And I do not take my foot of the gas when upshifting __________________
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03-20-2019, 10:20 PM	#21
Montaver Lieutenant Colonel 2164 Rep 1,652 Posts Drives: G87 M2 & M340i LCI Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Paddles only
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