[Doc]

While I await my new Boxster delivery in November, I thought I might query the Forum on some driving questions. (Please humor me here as my 993 sold in a quick minute and I am currently Porsche-less.) I was always instructed to downshift my 911s (albeit all air-cooled) into first gear slowly and carefully and preferably from a stop. However when I drove the manual tranny 4 liter GTS, it called for first gear downshifts quite frequently on the go and the transmission didn't seem to mind at all, even if shifted quite rapidly. Comments and advice from the Forum is requested. Thanks!

 

[gatorfast]

What do you mean by it called for first gear downshifts quite frequently?

The gearing in the 718 does require using first compared to second more often than other cars when going at slow speeds, but I still only use first when going very slow or near a stop. Otherwise I find second to be more smooth.

 

[Doc]

Again gatorfast, I had limited time with the car. But when approaching a slow turn in 2nd and wanting to carry speed through the turn, I would grab 1st to power out. Rather than the resistance I might feel with a G50 or especially a 915 transmission, the 718 gearbox seemed to welcome the downshift, more like the M-20 close ratio "rock crusher" Muncie 4-speed in my 1967 Vette. I loved it, but I don't want to abuse my new car. Just askin'.

 

[worf]

Again gatorfast, I had limited time with the car. But when approaching a slow turn in 2nd and wanting to carry speed through the turn, I would grab 1st to power out. Rather than the resistance I might feel with a G50 or especially a 915 transmission, the 718 gearbox seemed to welcome the downshift, more like the M-20 close ratio "rock crusher" Muncie 4-speed in my 1967 Vette. I loved it, but I don't want to abuse my new car. Just askin'.

Sport/Sport+-mode auto-rev matching perhaps?

 

[Doc]

Probably worf.
EFFIN OSOME!!!

 

[OttawaSteve]

Mine behaves more like the older transmissions - it doesn't particularly like going into first unless the car is stopped or going very slowly. I don't really mind as it's what I grew up on. I still find myself double clutching occasionally, even with auto rev matching.

 

[Doc]

Huh!
Weird.
Now I'm dumbfounded.
More input please Forum!

 

[worf]

Huh!
Weird.
Now I'm dumbfounded.
More input please Forum!

Nah. Not yet. First determine if your observations are under S/S+ mode. If not, if in Normal mode, then we can all be dumbfounded.

 

[JazzCatGab]

@Doc it's not going to be an issue. First, I think you will find that it will be rare to find a corner that will require you to slow down enough to need first gear, however, if you do, downshifting into first is completely synchronized and if you are in Sport or Sport+ it will auto-blip for you. Secondly, for whatever insane reason, I'll often downshift into first when I'm coming to a stop. A bad habit I learned when I had a 1948 Willy's jeep with such bad brakes they'd only work under 5 mph (and no auto blip or synch there). It just acts like any other downshift.