Question for those with the paddle shifters!

[RoombaGuy]

Hi,

I started to use the semi-automatic paddle shifters sometime ... not bad at all. I am quite impressed how they work.

I have noticed that once I get up to 6th, and highway speeds, I need to put it back to D for the engine to run at +-2000rmp @100kmh (60mph). If I leave it on the semi-automatic on 6th, it hangs closer to 2500rpm.

Is that normal or am I doing something wrong?

M.

[rogueagent08]

you're not doing anything wrong.

btw you are not gaining any in performance or fuel effiency by using the shifters.

[lou from ny]

not gaining in performance? the auto trans shifts very low giving it it's good MPG. by using paddles, aren't you reving the engine at higher RPM's and thereby making more use of the powerband?

yes, it's not a sportscar, but it's certanly more fun to drive manually and quicker under certain conditions.

not breaking chops, just looking for clarification....lou

[mrirvine]

definitely quickerIt will shift automatically for you at redline

[RoombaGuy]

Thanks for the answer! Kinda dumb though; I would like to keep it in semi-automatic mode but obviously will not leave it there if its going to rev higher.

I only use it sometimes, such as upon entry to the highway or in light traffic. Cant say for fuel economy. My guess is that I use more since I do let the revs go to the 4000-4500 range.

As a note, I had tried VW/Audi's DGS transmission and was very impressed. So with this one I was not expecting much. Its not as great at the VW DSG box, but does a very good job IMO.

M.

[philipa_240sx]

Many have commented how M6 results in higher rpms than leaving it in auto.

I had the opportunity to test drive a manual/paddle shift equipped model before I bought my car. I honestly didn't care for it. Having come from 2 different manual transmission cars prior to the Rogue, the manual shift just didn't feel natural. I guess the lack of a clutch pedal threw me off and I would constantly forget to shift.

[RiverRogue]

You're definately gaining performance with the paddle shifters because the driver controls the powerband, not the automatic transmission.

And with performance comes a thirst for fuel.

I tend to use the shifters when I'm on mountainous roads.

[takeshi]

+1 -- there's definitely a difference. It really helps when passing, getting on the freeway, driving downhill, etc.

That difference is going to come with the cost of added fuel consumption. You don't get something for nothing.

If I leave it on the semi-automatic on 6th, it hangs closer to 2500rpm.

Is that normal or am I doing something wrong?

It's normal. I don't know the details behind how the CVT and paddle shifters work but I suspect that the "gears" that you can select via the paddles are basically presets whereas the CVT can make use of the entire range.

I wasn't really fond of the Rogue's paddles at first but my cars (Rogue is the SO's) are always manuals. Took a while to get used to the paddles but they're handy at times.

I'd recommend leaving the CVT in auto and using the paddles as-needed. It will automatically return to D after a period of time or you can switch back to D. The semi-auto mode just isn't all that useful IMO unless you need it to remain in "gear".
Modified by takeshi at 7:40 AM 7/1/2009

[rogueagent08]

you should really learn what a CVT transmission is before you try to make a smart a** comment. CVT transmission do not have gears and do not shift like a traditional auto transmission. this is why the MPG is more consistant than a traditional auto transmission. as someone that actually races and drives other high performance cars, high RPMs do not equate to power. the Rogue's "shift" points are pre-determined final drive ratios not gears. i'd be happy to race you in my Rogue at the track, with mine in D and you trying to out shift me. you'll lose everytime as will all the rest of you guys saying it shifts faster, what are you shifting "nothing".

[Daz1204]

They know it doesn't have gears so what was the point of your post?

[koolyce]

Paddle shift are there generally if you want to accelarate on the highway, like for entrance or to pass another car. So it give you the little kick you need.

Also, for winter time is really useful. Trying doing drift with a automatic transmission is ... so manual (kind of), is useful.

[MinisterofDOOM]

you should really learn what a CVT transmission is before you try to make a smart a** comment.

No one attacked you...that was not necessary.

CVT transmission do not have gears and do not shift like a traditional auto transmission.

This is correct, but the CVT's "virtual" gears that the paddle shifters sequence through allow the driver greater control of where in the RPM range the engine is running at a given time. That can be very useful in a variety of situations. I'd take your bet of D vs manual mode in a race simply because I as a human can anticipate gear changes because I know the track...the transmission's control unit can only make at-the-moment changes. That's the fundamental weakness of all automatic transmissions...geared, continuously variable, or even clutched automated manuals. They can't anticipate. I can drop a gear coming into a turn and keep RPMs high, maintain momentum, and scream through. The CVT will fiddle around and be less effective, because it doesn't know what's coming, it only knows what's happening now...which won't necessarily still be useful in half a second. Even worse, the automatic transmission only has a small peek at what's going on now...not the whole picture.

as someone that actually races and drives other high performance cars, high RPMs do not equate to power..

Actually, high RPM does quite literally equate to power. In fact that is EXACTLY the definition of power. Power is a rate at which force is delivered, and RPM is the time value of that rate (the force or work is torque). The higher the RPM, the more POWER is being produced. That's why so many torqueless tiny engines have very high redlines...they can make most use of minimal torque at higher RPMs. Conversely, it's partially why so many torquey motors like truck V8s have very low redlines...you don't need to rev high to make effective use of available torque (another big factor in low redline is of course rotating mass).

[takeshi]

i'd be happy to race you in my Rogue at the track, with mine in D and you trying to out shift me. you'll lose everytime as will all the rest of you guys saying it shifts faster, what are you shifting "nothing".

Where did anyone say that it shifts faster?

MinisterofDOOM's post pretty much explains it. Your brain can anticipate. CVT's (any auto transmission, for that matter) can't. You should know the importance of that if you actually race. You can't just fly down the track with no regard for what's ahead of you and expect a better time than someone who is.

[kerrton]

RogueAgent08 - nobody appreciates your rudeness and there was no need for it, this is a discussion not an argument, and I don't think anybody made any smart *ss comments except you. And everybody here knows that a CVT doesn't have gears we don't need you to give us crap and explain that to us, when we say "gear" we mean "CVT gear ratio, or vitual gear", everyone knows this and we don't expect everyone to repeatedly type "CVT gear ratio" over and over again, especially when discussing the paddle shifters. And if somebody feels that they can utilize the paddle shifters to downshift/upshift and get better performance I believe them, because by selecting a lower gear ratio you are going to generate more power and torque and combined with applying the throttle the rpms will also be higher. Feel free to disagree or make a counter point but there isn't any need to be insulting.

[philipa_240sx]

Ok, I think enough has been said....

[Roguemeister]

i'd be happy to race you in my Rogue at the track, with mine in D and you trying to out shift me. you'll lose everytime as will all the rest of you guys saying it shifts faster, what are you shifting "nothing".

Thanks for the huge laugh of the day. Racing a Rogue at the track...... might as well bake a pie.... more exciting.