Paddle Shifters

[370Z/28]

Can we get some conversation going here about these? I haven't even tried mine yet.

[Fezzik]

What conversation did you want to start on it? It's not that hard of an install SO long as you have the wiring already there.

[370Z/28]

Oh....I'm sorry. I didn't make myself clear. My new Lexus has them. I don't have a clue how to use them.

[joe603]

I use them occasionally...when I want to play around. On a track, they're used more because you are faster when you stay in gear rather than shifting in certain spots (around an apex, S curves)

[jmann]

Yeah the paddles are just kind of a cool novelty, really pretty to look at but I don't use them too much. I like knowing I have them if I want to shift immediately. That is good to know about what they are useful for but I don't track my car because there's nowhere to take it around here.

[arrow23]

I use mine sometimes, when I wish I had a 6 speed MT.
I ran my car at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham (Indy just raced there) last fall at the Z Nationals.
I used the paddle shifters there, and it was awesome.
Mostly 3rd and 4th gear (I have a 5 speed AT).

[370Z/28]

So, they aren't even operable unless my shifter is all the way to the bottom left, correct? Then, the car won't shift at all, I have to operate them manually? Maybe I can find a place this weekend to play with them. They do look cool.

I did however discover an ETC switch on my car yesterday. It allows the transmission to shift harder and downshift quicker and hold it in the gear longer. It is a very noticable difference. I'm sure it will hurt my MPG some, but makes the car a little more fun to drive. Glad I discovered it. Idiot salesman didn't even mention it even though he knew I was into performance. You can also toggle it the other way for driving in snow.

[Fezzik]

On the G you can shift anytime with the paddles. Dont know how the lexus is. lets say you are in D and not DS and you want to downshift. You can hit a downshift.

[370Z/28]

Thx Fez. I'm going to try it out while it is still under warantee.

[jmann]

I did however discover an ETC switch on my car yesterday. It allows the transmission to shift harder and downshift quicker and hold it in the gear longer.

This sounds like DS mode for the 7AT. I'm not sure it actually shifts any harder, but it is definitely more responsive and holds the gears longer. Once in DS mode though, if you use the paddles it puts it in full on manual mode.

[LuckyLuke]

It is like driving a stick shift, but without using your legs. You use your fingers to shift gears. And no clutch, you don't have to worry about stalling. Left paddle to down shift and right padding to up shift. You can hear your engine roars.

[370Z/28]

On my car it is more like hearing the gerbils running their wheels.

[kmckis1029]

i actually use my paddle shifters a lot... especially if i want a immediate shift on the highway, ever if im in regular D. then when im in the mood, which is a lot of days lol, ill drive my car full manual with the paddles. the engine definately wakes up and i love the fact it will not up shift for you if you hit red line in manual mode. im sure you lose MPG with the paddles, but hearing that down shift and rev match is worth it.

[LuckyLuke]

rev-matching is only on MT, right? MT doesn't have paddle shifter...

[kmckis1029]

both auto and manual rev match

[audtatious]

I rarely use my paddle's unless I'm on a curvy road (DS mode can get lost and hang me out trying to decide what gear to use). During normal driving if I'm in DS mode I use the shifter.