Paddle Shifter N00b right here -- I need help!

[SimpsonTide985]

Ok, I didn't want to make this thread to showcase my lack of car knowledge and at the same time owning such an awesome car, but....I think it's time for me to finally understand how to use these paddle shifters on my G37s.

I've used shifters in many cars before but in all honesty...I really didn't know what the heck I was doing, which is a shame, coming from a guy who spent a year at Ford Motor Company... :o

My G37 is an automatic and I've only ever driven an automatic, so my understanding of the use of different gears is still very elementary.


So, can anyone break it all down for me?

Thanks!

[joe603]

The Paddle shifters are not like the one's on a Ferrari...They basically tell the transmission "hey, I'm ready to shift now...please" Whether it shifts depends on many factors. But, the Infiniti system feels much better than others out there. With the 7-speed, really gears 6-7 are for highway fuel economy, while 1-5 are for acceleration. The car uses a system to rev the engine when you downshift for smooth race-like slowdown. The DS mode will allow you to stay in any gear, as long as it will not damage the transmission (you cant downshift to 1st until a set speed). Really, if you want to have the fastest shifting, let the car do it automatically in DS mode. The paddles are more of a gimmick...or a way to force the DS mode to shift if it holds a gear and you didn't want it too.

Hope this helps!

[kmckis1029]

i will say when i track my car i dont use the paddle shifters, i only use DS mode cause its a drag race from dead start. The transmission will shift at max RPM for every gear, and you dont have to wory about missing a shift.

BUT... in street driving i use the paddle shifters about 60% of the time from DS mode so its full manual. If you use the paddles in D mode its not full manual as it will switch back to D mode after some idle time.

while the 7sp auto is a great transmission, it sometimes "thinks" about a down shift in D and DS mode too much. So in auto i cant do exactly what i was thinking at the moment cause the transmission decided to "think" when i stomped the accellerator. But in full manual mode from DS the transmission will shift to what gear you want when you want it (pending its a safe gear change). Its not lighting fast like a IS-F but its fast enough.

Also what you have to learn is at what speed you can down shift into a particular gear. Your owners manual actually lists the top speed for every gear. i would take note of that.

as a general rule ive learned that on the highway 4th gear is the lowest you can go to get some major accelleration (3rd gear sometimes but got to be under like 70mph). Then on the street it really varies between 2nd and 3rd gear for major accelleration, and you almost never have a reason to go down to first except at a almost full stop.

also note that in full manual mode the transmission will let you hit the RMP limiter and wont up shift automaticly like some cars do...