Paddle shift techniques
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,118
Likes: 122
From: Madison (Huntsville) Alabama
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Paddle shift techniques
Haven't had my C6 long ... it's a replacement for my '03 that was destroyed when an SUV pulled out in front of me when I was going about 50 mph and 30 feet away ....
Never had a car with paddle shifters before, and was wondering what the best technique is for using them. And I mean basics ... do you keep your foot on the accelerator when shifting up, or remove it as you would when shifting a manual? And other tips would be appreciated too.
Honestly, I don't really see the utility of paddle shifters but just a lot cars have them now so there must be some use.
Never had a car with paddle shifters before, and was wondering what the best technique is for using them. And I mean basics ... do you keep your foot on the accelerator when shifting up, or remove it as you would when shifting a manual? And other tips would be appreciated too.
Honestly, I don't really see the utility of paddle shifters but just a lot cars have them now so there must be some use.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,715
Likes: 1
From: Central Florida
Haven't had my C6 long ... it's a replacement for my '03 that was destroyed when an SUV pulled out in front of me when I was going about 50 mph and 30 feet away ....
Never had a car with paddle shifters before, and was wondering what the best technique is for using them. And I mean basics ... do you keep your foot on the accelerator when shifting up, or remove it as you would when shifting a manual? And other tips would be appreciated too.
Honestly, I don't really see the utility of paddle shifters but just a lot cars have them now so there must be some use.
Never had a car with paddle shifters before, and was wondering what the best technique is for using them. And I mean basics ... do you keep your foot on the accelerator when shifting up, or remove it as you would when shifting a manual? And other tips would be appreciated too.
Honestly, I don't really see the utility of paddle shifters but just a lot cars have them now so there must be some use.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 233
Likes: 7
From: Tierra Verde FL
Yes you can keep your foot into it. I normally start in 2nd and shift about 6k it takes a second to shift to next gear. With 1st it will hit rev limiter very fast. When you go into S mode standing still shift down to
1st then to 2nd if you want, that will put gear numbers in HUD & DIC
1st then to 2nd if you want, that will put gear numbers in HUD & DIC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,576
Likes: 206
From: Mooresville North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Yes you can keep your foot into it. I normally start in 2nd and shift about 6k it takes a second to shift to next gear. With 1st it will hit rev limiter very fast. When you go into S mode standing still shift down to
1st then to 2nd if you want, that will put gear numbers in HUD & DIC
1st then to 2nd if you want, that will put gear numbers in HUD & DIC
Forget the + on the Paddle...stick your fingers underneath the steerring wheel and in front of the downshift side of the paddle....
When up shifting, simply move the paddle lever forward...and downshifting, simply tap the lever back....no more fumbling for that silly, small "+" sign stuck in the corner of the wheel...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,602
Likes: 974
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
The difference between the paddle shift and letting the auto mode do the shifting, is you control when you want to go either up a gear or down a gear which means you can hold a gear longer then the auto will. Also you can simply put it in the Sport mode and it will shift automatically for you same as in the Auto mode, but if you are driving it in a more spirited mode the tranny will hold the shift point a little longer.
You can get the car tuned so the shifts are more precise also.
You can get the car tuned so the shifts are more precise also.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 719
From: Northeast MA & Mad Beach FL
Another slick thing to do...
Forget the + on the Paddle...stick your fingers underneath the steerring wheel and in front of the downshift side of the paddle....
When up shifting, simply move the paddle lever forward...and downshifting, simply tap the lever back....no more fumbling for that silly, small "+" sign stuck in the corner of the wheel...
Forget the + on the Paddle...stick your fingers underneath the steerring wheel and in front of the downshift side of the paddle....
When up shifting, simply move the paddle lever forward...and downshifting, simply tap the lever back....no more fumbling for that silly, small "+" sign stuck in the corner of the wheel...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
SOME cars with paddle shifters are made to use them.
They're more of a gimmick on the C6. Very slow to react. Just wind it out a few times and learn how many RPMs early you need to hit it to not bump the rev limiter. At 550rwhp I have to hit them around 1500 rpms early, wait for the delay, then hope to god it shifts in time not to bounce the limiter, lol.
They can be useful for holding gears on a road course on on winding roads, but they lack when comparing to many other cars. I'm happy the car has them rather than nothing because I have tracked it, but do wish they had been better implemented.
They're more of a gimmick on the C6. Very slow to react. Just wind it out a few times and learn how many RPMs early you need to hit it to not bump the rev limiter. At 550rwhp I have to hit them around 1500 rpms early, wait for the delay, then hope to god it shifts in time not to bounce the limiter, lol.
They can be useful for holding gears on a road course on on winding roads, but they lack when comparing to many other cars. I'm happy the car has them rather than nothing because I have tracked it, but do wish they had been better implemented.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 12,971
Likes: 817
From: Huntsville AL
Yeah, they are fun to play around with, but that is about all. I'm sure you could use them on the track if you learned to anticipate the lag.
Mine is a 2006 model. I understand that the newer ones are better.
Mine is a 2006 model. I understand that the newer ones are better.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,715
Likes: 1
From: Central Florida
Another slick thing to do...
Forget the + on the Paddle...stick your fingers underneath the steerring wheel and in front of the downshift side of the paddle....
When up shifting, simply move the paddle lever forward...and downshifting, simply tap the lever back....no more fumbling for that silly, small "+" sign stuck in the corner of the wheel...
Forget the + on the Paddle...stick your fingers underneath the steerring wheel and in front of the downshift side of the paddle....
When up shifting, simply move the paddle lever forward...and downshifting, simply tap the lever back....no more fumbling for that silly, small "+" sign stuck in the corner of the wheel...
Works great....!!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,033
Likes: 2,722
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
I like it a lot. Normally, drive around in S without using the paddles; but they are instantly available if I desire. Wonderful on a twisty back road.
There IS a lag between when you push/pull the lever, and when the shift occurs, and the engine is continuing to wind up during that time (unlike a stick shift). For the 1-2 shift, I hit the paddle about 5700 rpm. For 2-3, about 6100 rpm. Once you learn the technique for your particular car, the lag becomes a non-issue. If I can't think ahead of my car by two seconds, it's time to park and take a rest.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 6
From: Redmond WA
There IS a lag between when you push/pull the lever, and when the shift occurs, and the engine is continuing to wind up during that time (unlike a stick shift). For the 1-2 shift, I hit the paddle about 5700 rpm. For 2-3, about 6100 rpm. Once you learn the technique for your particular car, the lag becomes a non-issue. If I can't think ahead of my car by two seconds, it's time to park and take a rest.
The programming on my 2011 seems pretty spot on for downshifting under heavy braking. Especially the 3 -> 2 shift, the very slight amount of engine braking on engagement allows the car to rotate into the turn. It's really well balanced, IMO.