Sequential Shift Direction

[Deadman]

Simple poll really.

Do you think that Ford got it right with the shift direction (i.e. pull back to go up a gear, push forward to go down a gear).

I thought this was by far the best choice (and seemed to think everyone else though so to) - but then the point was raised that it was 'counter intuative'. So I thought I'd see what everyone else thinks.

Did Ford get it right, or would you prefer it to go the other direction (i.e. Forward = up a gear, pull back = down a gear - ala Mitsubishi's Tiptronic)

Cheers

[BlueRaven]

The way ford have it is how I would prefer it.

[EvilChief]

i like fords way ...

i had a BA for a week and then got a magna for a week and i kept shifting the wrong way ever since ...

[FTRXR8]

Originally Posted by EvilChief

i like fords way ...

i had a BA for a week and then got a magna for a week and i kept shifting the wrong way ever since ...

The same I revved its guts out assuming they'd be the same, but I find it better now for driver comfort now I drive the BA daily.

[Simmo]

yeh i like it the ford way too.

[Des]

Fords is correct, same as sequential race cars.
Accelarate = pushed back in seat - pull back on lever
Brake = pulled forward into harness - push forward on lever

Simple really.

[RAREV8]

Originally Posted by Des

Fords is correct, same as sequential race cars.
Accelarate = pushed back in seat - pull back on lever
Brake = pulled forward into harness - push forward on lever

Simple really.

Spot on....I use it all the time and especially when overtaking it is the natural way to do it.
Just wish I had 6 gears, not 4........

[ATMO SIX]

I remember when I got the first print of the BA brochure, the pictures of the interior showed the trans with the + forward and the - back. Questioned the dealer about this when I ordered my XR and he mentioned it was probably a photo of one of the proto interiors.

If you have one of these original brochures, take a look. I'll scan a pic if I can find mine.

JB

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by johnkoz

I remember when I got the first print of the BA brochure, the pictures of the interior showed the trans with the + forward and the - back. Questioned the dealer about this when I ordered my XR and he mentioned it was probably a photo of one of the proto interiors.

If you have one of these original brochures, take a look. I'll scan a pic if I can find mine.

JB

Thats because that was the way they were going to do it, it was a last minute change to put it the way it is now. They followed BMW's example because it goes with the G forces of braking and accelerating. The photos would have been taken from pre production models. I think they got it right, and all the journos seem to agree.

[cArSiK]

the BA/F & Territory layout seem logical to me

[MoreHPformyXR6]

I like the ford way (makes sense to me) if i was in a manual it would push fwd to get 1st gear & push back to get 2nd gear.

[cArSiK]

Originally Posted by MoreHPformyXR6

I like the ford way (makes sense to me) if i was in a manual it would push fwd to get 1st gear & push back to get 2nd gear.

what about going into third gear?

[notty1978]

i think it is a waste of time
you have a manual or you have a auto
having Sequential Shift flicking through the gears same as having it in drive and hold it flat

[RAREV8]

Originally Posted by notty1978

i think it is a waste of time
you have a manual or you have a auto
having Sequential Shift flicking through the gears same as having it in drive and hold it flat

Not at all. The kickdown will still operate whilst in the sequential mode (if you really give it some) but the big difference is that if you are overtaking, it will not change up a gear when it reaches the deciding rev count which can be a little dangerous or just off putting when driving up a hill on a curved road for example.
Basically, it allows you to select a gear and hold it in that gear for as long as you like within reason.

I find it pretty useful and its a bit more flexible than a plain slush-box!

[cArSiK]

Originally Posted by scottishxc

Not at all. The kickdown will still operate whilst in the sequential mode (if you really give it some) but the big difference is that if you are overtaking, it will not change up a gear when it reaches the deciding rev count which can be a little dangerous or just off putting when driving up a hill on a curved road for example.
Basically, it allows you to select a gear and hold it in that gear for as long as you like within reason.

I find it pretty useful and its a bit more flexible than a plain slush-box!

Im picking my BA up next week , so not totaly sure how SSS works. If i select 2nd gear at say , 30kmh and floor the accelerator , will it kick down to first or say in 2nd?

[Deadman]

Originally Posted by cArSiK

Im picking my BA up next week , so not totaly sure how SSS works. If i select 2nd gear at say , 30kmh and floor the accelerator , will it kick down to first or say in 2nd?

It will stay in any gear you select (unless you are slowing down to lights and try to leave it in 4th - it will always go down a gear if you revs get way to low). Outside of that, you can rev it as hard as you want (as far as I know - haven't tried to break it myself by trying to get to 160km/h in first...)

[RAREV8]

Originally Posted by cArSiK

Im picking my BA up next week , so not totaly sure how SSS works. If i select 2nd gear at say , 30kmh and floor the accelerator , will it kick down to first or say in 2nd?

I'm pretty sure that it will only kickdown to 2nd gear- i.e. to 2nd from 4th or 3rd....I'll go and try it when the road has dried up a bit! I generally use the sequential shifting when overtaking or going up a hill in a hurry.

[WILDTRAKPX2]

Ford have most definitely got it right. I use it often and find the response excellent.

