Automatic A and M Option

[ians325]

For all of you automatic drivers out there. I dont know if all automatics have this but that switch on the center console that says A and M, what is the proper way to use it on M while driving?

[Pswirley]

the proper way to use the M is to not use it. It will destroy your transmission. It should only be used if you are travelling at very low speeds due to inclement weather and then its still not good. Stay in A or get a 5 speed.

[jhstealth]

I had it. you can upshift fine with it just dont downshift thats what really messes the car up the engine braking all the time. but you can shift to 1 at a stopsign and shift up. Or you can downshift and everything and just blow it and do the swap:) thats what i did i put it in 4th gear and dropped it to first allot lol and also downsifted from 135 and let it downshift through all the gears as it hit the propor speed. Now i have stick 1500 dollars later and 1,000,000 times happier

Use the search also theres like 30 write ups on this that they would have some very good explanations.:)

[catch22]

the proper way to use the M is to not use it.
:rofl

[zen]

It's useless, don't use it. Just use A and Drive, if you need to stay in low gear just use 1 or 2.

[SpeedTheory]

Not worth using, ever.

[M3ANMUG]

M button FTMFW! Manual Swap here I come :devillook:devillook:devillook

[topher93]

I thought I read in the manual of my 93 325 Auto that shifting into 3rd is "Sport mode". I've tried it and it generally shifts about 500 rpms higher then when in "D" and still goes all through 4 gears. :confused

[zen]

My manual says something like when you're cruising, the transmission will often shift between third and fourth, and when you put it in 3rd, it won't do that. So I'm not really sure if it should shift to fourth, doesn't sound like it should.

[CirrusSR22]

I only occationaly use the M mode. Usually on cloverleafs when I know I'm gonna have to accelerate hard to merge. I put in in M and force it into 2nd gear (make sure you're going slow). It gets rid of that little delay while the auto decides it needs to drop a gear when you floor it. The power is ready to go.

[runetang[1337]]

I used to shift the automatic up through gears and downshift with it too, repeatedly, in manual mode when i had first bought the car & didnt know that was bad.

I did it a fair amount, for a few months, then heard about it and stopped. Got the car at 87k miles, its at 172k miles now and the tranny is fine. doesnt mess up at all. it also had a leak at one point causing it to slip but i got that fixed.

I must have a FREAK for an automatic transmission because it outlasted the motor despite all that abuse. Motor has a rod going out..

[ducky328i]

the main use of that button, is for extreme conditions. snow/ice, very steep inclines/declines etc. its just to keep the tranny in one gear (1 or 2) so you dont have to worry about kickdown (in slick conditions) or constant and unnecessary gear changes (extreme grades). if your thinking of using it for 'sport' or 'spirited' driving, just leave "A" selected and put the gear selector in "3". if you would read your manual, youll know that it clearly states that this is 'sport mode'. my opinion, unless your are in one of the conditions stated above, i suggest not fooling with the a/m button. some say it will fuck your tranny, some say it will be fine and cause no harm. my outlook on the situation is if i dont use it, i dont have to worry about it. anyways, theres my $.02

[jhstealth]

I still stand by my story use it all the time and you will have a 5 speed swap in no time

[CLEANM3whipz]

^ lol