Switching from AT to MT

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Danjiri

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I need advice/input please from the expert drivers with best results out there.
4 days of playing GT4 using Automatic Transmission, sitting around 15% completion at my pace.

I did a search on Manual transmission and found that a good portion plays on MT, but seems to be using more Logitec DFP.
I use DS2 (don't plan to buy DFP), and I want to be fastest/best that I can be on GT4, so considering to change to MT in necessary.

For the first time I practiced on MT using a mediocre car for 5 hours yesterday but I am still about 3 sec behind (Motegi East for this purpose) my best lap time using AT same car same settings. Also my right index finger cramps up after a while from hitting the R1 botton with my right thumb going nuts on "x" and "[]". :crazy:

I drive MT in real life so all familiar with the MT theory and I can see the benefits of MT in GT4 but....

Are all the best drivers out there use MT over AT setting?
If MT is the way to go for best results in GT4, I was going to keep practicing MT but if not necessary for the best results, I thought going back to AT and keep working on that.

I know that it all depends on what one likes, but wanted feedback before I make my decision on it.
Thanks in advance :) 👍
 
I use the MT but this is the first GT I'v used it extensivly because I couldnt learn well before. But the answer to your question is yes you should use the MT tranny case the AT will shift down in certain corners where it is faster to stay in the same gear. I do run faster now with a manual than an automatic.
 
I wouldn't class myself as one of the best drivers, but do use manual quite a bit. The main advantage I see from using it is that you can use the full power of the car you are driving. What I mean is, using automatic the car changes gear as soon as it hits the red light in the powerband, but if you experiment, you will notice that most if not all the cars will rev higher, sometimes as much as 1000 revs more in manual, and this certainly improves your lap times over auto. Just practice and then practice more, you'll get the hang of it eventually.
 
I always use manny now. It's much more fun and you can cut off seconds from your times.
 
I learnt to use manual in the liscense tests. The repetition helps you learn when to down shift etc.

I also found that by using Manual my liscense times went down most noticeably, but my racing has aswell.
 
Well it's faster to use MT, that's for certain - but it is more difficult, it comes with practice, but you'll get faster laptimes eventually.

I use a DS2 and I can drive manual faster than I drive auto - but not by that much and I'll often use auto if I don't think I'm going to need to run a perfect lap to win, or for a lazy waster day in arcade mode. In harder races and also for the licenses, it makes a difference. It's much easier to get gold using MT IMO.

Like you said though it's all personal preference, I reckon a lot of people will say it's more of a challenge and a better gaming experience to use MT but it's up to you! just have fun.
 
I also play with a controller. Although I reconfigured the brakes to the R2 button. I had not touched a console since 97, playing PC games. I started playing GT3 in Dec of last year and since I hadn't mess with the console games in so long decided to go with AT, and just stuck with it. I occassionally use the hold R1 and L1 to control shifting with some advantage. I'm 82% through the game, primarily golds and silvers on the license tests, the only problem I've really had that I blame on the controller is the Missions. The ones with the freakin' ASM's maxed out. It is difficult for me anyway, to drive cars with max stability management.
 
route_66
I use a DS2 and I can drive manual faster than I drive auto - but not by that much and I'll often use auto if I don't think I'm going to need to run a perfect lap to win, or for a lazy waster day in arcade mode. In harder races and also for the licenses, it makes a difference. It's much easier to get gold using MT IMO.
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YOU, use a DS2? The Aspec king was impressive enough, but also done with a DS2! I dub thee GTKing
 
JParker
YOU, use a DS2? The Aspec king was impressive enough, but also done with a DS2! I dub thee GTKing
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Yeah. Got through three of them in the course of the quest though................. surprisingly fragile when used as a javelin. lol.
 
I don't know about GT4 but I've done 100% games in GT3 with both AT and MT. Since I used to keep detailed record back then I found that there was very little real difference in my times. On some tracks AT was faster, on some MT was faster, but only by sub second diferences. Of course all that might mean is I suck at MT... But since there is no true advantage in my eyes I now use AT all the time. It allows me to concentrate on the racing without worrying about which gear to be in all the time. I have yet to find a race that I can't win with AT, although I admit a couple of the license tests are easier to gold using MT.
 
congratulations danjiri, your on you way to truly mastering your game! keep up with the MT training, it takes time, but you will master it. ive always driven gran turismo with manual gears, and whilst im highly proficient, i realise that there are areas that i need to improve. i still sometimes select the wrong gear, or change down too many.
imo, i find it better to drive slower cars, because the gear changes are less than those of a high powered car. choose a car that accelerates at a pace you can handle (ie watch how fast the rev counter ges up), and experiment.
the gear change indicator is handy, but dont let it rule your style - car attitude and track position are a better indication of gear selection. infact, drive both manual and automatic transmission cars side by side, its a handy way to make comparisons. above all, practice, practice, practice!

