On Getting used to Tiptronic

[slogans7]

It's a weird sensation, transitioning (appropriate word here, lol) from a manual to Porsche's Tiptronic. I've driven stick shifts for the past 25 years (VW GTI, Miata, 325i) but went for the Tip since the 2002 I recently found had everything I wanted on it.

My left leg still searches for something to do.

I've found that leaving it in automatic leaves something to be desired. It upshifts too quickly for me. I know it's supposed to learn my driving style and adapt but I think I've got a slow learner.

So I'm leaving the lever over to the left and enjoying the quasi-manual shifting, although - and it's not hesitating - I find myself hitting the paddles a bit early to allow for the shift to the next gear to actually take place. I do like the fact that it'll downshift automatically if I forget to do it.

Question: when I start off in second gear, sometimes it seems like there are two gears in second which shift automatically; the indicator light says I'm in second but it feels like there are two gears in there. Am I nuts?

(BTW, a guy in my office enjoys teasing me about getting a Porsche with an automatic transmission. Can I run him down and get off with "justifiable homicide?")

[Ronzi]

I think you can run him down, and then claim it was a firmware glitch in the Tiptronic computer.
The second gear thing may be the Vario-cam changing mode at about 25-2700 rpm under part-throttle, causing a slight hesitation in the rpm gain.
I never really noticed it until someone on the forum pointed it out. It doesn't seem to happen it any other gear, nor does it happen on manual tranny cars. Apparently this is a known characteristic of the Tipper cars. Several people have contacted dealers about it, and gotten the same answer.
I don't think the Tip really learns much of anything about your driving style. It will respond to throttle position, braking, and the amount of cornering force being experienced, and will select one of the shift maps based on that. If you slow down, it forgets that you like to shift at higher rpm, and goes back to old-lady mode. Let's make that the "least agressive" shift mode.
The Tip in my '99 has 5 shift maps, and the newest '05s have about 250 I understand, but I don't know how many the '02s have. From what I understand, it is VERY difficult, and probably dangerous, to drive hard enough on the street to get the thing to hit the most agressive map.

[Brucelee]

Two issues back, the tech guy in Panorama told us how to "reset" the Tip to the most aggressive mode. Sorry I tossed it out but someone on this board must have that article.

This guy was of the opinion that for most drivers, the Tip can make them a faster driver on the track than if they used the stick.

Hmmmm!

[scoobyrex27]

I have been driving my first TIP for about two months now. I am a huge manual fan and have to say the Tip is a good compromise. I enjoy the button shigfting and don't find it slow and i also like being able to flip to auto when i am tired or lazy.

The habit i can't break is still having my right hand on the shifter (for no reason), it still feels natural, I wish porsche had stuck a click shifter on the stick too.

At the same time I got the boxster, my wife got a mini auto. It is completly different. The manual shifter is useless and the CVT transmission kinda does it's own thing. I can't figure out the throttle postions to make it up and down shift. Its great for cruising in comfort because the it seems to have unlimited speeds.


I am pleased the the porsche Tip and only miss my manual on those hard launches from the lights!

[PDX-986S]

Hey guys--I have an '04 S with tip that I bought new in February '05. I have to admit that I wish I had the manual, but the tip works fine in manual mode. It's worthless in automatic mode, unless your thumbs need a break or something. Have not noticed the second gear issue. One question I have is what happens if you accidentally downshift to 1st when you're on the move? Does the computer prevent you from doing so? Also, I find it difficult to shift from 1st to 2nd in the middle of a turn from a stop, because the shifters go to 6 and 12 o'clock when you turn the wheel.

[Perfectlap]

just for the record I want to say that paddle shifters and tip tronics are the work of Satan. They have killed motorsports (and compromise some of your Boxster's performance).
Although sometimes sitting in NYC traffic on the way home I wish I had it.
and I imagine tiptronics help eliminate shuffling the steering wheel.

[Brucelee]

The paddles work fine for Michael Schumaker!