Paddle Shift vs Automatic Mode
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 218
Likes: 164
From: Conifer, Colorado
Paddle Shift vs Automatic Mode
I'm sure am enjoying driving my 17 GS. No cracked wheels yet. I've been learning to drive with my A8 in manual mode and paddle shifting myself. Lazy driving usually keeping the revs between 2k and 3k rpm. Just neighborhood driving. I downshift into corners and zoom up the hills. It is great fun. I'm getting better at it. My mileage for a tank of fuel is about 15 mpg.
So after my my covid booster shot, I was feeling quite tired. I just put the Corvette in "D" and drove that way so I didn't have to think near as much. The Corvette is a completely different driving experience this way. I was surprised. And my mileage has improved to 18 mpg per tank. The revs are usually in the 1500 rpm range, even climbing the steep hills around here. Corvette knows how to maximize efficiency when desired.
This is my first automatic sports car. Manual shifting is more fun for me. I would likely prefer the M7. But having the manual paddle shifting performance and then the automatic relaxed driving is almost like having two cars in one.
Maybe you folks feel the same way.
David
So after my my covid booster shot, I was feeling quite tired. I just put the Corvette in "D" and drove that way so I didn't have to think near as much. The Corvette is a completely different driving experience this way. I was surprised. And my mileage has improved to 18 mpg per tank. The revs are usually in the 1500 rpm range, even climbing the steep hills around here. Corvette knows how to maximize efficiency when desired.
This is my first automatic sports car. Manual shifting is more fun for me. I would likely prefer the M7. But having the manual paddle shifting performance and then the automatic relaxed driving is almost like having two cars in one.
Maybe you folks feel the same way.
David
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,464
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From: Miami
C7 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Hold the left paddle down firm. It will shift into the lowest possible gear.
When in Sport mode over 35-40mph, give the throttle a quick blip while watching your DIC. A message stating "performance shift active" then mash on it.
I sent my TCM out for a tune on my 19. 100% better at WOT
When in Sport mode over 35-40mph, give the throttle a quick blip while watching your DIC. A message stating "performance shift active" then mash on it.
I sent my TCM out for a tune on my 19. 100% better at WOT
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,037
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I have an M7 Z06 and when driving around town I keep engine speed in the 1000 to 1500 rpm range. The car runs great that way. Even when running at 40 mph in 6th gear there is no need to downshift to pass another car. Just floor the pedal and it shoots ahead. On one cool day, I was running about 45 mph in 5th, punched the throttle and spun the rear tires.
Bill
Bill
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,442
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From: New Jersey
I'm sure am enjoying driving my 17 GS. No cracked wheels yet. I've been learning to drive with my A8 in manual mode and paddle shifting myself. Lazy driving usually keeping the revs between 2k and 3k rpm. Just neighborhood driving. I downshift into corners and zoom up the hills. It is great fun. I'm getting better at it. My mileage for a tank of fuel is about 15 mpg.
So after my my covid booster shot, I was feeling quite tired. I just put the Corvette in "D" and drove that way so I didn't have to think near as much. The Corvette is a completely different driving experience this way. I was surprised. And my mileage has improved to 18 mpg per tank. The revs are usually in the 1500 rpm range, even climbing the steep hills around here. Corvette knows how to maximize efficiency when desired.
This is my first automatic sports car. Manual shifting is more fun for me. I would likely prefer the M7. But having the manual paddle shifting performance and then the automatic relaxed driving is almost like having two cars in one.
Maybe you folks feel the same way.
David
So after my my covid booster shot, I was feeling quite tired. I just put the Corvette in "D" and drove that way so I didn't have to think near as much. The Corvette is a completely different driving experience this way. I was surprised. And my mileage has improved to 18 mpg per tank. The revs are usually in the 1500 rpm range, even climbing the steep hills around here. Corvette knows how to maximize efficiency when desired.
This is my first automatic sports car. Manual shifting is more fun for me. I would likely prefer the M7. But having the manual paddle shifting performance and then the automatic relaxed driving is almost like having two cars in one.
Maybe you folks feel the same way.
David
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,798
Likes: 314
From: Santa Fe Tx
It is interesting how many cars now have Paddle Shift.
