Recently bought one and wondered if there is a best practices or something out there for using the gear selector in the automatic. I understand some edge cases like starting in D2 at a stop light in slippery conditions but what other cool uses does this have?


I've driven an automatic Pontiac Sunfire for several years and that is pretty much the sum of my driving experience. I did try a manual Mini Cooper while I was test driving so I have about 20 minutes of experience driving a manual.


I also had some questions:


1. When decelerating to a stop in this mode, the gears will still automatically shift down. Provided I do not want to use engine to slow the vehicle, is it better to let the car shift itself down or to do it manually? In other words, is there any harm in letting the AT do its thing in this mode?


2. Do you even get better gas mileage using this mode?


3. I bought the 2013 because I liked the bright blue color, but the automatic shifting doesn't seem as snappy as it was in the 2014 I test drove. It seems a bit better when using the manual mode. Tips?


4. Can you switch between the automatic and manumatic modes on the fly without applying the brakes or anything, say while driving down the highway approaching a hill?

 

1: Doesn't make any difference. entirely up to you, the driver
2: All depends on when you shift gears and how hard you are on the gas pedal.
3: Drive however you like, its your vehicle.
4: Yes.

 

Awesome thanks.