Everything about Tiptronic totally explained
Tiptronic is a type of discrete
automatic transmission developed by
Porsche, and used in its vehicles, and those of its licensees. A Tiptronic transmission can operate just as the common type of automatic transmission, but it also allows the driver to override the automatic mode by moving the shift lever into a second (Tiptronic) shift gate equipped with two spring-loaded positions: "upshift" and "downshift". Once in this gate, the driver takes over most of the shifting decisions ordinarily performed by the transmission's computer, permitting, for example, the delaying of an upshift for increased acceleration or to increase the braking effect of the engine. On some models, the upshift and downshift operations can also be commanded by pushbuttons or
paddle shifters installed on the
steering wheel with an optional display in the instrument panel indicating the current gear selection.
Though Tiptronic transmissions allow the driver a certain measure of discrete control, the Tiptronic design is implemented using a
torque converter like other automatic transmissions. A Tiptronic isn't a computer controlled clutch-manual transmission or
semi-automatic transmission. Most Tiptronic implementations still make some shifts automatically, primarily to protect the engine and transmission. For example, as used by
Audi, a five-speed Tiptronic will make the upshifts from 1 to 2 automatically when moving off from a stop even when in Tiptronic mode; the transmission then waits for the user's upshift command before proceeding from 2 to 3, 3 to 4 and 4 to 5, although the transmission will still upshift if the
redline is approached. On deceleration, the transmission will make all downshifts automatically to avoid running the engine at too-low an RPM although the user can accelerate any downshift (that wouldn't violate the redline), thus allowing improved engine braking or preparation for future acceleration. There are some exceptions to this; the system used in the
Aston Martin DB9 is designed to hold the gear at the engine's redline, though it'll still downshift automatically. This system also allows the engine to blip the throttle during downshifts for a smoother shift, reducing the "jerry" by the wheels, which affects traction.
Most luxury vehicles with a Tiptronic transmission have two fully-automatic modes: One, identified as "Comfort" or similar, and another, usually called "Sport," which delays upshifts for a sportier driving at the expense of fuel, wear, comfort, and noise. Then, within each major mode there are additional hidden modes selected by the transmission itself; these modes adapt to the demands being placed upon the car by the driver. In this way, shift quality has been improved due to better electronic controls; these electronics modify the shift points to adapt to a given operator's driving style.
Some makes such as
Aston Martin,
BMW,
Honda Fit and
Smart offer paddle shifters behind the
steering wheel for controlling their similar transmissions.
Some systems such as
Ferrari's F1-Superfast, Toyota
SMT, and
Volkswagen's
DSG are different from Tiptronic transmissions in that they're actually based on
sequential transmissions but have an electronically controlled
clutch (or in Volkswagen's case, two clutches). These are generally not referred to as Tiptronics but are considered to be true
semi-automatic transmissions.
Trademark
Tiptronic is a registered trademark, and it's owned by
German sports car maker
Porsche, who licenses it for use by others, such as
Volkswagen,
Audi and
Skoda.
Other users
Other manufacturers use Tiptronic-like systems under different names:
Further Information
Get more info on 'Tiptronic'.
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