I too have a 17 GS with an A8. The last two Corvettes have been A8's. I like automatic because I'm an old guy and get wore out shifting if I'm on long drive. I have second guessed myself because after all it is a sports car and shouldn't a sports car be standard shift?
From what I understand you can not get a C8 in Manual?
I am curious about your tracking gas mileage? I also thought gas mileage was not a consideration when buying a sports car? but I guess I'm wrong.
One more comment concerning automatic transmissions- I think they all have too many gears? and 8 speed seems excessive? my 2020 Mustang has 10 gears? way too many. I'd prefer they go back to something simplier like 5 or 6 gears? Focus on getting power to ground and smoothly shift from gear to gear? As it is the computer controls shifting gears. It just seems like it shifts alot? And the shifting is focused on gas mileage not driving experience.
Regardless- drive the car have fun and be safe. NO STREET RACING go to the track
I too have a 17 GS with an A8. The last two Corvettes have been A8's. I like automatic because I'm an old guy and get wore out shifting if I'm on long drive. I have second guessed myself because after all it is a sports car and shouldn't a sports car be standard shift?
From what I understand you can not get a C8 in Manual?
I am curious about your tracking gas mileage? I also thought gas mileage was not a consideration when buying a sports car? but I guess I'm wrong.
One more comment concerning automatic transmissions- I think they all have too many gears? and 8 speed seems excessive? my 2020 Mustang has 10 gears? way too many. I'd prefer they go back to something simplier like 5 or 6 gears? Focus on getting power to ground and smoothly shift from gear to gear? As it is the computer controls shifting gears. It just seems like it shifts alot? And the shifting is focused on gas mileage not driving experience.
Regardless- drive the car have fun and be safe. NO STREET RACING go to the track
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I have been using the paddle shifters on my A6 tranny more often than I used to - it does make driving a bit more engaging.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 87
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver BC
It is interesting how many cars now have Paddle Shift.
I too have a 17 GS with an A8. The last two Corvettes have been A8's. I like automatic because I'm an old guy and get wore out shifting if I'm on long drive. I have second guessed myself because after all it is a sports car and shouldn't a sports car be standard shift?
From what I understand you can not get a C8 in Manual?
I am curious about your tracking gas mileage? I also thought gas mileage was not a consideration when buying a sports car? but I guess I'm wrong.
One more comment concerning automatic transmissions- I think they all have too many gears? and 8 speed seems excessive? my 2020 Mustang has 10 gears? way too many. I'd prefer they go back to something simplier like 5 or 6 gears? Focus on getting power to ground and smoothly shift from gear to gear? As it is the computer controls shifting gears. It just seems like it shifts alot? And the shifting is focused on gas mileage not driving experience.
Regardless- drive the car have fun and be safe. NO STREET RACING go to the track
I too have a 17 GS with an A8. The last two Corvettes have been A8's. I like automatic because I'm an old guy and get wore out shifting if I'm on long drive. I have second guessed myself because after all it is a sports car and shouldn't a sports car be standard shift?
From what I understand you can not get a C8 in Manual?
I am curious about your tracking gas mileage? I also thought gas mileage was not a consideration when buying a sports car? but I guess I'm wrong.
One more comment concerning automatic transmissions- I think they all have too many gears? and 8 speed seems excessive? my 2020 Mustang has 10 gears? way too many. I'd prefer they go back to something simplier like 5 or 6 gears? Focus on getting power to ground and smoothly shift from gear to gear? As it is the computer controls shifting gears. It just seems like it shifts alot? And the shifting is focused on gas mileage not driving experience.
Regardless- drive the car have fun and be safe. NO STREET RACING go to the track
There are complications to this, as anything, but theoretically if one's goal is to maximize acceleration, holding the engine at it's peak power is one of the better ways to do it. More gears allows closer ratios, which means smaller jumps in rpm when shifting, keeping it closer to the sweet spot.
Emissions/regulations is likely a bigger cause for this growth in gearing - just as it allows the engine to be held nearer peak power, when cruising it keeps engine rpm low, improving efficiency and playing kind with emissions regulations.
I'm sure there are a bunch of other considerations I'm not taking into account.
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