I recently leased a a 2011 GS coupe and was taking a road trip in it and was enjoying the road , when suddenly i tried to accelerate from about 60-65 MPH and the car seemed to bog down. I couldn't understand why until I noticed on the HUD the number 6 which indicated that i must have touched the paddle by mistake and put into manual shift mode. Since I was in auto mode, I was surprised because i thought you can only use this mode when you put into the sport gear. I think this is dangerous because you can easily make a mistake and put into this mode, without realizing it and when you go to accelerate, the car does not react as you would expect and catches you off guard. It was not until I got home and looked at the owners manual did i learn this can be done and was not a malfunction, but without some early warning, i think the driver could be caught off guard. What i did find interesting is that it only operates in the auto gear when you are in motion at some MPH, if you are stopped or under that speed and decide to use the paddle you have to shift into the sport gear first. This is rather confusing and inconsistent.


What do you think?

 

One of 2 things:

"IF" you saw "6" on your HUD you WERE in SPORT

"IF" you were not in SPORT, your car is broken, needs to be fixed.

The gears will only show up when car is in SPORT, and you hit a paddle.

 

I don't think you have to be in "S" to get the paddles to work.

I have a 2011 GS with the A6. If I am in "D" and push the the paddle lever while in engine is running and at a stop, it will indicate 5 or 6 (can't remember which) on the DIC.

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EDIT: I just came back from the store. It won't work if you are at a stop, but if you are maintaining a steady speed (I was going a steady 30mph) while in "D" and then push one of the paddles, the DIC will first indicate an "X", followed by the number "5".

To get out of the manual mode, jut place the shifter in "S" and then back in "D".

I don't have a HUD, but if the DIC indicates the number 5, I guess the HUD would too.

So, why did the OP see the number 6 in his HUD while being in the "D" position? ... because he happened to hit one of the paddles while driving.

.

 

Mine, the paddles have no affect in "D"...

 

My understanding and, according to manual, paddles will not function with trans. in "D" (and they don't on mine, I've tried it), and when you put it in "S", it will shift automaticly until you move a paddle, then it stays in the gear you put it in, except when you come to a stop, then it goes to "2". And that's exactly how mine works.

 

My 2012 does not have to be in "S". Actually this is what the engineer told me at the Corvette Museum when he delivered the car. If you are in "D" and touch the paddle, it's the same a "S".

 

according to the manual a drier may choose to briefly activate the manual paddle while in drive by tapping the upshift or downshift controls. you exit that mode by holding the with the upshift or downshift control for 2 seconds. The system will return to auto shifting after 10 seconds of cruising at a steady speed or when the car comes to a stop.

How would the average vette driver know this without reading the book!

 

"THEY" must have changed it in 2011...Or so... as with mine, and others, with older cars, 06, it is not the case... I can hold Paddle all I want in "D" and nothing.

 

GM sure made it complicated. I'm glad my 2008 doesn't have that.

 

Here again is my EDIT to my post above (in regard to my 2011 GS)

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EDIT: I just came back from the store. It won't work if you are at a stop, but if you are maintaining a steady speed (I was going a steady 30mph) while in "D" and then push one of the paddles, the DIC will first indicate an "X", followed by the number "5".

To get out of the manual mode, just place the shifter in "S" and then back in "D".

I don't have a HUD, but if the DIC indicates the number 5, I guess the HUD would too.

So, why did the OP see the number 6 in his HUD while being in the "D" position? ... because he happened to hit one of the paddles while driving.

 

I'm really glad I have a manual 6 speed.....It's a whole lot easier

 

 

I have never had my '09 in drive. Keep it in sport. Kick the paddle down a couple of gears when you need some added power. Heck it's the fun way to go.

This is exactly what you would have done with a manual trany anyway.

Don't let these mn trany guys get to ya.

I always drove mn. Now in my old age, I switched to the A6 because of the paddle, my wife complaining she couldn't drive my previous cars, and too much traffic these days.

 

And more fun.

 

This started in 2010 models

 

My A6 is a awesome I can lay rubber in 1st...2nd...or 3rd and bark 4th without dumping the clutch.

 

2011 A6. In drive the paddle works up and down thru the gears, if u don't select a gear within 10 sec or keep a steady speed it will go back to auto. In the sport mod u can shift up and down and it will not auto shift until go back to drive or hold the up paddle for longer than 1 sec. Also in sport mod if u don't hit any paddles it will shift auto until u decide to make a selection, and that is how my GS works. Once U know how the system reacts it's fun and additive. On the other hand our Camaro is quit different. I like the vette setup better.

 

Personally I like the ability to just tap the paddles in the Grand Sport 2011. 2 taps here and an extra tap there. Just to let the revs come up . While driving the 07 it screws me up everytime got to put it in S. S to me on the 07 equals suckie

 

 

Maybe cars should have messages verbally announced thru the audio system...
"Manual mode engaged."
"Fasten your seatbelt."
"The engine is ON."
"It's your Mother-in-law's birthday."

On a serious note, I'd suggest you read about the traction control button... unintended wheelspin can be a nasty surprise!

Might also want to familiarize yourself with how to manually open the hatch & drivers door & fuel door, how to use the glovebox fob slot, what to do if the battery dies, fob "dead zone" in the hatch area, RFI interference, why a spare key-in-the-wallet is a good idea, etc.

And you definitely don't want to suffer the embarrassment of being locked INSIDE the C6 (rated MA for language): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWoXJIe0prU