Paddle Shift
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Hill GA
Paddle Shift
What's the deal with the paddle shifts. Is it like an automatic where shifting is optional or is it required? I've always purchased stick shifts on my vets and I'm just not sure if I'd enjoy the paddle thing.
Dealer I went to locally didn't have a paddle shifter to try in stock and was a pain in the back side dealing with the salesman.
Dealer I went to locally didn't have a paddle shifter to try in stock and was a pain in the back side dealing with the salesman.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 0
From: Royse City Texas
It's a 6 speed automatic with controls (paddles) mounted on the steering wheel for easy pushing or pulling to shift gears shen you put it into the Sport mode rather than normal Drive mode. I basically works like the old regular car autos that had 1,2,and D and you could move to the gear you wanted. Now it is 6 gears though, with easier shifting. Still, it is an automatic, and it does not, IMO, feel anything like a clutch and shift manuel. I've had mine almost 8 months and rarely use it.
Racer
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Evansville IN
The paddle shift comes standard with all automatics, which went from four to six speeds in 2006. The automatics come with a shifter in the console, with two positions for drive, lettered D (standard drive) and S (sport drive). When in S the shift points are different, and harder, than in D. When in S the paddles can be used as well, so you can decise whan to shift manually.
Give ona a test drive. I prefer mine over the last six speed I had.
Give ona a test drive. I prefer mine over the last six speed I had.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Hill GA
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix for 6 months Alberta/Arizona
It's a 6 speed automatic with controls (paddles) mounted on the steering wheel for easy pushing or pulling to shift gears shen you put it into the Sport mode rather than normal Drive mode. I basically works like the old regular car autos that had 1,2,and D and you could move to the gear you wanted. Now it is 6 gears though, with easier shifting. Still, it is an automatic, and it does not, IMO, feel anything like a clutch and shift manuel. I've had mine almost 8 months and rarely use it.
Used mine once in 6 months.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,907
Likes: 1
From: Between a rock and a hard place, S.E. PA
This has all been covered elsewhere but here are the basics again.
Drive will shift smoothly and at lower RPM's automatically.
Sport will shift firmer and hold higher RPM's automatically as well as downshift a little sooner.
Sport mode is also used for manual paddle shifting. Once you engage paddle mode, you are in control until you drop it back to Drive. You can then re-enter Sport again for auto or paddle.
The exception to the rule is if you forget to downshift at a stop, the trans will automatically shift into 2nd gear and stay there until you shift again. The car can easily move from a stop in 2nd gear.
The paddles will NOT let you engage a gear that is deemed too high or too low at the time.
Contrary to the brochure, it does NOT shift "lightning" fast but it does make driving an auto more fun.
Drive will shift smoothly and at lower RPM's automatically.
Sport will shift firmer and hold higher RPM's automatically as well as downshift a little sooner.
Sport mode is also used for manual paddle shifting. Once you engage paddle mode, you are in control until you drop it back to Drive. You can then re-enter Sport again for auto or paddle.
The exception to the rule is if you forget to downshift at a stop, the trans will automatically shift into 2nd gear and stay there until you shift again. The car can easily move from a stop in 2nd gear.
The paddles will NOT let you engage a gear that is deemed too high or too low at the time.
Contrary to the brochure, it does NOT shift "lightning" fast but it does make driving an auto more fun.
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton Inlet, Atlantic Ocean (Floridas east coast)
Love my 06 with paddles! No automatic upshifts like in other cars, It only shifts when you tell it to. (unless you try something that just doesnt make sence, like shifting to 1st at 50mph) I admit the feel of a manual is great but give me a choice and ill take the auto/manual every time.
