Is it really worth learning to drive MT?

  • Thread starter Thread starter parmi
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It definitely adds a layer to the game/being an automobile enthusiast. I've gotten to the point where I can tell when to shift with engine sounds. Granted it's a sliver less precise than staring at the RPM gauge but now I can focus more heavily on the road when I need to in those tense moments. Like everything else about this game shifting just takes patience and practice.
 
westladog
Gaining a second or two is not that significant. It's all based on preference.
Being at the power-band after you hit the apex is nice with a manual and gaining some traction at a higher gear on turns are nice but it's not going to win you races everytime....
Again....it's just depends on you feel about using auto or manual....
When I'm learning a track and a new car, I'm on auto. Once I get the car dialed in, I switch to manual just to have better exit control out of corners. But most of the time, auto is fine. I don't have a big ego anyway.... :)
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A second or two is huge....
 
IceGT
Yes, because it is more fun! That is the only reason I need. This is a game, and you are supposed to enjoy it. The faster lap times are a bonus. Try out the MT for a while, and if you aren't having as much fun as you were when you used AT then switch back.
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Best answer so far. 👍
 
yes, in my opinion its worth it..its more fun than driving AT. once you get the hang of it its hard to go back and you'll enjoy the game more.
 
Smiggi1991
I run in manual . I changed the button configuration so that square was gear down and circle was gear up. been running Manual ever since I got gt5. It makes you take corners faster cause you get to choose what gear to be in in each corner. You can keep it on the limiter for how ever long you want.
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i did exactly the same thing and use the triggers to throttle and brake with. been doin that since gt3
 
Learnt how to do MT, can do it pretty smoothly now! I have to agree it's much more fun and faster! Thanks everyone!
 
I did some research for another thread but it still applies to this one. Here it is:

Here is my research.

I took a stock Ford Focus RS WRC 07 '08 to the Top Gear Test Track. No modifications whatsoever. 310 hp and 1230 kg. Since the OP thinks it's faster to drive an automatic in a straight line, my test was simple, 0-162km/h (100mph).

10 runs and I took the average.

Ford Focus RS WRC 07 '08
Automatic
Best Run: 10.033 seconds
Worst Run: 10.750 seconds
Average Run: 10.291 seconds

Manual
Best Run: 9.566 seconds
Worst Run: 10.216 seconds
Average Run: 9.950 seconds

Clearly manual is faster in a straight line. I'd say that a 0.341 second difference to 100mph is significant. Manual allowed me to shift closer to the peak in the powerband, yielding better acceleration.

To further prove my point...

Ferrari 599 '06
Automatic
Best Run: 8.170 seconds
Worst Run: 8.933 seconds
Average Run: 8.565 seconds

Manual
Best Run: 8.066 seconds
Worst Run: 8.800 seconds
Average Run: 8.416 seconds

Again it's clear that manual is faster in a straight line. The 599 was selecting the next gear too early. Manual let me choose it later, running 5-10km/h high in a given gear than automatic would. This resulted in reaching 100mph in 3rd gear with manual vs. 4th gear in automatic.

I also did laps of the TGTT in each and with each gearbox and noted that I was leaving the auto in the dust if I was braking, turning or accelerating out of a corner.
 
Using auto on race cars that aren't available with automatic gearboxes in reality is cheating.

You people are just as bad as the dupers and the SSR7 people.......
 
Here's a related question. A manual transmission in a real life street car typically allows more torque to get to the wheels because it lacks a torque converter. Is this behavior modeled in the game? Can you achieve faster 0-100 speeds in Manual mode shifting at the same point as the automatic mode would shift?
 
you can play around with the RPMs and push the car to its limits..so yes i suggest learning how to plat MT

i have square gear down and X gear up..its awesome.
 
Yes, it is worth learning. I just did an online race, and did better than usual. I always thought i couldn't use Manual.
 
chuyler1
Here's a related question. A manual transmission in a real life street car typically allows more torque to get to the wheels because it lacks a torque converter. Is this behavior modeled in the game? Can you achieve faster 0-100 speeds in Manual mode shifting at the same point as the automatic mode would shift?
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i have 2 friends with ford fiestas..one automatic and one MT..and MT kicks automatic ass every time man..so yes i would say MT car reaches 100kmh faster than automatic
 
In game or in real life? I know it is true in real life...but in game I am not sure. I just don't drag race people on the track.
 
GT4.75
Using auto on race cars that aren't available with automatic gearboxes in reality is cheating.

