CNET On Cars - How To: Driving a modern automatic transmission

CNET's Brian Cooley gets behind the wheel of a Mazda3 and shows you how to drive a modern, shiftable, automatic transmission.

[Diegoleonlemus]

This might actually save my life cause I'm used to older cars

[Kopa_Malphas]

What a nice choice of car in that Mazda 3 ;) Love the new look of those cars

[speedfiend]

So if I followed him correctly, you can shift with the paddles in auto or manual mode or it will simply shift more aggressively on it's own in manual mode if you do not use the paddles? I drive a manual but have thought about getting the Mazda 3 with paddle shifters since the 2.5 engine may not be offered with a manual transmission.

[jujn]

amazing...  maybe next you guys will make a video on how to open a modern car door.

[centaura]

Is there a way to tell what gears your on or how many gears the car have? Also. On the old manuals, one had to step on the left pedal to shift gears either up or down. How does this work on the new cars?

[zachg]

Average consumer that sees a car with paddles: "Oh dang this is like a Ferrari!"

[AlainHubert]

I couldn't help but notice how bumpy the ride is in this Mazda3. Brian is continuously being shaken up and down and sideways in his seat.
The suspension on a car is supposed to filter out road imperfections, not transmit each and every bump and creases to the driver and passengers. This looks like a ride in a suspensionless go-kart.

[stormyalice]

Believe it or not.. A lot of foreigners who move to America from other countries need this kind of help. Manual is a big thing and automatic scares them.

Didn't believe it until 5 mins ago, when I showed a new employee this (they're from Croatia. Mostly manuals there.)

[YoungMonkei]

i've never seen this in a car but then again i drive around in a 2002 grand am and i'm pretty sure it does not have these "paddles".

[joaomarques]

A lot of manual drivers getting triggered in the comment section. We get it, you are superior human beings.

[FastCarCentral]

Brian, did the editors at CNET make you do this video for April fools?

[Eagle]

It's not the fact that this video exists that upsets me, it's the comments that are saying "Thank you! I never knew how to use the paddles" etc.

The second most expensive thing you own (apart from a house), the thing you use on a daily basis and you didn't take the time to read the instruction manual?

A machine that you use to move a ton and a half of metal at 100k's an hour (60 mph) on a regular basis and you still don't know what two basic levers do?

You're controlling a machine that can kill someone in an instant, and you're sitting there going "Hey, I wonder what these flappy things do..."

*mind blown*

[fabregesta]

Guys, should i take my foot off the gas when i shift up or down??

[NaviYT]

Do you have to let go of the accelerator?

[disciprine]

Ignore the Jalopnik trolls ;)
More Aston Martin reviews please

[PassportBrosBusinessClass]

I have a SRT. Just drive the bastard. It switches gears when it needs too.

[prerakshah]

Video about transmission and torque is not mentioned even once! Wow!

[drumnstuff]

I don't ever want a car that can be "invoked" to shift. If I tell it to be in a gear, it better damn well be in that gear. People that are actually learning things from this video need to learn more about what gets them around everyday.

[Littlemineslaps]

I have a infinity QX70 which is a automated manual transmssion.

[FastCarCentral]

what the hell is a "granular gear"?