for those of you that have paddle shifted (or manual shifted) autos, how often do you use them?

[BlahBlahYouToo]

my theory is that it's a novel feature that doesn't get used beyond the first week, maybe month of ownership.
auto makers want you to feel cool, like you're driving a manual so they put these shifters in these horribly slow torque converted automatics for your driving pleasure.

but most end up not using it because either you don't know when to shift, the ecu does a better job of shifting, you're just to lazy, it's slow to respond, etc.

 

[krunchykrome]

We don;t have paddle shifters in any of our cars, but our 04 TSX has the little sport mode shifter thing. I dont think theres any performance benefit from using it, but I still use it occassionally when Im in a hurry.

 

[lastig21]

I've had a Lexus with paddle shifts on the steering wheel, and an Infiniti with a manual shift mode. I've never used manual mode on the Infiniti, and shifted gears with the paddles maybe twice in the Lexus. I don't find either method exciting, and just let the car handle it.

 

[spidey07]

Tried them the first few weeks with girls car, haven't touched them since. Except to put in lower gear when going down a large hill.

 

[vi edit]

I've got a little 2.3L in my car that has a powerband that really doesn't come on until around 4000 RPM's. If I want to do any passing or "spirited driving" in a place that I'll be on & off the accelerator frequently I'll just lock it into 3rd gear with the "manual-matic" gear selector and run with it. 3rd gear is the most usable gear for me as it is quite responsive from 30-70MPH.

 

[CptCrunch]

Originally posted by: vi edit
I've got a little 2.3L in my car that has a powerband that really doesn't come on until around 4000 RPM's. If I want to do any passing or "spirited driving" in a place that I'll be on & off the accelerator frequently I'll just lock it into 3rd gear with the "manual-matic" gear selector and run with it. 3rd gear is the most usable gear for me as it is quite responsive from 30-70MPH.

Mazda 3 eh?

 

[halik]

I have tip buttons on my steering wheel and I use them quite a bit. I added a timed relay so I can just tap it and it will down shift whether I'm in tip mode or just Drive.

2000 Audi a6 2.7t

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: CptCrunch

Originally posted by: vi edit
I've got a little 2.3L in my car that has a powerband that really doesn't come on until around 4000 RPM's. If I want to do any passing or "spirited driving" in a place that I'll be on & off the accelerator frequently I'll just lock it into 3rd gear with the "manual-matic" gear selector and run with it. 3rd gear is the most usable gear for me as it is quite responsive from 30-70MPH.

Mazda 3 eh?

Close...it's a Mazda5. Same engine. More weight.

 

[JulesMaximus]

My wife's car has them but I rarely use them and she NEVER uses them.

They are fucking useless.

 

[CrimsonWolf]

Depends on the car for me.

My dad had a Lexus IS300. The paddle shifters sucked bad. Whenever I "shifted", it didn't shift, per se, but rather took it to be a recommendation to shift sometime in the next 5 seconds or so. It drove me nuts - I just stuck with automatic.

350z was completely different. "Shifting" with that automatic was ridiculously fast. I used that all the time.

 

[jtvang125]

Mine has a manual mode that you can shift into. Once engaged instead of paddles mine has buttons. I rarely use it but when I do there is a slight quicker throttle response than letting the car handle the shifting. It's definitely quicker to downshift with the button than to punch it and let the ecu think and then drop a gear.

It's pretty much useless around town because of all the sharp 90 degree turns. Trying to push that button to upshift or downshift through a turn takes just too much concentrating and more hassle than its worth.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

have them on a 6spd automatic with a turbo V6 on the wifeys car. Also have a selectable "sport" shifting mode that holds a gear longer and makes for more brisk upshifts.

Never use either - was cool when I test drove it as I have a manual trans car but after that who really cares?

 

[CptCrunch]

I had a camry v6 as a rental 2 years back and used the manual shifter a few times. It was rough trying to use it like a real manual in city driving. Going from 2nd to 1st at 10 mph came with the transmission kicking like a mule. It was ridiculous. The only thing I used it for is to keep the v6 in a certain gear around town. Once on the highway it was useless.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
We don;t have paddle shifters in any of our cars, but our 04 TSX has the little sport mode shifter thing. I dont think theres any performance benefit from using it, but I still use it occassionally when Im in a hurry.

yeah, that's what i meant too.

 

[RichieZ]

my car has 3 pedals, but i have driven friends cars equipped with dual clutch (PDK, S-tronic etc). I rarely used that feature - its damn smooth though and faster than I could ever shift. but it took something away form the experience.

 

[Gibson486]

i have only found it useful when I need to merge on a highway from a stop sign. Other than that, it is pure novelty.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: RichieZ
my car has 3 pedals, but i have driven friends cars equipped with dual clutch (PDK, S-tronic etc). I rarely used that feature - its damn smooth though and faster than I could ever shift. but it took something away form the experience.

i got u beat. my car has 4 pedals.

 

[Aikouka]

My Altima has a "manu-matic mode", but I don't really use it. Sometimes it's kind of fun to shift, but more of a "look at me, I'm just 99.99..% lame for driving an automatic, 'cause I get to tell my computer to adjust gearing!" My Altima has a CVT though so it's a little different.

 

[rh71]

"i use them when i feel like doing "spirited" driving"

It gives it a whole different feel... it goes from a laggy accelerator to extremely sensitive. But I don't use it that often because it's in no way smoother no matter what I try - I know it's not supposed to but it's why it doesn't compare when I'm just cruising on the streets. I also don't need to accelerate like a madman 99% of the time.

 

[KDKPSJ]

I used them quite often. For engine braking, 3rd gear accelaration, or just for fun. They come quite handy

2006 E90 325i 6AT

 

[ViviTheMage]

I would only use it if I had a DSG VW.

I prefer my 6 speed MT though...

 

[hanoverphist]

i used the manual part the first week and once in a while for giggles, but for the remainder of the time i owned that car it never got touched. i have a manual transmission in my truck i drive now tho.

 

[Excelsior]

I have tiptronic in my Passat, but I never use it really. I prefer either full auto or full manual...or DSG/S-tronic. My last passat was a manual and I much preferred that.

 

[ponyo]

I use it when I feel like it which is most of the time. Is it good as a manual? No. Is it good enough? Yes. It's a nice compromise but not a true replacement.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: Naustica
I use it when I feel like it which is most of the time. Is it good as a manual? No. Is it good enough? Yes. It's a nice compromise but not a true replacement.

what car?
every car i've played with this type of trans sucked hardcore. some are slow to respond, some will not hold gears, some will just shift for you regardless.
it just plain sucks.