A couple of us have made this change that I know of. It isn't that difficult. Here's the thread http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1555475 and my writeup http://web.mac.com/dbrat10/iWeb/C6-A6/index.html

Contact me if you have any questions. I REALLY prefer the way the paddles work now compared to OEM.

--Dan

 

I'm not a big fan of paddle shifting in general, but if Chevy wants to use it they could at least make it work the same way it works in other cars that use paddle shifting. Being different for the sake of being different with basic car controls isn't a good idea. Makes about as much sense as building the steering so the car goes left when you turn the wheel to the right, or swapping the gas and brake pedal positions.

I prefer the shifter to be on the console, the way it is in a manual or my A4. For nearly a century, that's been the normal place to find the gear selector. But the idea of being able to keep both hands on the wheel at all times is an attractive one. Far be it from me to fight progress. Still, there is such a notion as standardization. If the controls are on the wheel, they should work the same way as they do on other cars with the controls on the wheel.

If Chevy had wanted to be different, I have a much better suggestion about how to be different. In an automatic car, the left foot has nothing to do. They could have put a rocker pedal there to shift gears, like is done on industrial and farm equipment, and somewhat similar to how motorcycles shift. Push with the toe to go to a higher gear, with the heel to go to a lower gear. That allows the hands to remain on the wheel too, and gives an otherwise unused limb something to do. It works on my combine and tractor, it even works on my riding lawnmower, and no more retraining of operators required than any other novel gear selection solution.

 

I like this set up as well. For me it's natural to tab forward for upshift and tab towards me for downshift. Maybe it's because I'm left handed.

 

I like the pedal shifting idea. As for reality, I find the GM method to be counter-intuitive. I saw the modding thread a while back but before taking the plunge I decided by changing it, I'd be doing exactly what GM did. I'd have trouble down the road if my next Corvette has paddles, I'd confuse anyone who drives my car, not to mention what could happen when the car goes in for service. I'll accept it as the GM standard, but I don't have to like it. If they ever want to change it, I'll be first in line for the upgrade.

 

I never liked it. Test drove it while deciding between that and Manual. Manual wins every time! I shift faster than that paddle shifter anyway.

 

I hear you, same problem getting use to it here!

 

Shopdog-You never cease to amaze me. Your idea certainly has alot of merit. But, to keep things basic and consistant with "the industry" in general, making the paddle work as others, and, in a much more effecient and intuitive manner doesn't seem to me such a big leap for GM. Why they didn't do it right the first time I don't know. I do know it's too late now with all the 06's and 07's out there. Your idea about the left foot I like. But probably GM thought there's too many people out there who don't know their Right from their Left.

 

+/- up or down shift I can adapt. But if controls are in a different place during turns 'cause they're on a steering wheel? That's just wrong. And I'll be happy to fight a bad design even if mfgs market the idea as progress. Shifting control belongs on the shifter. A "sport" position...bump the shifter forward to upshift or back to downshift (spring loaded, shifter stays in same position even with a turn) And, since real men (manual drivers ) been driving with one hand on the wheel other the shifter for a century, I figure A6 drivers can too.

jer

 

I still haven't quite gotten the hang of the paddle shifting on my A6. I don't really hear/feel the engine like I'm used to with a manuel. It doesn't shift as fast as I would be shifting manually. Someday I'll get a demonstration from an expert. Normally I keep it in D.

 

I like this idea and have also proposed it -- a rachet shifter on the console. Then the only decision left is if pushing forward is up or down shifting. I'll vote for forward being down-shifting like a motorcycle.

My left foot has plenty to do -- braking. I always drive the car this way whether on the street or a track.

 

Yea ! When I first got my 06 I was pressing DOWNSHIFT to UPSHIFT as it felt more natural that way. LOL
Some peeps as mentioned reversed the wires but its too late for me now as im used to it.

 

I know what you mean... just knowing the plus label is for higher doesn't make the paddle action intuitive.

I found it counter-intuitive at first, too, but, with repetition, I've built the muscle memory now. Also have made a connection between 'more power' and the 'bigger paddle,' the minus side.

 

Another good reason for shopdogs foot shifter idea.

 

A better reason for Shopdog's console shifter idea.

I also brake left foot in heavy traffic, street...right foot accelerator. Don't know about track. Even so, I've never had a problem steering with one hand on the wheel.

jer

 

And, I also know how to read a manual thanks. Licensed SCCA for 18 years. I was just stating what seems "easier and more natural".

What does SCCA mean
Thanks

 

1. Do you mean both are better?
2. Does the "S" start off in 1st gear?

Love my paddles

 

...........they got half the crap on their cars bass halfed achwords. Now you crab about the paddle shift as turning your head to mush to figure out the upshift and downshift under the guise of intuitiveness. Remember what these euroclowns did to the autotranny selector on the console............gave you a rat-maze gate to go thru just to find a gear and now you find those patterns turning up on Asian and domestic cars nowadays and two paragraphs in the ownner manuals just to get the car rolling: To place the car in gear push in park release buton and pull handle down one notch push to the right pull down two notchs back to the left and up on notch and you are in drive! Think your ancestors came over hear for nothin'? Give me a good old-fashioned American inline autotranny gate anytime with or without paddle shifts.

 

Good points all----I had to order my '07 vert with the auto---wife can't drive a manual.....I know, I know...... anywho, I don't mind the shifting action on the a6. As long as you get used to what you are driving, it
becomes second nature---old farm truck: three on the tree, old Brit bike: right side shift, race bike: 5 or 6 gears all up...etc... But I wish GM would have made this tranny a little more crisp and responsive in the 's' mode. Each time I test drove, I almost had to watch the HUD to see when it shifted! And I read somewhere that it rev-matches on downshifts..?? I didn't feel or hear that happening. Does switching off the TC (which I did not do) change things in this regard??? And maybe when I get the exhaust modified, I can get a better sense/feel of the shifting.

Kevin

 

From the 2007 C6 Brochure:

"Squeeze either of the two steering wheel-mounted paddles towards you and the available six-speed automatic transmission shifts down
at lightning speed, the throttle adjusting automatically with each downshift for smooth transitions. "

And yet, mine ( clearly ) does not do this....
- Ray
6,000+ miles on my 2007 A6.....