what's the point?

[Vic2165]

My NBC has the automatic transmission with the option (I don't remember what it is called, sorry) to be able to shift it up and down by pressing on the shifter.

I have never used this because it seems... well rather silly to me. All of my cars up until now have been manuals, and I prefer a manual transmission, but I got NannyBeetle used and could not pass up the deal I got.

I need to take her in to be checked, but I figure my stealer is going to find a way to charge me big bucks (anyone know of a good dealer in Columbus Ohio!?!?).

But, I am curious, is there a point to using the push shift option or is it just there for people who want to pretend like they are driving an automatic that don't actually know how to do so? (That is how it was described to me by a friend that knows next to nothing about cars.)

Thanks,
-v

[Evanrude]

That feature is called "Tiptronic" if I remember correctly, and it allows you to shift quicker if you need to. That is, if you need to pass someone , it would be quicker to tap it down a gear and zoom around them, then it would be to stomp on the gas, wait for the car to shift down automatically, THEN pass.

The tiptronic really does have uses, not just for pretenders or wanna-be's that couldn't drive a stick

It's quite useful for folks who prefer an automatic but need the option of quicker response like a manual

[kaiser]

if you put it in tip mode and don't shift, it will shift @ redline. great for bracket racing. lol

[ziptron]

It's an option the harkens back to the original Beetles AutoStick.
It mimics the function of a manual in that You decide when to shift, but don't have to deal with using the clutch (slow manual foot process.)
As suggested it lets you run to redline, but more importantly it lets you hold a constant gear when turning.
Before you enter the corner you can bounce down the gears manually so the automatic doesn't shift right at the moment your trying to make the turn.
And then as you power out of the turn you can keep it in gear to redline for a better drive out, whereas the automatic will upshift early and kill your momentum.
Not really useful for your typical commute, but gives you the flexabilty to be Ricky Racer when you want to.

[Smileybug]

I think the idea of a tiptronic is neat. I would probably never own one, as I would rather have a straight manual. But they can be useful. My fiance's mom has a Hyundai Sonata with a tiptronic. We had the car when we've gone up to the mountains a few times. Its nice to be able to downshift when going up the mountain and be able to keep it in that gear. People also often forget you can do the same basic thing in regular automatics, its just not as quick or easy. My fiance's Accord is an auto and my parents live in the mountains. He'll bump it down to 1 or 2 and hardly have to use the brakes.

Really utilizing the full capability of the transmission helps out on many components of the car (brakes, etc), either in an auto or tiptronic. The tiptronic is far more responsive and easier to use than downshifting a regular automatic.