danjiri
Also my right index finger cramps up after a while from hitting the R1 botton with my right thumb going nuts on "x" and "[]".
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learning to use manual gears is a daunting challenge in itself, poor pad layout can also hinder your progress. i'll let you into a little secret. you dont have to use the bog-standard L1/R1 combination, experiment with different pad configurations and find which combination of buttons work best for you.
personally, i have a custom configuration for my gears, dating back to the first time i learned to use them (playing rage racer). i have the upshift on R1, and the downshift on R2. this style benefits my driving style and i rarely get cramp now, though i used to suffer badly when i used the L1/R1 combination.
imo, the ps2 pad is poorly designed, but functional. sony is unique amongst console developers in that its analogue pads are designed to be digital first, and analogue second. i also have an xbox, and i rarely use the d-pad; because of the nature of that pads design, it is easier to use the analogue sticks, than the digital d-pad. annoyingly, on the ps2, its the other way around. if the ps2 had pads similar to the small style xbox pads, then we would all be driving like superstars.
 
Thanks everyone for the feedback, very informative and helped me a lot.
Just the push and reassurance I needed.
I am now determined to keep at it with MT. 👍
I will practice practice and practice!
Also will go back to the license tests with MT to practice and see if I can upgrade, and work on reconfiguring the DS2 controller bottons to find the best assignment of shifting for me.
Thanks again, and I am gonna enjoy a new dimension to GT4. :cheers:
 
I use to drive manual in GT3, than started playin NFS:U2 using auto tranny, and just stuck with it in GT4. Its not that bad, you can still kind of control your gears by your button work.
 
Never used AT, Manual all the way.
MT is much more enjoyable and involving. I feel like I have more complete control of the vehicle and sometimes faster too with those cars that like revving way into the redline.
 
Also my right index finger cramps up after a while from hitting the R1 botton with my right thumb going nuts on "x" and "[]".
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I don't understand how anyone could use the buttons for throttle/brakes. I know they're pressure sensitive, but you still have very little granularity of control. If I'm forced to use the DS2 instead of my wheel, I always use the analog sticks. Try it, you may find it both more comfortable and easier to control.

And yes, manual shifting is a good way to improve your times. The thing about automatic transmissions, both in real life and in a game, is that they can only respond to inputs, they can't anticipate.
 
Stick with the manual.
In Gt1 and GT2, I was an auto guy but decided to try manual gear changing.
It took some time to have to work the controller in all of the aspects of the game and do manual gears but when you do it enough, it becomes second nature to shift manually.
I'd never go back to the auto and cringe when I have to play with auto setup.
Besides, what can be said about downshifting from high speed and making it sound just like the real life cars that really do race. To me, that's priceless when it comes to shifting manually.
Good luck with it and stick with it.
Misnblu
 
I started out with manual and have never used anything else. I played GT3 100% with a DS2 controller using the L1/R1 (or 2, whichver is default) buttons for shifting and the right analog stick for gas/brake. I found that the easiest controller setup for both stamina and accuracy.

I've tried ATX a few times but I find I'm much slower when I'm trying to second-guess when the transmission is going to shift.

I don't have any real points to offer except practice. You want to avoid hitting the rev limiter; I usually upshift at the first blink of the warning light if I'm going to keep accelerating; if I'll be slowing again immediately, I just back off a touch to stay out of the rev limiter and avoid shifting.
 
I used automatic from GT1 all the way until...about a month ago. I'm an idiot. You have so much more control over your car when using manual, especially if you know how to drive a manual in real life. Granted, it takes some time getting used to having to hit the buttons, but once you do it's a lot more fun and I'm actually a lot faster. It especially helps in cars where the powerband extends beyond the redline, such as the Opel Speedster. I doubt I would have won those races so easily if I hadn't learned manual tranny by then. It gets old trying to pull out of a corner and realizing you took it too fast for the automatic to have downshifted to a low enough gear to accelerate well.

Oh yeah, and I have the buttons set up on R2/L2 and use the buttons for acceleration and braking and I don't have any problems. My fingers fall right on the R2/L2 buttons naturally. Oh, and I happen to love the DS2 and can't stand the xbox controllers. They're very uncomfortable and my hands are too big :scared:
 
Danjiri
I need advice/input please from the expert drivers with best results out there.
4 days of playing GT4 using Automatic Transmission, sitting around 15% completion at my pace.

I did a search on Manual transmission and found that a good portion plays on MT, but seems to be using more Logitec DFP.
I use DS2 (don't plan to buy DFP), and I want to be fastest/best that I can be on GT4, so considering to change to MT in necessary.

For the first time I practiced on MT using a mediocre car for 5 hours yesterday but I am still about 3 sec behind (Motegi East for this purpose) my best lap time using AT same car same settings. Also my right index finger cramps up after a while from hitting the R1 botton with my right thumb going nuts on "x" and "[]". :crazy:

I drive MT in real life so all familiar with the MT theory and I can see the benefits of MT in GT4 but....

