no you dont. it controls exactly what it says. when your driving at 30 and you punch it, it should drop down to 1st gear. it only controls the downshift/passing gear. not how the transmission up-shifts. but if you leave it disconected, and your driving down the street and you wana pass someone, you need to take your shifter and pull it manualy down to 2nd or 1st for it to downshift.