Gear and mode selection for transmissions using a single input device

A transmission management system for a transmission of a vehicle, wherein said transmission has a first gear and a second gear that corresponds to a lower gear ratio than said first gear, the transmission management system comprising:

• an enabling module that enables a second gear start mode of said transmission when a vehicle speed is less than a predetermined speed;
• a shift control module that commands operation of said transmission in said second gear when said second gear start mode is enabled;
• and
• a disabling module that selectively disables said second gear start mode when a user commands a first predetermined number of gear shifts to said first gear within a second predetermined number of different periods when said vehicle speed is less than said predetermined speed while said second gear start mode is enabled and that prevents said enabling module from re-enabling said second gear start mode after said second gear start mode is disabled,
• wherein said second predetermined number is an integer greater than one, and
• wherein said first predetermined number is an integer greater than one and less than or equal to said second predetermined number.