Using L mode like a manual… good idea or bad?

Seeking Help
1

Hey everyone,

I’ve been experimenting with driving in L mode, and it’s actually made driving a lot more fun.

For example:

  • If you’re going around 45 mph and shift into L, it downshifts smoothly from third to second, giving you some engine braking.
  • When accelerating, you can shift into L at around 3k rpm, hold the gear, and then shift back to Drive at 6500-7000 rpm to upshift.

It’s smooth and enjoyable, but I’m wondering if I’m tempting fate here. Will this wear out the clutch? My car’s a 2014 SE 2.0 with 78k miles, and it hasn’t given me any issues—even before getting tuned by Tom.

Also, for those curious, the VelossaTech Big Mouth intake fits the MK3 just fine. The grille doesn’t block airflow at all.
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2

If you’re driving 45 ish and go into L, it will downshift from third to second nice and smoothly to slow you down.

Yup, basically engine braking.

3

I tried using L once and didn’t notice much. My car just hit 225k miles last week. Only had to replace the clutch once at 189k, and it’s been smooth since.

4

Gale said:
I tried using L once and didn’t notice much. My car just hit 225k miles last week. Only had to replace the clutch once at 189k, and it’s been smooth since.

Before this, I only used L by accident—like when leaving my neighborhood and wondering why I was at 4k rpm going 15 mph.

5

@Kellen
Glad I’m not the only one who’s done that!

6

I used to drive mine mostly in S with manual shifting. It avoided the low rpms where it would shutter and gave me a lot more control. Never had any issues and drove it pretty hard.

7

Can you post a photo of the intake?

8

Oakley said:
Can you post a photo of the intake?

image

9

@Kellen
Can I see one with the hood up? Was it hard to install? I thought I read somewhere it wasn’t possible to do this.

10

Blaze said:
@Kellen
Can I see one with the hood up? Was it hard to install? I thought I read somewhere it wasn’t possible to do this.

I’ll get that for you tomorrow!

11

Calling this ‘like a manual’ feels like a stretch. You’re just controlling gears, but the computer can override you anyway. Go drive a real manual—it’s nothing like this.

12

Rey said:
Calling this ‘like a manual’ feels like a stretch. You’re just controlling gears, but the computer can override you anyway. Go drive a real manual—it’s nothing like this.

Well, this transmission is technically a manual with a computer (TCM) doing the shifting for you. It has no wet clutches and uses actual gears, clutch forks, and a throw-out bearing. That said, yeah, a standard manual is way more fun—you can drop the clutch and really go.

13

@Sky
Exactly. The 5-speed is fully manual and rally-inspired, while the 6-speed is a dual-clutch system with both manual and automatic modes. The 5-speed is better for aftermarket boost and overall reliability, in my opinion.

14

Rey said:
Calling this ‘like a manual’ feels like a stretch. You’re just controlling gears, but the computer can override you anyway. Go drive a real manual—it’s nothing like this.

It’s like paddle shifters but with extra steps.