You people are just as bad as the dupers and the SSR7 people.......
Click to expand...

Or....it's a game? Yes manual isn't that hard in the game with paddles or controller triggers, it's just a matter of timing, but still. If PD didn't want people to use automatic on race cars, they would have made that part unchangeable in the race options menu, like they do with every other situation they consider cheating. Clearly, PD and you differ opinions about "cheating" here. It's just the same as using an imaginary color-changing line to take corners or magically having more traction from your tires. Not everyone is good enough to race real race cars in real life. Some people just want to play a game.

That said I still encourage one to learn because it's a facet of the game worth indulging in.

My 2 cents.
 
Unless you're using a clutch and gated shifter with GT5 it shouldn't be hard to learn manual. Just look at the flashing gear number next to the rev meter when you're approaching a corner, and shift down to that gear.
 
Tower Turn 13
Or....it's a game? Yes manual isn't that hard in the game with paddles or controller triggers, it's just a matter of timing, but still. If PD didn't want people to use automatic on race cars, they would have made that part unchangeable in the race options menu, like they do with every other situation they consider cheating. Clearly, PD and you differ opinions about "cheating" here. It's just the same as using an imaginary color-changing line to take corners or magically having more traction from your tires. Not everyone is good enough to race real race cars in real life. Some people just want to play a game.

That said I still encourage one to learn because it's a facet of the game worth indulging in.

My 2 cents.
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I was just drawing a parallel between people whinging about dupers etc... with their incredible moral fortitude, and the fact that this viewpoint can be taken in many situations with this game.
 
seriously go with manual you'll never go back! Learn and you won't forget.
I use to Auto during GT1 - GT4 (because in GT4 you can hold the gear your on while holding down R2, kinda like an Automatic Transmission in a real car where you manual selecti 1 2 OverDrive and D). But also did a lil bit of Manual in GT4.
But when GT5:P came out it didnt have that so I forced myself to learn it and and worth it. If you have money get yourself a wheel + a clutch. and play LFS and GT5 =D

lol at the comment about 1-2second not being a huge deal in racing. LMAO ...
 
doctorrg
It was the same for me. I simply couldn't comfortably use the DS3 trying to steer, accelerate, brake and gear shift. I'd love to drive manual as the AT really annoys the hell out of me at times, but I simply can't coordinate it. If I should ever be able to justify buying a wheel, I'll instantly change to manual.
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I used to find it an issue for comfort, so I remapped the main driving controls as follows:-

1. Steering kept as left analogue stick
2. L1 = Shift Down
3. R1 = Shift Up
4. L2 = Brake!
5. R2 = Accelerate

Works for me and I have pretty big hands 👍
 
westladog
Gaining a second or two is not that significant. It's all based on preference.
Being at the power-band after you hit the apex is nice with a manual and gaining some traction at a higher gear on turns are nice but it's not going to win you races everytime....
Again....it's just depends on you feel about using auto or manual....
When I'm learning a track and a new car, I'm on auto. Once I get the car dialed in, I switch to manual just to have better exit control out of corners. But most of the time, auto is fine. I don't have a big ego anyway.... :)
Click to expand...

The most quoted man on GTPlanet...lol. Most races come down to a second a lap or less. Early on in the online version of GT5 it was relatively easy to win online as rarely was anyone within a second of me. As time has progressed and more and more cars are bought and tuned, nowadays there are often several racers within a second and victory is often won or lost on a single bobble or timing of the draft.
 
To answer the OP, using the MT will definitely make you a little faster, plus add a level of car control making racing more comfortable and controllable. Using the LSD and gear changes to help turn in quicker is crucial to good laps times, and keeping the car in it's max torque or hp range helps a lot as well.
 
When I'm using the controller I have a special button layout here it is:

Accelerate: X (R3 UP)
Brake: Square (R3 DOWN)
Look Back: O
Reverse: Triangle

Gear Up: R1
Gear Down: L1
High Beam/Low Beam: R2
Handbrake: L2

Flash Lights: Arrow Down
Horn: L3
Windscreen Wipers: R3


Using this it will be really easy to change gears... Try it!!! 👍
 
If you learn manual in this game, you will complete 50% of how to drive a manual in real life.

Do it. Automatic is boring as all hell.

I use those neat little trigger overlays for R2/L2 that are way more comfortable

R2 gas
L2 brake
X upshift
Square downshift
Circle handbrake
 

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