[WILDTRAKPX2]

Originally Posted by cArSiK

Im picking my BA up next week , so not totaly sure how SSS works. If i select 2nd gear at say , 30kmh and floor the accelerator , will it kick down to first or say in 2nd?

No it won't. It will stay in the gear you have selected BUT it will only change down if the revs drop low enough. You will quickly work it out... foolproof. Enjoy the new car.

[cArSiK]

Originally Posted by Shockwave XR8

No it won't. It will stay in the gear you have selected BUT it will only change down if the revs drop low enough. You will quickly work it out... foolproof. Enjoy the new car.

Exellent , sounds great. Thanks mate!

[DOC]

Originally Posted by Shockwave XR8

No it won't. It will stay in the gear you have selected BUT it will only change down if the revs drop low enough. You will quickly work it out... foolproof. Enjoy the new car.

??? Kick me if im wrong the gears even if selected will kick down if needed , this is a saftey feature more so that if you need to move in a hurry and the gears are to high it will kick down if booted.

[Des]

Originally Posted by notty1978

i think it is a waste of time
you have a manual or you have a auto
having Sequential Shift flicking through the gears same as having it in drive and hold it flat

If it's set up properly (will hold to redline), then you can pick your gears just like a manual. Get used to it, the future will be will be all "auto clutch", such as VW's DSG. Porsche started this and fitted it to their 917 LeMans racers, though heavier than std manuals, where instantly quicker and more consistant around any track. The technology was too crude for mass production then though. With modern electronics now is a different story....

[RAREV8]

Originally Posted by Des

If it's set up properly (will hold to redline), then you can pick your gears just like a manual. Get used to it, the future will be will be all "auto clutch", such as VW's DSG. Porsche started this and fitted it to their 917 LeMans racers, though heavier than std manuals, where instantly quicker and more consistant around any track. The technology was too crude for mass production then though. With modern electronics now is a different story....

I went on the Maserati test drive day at Picton last year and their cars are essentially automatic but when in the performance mode, you change the gears with the paddles but it has an auto clutch. This means that you can easily go beyond the redline if your'e not careful...heaps of fun though!!

[GUTLES]

Whenever I drive a BA it feels wrong to me & I always start off going the wrong way... But I'm sure if I drove one every day I'd get used to it & like it..

[Ultimate]

I think she is all good. Push it up foot to the floor and around the other car you go

[DDXR6T]

My problem with the 'SSS' is the fact that it takes too long to shift. Ill be revving first gear to say 5600 when ill change, and the input sensors must be a little slow, as the car will still hit rev/fuel cut like it has hit a brick wall. Firming up the shifts too would be great ... a shift kit will soon fix that. :thebirds:

Simple solution is simply leave it in over-drive with no manual selection, I've found that with a decent strap through the hills, the transmission and ECU tend to be on a "learning curve" and will adjust its shift pattern to suit your style of driving.

[chief]

Ford have it the right way, but when I test drove a BA Mach 1 XR6 it was reveresed. You pushed forward to go up a gear and pull back to down a gear.

Questiones the sales woman and she had no idea. She said I knew more about the car than her and she would stop talking. *in Mr Burns' voice "excellant"

[shane3]

I LOVE the "manual shifting" in my GT's auto; it will not change up gears until you make it.

There are 3 "modes" to the 4 speed auto,

1. Plain slush box auto, All 4 gears

2. "Sports mode" it uses 1st, 2nd, and 3rd for most of the driving BUT will go into 4th IF you get above 165km/h

3. Full manual control, It will not change gears unless you make it, 1st gear 80>85km/h hitting the rev limiter, and about 145km/h in second, but will not change back down to 1st until you are doing 65km/h (this is a pain in the rump on the race track as you get left for dead out of corners)

[DDXR6T]

Originally Posted by shane3

Full manual control, It will not change gears unless you make it, 1st gear 80>85km/h hitting the rev limiter, and about 145km/h in second, but will not change back down to 1st until you are doing 65km/h (this is a pain in the rump on the race track as you get left for dead out of corners)

I actually find the gearing and speed in gears quite good in the falcons. I do alot of spirited hills drives, and the SSS seems to be perfect. Tighter stuff ... simply hold it in first, and the power and torque curve is always there. Faster stuff ... 2nd and 3rd gear do the trick and 4th will break some serious laws : . The VCT helps alot, If your revving too low, you can really feel the engine go into "aggressive" mode.

The first gear maximum inhibited downshift speed of 65km/h is indeed quite annoying, but its there to stop undue stress on the transmission.

[jmc-007]

Originally Posted by Dan635

I actually find the gearing and speed in gears quite good in the falcons. I do alot of spirited hills drives, and the SSS seems to be perfect. Tighter stuff ... simply hold it in first, and the power and torque curve is always there. Faster stuff ... 2nd and 3rd gear do the trick and 4th will break some serious laws : . The VCT helps alot, If your revving too low, you can really feel the engine go into "aggressive" mode.

The first gear maximum inhibited downshift speed of 65km/h is indeed quite annoying, but its there to stop undue stress on the transmission.

I too have felt this, before learning it. it was very smooth but at lower speeds after some spritied driving, you can feel the gearbox smacking the gears in. what you call aggressive mode.

but i found the SSS is pretty quick once is learns.