I think part of my problem is trying to be so easy on the car. I just love it so much. Often hesitant that I may mess something up.
Learn Something New Every Day
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 694
From: Lagrange KY
Learn Something New Every Day
Usually drive my A8 in normal mode. Exiting an off ramp, I thought how nice it would be if we could save some brake wear and use the engine for mild deceleration. So for grins, I toggled the paddle down one click to see what happens. WA LA! They work just the same as when in manual mode. I did not know that. 
I just cant get over what a wonderful car this C7 is. Have owned several previous generation Vettes, (C4,5,6) but never had one put this much of a grin on my face. It's so refined. To be so comfortable cruising' down the highway with massive amounts of power available if desired and getting 30 MPG! Man, what's not to like.
I just cant get over what a wonderful car this C7 is. Have owned several previous generation Vettes, (C4,5,6) but never had one put this much of a grin on my face. It's so refined. To be so comfortable cruising' down the highway with massive amounts of power available if desired and getting 30 MPG! Man, what's not to like.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 694
From: Lagrange KY
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 465
Likes: 159
From: Minot ND
I've used the downshift paddles almost constantly with two A6s and now my A8. Never had any trouble during my nine years in automatics. The A6 works better as you need to click down 2 or 3 gears in the A8 before it starts making a difference but I'm sure its a matter of getting use to the number of gears. Only got 5k on the clock but heading to Bowling Green next week for a 3000 mile road trip.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 2,613
From: Covington LA
Brakes are cheaper than transmissions. Having said that, as long as you are not going down gears at high RPM putting a lot of stress on the transmission, there is no harm in it. It makes the engine sound cool anyway. Even in racing, you don't downshift to slow the car down, you use the brakes. The downshift occurs to put the engine in the proper RPM range to accelerate out of the corner just before releasing the brakes.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 141
Likes: 35
From: San Diego CA
Another little thing you can do is if you hold the left shift paddle for two seconds it will shift to the lowest appropriate gear for your speed so you don't have to try to keep speed vs gear in your mind.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 694
From: Lagrange KY
Brakes are cheaper than transmissions. Having said that, as long as you are not going down gears at high RPM putting a lot of stress on the transmission, there is no harm in it. It makes the engine sound cool anyway. Even in racing, you don't downshift to slow the car down, you use the brakes. The downshift occurs to put the engine in the proper RPM range to accelerate out of the corner just before releasing the brakes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 833
Likes: 240
I love it.
BUT YOU MUST BE IN MANUAL MODE TO DO THIS.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 51
From: Englewood OH
Brakes are cheaper than transmissions. Having said that, as long as you are not going down gears at high RPM putting a lot of stress on the transmission, there is no harm in it. It makes the engine sound cool anyway. Even in racing, you don't downshift to slow the car down, you use the brakes. The downshift occurs to put the engine in the proper RPM range to accelerate out of the corner just before releasing the brakes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 467
From: Colorado
Maybe on yours, but my '16 2LT A8 will do it in D -- As soon as I start paddle shifting, I'm switched to M mode, then back to D once I'm done playing. I have gotten the dreaded "Shift Denied" when the RPMs are too high. Overall, pretty danged cool system.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,746
Likes: 916
Agreed. The harder you run them, the better they run. Drive it like you stole it and let them bald eagles soar...
Malinois Dad
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 551
From: Kent WA
To the OP - if you're just learning this, there's probably a lot you're missing. First thing I did was read the owner's manual. It has lots of cool tips such as the one you just discovered. Then take the car out and have some fun!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 496
Likes: 142
