I have a Automatic 2.3L transaxle mazda6. My question is a very basic one. When is it ok to use the manual mode shifting? Is it ever bad or inefficient to use the Manual mode? What are the negatives overall to using the manual mode?

 

It is never not ok to use the manual mode, u can change between manual and auto on the fly if you want as well. Since it's all controlled by computer anyways and you're not physically connected to the tranny, there is no danger of you damaging the car (because the car will do all it can to prevent you from doing anything royally stupid).
Posatives; it's partially in my head, but throttle response seems more dirrect and imediate when using the manual mode. Also, it's way more fun to use it durring "spirited driving".
Negatives; I burn through gas faster when I'm using the manual mode, though that is more due to the fact that I hold the gears longer than the computer would, rather than any real fault of the car's.
Supposedly you will get better 1/4mi times using auto rather than manual, so i guess it's innefficient there,but on the whole it really is just a preferance thing and is just another toy on the car to play around with.

-Cameron Keffer

 

I find that, when in manual mode, the car shifts less harshly if you're on the trottle a bit. I have found the manual mode to be most useful when in the mountains, on twisty roads. Around town, I find it kind of useless. Just my $0.02 .

David

 

I find it to be a joke. If you want manual mode, get a car with full time manual mode (aka stick). Like mine

 

I don't know guys. I raced a corvette the other day. I got beat by 20-30 car lengths. Then I put it in manual mode, and I beat the Corvette by 50 car lengths!!! lol. ......... Just kidding. It seems like it is a gimmick. But it is fun to goof with it once in a while.

 

i drive my car in manual almost every time i drive it. i wanted a stick but when buying used like i did..u get whats avalible..and i got too good of a deal to pass it up, lol. the only thing i dont like is when comming to a stop..6,5,4,3 and 2 feel great when downshifting to a stop, but no matter how slow my car is moving b4 i stop the downshift to first is harsh, even if the car downshifts for me. all in all i like the autostick.