Can you manually shift automatic version w/out the paddle shifters?

[madfast]

one idea i've always had was a 8 or 9 speed AT that used different ratios for manual and automatic modes. some ratios would be shared and some would be unique to their respective modes. so for example a 9 speed wont actually give you access to all 9 speeds at one time. instead 6 ratios are used for auto mode and a 6 ratios for manual mode, with 3 shared ratios. naturally the manual mode will have a performance bias, and the auto mode will be for mpgs.

you can further complicate things with Sport Auto mode that uses the manual mode ratios except the tranny shifts for itself. and likewise, perhaps manual mode can have an Eco mode that lets you access the auto mode ratios for super cruising.

anyways, the point im kinda making is that with more gears, you have more flexibility.

[serialk11r]

Uh...why would auto and manual need different ratios? Sorry, that is one of the most bizarre things I've ever heard. What is the point of locking out ratios? Didn't you say more gear choices is better? Low gears do not hurt fuel economy as long as you don't try to cruise at 5000 rpm. In fact low gears are arguably better in the city because you have an easier start, and then you just put it in 6th or 7th or whatever when you get up to speed.
To make more gear ratios I guess you could stick a second set of gears in but then you have to extra gears to change and that makes things complicated.

[FRSpdDmn]

Originally Posted by madfast

one idea i've always had was a 8 or 9 speed AT that used different ratios for manual and automatic modes. some ratios would be shared and some would be unique to their respective modes. so for example a 9 speed wont actually give you access to all 9 speeds at one time. instead 6 ratios are used for auto mode and a 6 ratios for manual mode, with 3 shared ratios. naturally the manual mode will have a performance bias, and the auto mode will be for mpgs.

you can further complicate things with Sport Auto mode that uses the manual mode ratios except the tranny shifts for itself. and likewise, perhaps manual mode can have an Eco mode that lets you access the auto mode ratios for super cruising.

anyways, the point im kinda making is that with more gears, you have more flexibility.

You mean just like a CVT with "preset" ratios for manual mode?

[madfast]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

Uh...why would auto and manual need different ratios? Sorry, that is one of the most bizarre things I've ever heard. What is the point of locking out ratios? Didn't you say more gear choices is better? Low gears do not hurt fuel economy as long as you don't try to cruise at 5000 rpm. In fact low gears are arguably better in the city because you have an easier start, and then you just put it in 6th or 7th or whatever when you get up to speed.
To make more gear ratios I guess you could stick a second set of gears in but then you have to extra gears to change and that makes things complicated.

i was just thinking out loud. the problem is that ATs rarely get the similar gearing as their MT counterparts. also too many gears, and bad programming leads to gear hunting. if they choose proper ratios and have good programming for sporty driving then i guess i have no problems.