Are all the best drivers out there use MT over AT setting?
If MT is the way to go for best results in GT4, I was going to keep practicing MT but if not necessary for the best results, I thought going back to AT and keep working on that.

I know that it all depends on what one likes, but wanted feedback before I make my decision on it.
Thanks in advance :) 👍
Click to expand...

I switched to manual about midway through GT3 and never looked back. The biggest trick is setting the buttons to whatever you find comfortable.

I too still use the DS2.

Here's my button layout:

L1 - downshift
L2 - upshift
R1 - rearview
R2 - Gas
Square - brake
Triangle - Reverse
Circle - E-brake

Can't remember the rest at the moment, but I think the remaining functions are: change driving view;
Nitrous button (I have this one set on L3 I believe);
and ????

Those remaining three you just assign however it makes the most sense to you. The most important part of this button layout to me is the assignment of the L1, L2, R1 and R2 buttons.

Hope that's helpful and I'm not duplicating anybody else. Once you get used to manual, you won't be able to understand how you drove in auto in the first place!
 
VacekS
Can't remember the rest at the moment, but I think the remaining functions are: change driving view;
Nitrous button (I have this one set on L3 I believe);
and ????
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I could never do that. During intense races, I'm usually gripping my controller so hard that L3 is being pressed. :dopey:

I have used MT since the beginning - real life and in GT1. And I'm kinda proud of it, too 👍
 
OMG... i dont know if anyone has said this... but there was a thread a few weeks ago with this almost exact title....

Auto is slower 98% of the time no matter what perhipheral your using.
 
I too am switching from AT to MT. Won Mission 23 with it. So I know about upshifting, but I too am having trouble finding when the time to downshift is. :crazy: Anyone got any tips besides pracitice (which I sorely need) about the downshifting part?
 
practice practice. shifting pts are different for each car and obviously for each course. Its all about keeping in the powerband and shifting as little as possible. Just play around with shifting untill you get used to staying in the powerband for the car your using with minimal shifting. 👍
 
Here goes a little advice, turn off the music and try to familiarize just with the sound of the engine, you don’t need to look at the gauges to know when to up/down shift, when you are going to drive a car for the first time pick your favorite track and take some time to identify the shift points then start to memorize the pitch of the engine sound when you up or down shift.

With some practice you’ll never need to look at the gauges again. :)
 
G25RJ
Here goes a little advice, turn off the music and try to familiarize just with the sound of the engine, you don’t need to look at the gauges to know when to up/down shift, when you are going to drive a car for the first time pick your favorite track and take some time to identify the shift points then start to memorize the pitch of the engine sound when you up or down shift.

With some practice you’ll never need to look at the gauges again. :)
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Heh. Some folks have asked me what speed I was making down the straightaway or around particular turns on the RL tracks, and I really don't know. There's only one gauge I look at... and that's oil temperature. I check it briefly on the straightaways.

I know how fast I'm going by sound only. And that works much better than watching gauges... even if you have a hud in your car... because you never take your eyes off where you're going. And hey.. you have ears. They gotta be useful for something, right?

You become intimately familiar with each gear. Each has a personality.

You can also try to estimate your speed by sight... how fast you 'feel' like you're going. But I don't think this works very well because your speed sense is easily deranged... as soon as another car is near you, and you get excited, it starts seeming like you're going slower than you really are...

Heh. When I've accidentally selected AT in Gran Turismo, I find I can't drive the car at all. I don't know what gear I'm in, so I have no idea how fast I'm going. I can't drive with my eyes glued to the gauge at all.

Btw... you don't see a lot of auto trannies on the track in RL. Not because of performance... but because of temperature. Auto trannies _burn up_ on the track. They run hot just driving around town. My center console gets really hot to the touch, and I have a manual tranny... I can't imagine how hot the autos get on the track!

Now in the RL drags, it's the opposite story. Autos are much more common and desirable than manuals. Autos have all the advantages on the drags. Except they aren't as much fun, imho.

- Skant
 
The last three posts said it best and couldn't have said better myself.
Listen to what they say, it's all fact and written in stone.
turn off the music and try to familiarize just with the sound of the engine,
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Best advice to get started when racing in real life or for the GT games.
You become intimately familiar with each gear. Each has a personality.
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Ahh yes, I know what you mean and do the same in my daily driver. There's nothing like the sweet symphony of engine singing close to redline before the next shift. GT games have been good about letting you hear the engine as good as real life.
If there is one thing I can say about downshifting, watch Speed Channel sometimes and listen to the Formula1 cars and how they shift coming out of corners and downshifting from the back straight into a good dogleg. You'll then have an idea of how to downshift in those situations and find it uncanny that you too will be doing the same once you get the "feel" for it.
Have fun with manual. There's nothing better.
misnblu
 
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