Automatic Trans 'Paddle' Shifter Question
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2009
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Automatic Trans 'Paddle' Shifter Question
I am not 'brought up to speed' in regards to the Auto tranny that has the paddles to shift with on the wheel. How does this work in the C6 vettes? Is there a button or something that one presses to 'disengage' the actual auto transmission thereby allowing the driver to shift via the paddles at whatever point he sees fit? If this is the case how does this work without a clutch? This would, in essence, make the car a manual tranny whenever this mode is engaged, correct? Or am I completely and utterly missing something?
Please bring me up to speed in regards to this as it might be the deciding factor as to whether I buy a C5 Z06 or a C6 Coupe.
Thanks in advance and please excuse my ignorance.
Please bring me up to speed in regards to this as it might be the deciding factor as to whether I buy a C5 Z06 or a C6 Coupe.
Thanks in advance and please excuse my ignorance.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: SOFLA
2016 Corvette of Year
2015 C6 of Year Finalist
The transmission is Automatic. It basically has 3 modes, Drive, Sport and Paddle shift. The steering wheel has a paddle either side. To engage paddle shifting you need to put the transmission in S mode, then push the paddle forward to change up and pull to change down. This is not a Sequential manual Gear selection, (SMG) like in high end cars. It is basically an automatic transmission with gear selection. You do control when to change gears, I have it and love it. I have a tune on my car which really changes the ratios and makes it a lot more aggressive. I would recomend it.
David
David
Corvette Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 579
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From: Acworth Georgia
Ok you have your basic P R N D but then you also have S for Sport. When the shifter is put in S. Then you can change the gears by using the + for upshifting and you pull the paddle back toward you to downshift. The paddles are on the left and right of the steering wheel its the same on either side. Hope that helps you some.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
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From: Hope, Arkansas - '07 LMB Coupe
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
You can think of using the paddles as being equivalent to shifting a normal auto tranny to second or low with the gear selector. The main difference is that it's managed electrically by the computer modules instead of mechanically.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Rochester New York
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,211
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From: Albany Oregon
The transmission is Automatic. It basically has 3 modes, Drive, Sport and Paddle shift. The steering wheel has a paddle either side. To engage paddle shifting you need to put the transmission in S mode, then push the paddle forward to change up and pull to change down. This is not a Sequential manual Gear selection, (SMG) like in high end cars. It is basically an automatic transmission with gear selection. You do control when to change gears, I have it and love it. I have a tune on my car which really changes the ratios and makes it a lot more aggressive. I would recomend it.
David
David
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
It does affect the warranty as any powertrain tune does. You will enjoy your paddles on the twisties but the 1/4 mile...not so much. The car is actually faster in a straight run if you leave it in drive and let the tranny do it's thing. It can shift in less than half a second.
If you had a HUD you can see the gear you have selected in a square in the HUD. It won't let you downshift into too low a gear for the speed you are going to protect the car just as it has an overspeed limited for the same reason. I find that with the paddles, a launch in 1st brings the rpm up so fast I reach the overspeed limiter before I shift. Once in paddle mode you have to squeeze for first gear or it stays in second at a dead stop. Again, the twisties are great fun with the paddles and for sure get the NPP and the Z51 RPO's.
If you had a HUD you can see the gear you have selected in a square in the HUD. It won't let you downshift into too low a gear for the speed you are going to protect the car just as it has an overspeed limited for the same reason. I find that with the paddles, a launch in 1st brings the rpm up so fast I reach the overspeed limiter before I shift. Once in paddle mode you have to squeeze for first gear or it stays in second at a dead stop. Again, the twisties are great fun with the paddles and for sure get the NPP and the Z51 RPO's.
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Philadelphia Pa
Does anyone just drive in the sport mode and allow the tranny to shift itself. BTW if you do get the C-6 and the NPP make sure you get a "mild to wild",,I think you'll like it. If you don't know what I'm speaking of do a search on the forum and you'll see plenty of posts about the product,,and if I could install it then anyone could. Very very easy.
Last edited by 1st time owner; Apr 17, 2009 at 05:46 PM.
Race Director
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From: SOFLA
2016 Corvette of Year
2015 C6 of Year Finalist
I have a tune from Chuck Cow, he can explain better what he does, but every guy that has a tune from him will look like this when they drive home
David
Race Director
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From: SOFLA
2016 Corvette of Year
2015 C6 of Year Finalist
Racer
Joined: May 2008
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I had a quick tune done on my wife's A6. She had no clue what it would do. She thought it would give her more power only. She drove it across town to our hotel & said this think shifts different. She loves it. If I drive her car aggressive I just put it in S & let it do the work. The first time I used the paddles I hit the rev limiter. She won't let me drive it enough to do any better. LOL
Tucker
Tucker
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From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
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From: Edmond Oklahoma
Race Director
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From: Chatsworth California
Does anyone just drive in the sport mode and allow the tranny to shift itself. BTW if you do get the C-6 and the NPP make sure you get a "mild to wild",,I think you'll like it. If you don't know what I'm speaking of do a search on the forum and you'll see plenty of posts about the product,,and if I could install it then anyone could. Very very easy.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2009
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Thanks folks for all of the replys, I am really at a loss as to where I should go 2004 C5 Z06 or 2006 Coupe A6. Prior to finding out about this paddle shifting tranny I was sold on an 04 Z06 , but now..... I just don't know. I am a first time buyer and have always wanted a 'vette I like the C6 body more but I like the performance stats of the C5 Z06. I plan to use this car as a daily driver and to be honest I think that the C6 sounds to me like it would be a much better DD.
What do you guys think? You have had much more experience with these than I have.
One more question in regards to the A6 tranny, do you have to be stopped to change the mode of the tranny? That is to say suppose it is in 'normal tranny mode' and I want to change it to 'paddle shift mode' can I do that while the car is in motion or do I have to bring the car to a complete stop first?
Thanks again guys!
What do you guys think? You have had much more experience with these than I have.
One more question in regards to the A6 tranny, do you have to be stopped to change the mode of the tranny? That is to say suppose it is in 'normal tranny mode' and I want to change it to 'paddle shift mode' can I do that while the car is in motion or do I have to bring the car to a complete stop first?
Thanks again guys!
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
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I have an 07 C6, A6 vert, with a COW tune and I have modified the paddles so depressing the right upshifts and depressing the left down shifts, (kit available fron forum venders). I drive the car everyday, smiling all the way to and from work. I have 23k miles on it, it took me 50 years to get it so I ain't saving it for anybody. I love every aspect of the car and the mods I have made.
You can change the "tranny mode" to full D or S while moving, no problem. There is nothing not to like about this set up. You can kick back and cruze or kick it up and drive like hell. When I was in my 20's I loved my 4 speeds and comp clutches, but now in my 50's with a bit of arthritis in my left foot kinda made me think about just how often I really would engoy the pleasures of a good heel-toe down shift. The paddle shifters made the decision easier and I don't regret it for a minute.
You can change the "tranny mode" to full D or S while moving, no problem. There is nothing not to like about this set up. You can kick back and cruze or kick it up and drive like hell. When I was in my 20's I loved my 4 speeds and comp clutches, but now in my 50's with a bit of arthritis in my left foot kinda made me think about just how often I really would engoy the pleasures of a good heel-toe down shift. The paddle shifters made the decision easier and I don't regret it for a minute.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
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From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
One more question in regards to the A6 tranny, do you have to be stopped to change the mode of the tranny? That is to say suppose it is in 'normal tranny mode' and I want to change it to 'paddle shift mode' can I do that while the car is in motion or do I have to bring the car to a complete stop first?
Thanks again guys!
Thanks again guys!